There are about 51 electric three-wheeler manufacturers in India as per the data of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Of this a good number of companies could be termed as startups. They are young and dynamic. They are technologically very well oriented and belong to the 400 startups that are estimated to be currently operating the auto sector. 

Perhaps the most vibrant and diverse with a unique mix of entrepreneurs and technologists as part of the core team, the electric three-wheeler manufacturers seem better poised to grow because of their ability to understand and address the various segments on the passenger side as well as the cargo side. 

There’s competition from the unorganised sector, the products of which – mainly catering to last mile passenger segments – are found in many cities of North India such as Amritsar and old parts of Delhi. 

To add excitement to an already happening category in the Indian automotive market, US-based Biliti Electric Inc (Biliti) will conduct ‘ground breaking’ ceremony for its electric three-wheeler plant on the road that connects Hyderabad and Zaheerabad on 05 October 2023. 

A young company that was founded in 2021 in California, Biliti is a growing global mobility player guided by a clear mission to provide smart, efficient and affordable electric mobility solutions, as per the description on its website. 

Buoyed by the rising preference for electric vehicles and the way they seem poised to shape urban mobility and the cities of tomorrow, the American company engaged in the development of future-proof technologies will produce 240,000 units every year, according to sources aware of the development. The current plan is to make electric three-wheelers, they add.  

Stating that the plant would be the world’s largest of its kind, the sources mention that the investment towards it is roughly USD 150 million. The ‘ground-breaking ceremony’ will be done at the hands of the Telangana Chief Minister K C Rao in the presence of government officials and members of the senior management of the company, the sources inform.  

While the Biliti factory in Telangana is expected to provide employment to 3,000 people, it is also indicative of how the manufacturers are finding it worth making electric three-wheelers rather than electric two-wheelers or electric four-wheelers. The target audience or buyer/operator of a three-wheeler is grounded and knowledge enough to understand that suits his application needs in terms of the TCO, mentioned an industry observer. IT is therefore that companies like Omega Seiki, Euler and Altigreen has chosen to build electric three-wheeler over other types of electric vehicles, he added. 

The B2B nature of electric three-wheeler business is perhaps the reason why so many unorganised players are a part of it, albeit at a different level. Many of them are job shops with far less investment than the startups. 

The legacy players in the electric three-wheeler market and figuring in the list of SIAM (Society of Indian Automotive Manufacturers) are of the deep pocket variety. Those such as Bajaj Auto Ltd, Mahindra Electric (an arm of Mahindra & Mahindra) and TVS Motor Company are well diversified and technologically well entrenched. They are also well entrenched in areas like supply chain, manufacturing infrastructure and abilities, etc. 

If the lower entry barrier in the EV space has attracted new and young players in the three-wheeler category, the legacy players are fast closing the gap. It is somewhat like what is happening in the electric two-wheeler space, the industry observer mentioned. He drew attention to how white spaces or segment gaps in this space are also being plugged. 

Manufacturers like Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland are offering electric four-wheel light trucks to change the dynamics of the electric three-wheeler market the way it happened with the launch of the Tata Ace in 2005, he explained. 

The competition is turning complex and it is essential therefore that electric three-wheeler manufacturers up the ante by employing more advanced technology; by offering superior TCO than their vehicles currently offer and give more bang for the money that the buyer is ready to pay them. 

Among the young electric three-wheeler manufacturers, the likes of Altigreen, E-Trio, Omega Seiki and Euler Motors seem to be better placed to sustain and grow despite the competition from legacy players. The game seems to be about who offers the best TCO with the aid of technology. Incentives don’t seem to be a helping only to a point after looking at how the FAME Phase II policy was restructured for electric two-wheelers a few months ago. 

The Government is keen to make electric vehicles in the country grow but does not seem to be in favour of much incentivisation like China did to make its EV industry rise. The PLI scheme for batteries is a welcome initiative though. 

The effect of restructuring the subsidy for electric two-wheelers is not hidden. Their sales over the last few months have very well indicated it. The effect may be temporary, the fact is the Indian vehicle buyer is highly cost conscious. 

The TCO factor matters most in the case of electric three-wheelers therefore. It is either the deal maker or deal breaker. To ensure a superior TCO is absolutely necessary. A lot of homework in this direction is yet to done.  

The beauty is that some of the young and dynamic players have already acknowledged this and are silently working in that direction. They are leveraging the advantage of lower break even. The legacy players are well versed with the superior TCO factor and working in that direction too. The gap is expected to close between the legacy players and the young and newer players sooner than later. Such a development is already visible in the case of electric two-wheelers. 

