LML Electric Goes In Expansion Mode, To Pump In Rs 350 Crore

LML Electric, which has announced its plans to roll out three products next year in its second coming, is looking to invest Rs 350 crore in the business, including in setting up a new manufacturing plant, a top company executive has said.

The Kanpur-based Lohia Motors Ltd (LML) earlier used to make the iconic Vespa Scooter in collaboration with Italy's Piaggio and C Spa.

The company in September last year announced its plans to re-enter the market with electric vehicles. In April this year, it said the company is looking to unveil three EV products—a hyperbike, an e-bike and an electric scooter—by September and their subsequent launch between February and August next year.

“We are looking at our first investment of Rs 350 crore. This investment is planned for product expansion, setting up a new manufacturing facility and collaborations, among others,” LML Chief Executive Officer Yogesh Bhatia said.

He said that the company has received “many” investment proposals from some “big” investors but it will take a call only after unveiling its products in September this year.

Emphasising that LML Electric has so far been funded through the parent company SG Corporate Mobility, Bhatia said  that the management has discussed the proposals but sought time from the prospective investors  as “we want them to first evaluate all aspects of our products once they are unveiled  in September.”

Mr Bhatia also said that the company has received proposals for land from 2-3 states for a new manufacturing facility, which are being evaluated.

LML Electric has entered into a strategic alliance with Saera Electric Auto, the former manufacturing partner of Harley-Davidson in India, which has a capacity to produce 18,000 vehicles per month, to manufacture its electric two-wheelers.

“We are aiming for a truly world-class electric vehicle manufacturing facility with a capacity to manufacture 1-million vehicles per year in the long term. 

The planned facility will have the flexibility to produce as per the market demand,” he said.

It usually takes 18-24 months to set up a plant, he said without giving a specific timeline for the commissioning of the proposed production facility.

Mr Bhatia said that all the three products will cater to both domestic and international markets with e-bikes mainly targeted towards the Us and European markets, which have good racing tracks besides almost a 100 per cent penetration.

Stating that LML Electric is starting from scratch with a legacy of 50 years but no baggage, unlike other electric vehicle makers who have the baggage in the form of ICE engine platform, among others, Mr Bhatia said the company is looking to address the pain points of an e-two-wheeler buyer with products that are “ totally different, unique and innovative.”

He said that  the company has carried out a detailed study of the EV products  by interacting with consumers, and vehicle designing houses, among others in Europe, adding that, “after which we can say that we are ready to create a new trend and category in the EV space".

“Our product will definitely be accepted if we provide a completely different type of solution in the EV space,” Mr Bhatia asserted.

He said that LML Electric is also looking at charging infra, which is one of the key factors in the adoption of electric vehicles in the country, without elaborating further on the issue.