What if an old petrol vehicle got a second life? This time, as an eco-friendly electric or hybrid model? Explaining that this transformation is possible with retrofitting, Ashish Dokania from Green Tiger Mobility, shares with EFY’s Nitisha Dubey the insights, time, and cost of this sustainable switch.
Q. What are your newest technical features, and how will they benefit your customers?
A. Our company operates in two main business verticals. First, we retrofit and convert petrol-powered two-wheelers into electric or hybrid vehicles. Second, we develop and supply advanced power electronics, such as vehicle control units (VCUs), battery management systems (BMSs), and state-of-charge (SoC) meters, which we provide to various electric vehicle (EV) original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet companies.
Q. What solutions does Green Tiger offer for retrofitting?
A. We offer three retrofit solutions. The first is the bi-mode/independent hybrid system, which allows petrol and electric systems to coexist in the same vehicle. The rider can switch between petrol and electric modes with the push of a button. The second solution is full electric conversion with a portable battery, where the battery is consumer-owned and can be charged using any standard 5-amp socket, such as those used for charging phones or laptops. The third solution caters to commercial riders, converting vehicles to electric with a swappable battery system, currently integrated with Battery Smart and Indofast (a joint venture of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Sun Mobility).
Q. How unique is Green Tiger’s technology?
A. Green Tiger is the world’s first company to offer the bi-mode/independent hybrid solution for two-wheelers and currently holds six approved patents, with one additional patent pending in the United States. It is also the only company in India providing electric conversion retrofits with swappable battery options. For EVs with portable batteries, we have competition from three players—some of whom started before Green Tiger and others afterwards.
Q. Can you elaborate on the patents Green Tiger holds?
A. We have six patents. The first is for a throttle system that independently manages two powertrains—petrol and electric—using a single throttle. The second is a wire harness that simultaneously controls both powertrains through a single system. The third patent covers a mechanism that allows the electric motor to function on geared vehicles without negatively affecting the gearbox. The fourth patent is for remote locking of petrol vehicles through a cloud interface. The fifth is related to seamless switching between power systems. The sixth patent pertains to the overall bi-mode/independent hybrid system.
Q. Who is the target customer for Green Tiger’s retrofit solutions?
A. We serve two broad customer categories. The first is individual consumers with existing petrol two-wheelers that are nearing the end of life, have poor mileage, or are simply environmentally conscious. Within this group, consumers with failing engines typically opt for a full electric conversion, while those with well-functioning engines often choose the hybrid option for its combination of reliability and cost efficiency. The second target group includes commercial riders who typically travel over 100 to 150 kilometres daily. For this segment, EVs with swappable batteries are the only viable solution due to the limited downtime for charging. At the same time, we partner with e-commerce giants like Swiggy and Amazon, and purchasing decisions are made mainly by individual riders themselves, not the corporations.
Q. How long does it take to complete a retrofitting process?
A. While the actual retrofitting takes about four hours, the company typically takes two days to deliver the final product. This includes a 130-parameter inspection before and after the conversion, issuance of the bill of materials, and pre-delivery inspections both manually and through cloud systems to ensure quality and consistency.
Q. What does retrofitting cost the consumer?
A. For both hybrid and electric conversions, the base cost is ₹49,600. However, due to different goods and services tax (GST) rates, the final price for hybrid conversions is ₹58,000, while electric conversions cost ₹52,500. The swappable battery option with Indofast costs ₹36,000, inclusive of GST, regional transport office (RTO) charges, and insurance. Excluding RTO and insurance, the swappable option costs ₹32,000.
Q. What kind of maintenance is required after retrofitting?
A. Maintenance is minimal for the electric components. One service visit per year is typically sufficient. Since the mechanical parts are original and widely available, regular maintenance is straightforward. In hybrid systems, petrol usage is reduced significantly, thereby lowering the need for frequent servicing, typically from five times a year to two or three times.
Q. How does retrofitting affect performance and fuel efficiency?
A. The retrofit enhances vehicle stability by improving weight distribution between the engine and the electric motor. While this added weight slightly reduces the pickup compared to pure EVs, the difference is negligible for consumers. Fuel efficiency is minimally impacted, with a potential drop of only 0.2 per cent, if any.
