Ampere Vehicles acquires 74 per cent stake in e-rickshaw maker BAPL

Mumbai

Ampere Vehicles, a wholly-owned electric mobility subsidiary of Greaves Cotton Ltd., recently acquired Noida based electric-3Wheeler company Bestway Agencies Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) which sells E-Rickshaws under the popular ELE brand.

The company acquired 74 per cent stake of the BAPL, subject to customary closing conditions.

Through this acquisition, Ampere Vehicles will expand its presence in the fast disrupting E-Rickshaw segment to become an integrated last mile E-Mobility player with strong presence in both E-2W and E-3W. E-Rickshaw is one of the largest and fastest growing category of electric vehicles in India and offers clean, comfortable and cost-effective mobility to customers and also increases the daily earning potential of driver community.

The company foresees rapid growth in this segment as affordable mobility needs expand in the country and as post-COVID thrust towards employment generation increases at bottom of the pyramid. In addition to B2C segment, with this acquisition, Ampere will also be able to offer a complete product portfolio to its B2B customers who have requirements for E-3W as well for both people and cargo mobility.

Nagesh Basavanhalli, MD & CEO of Greaves Cotton Ltd. and Director, Ampere Vehicles, said, “Ampere is one of India’s fast growing and comprehensive EV ecosystem player that is creating value in the last mile mobility ecosystem. The acquisition will further strengthen Ampere's relationship with the Indian consumer by adding last mile mobility products and services for uninterrupted journey, enhancing productivity across E-2W & E-3W spectrum. Combining Ampere’s and Bestway’s expertise will help in further boosting company’s growth and strengthen market positioning as leading E-Mobility business in India.”

BVR Subbu, Chairman, Ampere Vehicles, said, “Within two years of Ampere acquisition by Greaves, the company has grown phenomenally and has achieved several milestones thereafter to become a preferred and affordable E-2wheeler brand under personal mobility segment in the country. With the acquisition of Bestway, Ampere has now embarked on a new journey to provide clean, safe and sustainable shared mobility solutions through E-3wheeler and become a leading player in building and strengthening the country’s EV ecosystem.”  

E-3wheeler segment has seen growth acceleration in the last few years and Bestway’s ELE e-rickshaw has been one of the top 3 brands in this organized segment in the high growth markets of Eastern India and Eastern UP.  Bestway has a strong B2C presence in the mass market passenger segment and has recently entered new segments of cargo carrier and B2B commercial mobility with custom-built applications. The company has fit for purpose frugal manufacturing and ecosystem partnerships with financing companies and culture for serving customers at the bottom of the pyramid.

Apart from manufacturing, Bestway Agencies Pvt. Ltd. is involved in e-rickshaw and e-3wheeler parts for more than 7 years. The company has presence across 16 states & is operating with 125 dealers and manufacturing in Greater Noida.