E-vehicle startup to invest 30 crore in Trichy, add more autos

Trichy: Oor Cabs , a Tamil Nadu-based transportation startup operating all-electric auto aggregator service in Trichy city has pledged to invest 30 crore in the city for adding 500 electric three-wheelers and develop solar-powered charging stations . The startup is also to appoint 250 women autorickshaw drivers in line with Tamil Nadu govt's pink auto scheme, an initiative aimed at safe travel options for women passengers.

Presently, Oor Cabs operate only 30 electric autos in Trichy. It receives 800-900 ride requests per day through WhatsApp and mobile application, but the company said that they could cater to only 45% of the requests. Sensing the need to increase the fleet strength, Oor cabs said that they have raised 100 crore through venture capital funding. Of this, 30 crore will be invested in Trichy.

"Within June 2025, we will operate 100 electric autos. In the next six months, we will procure a total of 500 vehicles. Smartphone and internet penetration has been high in Trichy city, a reason why we get a high number of bookings even from senior citizens," Maria Antony, founder and CEO, Oor Cabs said.

Around 70% of the daily bookings is through the company's bilingual (Tamil and English) WhatsApp chatbot. Beyond the boundaries of Trichy city, the startup covers Mathur and Thiruverumbur areas on the outskirts due to the presence of educational institutions including NIT Trichy and IIM Trichy.

"We are planning for solar powered electric charging stations. 10 crore is reserved for developing solar charging facilities on the outskirts. Tamil Nadu govt has appointed us to provide an online platform for booking auto rides under the pink auto scheme. Existing fleet in Trichy city will be useful for the implementation of the scheme," Antony added.

Oor cabs said that they would invest 70 crore to develop a similar aggregator system in Coimbatore and Madurai within the next six months.

More electric autos for Trichy city:

Investment in Trichy: Rs30 crore

1. More electric autorickshaws

2. New solar powered electric charging points

Total autorickshaws: 8,000

Oor Cabs autos:

April 2025: 30

June 2025: 100

Dec 2025: 500

Bookings per day: 800-900

Bookings accepted: 45%

Women drivers in Trichy: 250

Tariff:

Distance

Cost

First 2km

Rs 39

Further for each km

Rs 16