Indofast, Green Tiger launch EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers
EV Retrofit Kits for Petrol Two-Wheelers: Indofast and Green Tiger Transform India’s Mobility
Table of Contents
- Revolutionary Partnership: EV Retrofit Kits for Petrol Two-Wheelers
- How the EV Conversion Technology Works
- The Companies Behind the Innovation
- Key Benefits of EV Retrofit Solutions
- Availability and Expansion Plans
- Financial Options and Regulatory Approvals
- Compatible Models and Future Plans
- Impact on India’s EV Transition
- Frequently Asked Questions
The new EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers enable conversion of popular models from Hero, Honda, and TVS into fully electric vehicles with swappable battery technology. Image: Indofast Energy/Green Tiger
Revolutionary Partnership: EV Retrofit Kits for Petrol Two-Wheelers
In a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable mobility, Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) provider Indofast Energy has partnered with Green Tiger Mobility to launch innovative EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers. This collaboration enables owners of conventional petrol scooters to convert their existing vehicles into fully functional electric vehicles, eliminating the need to purchase new EVs while still enjoying the benefits of green transportation.
The newly announced EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers offer a comprehensive solution that includes ARAI-approved conversion components, swappable battery technology, and complete regulatory compliance. This development represents a significant milestone in India’s EV adoption journey, particularly targeting the massive two-wheeler segment that dominates the country’s roads.
Key Innovation Highlights
The partnership combines Indofast’s extensive battery swapping infrastructure (900+ stations nationwide) with Green Tiger’s expertise in developing retrofit solutions, creating a practical pathway for existing petrol two-wheeler owners to join the electric revolution without discarding their current vehicles.
How the EV Conversion Technology Works
The EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers involve a comprehensive conversion process that transforms conventional internal combustion engine scooters into battery-powered electric vehicles. The conversion replaces the petrol engine, fuel tank, and related components with an electric motor, controller system, and battery compartment designed to work with Indofast’s swappable battery ecosystem.
What makes this solution particularly innovative is the integration with battery swapping technology, eliminating one of the major concerns for EV adopters—charging time and range anxiety. Instead of waiting for batteries to charge, users can simply exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones at any of Indofast’s swap stations, a process that takes less than two minutes.
The Companies Behind the Innovation
This revolutionary approach to vehicle electrification brings together two specialized players in India’s growing EV ecosystem:
- Indofast Energy: A 50-50 joint venture between IndianOil (one of India’s largest oil marketing companies) and SUN Mobility (a leader in EV energy infrastructure), Indofast operates more than 900 battery swap stations across India. Their Battery-as-a-Service model separates battery ownership from vehicle ownership, significantly reducing upfront costs for EV users.
- Green Tiger Mobility: Based in Mumbai, this innovative company specializes in developing hybrid and electric conversion solutions for existing two-wheelers. Their expertise lies in creating ARAI-approved retrofit technologies that meet regulatory standards while delivering reliable performance.
Together, these companies are addressing a critical gap in India’s EV transition strategy—the ability to convert the massive existing fleet of petrol two-wheelers rather than waiting for their natural replacement cycle, which could take decades.
Key Benefits of EV Retrofit Solutions
The introduction of EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers offers multiple advantages for vehicle owners, particularly those in the gig economy who rely heavily on two-wheelers for their livelihood:
Benefits of Conversion
- Cost Savings: Significant reduction in operational costs, with electric power being substantially cheaper than petrol
- Asset Preservation: Allows owners to keep their familiar and trusted vehicles rather than purchasing entirely new ones
- Environmental Impact: Immediate reduction in emissions and contribution to cleaner air in urban areas
- Regulatory Compliance: Full RTO approvals and documentation included, ensuring legal operation
- Performance: Modern electric drivetrains often provide better torque and smoother acceleration than older petrol engines
- Maintenance: Electric powertrains have fewer moving parts, potentially reducing maintenance requirements
Rajat Malhan, Senior Vice President of Indofast Energy, emphasized the transformative potential: “Imagine your reliable petrol scooter, reborn as a sleek, battery-swappable EV. No new vehicle purchase, just a smart, sustainable upgrade! This partnership is a significant step towards green mobility for a cleaner India, while reducing fuel costs, cutting emissions, and supporting India’s EV adoption goals.”