While technology, engineering, manufacturing, quality, durability, pricing, supply chain management and value chain management are some of the factors that will play a key role in shaping the future of electric three-wheelers, a prominent factor will be how co-operations work and are nurtured. 

Co-operations will be extremely important for electric three-wheelers to succeed in a competitive market place where there is the pressure to reach the market early, stay exciting, frugal and technologically intensive. 

While even the young electric three-wheeler companies have figured the art of sustenance and growth besides acquiring the necessary resources, engaging skilled manpower, supply chain partners and expanding their reach in the market, regulatory and technology changes will remain a constant. 

The Government, it is clear, is looking at the EV industry to reduce tailpipe emissions. With companies such as BYD, Avatr and Changan of China set to flood the European markets with electric cars that are on par with what some of the best-known electric vehicle manufacturers like Tesla can offer at a price that is significantly lower, the unique status of the Indian EV market as the world’s largest micro mobility market in the making has the electric three-wheeler market in good stead.  

The definition of electric micro mobility is defined as vehicles weighing less than 2.5-tonne. Most of the electric three-wheelers as the contributor to Indian EV market’s growth as the world’s largest micro mobility market are well defined in the last mile delivery segment as e-commerce players among others exert to reduce their carbon footprint. The excitement lies is what lays beyond the application areas that have already been addressed. 

The semi-urban and rural markets are the ones that electric three-wheelers will next go to it looks like. As they do, yet another phase of strong growth and excitement will be unleashed.

Greenway Mobility, an Indian EV manufacturing company, has launched two electric three-wheelers, Chhota Otto and Chhota Bull, under its flagship E-Vi brand.

The Chhota Otto has folding seats to free up passenger room for freight transportation and separate suspensions on all three wheels for improved comfort and stability. The Chhota Bull, on the other hand, is built for last-mile delivery in difficult terrain. It has a huge 400-kilogramme payload capacity, hydraulic brakes and IoT-enabled fleet management for efficiency and real-time tracking. Both the Chhota Otto and Chhota Bull are priced at INR 200,000 and will be available in the market by the 4th quarter of FY24.

In keeping with its core objective of dominating the electric three-wheeler market by December 2025, Greenway Mobility has embarked on an ambitious expansion project with the launch of E-Vi, aiming to open more than 100 dealerships in key Indian markets by the end of this year. Additionally, the company is getting ready to introduce Rydan, a fast passenger electric rickshaw designed to offer affordable green mobility options in both urban and rural regions of the nation. In addition to making considerable R&D efforts to add electric bikes, trikes and tiny electric automobiles to its lineup, the firm is open to forming strategic alliances with distributors and partners.

Siddharth Patel, Founder, Greenway Mobility and an IIT Bombay and Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management alumnus, said, “India needs mobility solutions that are not only sustainable but also robust and reliable enough to meet the demands of both bustling cities and rural landscapes. Through E-Vi, our aim extends beyond electrifying India’s three-wheeler mobility, creating a robust distribution channel with strategic partners to ensure unprecedented growth, driven by quality and excellence. We are establishing strategic industry collaboration to supplement this entire ecosystem to benefit the end use – addressing concerns like accessibility, nationwide service network, affordable financing options, swappable batteries and charging networks.”

Asserting that the E-Vi will transform how three-wheeler mobility is perceived in India, Harsh Raval, Founder, Greenway Mobility, said, “At Greenway Mobility, we have engineered every aspect of E-Vi vehicles to ensure they excel where others falter. Our goal is to provide vehicles that drivers can trust – vehicles that empower them to do more, go farther and achieve greater success. Maintaining quality is of utmost importance to us and we are sourcing components from only the top Indian suppliers. With our growing portfolio of electric vehicles, we are shaping the future of mobility.”

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has placed an extra order for 148 electric buses from Tata Motors, the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India. This purchase comes after BMTC placed an earlier order for 921 electric buses, the majority of which have been delivered and are operating effectively with an uptime of more than 95 percent.

The Tata Starbus EV 12-metre low-floor electric buses will be supplied, operated and maintained for a term of 12 years by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd, a completely owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. With its best-in-class features and outstanding design, the Tata Starbus EV offers a pleasant and environmentally friendly commute. These zero-emission electric buses are built on cutting-edge battery technologies and next-generation design to provide a convenient, safe and comfortable intra-city journey around Bengaluru.

Ramachandran R, IAS, MD, BMTC, said, "We are happy to further strengthen our partnership with Tata Motors with these additional 148 electric buses for our fleet modernisation. The performance of the existing Tata electric buses has been exceptional, aligning perfectly with our commitment to sustainable and efficient public transportation. The larger e-bus fleet will significantly enhance our capacity to provide eco-friendly, comfortable and reliable services to the citizens of Bengaluru."

