Quick Highlights:
- 7,530-km All-India ride completed in 19 days using only public charging infrastructure.
- Recognised by both national and regional record authorities for the achievement.
- Average daily distance of 407 km, significantly higher than previous EV motorcycle rides.
- CCS2 DC fast-charging compatibility enabled access to over 40,000 public chargers across India.
Raptee.HV T30 Sets a New Benchmark for Electric Motorcycles
Chennai-based electric motorcycle startup Raptee.HV has announced that its T30 electric motorcycle has completed a record-breaking 7,530-kilometre All-India ride in just 19 days, relying entirely on public DC fast-charging car infrastructure.
The feat has been officially recognised by both the Asia Book of Records and the India Book of Records, marking one of the longest documented electric motorcycle journeys in the country.
From my perspective, what makes this achievement particularly compelling is not just the distance, but how closely the travel timeline matches what many riders would expect from a conventional internal combustion motorcycle. That parity is often what skeptics doubt most about electric two-wheelers.
The Rider Behind the Record
The journey was completed by Baala Manikandan, an electric vehicle riding enthusiast who already holds two prior riding records.
During the expedition, Manikandan averaged 407 kilometres per day, roughly 100 kilometres more per day than his previous electric motorcycle rides. According to the company, this improvement was largely enabled by fast-charging capability and infrastructure access.
A Charging Infrastructure First
A central factor in the achievement was the T30’s compatibility with the CCS2 charging standard, widely used by electric cars. This allowed the motorcycle to tap into more than 40,000 public DC fast chargers across India — an infrastructure network originally designed for four-wheelers.
In practical terms, the rider reported:
- Around 30 minutes to charge where DC fast chargers were available.
- About one hour to reach 80% when only AC charging was accessible.
- Even after extensive fast-charging over the demanding route, the motorcycle’s battery health reportedly remained at 100% at the end of the journey.
Personally, I find this aspect especially noteworthy because concerns about battery degradation from frequent fast charging are common among EV users. Demonstrations like this help address those worries with real-world data.
Technology and Company Background
Founded in 2019, Raptee.HV was co-founded by Dinesh Arjun, a former engineer at Tesla, Inc..
The company developed the T30 on a high-voltage powertrain architecture, similar in philosophy to electric cars, and claims to have designed all electronics in-house.
Key company details:
- 156 patents filed
- 4.5-acre production facility in Chennai
- Annual installed capacity of 100,000 units
For expansion, the company has secured 40 acres of land at SIPCOT Cheyyar to support future manufacturing plans.
Funding and Growth Plans
Raptee.HV has raised USD 5 million in pre-Series A funding and is currently working to close a USD 20 million Series A round through a mix of debt and equity.
This level of investment signals growing confidence in premium electric motorcycles and long-distance EV touring capabilities in India.
What This Record Means for Electric Motorcycling
The ride reinforces a broader argument: charging infrastructure compatibility may matter more than outright battery range when it comes to enabling long-distance electric travel.
In my view, this shift in thinking could reshape how both manufacturers and buyers evaluate electric motorcycles. Instead of focusing solely on range figures, riders may begin to prioritise charging standards, network access, and charging speed.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs
Q. What distance did the Raptee.HV T30 cover in the record ride?
- The motorcycle covered 7,530 kilometres across India in 19 days.
Q. Who completed the All-India ride?
- The journey was completed by Baala Manikandan, an experienced electric vehicle rider and record holder.
Q. What made the ride possible without delays?
- The CCS2 fast-charging compatibility allowed access to thousands of public car charging stations, reducing charging time significantly.
Q. How long does the T30 take to charge?
- Charging times reported during the ride were about 30 minutes on DC fast chargers and around one hour to reach 80% using AC charging.
Q. Why is this record significant for India’s EV ecosystem?
- It demonstrates that long-distance electric motorcycle travel is already practical when vehicles are compatible with widely available charging infrastructure.
Q. Is the Raptee.HV T30 designed only for long rides?
- No. The motorcycle is primarily designed for urban mobility, but its fast-charging capability enables confident long-distance touring as well.