Availability and Expansion Plans
The EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers are initially available in Bangalore, with a carefully planned national rollout strategy:
- Current Availability: Bangalore city and surrounding areas
- May 2025: Expansion to Delhi-NCR region
- Next 12-15 Months: Phased rollout across major Indian cities and eventually nationwide coverage
This gradual expansion aligns with Indofast’s battery swap station network development, ensuring that converted vehicles will have access to the necessary swapping infrastructure to support their operation. The companies have indicated that future expansion will prioritize areas with high two-wheeler density and significant gig worker populations.
Financial Options and Regulatory Approvals
One of the most significant barriers to EV adoption has been the high upfront cost. Recognizing this challenge, the partners have developed flexible financial options for the EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers:
- Initial down payment option with remaining cost spread through EMI payments
- All-inclusive package covering conversion, RTO approvals, and insurance adjustments
- Potential savings on operational costs offsetting the conversion investment over time
A particularly noteworthy aspect of this offering is the comprehensive regulatory compliance package. The conversion includes all necessary Regional Transport Office (RTO) approvals, ensuring that retrofitted vehicles meet government standards and can be legally operated as electric vehicles with appropriate documentation and insurance.
Financial Advantage
For commercial riders and delivery workers who travel 80-100 km daily, the conversion cost can potentially be recovered within 12-18 months through savings on fuel and maintenance, after which the operational cost advantage becomes a direct benefit to their income.
Compatible Models and Future Plans
Currently, the EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers are available for the top 11 highest-selling scooter models in India from leading manufacturers:
- Hero Splendor, Passion, and Maestro series
- Honda Activa and Dio models
- TVS Jupiter and NTorq
- Suzuki Access
- Yamaha Fascino
These models represent a significant portion of India’s two-wheeler fleet, particularly those used by delivery workers and everyday commuters. The companies have indicated plans to expand the compatibility to additional models based on market demand and technical feasibility.
Ashish Dokania, Founder of Green Tiger Mobility, shared his vision: “At Green Tiger, we believe the future of mobility is not just about new electric vehicles but about transforming millions of petrol two-wheelers already on our roads. Our retrofit solution, powered by Indofast’s swappable batteries, bridges the gap between sustainability and practicality—giving people an easy way to embrace electric without replacing their trusted rides.”
Impact on India’s EV Transition
The introduction of EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers could significantly accelerate India’s transition to electric mobility. With over 200 million two-wheelers on Indian roads, a solution that enables conversion rather than replacement addresses both environmental urgency and economic realities.
Industry analysts suggest that retrofit solutions could potentially convert 10-15% of existing two-wheelers to electric over the next five years, particularly in commercial and gig economy segments where the economic benefits are most immediately realized. This would represent millions of vehicles transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity, with corresponding reductions in urban pollution and carbon emissions.
India’s EV Ambitions
India aims to achieve 30% electric vehicle penetration by 2030. While new vehicle sales will drive a significant portion of this transition, retrofit solutions for the existing fleet—particularly the dominant two-wheeler segment—could prove crucial in meeting these targets within the desired timeframe.
Frequently Asked Questions
About EV Retrofit Kits for Petrol Two-Wheelers
| How much does the conversion cost? | While exact pricing varies by scooter model, the conversion package typically costs between ₹25,000-40,000, with down payment and EMI options available to make it more accessible. |
| What happens to the original petrol engine? | The original engine and related components are removed during conversion and can either be returned to the owner or responsibly recycled through the program, depending on the customer’s preference. |
| What is the range after conversion? | With a fully charged battery, converted vehicles typically deliver 65-80 km of range. However, since the system uses swappable batteries, effective range is unlimited as batteries can be exchanged at swap stations when depleted. |
| How long does the conversion process take? | The physical conversion typically takes 1-2 days, while the complete process including RTO approvals and documentation can take 7-10 days total. |
| Does the conversion affect the vehicle’s warranty? | The original manufacturer’s warranty on the base vehicle will be void after conversion, but Green Tiger provides a 1-year warranty on the electric drivetrain components, and Indofast warranties the battery performance through their swap service. |
Key Takeaways
- Indofast Energy and Green Tiger Mobility have partnered to launch EV retrofit kits for petrol two-wheelers in India
- The conversion solution includes ARAI-approved components, swappable battery technology, and RTO approvals
- Currently available in Bangalore, expanding to Delhi-NCR in May and nationwide within 15 months
- Compatible with 11 popular scooter models from Hero, Honda, TVS, Suzuki, and Yamaha
- Flexible payment options include down payment with EMI arrangements
- The solution targets significant cost savings for heavy users like delivery and gig workers
- The retrofit approach addresses both environmental goals and economic realities of India’s EV transition
About The Author
