During the Web Summit Rio, one of the most important events in the field of technology and innovation, Swap stood out as one of the most promising autotech. This Brazilian company has as its main goal to convert vehicles with an internal combustion engine into fully electric vehicles.making technology more accessible to the general public.

Swap-e originated in a conversation between friends at Ampera Racing, the varsity racing team of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), between 2019 and 2020. Since then, the company has stood out for its innovative initiatives in the field of electric mobility. One of Swap-e’s first projects was to convert Chevrolet Celta, which belonged to the grandfather of one of the company’s partners, Matheus Maya. The Celta prototype, which uses an electric motor, has been in service since November 2022.

The conversion of the car is done by replacing the internal combustion engine with electric batteries, making the car fully electric while keeping the interior intact. However, the average cost of such a conversion is around BRL 80,000, and the company acknowledges that this amount is high for most people, especially app drivers and couriers.

Looking for partners to make the project viable

To make the technology more accessible, Swap-e is seeking partnerships with rental companies, fleets and companies that can rent out converted electric vehicles. Thus, the company intends to turn the fleet into electric vehicles that will be available to the general public. Among possible partnerships, Swap-e targets companies such as DHL and Loggi, known for their delivery fleets, as well as car rental companies such as Movida and Localiza.

“To make the technology more accessible, we are looking for partnerships with rental companies, fleets and companies that can rent out converted electric vehicles. In this way, we would convert the vehicles in the fleet into electric vehicles that would be available to the public.“, – explained the co-founder of the company André Andrade.

Swap-e’s proposal is to take advantage of the millions of vehicles in circulation in Brazil and provide them with a sustainable direction, rather than simply replacing them with new electric vehicles. Using the structure and components that already exist in vehicles, the company aims to remove only the polluting unit and replace it with an electric solution, which reduces costs and environmental impact.

While the initial investment in conversion is high, André says the savings realized through reduced operating costs could recoup that amount in about two years. In addition, the conversion price is about half the cost of electric vehicles available on the market, such as Kwid and Jac Motors and Chery models, making it the most attractive option for drivers and couriers.

It is important to note that the mobile app market is leading the way in the adoption of electric mobility: for example, Uber plans to have only electric vehicles in its global fleet from 2040. The company already has exclusive categories for electric vehicles such as Uber Green. and Comfort Electric. This trend is further driving demand for affordable alternatives to electric vehicles, such as those offered by Swap-e.

sustainable solution

The search for sustainable and cost-effective solutions in the automotive industry is becoming increasingly important. Converting combustion vehicles to electric vehicles is an interesting alternative for those who want to do their part to reduce emissions of polluting gases and promote the transition to a cleaner energy matrix.

The proposal to make electric mobility available to a wider Swap-e audience is attracting the attention of strategic partners and potential customers. Partnering with rental and delivery companies provides an opportunity to achieve greater scale and make converted electric vehicles available to more people.

In addition, the Swap-e initiative promotes sustainability by taking advantage of existing vehicle design and components, avoiding premature disposal and reducing environmental impact. This approach also comes at a cost, as converting a car to an EV is more affordable than buying a new EV.

With reduced operating costs, drivers and couriers who opt for conversions will be able to see faster financial returns, making the Swap-e offering even more attractive. In addition, the company closely monitors market trends and consumer needs, constantly looking for innovations and strategic partnerships to expand its activities.

Swap-e demonstrates that it is possible to combine innovation, sustainability and affordability, offering a viable solution for Brazil’s transition to electric mobility. With the support of partners and growing consumer interest, the company is expected to continue to thrive and contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future for the automotive sector.

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Source: Swap

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