Oben Electric flags GST delays as EV sales bottleneck: “It’s the government’s money, not ours”

Bengaluru-based

electric two-wheeler

startup

Oben Electric

recently debuted the new

Sigma trim

of its flagship motorcycle, the Roar. The company says that this variant focuses on technology upgrades, safety, and customer-centric features. Speaking to TOI Auto, Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO of Oben Electric, said the new variant builds on the company’s R&D-driven approach while keeping affordability in mind.“At the core of our organization, we are an R&D-driven company. Any large company with its own technology grows by constantly learning from the market, getting feedback, and bringing something better for the consumer. That is in our DNA,” she explained.Speaking of the new product itself, the Sigma trim comes with a larger battery pack, but that is only part of the story. The most significant upgrade, Madhumita said, is the introduction of a five-inch TFT colour display which is powered by Oben’s in-house operating system.“This gives us control over the tech and leverage to add new-age features like built-in navigation, real-time call and message alerts, music, and trip data. It’s not about gimmicks but about enhancing the consumer’s real-time riding experience,” she noted.

Another addition is the reverse mode, along with improvements to ergonomics. “We have come up with a much better seat which is comfortable, apt for long drives, and gives good posture to the rider,” she said. On the design front, Oben has also introduced a new red colour, which, she emphasized, was not chosen randomly but after “a lot of R&D” into durability and consumer appeal.The Sigma is priced at Rs 1.27 lakh for the 3.4 kWh variant and Rs 1.37 lakh for the 4.4 kWh variant (introductory prices). After expiration of the introductory window, prices are expected to move closer to Rs 1.5 lakh. Besides that, buyers will also get a one-year complimentary subscription package.

A large part of the conversation focused on Oben’s battery strategy. While much of the industry still uses NMC chemistry, Oben opted for LFP back in 2020.“The first reason was safety. LFP has double the heat resistance capacity compared to NMC, making it safer. Second, LFP offers double the lifecycle: 2000 cycles versus 1000 for NMC. Third, LFPs are cheaper since they don’t require high-tech cooling systems. From a supply chain perspective, it also reduces dependency, since cobalt mines, 90% of which are controlled by China, are not required. And environmentally, LFP is less hazardous and easier to recycle,” she explained.This, she explained, fits the profile of the

Indian EV commuter

. “Sixty-six percent of customers are below Rs 1.6 lakh, and they travel 30–40 km per day. They are not going to Ladakh; they are daily commuters. For them, range is not the biggest factor. What matters is safety, reliability, cost savings, and a vehicle that also looks good.”

Asked about challenges in the regulatory environment, she said policy was broadly supportive but flagged the GST system as a bottleneck. “Every state has different processes and timelines for GST registration. We are not earning from GST; it is the government’s money. But delays in these processes slow down sales. It needs to be streamlined into a seamless central system.”While

battery-as-a-service

(BaaS) is being discussed widely in the EV space, Madhumita maintained that Oben Electric is in no hurry to jump in. “Battery-as-a-service is a model we will definitely watch. If people start making money and it proves to be sustainable, then we will also look at it. For us, it is not a challenge because we have everything internal. Anytime we can shift if it makes sense for the consumer and for business.”So for now, the company is studying the market and is ready to adapt to what will benefit the business and customers in the long run. On the larger EV motorcycle market, she said, “The next wave is definitely motorcycles. They took time because the product is complex, and the consumer won’t compromise on experience. But now the market is opening up.”