Electric Vehicle Startup Scene in India Heating Up in 2022

India’s electric vehicle startup scene is heating up, with many new startups emerging in the sector in 2022. The Electric Vehicle Association of India, an NGO that works to promote the growth of the electric vehicle industry, plans to partner with India’s Automotive Research Association (ARA) to organize EVX-India 2022, an event that will bring together startups and established automakers to showcase their products and spur EV adoption in the country. EVX-India 2022 will be co-hosted by Indian Energy Ministry and ARA on Sept. 20–22 in New Delhi, India.

The Road Ahead

More than 40% of urban India is comprised of motorized two-wheelers. Adding to their prevalence are a growing number of electric-vehicle startups, charging stations, and charger bikes popping up across cities. This phenomenon has translated into a boom for those dedicated to electrifying transportation in India. And it’s only going to get bigger as long as there are efforts from these firms and others to make electric vehicles more appealing—and more convenient—for Indian consumers.

It’s hard not to be optimistic about where things will go for local startups looking to expand their reach beyond urban areas, too. After all, established foreign giants like Mahindra are actively chasing developing markets and aiming to expand electric transportation capabilities throughout India. All signs point to an India that’s increasingly embracing its role as a global leader in alternative vehicle technology.

But while India may be moving toward a future filled with electric cars, buses, and bikes, success isn’t guaranteed. There are still hurdles to overcome before EVs become commonplace on India’s roads. For one thing, even though India produces around 1 million new vehicles every month, most of them run on gasoline or diesel fuel instead of electricity. That means that even if EV adoption does increase over time (which seems likely), India still has plenty of fossil fuel–powered vehicles on its roads for years to come.

The Changing Landscape

The country’s fleet of charging vehicles has grown from approximately 8,000 in 2015 to 16,000 today. Charging station construction has also surged over that time frame with more than 500 units installed since 2016 alone and total stations exceeding 1,200, according to industry leaders. The company expects India’s charging station market to explode between now and 2023 with rapid adoption across all sectors-for example, taxi services are set to rapidly adopt electric vehicles with a 10x growth rate. In fact, as India moves toward a more formalized economy, it is expected that sales will rise at an exponential rate.

As such, India’s EV startup scene is heating up as companies compete for a larger piece of what is expected to be one of Asia’s largest markets for EVs by 2025. In fact, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), India will likely have some 5 million EVs on its roads by then—more than twice as many as any other nation. That’s not just good news for startups; it’s great news for consumers who want cleaner air and access to better transportation options like scooters and motorcycles.

India is making significant investments in renewable energy generation and distribution infrastructure to ensure there is enough power to charge these vehicles while creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to bring their innovative ideas into reality. India’s vision is one of shared mobility – wherein drivers can access cars or bikes when they need them instead of owning them outright – which creates opportunities for businesses large and small throughout supply chains. This could include manufacturers, logistics providers, app developers, payment gateways and more.

Not only do electric vehicle (EV) startups stand to benefit from India’s burgeoning clean energy market but they may also enjoy a leg up thanks to support from state governments eager to reduce pollution levels while encouraging innovation among domestic entrepreneurs – particularly those building products geared toward meeting government sustainability goals.

Obstacles and Opportunities

In addition to charging infrastructure, challenges facing electric vehicle adoption include limited range and affordability. The high cost of lithium-ion batteries means EVs are generally more expensive than their gasoline counterparts, and that makes them a tougher sell for consumers used to relatively cheap fuel. To help overcome these challenges, some startups are turning to new technologies.

Charging Station Bike: With an estimated 125 million motorcycles on Indian roads, startup Rolocule has developed what it calls a Charger Bike, which charges electric vehicles through kinetic energy generated from its wheels. This not only eliminates range issues, but also eliminates dependence on fossil fuels altogether: once fully charged, all that’s needed is human input.

Solar-Powered Electric Buses: Another promising technology being explored by several startups is solar power. Solar power could be used to charge electric buses or even replace diesel generators as a source of electricity for public transportation systems.

ElectraMeccanica Vehicles: Based in Vancouver, Canada, ElectraMeccanica Vehicles is building two models of three-wheeled electric cars—the Solo and Dualis—that can go up to 150 miles per hour (240 km/h) while delivering up to 300 horsepower (220 kW). These cars use motors made by BorgWarner, which have been powering Formula E racecars since 2014.

India’s New National Policy on Climate Change: India’s Ministry of New & Renewable Energy released a draft national policy on climate change in late June 2018, outlining specific targets and timelines for renewable energy production. By 2027, at least 40% of India’s installed capacity will come from non-fossil fuel sources such as wind and solar; by 2030, 60% will come from renewables; and by 2040, 75% will come from renewables. Specific targets were set for each state individually as well. Underpinning all these policies is India’s commitment to combating climate change through renewable energy development.

Conclusion – Wrapping Up

EV startup scene in India is heating up. An e-rickshaw battery maker recently raised $100 million. Two startups just got seed funding to build charging stations at taxi stands and subway stops. And Tata Motors has begun producing its first all-electric car with a range of 250 kilometers (155 miles). The EV startups are being buoyed by government policies that require car companies to manufacture a certain percentage of EVs each year, along with increased demand for public transportation as cities grow more congested. As these startups mature, they’ll play an important role in convincing Indian consumers to switch from traditional combustion engine vehicles to their electric counterparts, helping India take one more step toward becoming a world leader when it comes to climate change mitigation.