Ola Electric Mobility Pvt’s new electric-scooter factory aims to make 10 million two-wheelers annually, or 15% of the world’s e-scooters by 2022, in an operation run and managed entirely by women.
Led by Bhavish Aggarwal, the e-mobility business may be a follow-up to ride-hailing startup Ola, which is predicted to form its debut on public markets next year. The vision for his newest venture is to supply the globe “clean mobility, a carbon-negative footprint, and an inclusive workforce,” the founder said.
The first group of workers started in the week at the factory, which is able to cost $330 million to finish. “At full capacity, Futurefactory will employ over 10,000 women, making it the world’s largest women-only factory and also the only all-women automotive manufacturing facility globally,” he wrote during a blog on Monday.
Backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management, Ola Electric looks to roll out a scooter every two seconds after completing a planned expansion next year. The factory are substantially automated and include 3,000 robots working alongside the all-female workforce.
Mr Aggarwal’s goal is to eventually assemble a full lineup of electrical vehicles including three-wheelers and cars. Ola’s inaugural S1 e-scooter are going to be priced at 99,999 rupees ($1,360) to compete with traditional two-wheelers in India. Exports are to start later this year.
“Enabling women with economic opportunities improves not just their lives but that of their families and indeed the full community,” Mr Aggarwal said. Women’s participation within the local manufacturing industry stands at just 12% and “for India to be the world’s manufacturing hub, we must prioritize upskilling and generating employment for our women workforce,” the founder said within the blog.
