From Vision to Reality: The Inspiring Stories of E-Mobility Entrepreneurs

Ever wondered what drives the founders of e-mobility start-ups? What keeps them motivated and inspired? 

The story of two remarkable start-ups, Magnes.in and eBik , unfolds through the lens of their founders. One founder’s move to the automobile manufacturing hub of Pune sparked a venture into e-bicycles, while another was driven by the lack of efficient commuting options in small Indian towns and aimed to provide affordable mobility solutions. A common thread of grit, perseverance, and a desire to provide affordable mobility solutions to underserved communities ties their journeys together. 

We spoke to the founders of these start-ups, Sunit Shah , CEO of Mag9 Energies, and Anant Jain , CEO of Accelero Vehicles, to learn more about their journeys, aspirations, challenges faced, and how they navigated them. Continue reading to better understand India's e-mobility ecosystem and how programs like Social Alpha’s Accelerator for Sustainable Last-mile Logistics, supported by FedEx , help start-ups grow in this competitive environment. 

The Inspiration Behind the Journey 

Sunit reminisces, “We were deeply involved in the electric go-kart sector in 2018 and were aggressively expanding. We shifted our base from Mumbai, seeking to immerse ourselves in the automotive manufacturing hub of Chakan (in Pune district). Moving around Chakan was inconvenient as the town relied heavily on an extensive shared auto network. This inspired us to build three electric bicycles for personal use and to move our goods around. When the lockdown hit and the go-kart market collapsed, we pivoted to electric bicycles, recognising a growing demand and the potential to fill a significant market gap.” 

Anant shares, “My journey began in the energy sector, working on power plants and solar transmission projects. Visiting remote areas, I noticed a lack of access to motorised mobility, which troubled me. India aspires to be a global economic leader, yet many cannot afford basic transportation. This disparity sparked the idea of using electric cycles to bridge the gap, as they can be manufactured with minimal resources. Thus, Accelero was born to address this crucial need.” 

Overcoming Technological Hurdles 

A start-up in this ecosystem comes with its own set of technological hurdles. Creating a well-loved, affordable, and sought-after product requires extensive research and development (R&D), trials, and pilots. The product also has to meet regulatory requirements for Indian roads. 

Sunit shared, “Our initial focus was on the food logistics sector, but we quickly realised our bicycles needed to handle more diverse and demanding use cases. People were using them for grocery deliveries, carrying heavy loads, and even for personal transport. This led to frequent product failures. We had to start from scratch, designing a robust transmission system that could handle up to 300 kg, although we advise against such heavy use. We aimed to create a reliable, family-friendly vehicle that would last at least ten years.” 

Anant explained, “When we started, we estimated that a cycle should handle a load of almost 200 kg - imagining a male or female member with two kids sitting on it. Initially, we imported some components from China, like a hub motor, controller, and battery pack. During testing, we discovered that these components couldn’t handle a more than 90-100 kg load. The technology was great but was meant for European or Western countries, not India. So, we did our R&D, and it took us 18 months to develop our patented Hi-Ride Power Drive Engine, creating a robust and affordable e-cycle named eBik Speed.” 

Creating Awareness and Navigating Policies 

Sunit emphasised, “Awareness around EVs is increasing, thanks to efforts from the government and companies like Ola and Ather. However, discussions should focus on value addition and not be limited to pollution and sustainability. Our vehicles allow users to earn 30-40% more and reduce ownership costs by 50-60%. This economic value resonates more with people than sustainability alone.” 

Anant shared a different perspective, “For me, EV technology should provide mobility to those who previously couldn’t afford it. While there are discussions about pollution reduction, the primary goal should be to make mobility accessible. Government subsidies can help but should be managed better to avoid bureaucratic delays and ensure funds reach the intended recipients in a timely manner.” 

Collaboration and Community Engagement 

Collaboration through mentorship, networking, financial backing, and piloting opportunities equips early-stage start-ups with the tools and support needed to overcome initial hurdles, foster innovation, and achieve long-term success. 

Sunit highlighted their collaboration with Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI) Technology Business Incubator (TBI), their alumni college, which provided grants and crucial support for a bootstrapped start-up. The accelerator enabled them to work with Dabbawalas, gaining trust and insights from this community. “After Social Alpha’s accelerator, many Dabbawalas returned to buy our vehicles at higher prices, recognising the value the product added to their earnings.” 

Anant discussed their outreach in Delhi, targeting gas delivery agents, milkmen, newspaper vendors, and food delivery boys. “The Social Alpha Accelerator made our products more affordable for these segments, leading to increased acceptance and demand post the accelerator. We also developed India's first conversion kit for Thela rickshaws, significantly improving the income levels and quality of life for waste pickers and other low-income workers.” 

Future Aspirations and Sustainable Goals 

Sunit envisioned creating a new category of affordable two-wheelers. “We aim to be the go-to option for households, providing a practical alternative to scooters. Our goal is to build a brand as impactful as Bajaj but in the e-mobility space.” 

Anant echoed similar ambitions, “We want to create a category that becomes essential for every household. While our primary customers are currently male, we aim to design products that cater to all genders and ages, ensuring broad accessibility and affordability.” 

Conclusion 

The journeys of Mag9 and Accelero exemplify the resilience and innovation required to succeed in the e-mobility sector. Through technological advancements, strategic collaborations, and a focus on economic value, these start-ups are transforming the mobility landscape in India. Initiatives like Social Alpha’s Accelerator for Sustainable Last-mile Logistics are crucial in supporting such start-ups, helping them navigate challenges and scale their impact in a competitive ecosystem. 

Despite facing multiple setbacks, Mag9 successfully developed and launched its product with program support, including assistance in product development, testing, and acquiring its first 100 customers. Accelero, meanwhile, concentrated on scaling and entering new customer segments for its e-bicycle, launching a tricycle retrofit product and securing its first 200 customers. Both companies encountered timeline challenges but achieved their objectives thanks to the accelerator’s structured yet adaptable support. 

As these start-ups continue to grow and innovate, they pave the way for a more accessible, affordable, and sustainable future in e-mobility. Their stories inspire and remind us that transformative change is possible with the right support and determination. 

- Written by Aishwarya KS , Climate & Sustainability, Social Alpha