In a bold move set to transform India’s electric vehicle (EV) landscape, Coimbatore native Ragul Nishanth has developed the world’s first portable battery swapping station. His startup, Mechlae Energy, is making EV battery swapping as easy as grabbing a meal at your favourite restaurant.
From College Dropout to Clean Tech Innovator
Ragul Nishanth began his journey at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in 2013, pursuing a BTech in automotive engineering. But the rigid curriculum stifled his creativity. “I wanted to innovate, not just follow textbooks,” Ragul recalls. So, he made a daring decision dropped out and set out to build something revolutionary.
He spent months freelancing as a Computer-Aided Designer, working from a garage in Coimbatore. Ragul delivered tech solutions to global clients, but his heart was set on solving a major problem in India’s EV sector.
Spotting the Market Gap: Range Anxiety in Indian Cities
Ragul noticed a glaring issue in Tier I and Tier II cities-limited charging infrastructure for light electric vehicles (LEVs) like scooters and e-rickshaws. EV owners constantly worried about running out of charge, a problem known as “range anxiety.”
Setting up traditional charging stations is expensive and needs a lot of space. This makes them rare, especially outside big cities. Ragul saw a chance to make a real difference.
Inspiration from Taiwan: The Battery Swap Revolution
Countries like Taiwan have already adopted battery swap technology. Here, EV users simply exchange their empty battery for a fully charged one at a swap station-no waiting, no hassle. Ragul wondered why India didn’t have a portable version of this tech.
His mission was clear: Make energy accessible, anywhere and anytime.
Building Mechlae Energy: The Startup Journey
In 2023, Ragul founded Mechlae Energy in Bengaluru. With a small team and limited funds, they worked tirelessly to create a plug-and-play portable battery swap station. The startup secured two grants and a crucial Rs 25 lakh funding from the Central Government.
“We treat every rupee with respect. Our focus is on building and testing without wasting resources,” Ragul shares.
The World’s First Portable Battery Swap Station
After 18 months of hard work, Mechlae Energy unveiled its portable battery swap station. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Portable & Compact: No need for large land or heavy permits. Stations can be set up at malls, restaurants, dealerships, warehouses, and delivery hubs.
- Zero Downtime: Swap your empty battery for a charged one in minutes. No more waiting for hours at a charging station.
- Supports LEVs and Robots: The tech works for scooters, bikes, autos, e-rickshaws, and even robots.
- All-Weather Ready: Designed to function in extreme temperatures, from Africa to Europe.
- Eco-Friendly: Built with ESG goals in mind, promoting sustainable development and a ‘Make-in-India’ promise.
Business Model and Future Plans
Mechlae Energy will earn revenue by leasing battery swap stations and battery packs. The first pilot deployment is planned for Q3 2025, with several companies already signing letters of intent.
Once the pilot is successful, Mechlae Energy will roll out its portable battery swap ecosystem across India, making EV charging accessible to all.
The Road Ahead
Ragul Nishanth’s journey from a college dropout to a clean tech entrepreneur is inspiring. His innovation could solve one of India’s biggest EV challenges-range anxiety-while supporting the nation’s push for sustainable mobility.