CV1-I2-6B- START UP-EMIGO: A Venture of Dream

EMIGO: A Venture of Dream

Contribution by Research Team, ITM Business School, Navi Mumbai

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them says Tejsing Gaikwad a Mechanical Engineer from Nagpur University, Fellow of IIT Bombay and Alumni of IIM Calcutta. He began his career in Defence Automobiles.  Throughout his career, he was associated to Automobile Industry and he is specialist in Engine Designs.

He developed BAE Systems on “Airplane Control System and Component Design” in the third year of engineering. In the Final Year of Mechanical Engineering worked with Honda (Japan) and worked on Engine Design developed Camless Engine (free-valve piston engine with poppet valves operated by means of electromagnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators instead of cams). Actuators can be used to both open and close valves, or to open valves closed by springs or other means. Developed a new engine design which was purchased by DaimlerChrysler.  Later, worked on various engine designs with DaimlerChrysler.

Between the year 2000-2001, Tejsing made the 1st Electric Bike in Nagpur which ran on a switch to change from two-stroke and four-stroke.  The cost for this electric bike was too high and hence sold his innovation to Mercedes Benz (DaimlerChrysler).  He tried to build engine with similar technology for Kinetic Honda, but it was not fructified as it was not feasible.

After completing engineering started freelance consulting with various companies.  After this joined Tata Motors and worked on all Engines of different types of vehicles right from Two-Wheeler to Commercial Heavy Vehicles for 8 years. For 2 years, working on getting an exposure in international market for 6 sectors of Tata Group for their presence in Global Market.  Mr. Ratan Tata then appreciated the work done by Mr. Tejsing Gaikwad and was suggested for the position of Head – Business Expansion (South America), Tata Group (all verticals).

The idea generation of Electric vehicle struck the mind in the year 2009 and started working on the idea.  In the year 2010, prepared a project proposal for Tata Motors on Electric Vehicle.  The investment required for the project was 1000 crores.  Collected information on market canvasing, market scanning, electric vehicles industry study in India and across the globe to prepare the project for Tata Motors.  In the year 2011, it was fixed into the mind that this is ‘THE WAY’ to enter into Electric Auto market and this was a turning point in the life when he decided to start his own start-up of electric vehicles.

He took a career break from 2011-2012 and utilised this period for survey of various industries in India and abroad and learnt meditation and vipassana for relaxation.  Visited all major vendors and all automobiles to understand the various technologies used by different companies. For a short span also worked in the power sector and gained knowledge on transmission and energy losses and spent around 20-15 lacs in this transition period for the study. The vast knowledge acquired during this period strengthened the decision on the vision of electric automobiles and the belief that the future of electric vehicles is huge in India.

In the year 2012, He was quite determinant that he wanted to enter the electric and hybrid vehicle market and put the foundation of TAG E-Motors India.  This venture was based in Nagpur. It was started in Nagpur as it was home town and the central point for connecting with all four zones in India (North, South, East and West). In 2012, also started TAG Eutomotive (TAG stands for Time Assign to Gene) in Pune.  Hence, Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune became the major workstations.  Deloitte and Blackstone (South America) and China were ready to provide financial support.

From the year 2012 to 2014 worked on conceptual development and design of the vehicle.  Designed 20 types of steering of three-wheeler.  Designed a Fleet of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and four-wheelers.  The engineering design is ready for all the vehicles. Also designed 300 kg electric commercial loader to 4 tonne electric commercial vehicle and buses.

Tag Eutomotive Pvt. Ltd. (TEPL) is his own setup and subsidiary holding of TAG.  The group has eight subsidiaries to support the R&D, sourcing, manufacturing and marketing electric vehicles.

TEPL manufactures electric and hybrid vehicles, electric four-wheeler, electric three-wheeler, electric two-wheeler, auto rickshaw, e-rickshaw, e-loader, e-cart, electric bikes electric scooter, electric scooterette, electric cars, electric school bus 12-16 seater, electric 8-12 seater school auto.  The first vehicle launched in Auto Expo 2017 in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi is Emigo 5S/7S (5 seats + driver and 7 seats + driver).  This is premium, elegant and value for money electric passenger eRickshaw which has been thoroughly designed and tested not only to sustain rough terrains and touch weathers with automotive standards and ISO Grade Materials. Three more models are ready but not yet launched.  These models will be launched in Auto Expo 2018.

The total strength of the organization comprises of 47 core engineers, innovators and designers, which are the direct staff and 150 people are working on developing and designs.  500 + people are working in the manufacturing department in the plant in Jalgaon.

TEPL procured land in Shirval (Pune) for setting up of second manufacturing plant. They have even exported few models of these electric vehicles on testing basis for clinic test to Africa and South America. The organization is not funded by any Financial Institution and is a debt free company.  TAG has expertise in everything and anything in electric vehicles for uniqueness and innovations.

As per Trejsingh electric vehicles are manufactured at 1/3rd operation cost and half of the ownership cost as compared to the conventional petrol auto-rickshaws and the life of the electric vehicle is 30% more than the conventional vehicle. The cost of the Electric Auto is 40% less than the Conventional Auto. There is possibility of lean design and hence no over designing.  The charging time for this electric auto is 8 hours and runs for 150 hrs after fully charged.  It covers 300 km in one charge, while the conventional one runs for 150 km. The battery life is 8 years as it uses lithium battery.  TEPL offers 3 yrs. warranty and expected vehicle life is 10-15 years. In conclusion, one can firmly say that, TPEL in true sense is a supporter and implementer of  ‘Make-in India’ initiative by Govt of India.