British eDrive specialist Saietta has signed a master supply agreement with AVTEC Limited, one of the largest independent manufacturers of powertrain and precision-engineered products in India.
The partnership brings together AVTEC’s expertise in the design and manufacture of transmissions with Saietta’s motor and inverter capability. The resulting eDrives have been designed for 3- and 4-wheel lightweight EVs for its first set of commercial agreements which have been secured with one of the largest OEMs in the Indian light-duty mobility market. Production is on track to commence in Q3 ‘23.
In addition to the supply agreement, Saietta and AVTEC intend to proactively market the combined eDrive technology to other existing and prospective clients, tailoring the core eDrive design to meet the precise requirements of additional individual OEMs in India and beyond.
The timing is right, given the lightweight eMobility market in India is growing rapidly, registering more than 1 million EVs last year (up 200 per cent. compared to 2021). Designed in the UK, the eDrive units will be made in India.
“When bringing any new technology to the mass market, it’s critically important to work with supplier partners who have a proven track record of delivering at the required scale, on time, on cost and on quality,” said Tony Gott, Executive Chairman, Saietta Group Plc. “AVTEC undoubtedly ticks every one of those boxes. We’ve been collaborating very effectively technically since Q3 last year and everything is on track for our planned start of production.”
“We are delighted to join hands with Saietta to develop and supply end to end eDrive solutions to customers, thus enabling the transition into a wider role,” said Neeraj Jain, MD and CEO of AVTEC Limited. “This is a unique proposition that has been forged at an opportune time, as the EV space continues to grow exponentially facilitated by favourable government policies and incentives. We are evermore prepared to provide an exceptional product range and are confident to play a paramount role in this transition, creating a sustainable revolution of EV mobility in India.”
Over the course of the initial five years of the supply contract, Saietta and AVTEC will have the capability to produce a minimum of 150,000 complete eDrive units for customers globally. 80,000 units are already reserved for the launch OEM in India.
