Bajaj Auto Ltd Launches Riki, Extending Its Partnership With 3W Drivers, and Redefining the E-Rickshaw Segment

Bajaj Auto Ltd., the world's most valuable two- and three-wheeler manufacturer, today announced its entry into the e-rickshaw category with the launch of Bajaj Riki. Following decades of leadership in the 3-wheeler ecosystem, Bajaj Auto now extends its trusted partnership with drivers - "Bharose ki Bhagedaari" - to India's fast-growing e-rickshaw segment.

The e-rickshaw category has expanded rapidly post-Covid, adding over 45,000 vehicles every month, driven by demand for affordable last-mile mobility. E-rickshaws form a significant part of last mile mobility feeding metros, suburban rail, and city bus systems - making reliability and safety essential for both drivers and passengers.

Despite it being a large industry, most market offerings remain unorganised and suffer from:

- Low real-world range
- Weak durability and short vehicle life due to corrosion and leakage from lead acid batteries
- Harsh braking due to lack of hydraulics
- Instability and toppling risk because of the proportions and chassis
- A very limited service network

These challenges reduce driver earnings and compromise the passenger experience.

Bajaj Riki is designed using learnings from customer insights, is rigorously tested, and backed by Bajaj Auto's extensive service network - a combination the category has long needed. Riki delivers higher uptime, lower maintenance, safer operation, and a far more comfortable ride for India's daily, high-traffic feeder routes.

Riki was piloted successfully in Patna, Moradabad, Guwahati and Raipur, and now expands to 100+ towns across UP, Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh and Assam in Phase 1.

A Leap Ahead: First-in-Segment Features

Designed with India's toughest last-mile routes in mind - Riki brings class-leading engineering and dependability:

- Longest Range in Segment - 149 km (P4005)
- Monocoque Chassis for higher life, rigidity and stability
- Independent Suspension for improved comfort and stability, reducing toppling risk
- Hydraulic Brakes for stronger, dependable braking in dense city traffic
- Fast Charging - 4.5 hours
- 3-Year Battery Warranty and Bajaj's nationwide support

The first model in the P40 series - Bajaj Riki P4005 - where P stands for Passenger, comes with a 5.4 kWh battery and is priced at INR 1,90,890/- (ex-showroom).

The Cargo model, Riki C4005 has the highest certified range offering at 164km, comes with larger tray size, allows for more earning potential as compared to existing alternatives. It also has a 28% gradeability allowing for a comfortable ride on slopes and flyovers. The C4005 is priced at INR 2,00,876/- (exshowroom)

Speaking on the launch, Samardeep Subandh, President, Intra-City Business Unit, Bajaj Auto Ltd said, "Riki brings Bajaj Auto's trusted 3W engineering and dependability into the electric rickshaw segment at a time when drivers and passengers need dependable solutions. We've brought the best for the industry, the longest range, a monocoque chassis, independent suspension and hydraulic brakes. Riki is engineered to increase driver earnings, enhance passenger safety and comfort, and deliver the reliability India's lastmile ecosystem has waited for."

Shares of Bajaj Auto Limited was last trading in BSE at Rs. 9046.10 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 9005.45. The total number of shares traded during the day was 9547 in over 1698 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 9142.00 and intraday low of 9005.45. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 86756798.00.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords

BajajAuto INE917I01010 3Wheelers Riki ERickshawSegment