Frequently Asked Questions

Last Updated: June 21, 2024

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Thank you for your interest in Swapp Design. We're excited to share more about our cutting-edge battery-swapping solutions for electric 4-wheelers. Dive into our FAQ to learn more about how we're shaping the future of mobility.

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1. What is Swapp Design?
   Swapp Design is a Bengaluru-based startup building an autonomous battery-swapping solution for electric 4-wheelers.
    

2. What is Swapp Design looking for?
   We're seeking to onboard Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) fleets into our swappable platform.
    

3. Are you looking to onboard partners from any location?
   We are currently looking to onboard only Bengaluru-based fleets and individuals operating LCVs. We will expand to more cities over time.
    

4. Will you support both intra- and inter-city logistics?
   To begin with, our aim is to serve the intracity LCV users.
    

5. Which vehicles are compatible with your solution?
   While our solution is designed to be highly interoperable, we are looking to work with four-wheeler LCVs with a payload capacity of up to 1 ton.
    

6. For a vehicle to be eligible, what conditions must be met?
   There should be no major deformation or damage. Our tech is built on the vehicle's existing chassis, so the chassis must be in good condition.
    

7. I have only electric vehicles (EVs) in my fleet. What does onboarding involve?
   Broadly, four things:
   a. The existing EVs are inspected for compatibility.
   b. We will retrofit the fixed-battery EV to one that supports autonomous battery swapping.
   c. We collaborate to identify the best locations for Swapp Stations.
   d. We work together to gather feedback and enhance operational efficiency.
    

8. I have only petrol or diesel vehicles in my fleet. What does onboarding involve?
   Again, broadly, four things:
   a. The existing vehicles are inspected for compatibility.
   b. The existing vehicles are retrofitted to EVs that support autonomous battery swapping.
   c. We collaborate to identify the best locations for Swapp Stations.
   d. We work together to gather feedback and enhance operational efficiency.
    

9. How long does the retrofitting take?
   The retrofitting process can take up to 4 days for each vehicle.
    

10. What is the retrofitting cost?
    Retrofitting costs ₹2 lakhs, which is a one-time cost. However, this cost is completely waived for the first 50 vehicles that onboard our platform.
     

11. Does retrofitting void the existing vehicle warranty?
    Yes, the existing warranty of the vehicle will be void with retrofitment.
     

12. Are the swappable batteries covered by warranty?
    Our batteries come with a lifetime warranty by default, so you never have to worry about costs related to battery ownership, maintenance, and replacement.
     

13. Does retrofitting void the existing vehicle insurance?
    Yes, the vehicle's existing insurance will be void with retrofitment. New insurance will be put in place after the retrofitment re-registration is complete.
     

14. Will the retrofitting change the vehicle's chassis or body?
    Our tech does not involve changing the vehicle's chassis, body, or ground clearance. Thus, the vehicle's utility will remain unaffected.
     

15. What are the costs associated with using Swapp Design's service?
    We operate with a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) pay-as-you-go (PAYG) model, which costs ₹5 per kilometer. There is also an upfront cost associated with the retrofitting of the vehicle, which is waived for the first 50 vehicles.
     

16. How frequently do we need to clear the payment of ₹5 per km?
    We will work with the partners to set up a suitable payment schedule.
     

17. Are there any hidden charges?
    No! Instead, there's a hidden benefit — if you treat our batteries well, you'll receive cashback.
     

18. Can partners swap batteries multiple times?
    Yes, partners can swap batteries as many times as they want for no extra cost.
     

19. What if the vehicle is a little too far away from the nearest Swapp Station?
    We are committed to building a strong and reliable Swapp Station network. However, if a vehicle is a little too far away, the user always has the flexibility to use in-vehicle charging — just connect to any 3-pin plug point, anywhere.
     

20. How is the swappable battery offered?
    The swappable battery is offered as a service, similar to a lease model. We own the batteries, so our partners do not have to bear the cost and maintenance of them.
     

21. What happens to aged batteries?
    Our advanced algorithms monitor the health of our batteries regularly. When a battery is a little too old, we remove it from circulation, ensuring our users always have access to the best batteries. This also means partners never have to worry about battery health anxiety.
     

22. What referral benefits do you offer?
    When someone refers a partner who goes through with the onboarding, we share 10% of the first 3 months' PAYG earnings from those referred partners with the referrer.
     

23. Will Swapp Design support the registration process?
    Yes, Swapp Design will support the registration process. However, we would need the partner's availability during this process.
     

24. What should the driver do during the swap?
    Nothing. Simply stay seated and relax. You do not need to step out of the vehicle. Our autonomous SwappBots will replace depleted batteries with pre-charged ones, and before you know it, you're back on the road in under 5 minutes.
     

25. Will I notice any changes after retrofitting?
    Yes, your vehicle will be much quieter and less vibrating.
     

26. Why is Swapp Design being so generous?
    We wish to be fair and add value to our partner's lives, winning their trust in the long run. We're playing the long game.
     

27. How can I get in touch for more details?
    You can contact us via email at contact@swapp.design.