On of the leading electric mobility solutions company, Okinawa has announced that the brand discontinued its lead-acid products in the Indian market. Okinawa has stopped the production of lead-acid batteries to concentrate on the lithium-ion battery pack powered electric scooter in the brand’s portfolio. This move will make Okinawa a 100% lithium-ion battery-based two-wheeler manufacturer which is in-line with the governments Make in India initiative as well as the customer demand.
Okinawa was established in 2015 with the aim to create sustainable energy two-wheelers. The brand commenced its journey with the lead-acid scooter Okinawa Ridge followed by the introduction 4 lead-acid scooters in three years of span. Furthermore, the company also launched user detachable and portable lithium-ion battery pack powered scooter versions which were better in terms of technology and gave customers a faster and better-charging solution.
According to Okinawa, the lead-acid battery technology was at its peak and was more affordable than lithium-ion but as the electric vehicle industry has advanced the lithium-ion has more advantages in terms of efficiency and its life span. The battery chemistry can also accept faster rates of charging when compared to lead-acid batteries and is lower on maintenance. As lead has a higher atomic weight the battery pack is also considerably heavier than lithium-ion which gives the lithium-ion batteries an advantage in terms of efficiency.
Okinawa scooters are equipped with indigenously developed IPs, a detachable lithium-ion battery and the brand has also developed its own permanent magnet BLDC motor as well as microprocessor controller. This localised approach has earned the company FAME-II approval and Okinawa is the not only a 100% Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturing company but also the first company to get the FAME-II subsidy which eventually benefits its customers.
The Gurugram-headquartered manufacturer has retailed over 34,000 units of lead acid-based products in India, since its inception. The brand has recorded sales of more than 74,500 units and has a target of 90,000 units by the end of this fiscal.