Okinawa Autotech Private Limited is an Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturing company that was established in 2015 with the agenda of reducing India’s dependence on traditional fuel-based modes of transportation. Founded by Jeetender Sharma and Rupali Sharma, Okinawa is headquartered in Gurugram while its manufacturing facility is located in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. Okinawa, through its electric two-wheelers, aims to put an end to the shortcomings usually associated with electric vehicles, such as high buy price, less-than-adequate battery range and long hours required for battery recharging
The first Okinawa bikes in India, Ridge, was launched in April 2017 at a price of ₹42,000. Due to an overwhelming response, the bikes became a successful product for Okinawa as the number of orders for it went well beyond the company’s projected targets. However, Okinawa’s flagship model, the Praise, was launched in December 2017 while its pre-bookings were opened in November 2017. The Praise received more than 300 bookings prior to its launch.
The Praise was hailed as Okinawa’s flagship model due to the numerous never-seen-before features on it. Unlike any previous bikes launched in the country, the Praise was fitted with a unique double-disc set-up at the front with a larger disc mounted to the edge of the wheel rim that sits on the outside of a small, conventionally mounted disc. The purpose of this set-up was partly aesthetic and partly to address the issue that riders don't use the front brake enough and so, this system provides up to 1.8 times the stopping power as a standard disc while the rear gets a single disc set-up. Okinawa also became the first Indian EV manufacturer to offer a lithium-ion power pack on its two wheeler as compared to the traditional lead-acid batteries, available with an optional ‘fast-charge’ feature.
Okinawa Bike had also fitted the EABS (Electronic Assist Brake System) on the Praise, however, this is not to be confused with the traditional ABS. In terms of equipment, safety and security features, Okinawa had equipped the Praise with side-stand sensors, an anti-theft sensor in the main stand, keyless start, a mobile charging point and a pre-loaded ‘Find My two wheeler’ location tracker, most of these features being completely new to the segment. Also, with a claimed top speed of 75 km/h, the Praise also became the fastest electric bikes in India, at the time of its launch.
The range of Okinawa two wheeler in India consists of the Ridge and Praise which form the company’s 2018 product line-up.
Okinawa bike prices in India start at around ₹42,400 for the 2018 Ridge and go up to ₹59,900 for the 2018 Praise. All Okinawa bike price listings can be found on the website of autoX.