The eMotor will produce 4kW of continuous power at 48V. Saeitta is also constructing a high-tech, 30,000ft2 eDrive manufacturing facility in Delhi, with production slated to begin in 2023.
Headquartered in the UK, Saietta Group provides a portfolio of technologies designed for integration into a wide range of vehicles and marine craft, the latest of which is the RFT85-65, its Radial Flux Technology (RFT) eMotor for lightweight two and three wheel applications.
The RFT85-65 was designed by Saietta’s Light Duty eDrive (LDE) team in conjunction with Saietta VNA. The compact air-cooled unit produces 4kW of continuous power at 48V, is lightweight and efficient, and can be fully integrated with Saietta’s power electronics and transmission. The RFT85-65 is anticipated to be produced in India alongside Saietta’s AFT140, an Axial Flux Technology (AFT) eMotor ideal for premium motorbikes and lightweight three and four wheel applications between one and two and a half tons, such as last-mile delivery vehicles.
Prad Walimbe has been newly appointed as managing director o lead the next phase in the joint venture’s commercial and technical operations, and appointed a new non-executive director with extensive Indian market experience. Walimbe holds an MBA from the University of Edinburgh Business School, an Executive Programme in Business Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, and a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Pune University. Previously, Walimbe founded a social enterprise in Oxford, UK.
“India is one of the largest and most strategic auto and electrification markets in the world, and we have high ambitions for it,” said Walimbe, adding, “With the Saietta AFT and RFT eDrives, we intend to develop an affordable and scalable eco system that will accelerate the adoption of electric mobility.”
In addition, a non-executive director joined the board at Saietta Group in 2021. A respected and established automotive industry leader, Seshu Bhagavathula has joined Saietta as a non-executive director on the group’s board. Bhagavathula has previously held senior executive positions at Ashok Leyland Group, Great Wall Motor Company, Daimler Trucks and Daimler Chrysler AG.
“It is an honour to be part of Saietta Group at such a pivotal moment,” said Bhagavathula. With Saietta VNA, we are well placed to meet local market requirements in the country and work closely with major Indian OEMs as they look to electrify their product line-ups, meeting tough upcoming legislation and, most importantly, providing clean mobility to customers.”
Kabir Bhandari, managing director of Padmini VNA, also commented, “Should India achieve its EV ambitions and targets, the market opportunity for the decade to 2030 is estimated to be worth around $206 billion by 2030, and the Government has a clear commitment to electrify the auto sector,” stressing the importance of democratizing zero-emission mobility throughout India to tackle chronically high levels of air pollution.