Q. Is the retrofitted vehicle safe and compliant?
A. Yes, the retrofitted vehicles undergo the same safety certifications and compliance standards as those from established OEMs. Each retrofit is approved by the RTO, and the vehicle’s registration certificate (RC) book is duly updated. The process adheres to guidelines from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Q. What warranty is offered on retrofitted vehicles?
A. We offer a two-year warranty on batteries and a one-year warranty on all other components.
Q. Does retrofitting affect the vehicle’s original warranty?
A. In full electric conversions, the original OEM is effectively replaced by Green Tiger, so previous warranties become void. In hybrid conversions, the OEM warranty may be affected, but most customers have vehicles older than five years, where warranties have already expired.
Q. Are there any limitations for the retrofitted vehicle?
A. Limitations are similar to those of any standard electric two-wheeler, with the primary factor being the range. There are no additional restrictions imposed beyond those.
Q. What regulatory approvals are needed for retrofitting?
A. Retrofitting requires certification under the Automotive Indian Standards (AIS), and every converted vehicle must undergo rigorous testing and approval processes, similar to those followed by OEMs.
Q. How many retrofits has Green Tiger completed?
A. Since launching its full-fledged retrofit services in August 2024, Green Tiger has completed nearly 600 retrofits.
Q. What support does Green Tiger provide after the sale?
A. Green Tiger has a dedicated service team available for customer issues. The company’s strong customer service is reflected in its 4.8-star Google rating, a testament to consistent service quality and consumer satisfaction.
Q. How does Green Tiger compare with established OEMs like Ather, Ola, or Hero?
A. In terms of certification, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing standards, Green Tiger adheres to the same processes as major OEMs like TVS Motor Company (TVS) or Honda Motor Company (Honda). We undergo similar testing, certification, and traceability protocols. The primary difference lies in the business model—Green Tiger is a direct-to-consumer (D2C) brand and utilises existing OEM chassis for retrofits instead of manufacturing entire vehicles.
Q. Are all Green Tiger components made in-house?
A. We design and develop most of the components internally. Some, like wire harnesses and mechanical parts such as suspensions or swing arms, are contract-manufactured to save costs. Electronics like VCUs and BMSs are designed in-house, with manufacturing handled by electronic manufacturing services (EMS) partners. Flashing and firmware integration are done internally. Although specific components like cells and motors are imported, most procurement is done through local arms of global suppliers, minimising direct imports.
Q. Does Green Tiger import components?
A. Yes, some components, such as lithium-ion cells and motors, are imported from China. Other items, such as metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) and resistors, are sourced via Indian branches of global semiconductor companies to reduce import dependency.
Q. Where are Green Tiger’s facilities located?
A. The headquarters is located in Bengaluru. The main retrofit facility is also in Bengaluru, in Bomanahalli. Additional centres are being launched in North Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi—some through franchise models and others as company-owned units. These retrofit centres also function as localised manufacturing units in practice, given the depth of work involved.
Q. Is Green Tiger looking for partnerships?
A. Yes, we are open to vendor and franchise partnerships. One major challenge is navigating complex RTO processes. Simplification of these procedures by the government would greatly accelerate growth.
Q. What challenges did the company face initially?
A. Initially, there were no automotive standards for the bi-mode/independent hybrid, and most EV components had to be imported. Talent was scarce, and policy frameworks were non-existent. However, the company worked with regulators like ARAI, which eventually became Green Tiger’s first institutional supporter. Government agencies, including the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI), Indian Institute of Management-Bangalore (IIM Bangalore), and Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani), also offered support over time.
Q. Are there any government subsidies for retrofitting?
A. Currently, retrofitting lacks government incentives despite employment, skills, and environmental advantages.
Q. What policy changes could help the retrofitting industry?
A. The government can support the industry by simplifying RTO registration processes and allowing fitness certificate extensions for retrofitted vehicles. Financial incentives would be a bonus, but operational streamlining alone could provide substantial industry growth.
Q. Are there emission compliance requirements for retrofitted vehicles?
A. Since the retrofitted vehicles incorporate electric drivetrains, which produce no emissions, they meet and exceed existing emission standards. The petrol portion remains as approved initially under Bharat norms.
Q. What are the company’s future plans?
A. With a massive base of 300 million petrol two-wheelers in the country, we see immense growth potential in the domestic market. For now, we are focused on scaling within India and do not plan to consider international expansion in the short term. We plan to invest in integrating back-end components to strengthen our capabilities.