Asim Kumar Mukhopadhyay, CEO and MD, TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited, said, "We are honoured by BMTC's continued trust in our e-mobility solutions. This additional order of 148 buses is a testament to the proven success of our Starbus EVs and the operational excellence delivered in Bengaluru's urban environment. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that benefit both the community and the environment."

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has shared the teaser image for its first electric vehicle product - the e Vitara.

Set to be unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the e Vitara will be made in India for the world. It was recently unveiled by Suzuki Motor Corporation at Milan, Italy.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The e Vitara is a testament of our unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility and technological innovation. With decades of automotive expertise, we have combined advanced electric technology with a customer-first approach to deliver something truly transformative. At Maruti Suzuki, we have always believed that to promote EV adoption, we need to create a holistic ecosystem that simplifies customers' battery electric vehicle ownership journey.”

“A critical barrier to the adoption of EVs is the lack of accessible charging. To tackle this issue, we are committed to introduce a reliable and comprehensive EV ecosystem alongside the e Vitara. This will include home charging solutions as well as a nationwide network of fast chargers available at Maruti Suzuki dealerships and service touchpoints. Our goal is to make EVs accessible, convenient, and appealing to a broader set of customers, and this is exactly what we have set out to achieve with the e Vitara,” he added.

​​Vadodara-headquartered electric vehicle company WardWizard Innovations & Mobility recently launched its new range of EV offerings, which it expects to give a new charge to its retail sales.

It was on 13 December 2024 the Joy e-rik V1 (L5) and Joy Bandhu (L3) electric three-wheelers in the passenger category and Joy Sahayak + Cargo (L5) and Joy Eco Loader (L3) in the electric three-wheeler cargo space were launched by the EV maker, thus marking its entry into the fast-growing electric three-wheeler space.

The Joy e-rik V1, priced at INR 385,000 (ex-showroom), comes with 10.24 kW li-ion battery, 50 kmph max speed and 140 km claimed range on a full charge. It can be charged in 4.5-5 hours using the 50 Amp charger.

The Joy Bandhu priced at INR 134,000, uses a 7.2 kW lead-acid battery, has a claimed range of 120 km and top speed limited to 25 kmph.

On the other hand, the Joy Sahayak + Cargo, priced at INR 424,000, is targeted for payload capacity of 650 kg + driver, max speed of 50 kmph, up to 130 km range on a single charge. It uses a 10.2 kW LFP li-ion battery and can be charged in four hours using 50 Amp charger. The Joy Eco Loader, on the other hand, comes with a payload capacity of 310 kg + driver and is priced at INR 130,000.

At present, electric three-wheeler sales in India are averaging 56,674 units a month (CY 2024) as compared to 47,204 units last year. What’s also driving the sales is the government incentives like the Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme that provides demand incentives to support purchase of 316,000 e-three-wheelers including e-rickshaws. They are entitled to a subsidy of INR 25,000 in the first year and INR 12,500 in the second year. For the L5 category (cargo e-three-wheelers), the incentive is INR 50,000 per unit in the first year and INR 25,000 the next.

For the Vadodara-based EV maker, the idea to enter the electric three-wheeler space is on the back of the growing demand for greener last-mile delivery as well as last-mile mobility connectivity options.

Interestingly, it has already onboarded 27 dealerships that will focus on selling electric three-wheelers. Furthermore, it will also provide preference for its around 900 existing dealer and network partners to sell its new offerings.

For FY2025, WardWizard Innovations & Mobility estimates to sell around 50,000 units of electric vehicles across electric two-wheelers (low speed and high speed) and three-wheelers (L3 & L5) in India. It estimates that the sales will grow by 22-24 percent YoY in FY2026.

While it has recently entered the e-three-wheeler space, the company expects the new products to have around 30-35 percent share in its overall sales starting from FY2026.

On the other hand, reducing its reliance on low-speed electric two-wheeler category, the company also introduced a new high-speed e-scooter ‘Nemo’. Priced at INR 99,000 (ex-showroom), it comes with a 40 Ah NMC li-ion battery and a 1,500W DC brushless hub motor that gives it a max speed of 65 kmph. It has a claimed range of 130 km on a single charge in Eco mode. The e-scooter uses a digital speedometer, 5-inch full-colour TF display and projector LED headlight. The company has targeted a modest 2,000 units sales for Nemo in the next three months.

The EV maker currently has an installed capacity to produce 73,000 electric two-wheelers, 7,300 L5 electric three-wheelers and 18,250 L3 electric three-wheelers per annum. The company claims that apart from some plastic components and cells being imported, everything has been localised.

It further aims to start manufacturing its own batteries in the next one year in Vadodara, for which the pilots are underway.