Biliti Electric Tuk Tuks: Targeting the US Delivery Market

Biliti Electric Aims to Introduce Electric Tuk Tuks to U.S. Cities

Founded in under a year, Biliti Electric is focused on establishing its electric tuk tuks as a prevalent mode of transport within the densely populated urban centers of the United States.

Introducing the GMW Taskman

The GMW Taskman, a three-wheeled, open-cabin, fully electric delivery vehicle, is already operational in both Asian and European markets. This information was conveyed by Biliti’s founder and CEO, Rahul Gayam, during a press conference at the LA Auto Show.

Manufactured by GMW Electric in India, these vehicles are exported to regions including Europe and Japan. To date, they have completed over 20 million miles and facilitated more than 12 million deliveries, as stated by Gayam. Approximately 1,400 Taskman vehicles have been sold to date.

Expansion into the U.S. Market

The company is now directing its efforts toward entering the U.S. market.

Unveiled at the LA Auto Show, the vehicle is designed as a practical electric delivery solution, offering ease of charging and substantial cargo capacity despite its compact size.

Priced at $8,000, the GMW Taskman resembles the familiar tuk tuks found globally. It is intended for use as a fleet vehicle, addressing the challenges of last-mile delivery that larger vans and trucks from companies like Amazon, UPS, and FedEx often encounter in congested cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Image Credits: Biliti Electric

Vehicle Specifications and Charging Options

The Taskman boasts a range of up to 110 miles on a single charge. It can carry a payload of up to 1,500 pounds and provides approximately 64.6 square feet of cargo space, according to the company.

Charging can be accomplished using a standard 110-volt outlet, taking up to seven hours, or a 220-volt outlet for a faster charge of 3.5 hours. Recognizing the need to minimize downtime, Biliti provides a swappable battery pack option, which can be exchanged in as little as one minute with a scissor lift.

Solar Charging Capabilities

An optional solar panel setup is also available. Three sides of the cargo area, fitted with solar panels, can swing upwards to maximize solar energy absorption for battery recharging. Biliti estimates a full charge from solar power takes 3.5 to 4 hours under optimal conditions.

Gayam indicated that deployment will be prioritized in tropical regions between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn, where sunlight is most intense and prolonged.

Targeting Major Retailers and E-commerce Companies

Gayam’s statements at the LA Auto Show suggest a focus on major players in the e-commerce and retail sectors, such as Amazon and Walmart. The vehicle has undergone ground testing in the U.S., EU, Japan, U.K., UAE, and India with companies including Amazon, Walmart (Flipkart), Ikea, and Zomato.

However, it is anticipated that initial customers will likely be smaller commercial enterprises.

Investment and Last-Mile Delivery Solutions

Biliti’s core proposition centers on resolving last-mile delivery challenges. A recent $400 million PIPE investment commitment from GEM Global Yield, a Luxembourg-based investor, will contribute to achieving this objective.

The Challenges of Last-Mile Delivery

The final stage of delivery poses a significant challenge in crowded cities worldwide, contributing to congestion, environmental concerns, and increased accident rates. Often, smaller packages are transported on smaller vehicles to individual locations.

This last mile can be a logistical and environmental burden, and companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS frequently rely on the U.S. Postal Service to complete deliveries to consumers and businesses.

Biliti’s Potential and Limitations

Biliti’s vehicles offer a potential solution. However, their maximum speed of approximately 25 miles per hour restricts their use to inner cities, excluding parkways, divided highways, and interstates.

Gayam confirmed that vehicle registration will be possible in states like California starting in January.