China is currently the global leader in electric two-wheelers. They have a robust manufacturing ecosystem that produces these vehicles with ease, treating them as just another product for consumers. This is due to their strong electric two-wheeler manufacturing infrastructure. However, in India, the situation is different: a homegrown made-in-India electric scooter that isn’t a Chinese import is rare and considered a big deal. As a result, many Indian companies are emerging, selling electric two-wheelers under their branding and logos. However, these scooters are often not designed or manufactured in India. Instead, Indian companies act as intermediaries, importing from Chinese manufacturers and assembling them in India. This is why many scooters from different Indian companies look similar as they originate from the same source.
This business model makes sense, as Chinese products are prevalent in India. For instance, smartphones from companies like Vivo and automobiles from brands like MG owned by SAIC Motor are common. However, in the electric two-wheeler sector, the Chinese influence is more subtle. These scooters are sold by Indian companies fully owned by Indians with Indian branding. It’s important to clarify that this isn’t a criticism of import businesses, which are common and normal. Creating something from scratch is incredibly challenging, and with China, a manufacturing powerhouse right next door, it’s unsurprising that many companies take this route.
The issue arises when companies aren’t transparent about the origin of their two-wheelers, claiming they are made in India, made for India. Yet, a glance at Chinese EV manufacturer websites reveals that their electric scooters often resemble those of Indian companies, sometimes even sharing logos. While this might be coincidental, Occam’s razor suggests otherwise.
A significant portion of the Indian electric two-wheeler industry is currently heavily supported by China, even if indirectly. In my opinion, every Indian company relying on Chinese manufacturers represents a missed opportunity for India to gradually build its two-wheeler manufacturing capabilities. As more startups create electric two-wheelers from scratch, the collective industry knowledge and strength increase. Today, I want to highlight 10 startups that are doing just that: building electric two-wheelers in India.
1. Revamp Moto (Nashik-based)
Revamp Moto gained recognition from Shark Tank India, securing 1 crore rupees from Anupam Mittal and Aman Gupta. They are developing scooters that double as miniature stores equipped with features like folding tables, baskets, or even refrigerators powered by the scooter itself. These scooters, RM Mitra 02 and RM 25, are still in development as Revamp is building them from the ground up in India.
2. Emote Electric (Coimbatore-based)
Founded by Pranav Singanapalli, Emote Electric is working on India’s first geared electric motorcycle, Surge. Unlike typical gearless EVs, geared EVs offer increased efficiency, with motor efficiency improvements of up to 35%. Although still in development, Emote Electric is accepting deposits from interested buyers.
3. InGO Electric (Bengaluru-based)
Founded by Nikhil Gonsalves, InGO Electric is an indigenous competitor to Yulu. Their scooters are designed and manufactured in India, with minimal imported components. InGO recently partnered with Log9 Materials to further reduce imported materials in their vehicles.
4. Atumobile (Hyderabad-based)
Automobile, founded by Vamsi Gaddam, takes a sustainable approach, bootstrapping their business. Their first vehicle, the Atum 1.0, is a minimum viable product with a top speed of 25 km/h. They plan to release faster variants, including India’s first high-speed electric cafe racer, the AtumVader.
5. ElecTorq Technologies (New Delhi-based)
ElecTorq Technologies offers a full-stack approach to micro-mobility for gig workers. Their scooters, made in their Faridabad factory, are designed for Indian roads and conditions. ElecTorq sells scooters to rental partners and charges delivery drivers for battery swaps, creating a profitable business model.
6. Orxa Energies (Bengaluru-based)
Founded by Prajwal Sabnis and Ranjita Ravi, Orxa Energies focuses on performance electric motorcycles. Their flagship product, Mantis, is entirely designed and built in India, except for battery cells from South Korea and Japan.
7. Simple Energy (Bengaluru-based)
Started by Suhas Rajkumar, Simple Energy aims to build a value-for-money EV. Despite challenges, they are committed to a high level of localization, with plans to set up a lithium-ion cell manufacturing ecosystem in India.
8. Ultraviolette Automotive (Bengaluru-based)
Founded by Narayan Subramaniam and Niraj Rajmohan, Ultraviolette Automotive is developing the F77, a custom-made electric motorcycle, with over 90% of its components sourced locally. The F77 has received significant pre-orders globally.
9. Ather Energy (Bengaluru-based)
Started by IITians Swapnil Jain and Tarun Mehta, Ather Energy is a leading player in India’s EV startup ecosystem. Their premium electric scooters, the 450 Plus and 450X, are largely made in India with two manufacturing facilities in Tamil Nadu.
10. Ola Electric (Bengaluru-based)
Ola Electric, founded by Bhavish Aggarwal, aims to be a market leader in India’s electric two-wheeler space. Their FutureFactory in Tamil Nadu is set to be the world’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturing facility, with plans for further expansion.
These startups represent a promising future for India’s electric two-wheeler industry, showcasing innovation and a commitment to building locally. Which of these companies are you most excited to see succeed? Let me know in the comments.