Sling Mobility and USAID launch 360° Sustainable Mobility battery swapping project

From right: Sling Mobility CEO Love Yadav presents the battery swapping station to USAID Director of Office of Economic Growth Sri Lanka Christopher Powers and USAID Sri Lanka Energy Programme Chief of Party Rick Whitaker

• This groundbreaking project will establish an operational framework for an electric vehicle ecosystem

In a significant stride towards advancing e-mobility and clean energy initiatives, Sling Mobility, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sri Lanka Energy Programme, successfully launched the 360° Sustainable Mobility battery swapping project.  
The official handover ceremony on November 28, 2023, at the Centre for Women’s Research (CENWOR) in Colombo, was attended by Love Yadav, General Partner of Lion Ventures in Sri Lanka and Chris Powers, Director, Office of Economic Growth, USAID. 
This groundbreaking project will establish an operational framework for an electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem, with an emphasis on utilising solar power as a main energy source. The pilot project introduces two solar-powered battery-swapping stations strategically located at CENWOR and Fusion Sarvodaya in Colombo. 
The stations have the capacity to recharge and store batteries, ensuring a seamless and sustainable electric two-wheeler refuelling model.

Sling Mobility’s comprehensive approach covers all aspects of the EV ecosystem, from energy generation to consumption. The company’s business strategy, centred around providing cost-effective and efficient mobility solutions to the retail logistics sector through its smart electric vehicle ecosystem, has now become a tangible reality. 
The model addresses the critical need for efficient battery swapping, minimising downtime for riders, particularly in the context of collaborative efforts with Uber for food delivery services. This not only results in cost and time savings but also facilitates a trial of the business model’s effectiveness.

The initiative introduces a battery subscription, which significantly enhances affordability by eliminating the initial high-cost barrier for riders. By focusing on the most substantial individual cost for e-bikes and batteries, the company aims to make electric vehicle adoption more accessible.
Sling Mobility and the USAID Sri Lanka Energy Programmes are committed to engaging with marginalised and economically disadvantaged populations, aiming to stimulate their interest in the retail logistics industry through the use of EVs. 
The project organised and executed four outreach initiatives, reaching over 100 participants from diverse backgrounds.  As a result, the team trained 16 drivers and supported 10 individuals to obtain licences for the first time, showcasing the project’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and economic empowerment.