The next generation of electric motorcycles will be built on top of our high-voltage platform

Dinesh Arjun, CEO & Co-Founder, Raptee.HV.

The Raptee.HV T30 has been described as an electric motorcycle built with ‘EV car DNA’. What specific automotive-grade technologies or engineering philosophies have been adapted from the passenger EV segment into the T30 platform?

The T30's 240V high-voltage architecture, a feature commonly seen in electric vehicles, is one of its main breakthroughs. We decided to introduce this strategy to the two-wheeler market since higher-voltage systems provide better efficiency, stronger performance, and faster charging. We used automotive-grade safety systems, such as a specialised Power Distribution Unit (PDU) that controls power flow and can quickly isolate the battery in the case of a malfunction, to enable this. Additionally, operating at greater voltage and lower current improves efficiency, dependability, and component life by reducing heat generation. The T30 is the only electric motorcycle in India compatible with the existing CCS2 DC fast-charging network, giving riders access to a growing public charging ecosystem. Beyond the technology, we wanted the motorcycle to have a strong and refined presence on the road taking cues from premium automobiles, with clean lines, balanced proportions, and a mature, sophisticated look that feels both modern and timeless.

HV is positioning itself as the only electric motorcycle brand in India compatible with CCS2 car charging infrastructure. How significant is interoperability in accelerating EV adoption, and do you see CCS2 becoming a wider standard for premium two-wheelers in the future?

India already has over 30,000+ charging stations, most of which were built for electric cars. We believe the step forward for electric motorcycles is when riders can use the same network without friction, and that’s what CCS2 compatibility enables on the T30. By adopting the widely used CCS2 standard, we’ve removed that barrier and given riders access to an established public charging network. As the EV market matures, charging compatibility will no longer be a differentiator but a basic expectation. We saw this early and built the T30 to work with existing infrastructure, making electric motorcycling more practical, convenient.

One of the biggest barriers to EV adoption remains charging confidence. How does access to the existing CCS2 charging ecosystem change the ownership experience for long-distance riders and urban commuters alike?

During our 7,530 km ride across India, nearly 90% of our charging was done using public DC fast chargers. Charging stops simply became part of the journey, giving us time to grab a coffee, have a meal, or take a short break before getting back on the road. For everyday riders, it's even more convenient. Most charging can be done overnight at home using the portable charger that comes with the T30. The result is a simple, stress-free ownership experience that gives riders the confidence to use the motorcycle for everything from everyday commutes to extended road trips.

The T30 recently underwent an all-India test ride by an experienced biker. What were the key learnings from this endurance exercise in terms of vehicle performance, charging behaviour, rider ergonomics, and real-world reliability?

The 7,530 km ride across India was the most real-world test of the T30 we could have asked for. It covered a wide range of terrains and changing weather conditions, putting the motorcycle through every kind of riding environment. Averaging 407 km a day, the T30 delivered steady, consistent performance throughout, with no noticeable battery degradation or drop in performance despite repeated riding and fast-charging cycles each day. The expanding charging network made planning simple. The ride highlighted the T30’s comfort and everyday usability with its relaxed riding position, minimal vibrations, and well-tuned suspension made long hours on Indian roads surprisingly easy. Whether in city traffic or on long highway stretches, the motorcycle blended the convenience of a commuter with the comfort of a tourer.

In view of the investment by TIDCO, how important are such policy-backed investments in helping deep-tech mobility startups bridge the gap between prototype innovation and commercial scale?

Deep-tech mobility takes patience. Breakthrough technologies aren’t built in months; they take years of steady work. Seven years of in-house R&D cannot be rushed, and the journey demands long-term conviction along with capital that is willing to stay invested for the long run. This is where policy-backed investment becomes important. By offering patient financing and institutional backing, it closes a crucial gap and frees up startups to focus on real innovation rather than short term pressures or compromises. TIDCO’s support is a strong validation that world-class electric motorcycles can be designed, engineered, and scaled right here in Tamil Nadu. It is a powerful confirmation that Tamil Nadu can design, engineer, and produce top-notch electric motorcycles. For any deep-tech founder, having the government not just as a policy enabler but as a direct investor brings a deeper sense of confidence and stability. It reinforces the belief that long-term innovation is worth backing.

Chennai has steadily emerged as a major EV and automotive manufacturing hub. What advantages has the city offered Raptee.HV in terms of supplier ecosystem, engineering talent, manufacturing capability, and logistics?

We began our journey in Ekkatuthangal, Chennai, a dense, unglamorous industrial pocket where CNC tube bending, lathe and milling shops, sprocket and gear cutting, laser and sheet metal fabrication, welding, and five-axis VMCs coexisted within a single street. We even prototyped aluminium castings and 3D printed components without stepping off that block. If one street in Chennai could support the early development of an electric motorcycle, the scale of what the broader ecosystem offers is self-evident. That supplier density translates directly into speed and faster iteration, shorter development cycles, and the ability to solve problems locally rather than waiting on distant supply chains. The engineering talent pool, shaped by decades of automotive manufacturing in and around the city, meant we could build a technically ambitious team without starting from scratch. Logistics too, has evolved considerably with a vehicle arriving at the factory floor with little more than a few taps on an app. Chennai didn't just give us a place to build. It gave us an ecosystem that could absorb ambition and keep pace with it.

As you scale production from a manufacturing facility in Chennai, what level of factory automation are you introducing across assembly, testing, quality control, and battery integration processes?

Automation makes sense where processes are complex, highly repetitive, or demand precision that human assembly cannot consistently deliver at scale. At our factory, we primarily focus on assembly operations, with only limited manufacturing activities. We do use automation in our battery manufacturing processes. These are areas where automation delivers significant value. Our use of cost-effective IoT solutions across various aspects of the factory has been equally effective. For example, I can monitor and even switch off the factory’s air-conditioning system through a mobile app while sitting at home. To reduce expenses and increase efficiency, we monitor power consumption across the plant, pinpoint locations that use more energy during the hottest summer months and make data-driven decisions. We have also created an internal system for data collecting and traceability. Each battery cell is connected to the vehicle's VIN, and its precise location is tracked. We can trace every step of the production process thanks to this. Because of this, when problems occur in the field, we are better able to see trends, track components back to their origin, and deal with issues pertaining to both the product and the process. Utilising data and connectivity to promote improved visibility, quicker decision-making, and increased operational efficiency has been the true change for us.

Looking ahead, how do you see the Indian electric motorcycle market evolving over the next five years — especially in the premium performance segment — and where does Raptee.HV aim to position itself in that transition?

Over the next five years, electric motorcycles in India will move from being seen as an alternative to petrol bikes to becoming the preferred choice for many riders. Riders would expect electric motorcycles to provide improved performance, convenience, and ownership experience as technology advances and adoption increases. The next generation of electric motorcycles will be built on top of our high-voltage platform. Going forward, we plan to expand our lineup to serve different rider needs while offering greater performance, range, and capability. Beyond producing motorcycles, we want to contribute to the growth of the entire EV ecosystem through innovation and technology leadership. High-voltage electric mobility should become accessible,aspirational and adopted.

Dinesh Arjun, CEO & Co-Founder, Raptee.HV

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinesharjun/