TVS MOTOR COMPANY JOINS FORCES WITH SEWA, SIDBI AND NRDC TO EMPOWER WOMEN THROUGH SUSTAINABLE E-MOBILITY SOLUTIONS
Udaipur, February 28th, 2025: TVS Motor Company (TVSM) – a leading global automaker in the two and three-wheeler segment – has partnered with the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), AMU Leasing, and Natural Resources Défense Council (NRDC) to launch the ‘Wheels of Empowerment’ initiative. The program aims to empower women in rural areas by fostering financial independence through entrepreneurship, using electric vehicles (EVs) for income generating activities.
‘Wheels of Empowerment’ addresses the mobility opportunity in rural India by providing affordable, sustainable, and accessible electric two-wheelers, aligning with TVS Motor Company’s vision of inclusive mobility. Currently, 26 TVS iQube electric scooters have been deployed, with an additional 100 planned for the next quarter. The program aims to provide 10,000 EVs in the next three years. SEWA and NRDC are working to aggregate demand across 21 Indian states, by engaging with SEWA members. The program is also seeking government support to facilitate broader adoption and policy backing for rural e-mobility.
Speaking at the initiative, Manu Saxena, Senior Vice President, EV Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “TVS iQube has established itself as one of India’s leading electric two-wheelers, with a community of more than 5,00,000 customers. The ‘Wheels of Empowerment,’ initiative aims to combine the goodness of sustainable mobility with income generation activity to unlock new possibilities. The partnership with SEWA, SIDBI and NRDC is a pivotal move which will give us scale, insight and access required to create models of economic independence.”
‘Wheels of Empowerment’ brings together TVSM’s prowess in EV technology, SEWA’s expansive 3.2-million-member network, SIDBI’s financial expertise, AMU Leasing’s operational capabilities, and NRDC’s innovative approach to drive sustainable mobility solutions. To make TVSM EVs more affordable, SIDBI, NRDC and AMU have introduced concessional financing and risk-sharing models, bridging the price gap between electric and internal combustion engine vehicles.
“Electric vehicles need to be affordable and accessible to facilitate the transition to clean mobility. NRDC brought together grassroot organizations, development banks, original equipment manufacturers and other key stakeholders to partner and develop innovative financial models to enable EV ownership by women in rural communities. This initiative is more than just about vehicles—it endorses the empowerment of women, strengthening livelihoods, and making clean mobility a reality for all,” said Dipa Singh Bagai, Country Head, NRDC India.
TVS Motor Company will continue to conducts product demonstrations and technical training camps, equipping SEWA members with essential troubleshooting skills. An extended two-year warranty and bi-monthly rural service camps will enhance the ease of ownership. Even though rural markets account for 55% of the country’s two-wheeler sales, it remains largely untapped for electric mobility. Early adopters have reported significant fuel cost savings, increased convenience, and improved livelihood opportunities, becoming endorsers for e-mobility within their communities.