Founders of Hyderabad based EV startup Kachbo, Nishith Parikh and Rajkumar Kewat are both IIT graduates who have innovated a foldable electric cycle that can be carried around without lifting.
As the demand for electric vehicles (EV) is on a rise across the country, Hyderabad-based startup named Kachbo Design has come up with a unique innovation — a foldable e-bicycle.
At a glance, this first-of-its-kind electric bike might look like a regular bike, but little do onlookers know that it can be folded within 10 seconds. Moreover, it consumes less than half the space and can also be carried around without lifting.
The founders of Kachbo Design and IIT alumni, Nishith Parikh and Rajkumar Kewat built Hornback, with the belief that people would switch to riding e-bikes by 2030.
Realising the rise in demand for EVs, the duo conceived the idea of building an e-bike in 2017, during their graduation days at IIT Bombay. Later in 2018, they quit their corporate jobs to start working on its prototype.
The full-sized folding electric bike has a diamond frame and large wheels that aids easy transportation. Besides, it can travel at a speed of up to 25 kmph and can cover up to a distance range of 30 km.
“Generally, folding bicycles have smaller wheels and one would feel like they are riding a toy cycle. Whereas this cycle comes with bigger wheels and when folded it becomes almost half of its size. So you can comfortably keep it next to your sofa or in any corner of the office,” Nishit told The Better India.
Hornback can be operated in three different modes — pedal mode, hybrid mode and full-motor mode — making it more convenient for the rider.
Currently, the bike is all set to be rolled out in the market and has already received over 300 pre-orders.
Watch the cycle at work here:
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Source:
‘Adaptive urban commuter’: Hyderabad startup launches foldable e-bicycle, by Rahul V Pisharody; published by The Indian Express on 11 April 2022.
(Edited by Yoshita Rao)