Prakash and Pranav Dhandekar, the father-son duo behind Wings EV, an Indore-based electric vehicle company, are gearing up to introduce a new category to the Indian automobile market with their innovative two-seater electric microcar, named Robin. This compact vehicle, which the creators promise will offer the maneuverability of a motorbike, is set to make its debut in Bengaluru in April 2025.

Wings EV, spearheaded by CEO Pranav Dandekar, is on a mission to revolutionize personal transportation by offering an eco-friendly option that takes up minimal road space and contributes to reducing congestion. The concept of Robin is rooted in addressing urban commuting challenges with a vehicle that not only produces zero emissions but also optimizes space and mobility in crowded cities.

Pranav Dandekar, who holds a PhD in computer science and is an alumnus of Stanford University, emphasized that Robin has successfully passed rigorous safety evaluations conducted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) in Pune. He confidently asserts that Robin is designed to be safer than any two or three-wheeler currently available in the market. With an initial production capacity of 10,000 units at their Indore facility, the company aims to sell 3,000 units in its first year.

To bring Robin to life, Wings EV has secured financial backing from a diverse group of investors, including Venture Highway and several prominent angel investors from both India and Silicon Valley. The company has also conducted extensive user research across six Indian cities and has carried out over 300 test drives in Bengaluru, providing valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance and market potential.

Looking ahead, Wings EV plans to expand Robin’s presence beyond Bengaluru, with launches in cities like Chennai and Hyderabad or Pune later in 2025, before eventually making the vehicle available nationwide. Pranav Dandekar mentioned that based on the demand in southern markets, the company might consider establishing a production facility in that region to cater to the growing interest.

Robin will be offered in three variants to suit different customer needs. The base model, priced at ₹2 lakh (ex-showroom), will offer a 65 km range without air conditioning. A mid-level variant, available at ₹2.5 lakh, will include a fan and a 90 km range, while the premium model, priced at ₹3 lakh, will feature air conditioning, a 90 km range, and patented audio alert systems designed to enhance safety.

The Robin microcar has demonstrated its capabilities by successfully climbing a 12-degree incline, well above the required 7 degrees for most flyovers, which typically range between 3 to 4 degrees. This performance is a testament to the vehicle’s robust design and engineering.

Prakash Dandekar, the CTO and co-founder of Wings EV, who previously led the Embedded Systems and Telematics Division at Tata Technologies, sees a significant shift on the horizon. He believes that with India selling over 18 million two-wheelers annually, a considerable number of these buyers may transition to microcars like Robin in the next 15 to 20 years. Robin is powered by an advanced drive-by-wire powertrain, a technology inspired by the fly-by-wire systems used in modern aircraft, ensuring precision and reliability in its operation.

With the launch of Robin, Wings EV is poised to carve out a niche in the Indian automobile market, offering a new kind of urban mobility solution that balances innovation, safety, and environmental consciousness.