An e-mobility startup based in Pune uses Dassault Systemes’ 3DX platform to quickly design and develop an innovative electric two-wheeler that can carry cargo and is user-friendly. The company also finds untapped market opportunities in India’s rapidly expanding last-mile logistics sector and anticipates selling one million Qargo F9s in the next five years.
According to the company’s research, approximately 25% of two-wheelers used for last-mile product and service delivery in India have a difficult vehicle format that prevents enough room for cargo to be stowed while in transit. Alok Das, co-founder of Qargos, told Autocar Professional, “Therefore, we identified this white space in the market wherein there was room to offer a customised two-wheeler solution to deliver light cargo in a safe, convenient, and speedy manner.”
The idea behind this venture, which was started by IPR lawyer Das, was to create a vehicle that would creatively address the issue of riders having to carry the weight of the cargo on their shoulders while riding a two-wheeler to deliver goods or services—a common occurrence in India’s urban areas. In a short amount of time—less than 24 months—the company conducted research around this problem statement and came up with the Qargos F9.
The company created the final product using the 3DExperience suite of tools from Dassault Systemes, which included Solidworks for the design and Simulia for the virtual simulation of the vehicle. According to the company, the product is currently being tested by one of the top international companies in India that operates in the logistics and defence sectors. In densely populated Indian cities, Qargos envisions the F9 serving as a two-wheeled ambulance and first response vehicle.
In order to provide a comfortable riding position, the F9’s steel chassis, which was designed in-house, incorporates a closed cargo compartment with a 100 kg payload capacity in front of the rider’s seat. The 4.7kWh fixed Li-ion battery’s low centre of gravity and the electric motor mounted on the rear hub’s 200Nm of torque provide agility and quick acceleration on crowded city streets.
According to Dassault Systemes, the design tools solution major was seeking to collaborate with young startups that aim to launch their products faster and use simulation-driven design. Within 24 months, Qargos was able to develop the product from the ground up with the aid of the French giant’s digital-twin solutions. The business claims to have combined all development tools into one platform with its 3DExperience suite.
Although the F9’s controller and e-motor are currently imported, Qargos claims that it is currently searching for local suppliers for these expensive parts of the EV drivetrain. According to the company, the Qargos F9 has been granted over 100 design patents in more than 40 nations.According to Qargos, the market for its product is estimated to be in the range of millions of units, with the e-commerce delivery segment comprising only a minor portion of its potential market. “We are looking at milk vendors, courier delivery companies, MSMEs, defence, as well as e-commerce players, among others, who could be the potential customers of our vehicles,” Das stated.
Customers of electric two- and three-wheelers are likely to overlap as a result of our product’s cross-sector impact. We could reach sales of about a million units in less than five years if we can win over these clients,” he continued.
The company says it is searching for a 200,000 square foot site in Chakan, near Pune, to set up an assembly plant with an annual capacity of 50,000 units. It has received a pre-order for 500 units from a major logistics player. Up to US$ 3 million would need to be invested by Qargos in order to carry out its future go-to-market strategy and plans. With its digital twin tools, Dassault Systemes, which has made it possible to virtually validate the product and design it, will also make it possible for Qargos to proceed with manufacturing before the factory is actually put into operation.
A senior spokesperson for Dassault Systemes stated, “We are looking to extend our engagement with startups beyond design, and offer them end-to-end solutions, including the virtual layout of the shopfloor as well.” “We could expand the respective application tools based on the customer’s requirements,” the software major’s spokesperson continued. “That is the power of the 3DExperience platform.”
While Qargos aims to price the F9 in the region of Rs 150,000, ex-showroom, Qargos will also be willing to tie up with players like Zypp Electric, which is a growing EV delivery services provider in the country. “We are looking at leasing partners, and several of them are startups themselves. We also intend to talk to the government for financing the vehicle under the Mudra loans that encourage micro-entrepreneurship in the country,” Das said.
Qargos is also eyeing overseas potential for its electric cargo-transporting two-wheeler in markets like Europe, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia.