World's largest Ola e-scooter factory to be run by women


World's largest Ola e-scooter factory to be run by women

Ola Electric Mobility’s novel electric-scooter factory targets to build 10 million two-wheelers annually, or 15% of the world's e-scooters by 2022, in an operation run and managed entirely by women.

Led by Bhavish Aggarwal, the e-mobility business is a follow-up to ride-hailing startup Ola, which is likely to make its debut on public markets next year. The vision for his newest venture is to offer the world "clean mobility, a carbon-negative footprint, and an inclusive workforce," the founder said.

The first group of workers began this week at the factory, which will cost $330 million to complete. "At full capacity, Futurefactory will employ over 10,000 women, making it the world's largest women-only factory and the only all-women automotive manufacturing facility globally," he siad in a blog on Monday.

Backed by SoftBank Group Corp. and Tiger Global Management, Ola Electric looks to roll out a scooter every two seconds after completing a planned expansion subsequently year. The factory will be substantially automated and include 3,000 robots working alongside the all-female workforce.

Mr Aggarwal's goal is to ultimately assemble a full lineup of electric vehicles including three-wheelers and cars. Ola's inaugural S1 e-scooter will be priced at 99,999 rupees ($1,360) to participate with traditional two-wheelers in India. Exports are to start later this year.