In an exclusive interaction with Satyam Narang, CEO, Khalsa E-Vehicles Private Limited, shared the company’s inspiring journey and its vision for the future of electric mobility, with Neha Basudkar Ghate, Consulting Editor, Machine Edge Global.
The conversation unfolded at the 21st EV Expo 2024, held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, where Khalsa E-Vehicles proudly showcased their iinovative innovations. The event was inaugurated by the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, who, in his keynote address, emphasized India’s steadfast commitment to tackling rising pollution, reducing reliance on fossil fuel imports, and driving the nation towards a sustainable and electric future.
Gadkari stressed the nation’s ambition to achieve carbon neutrality, lithium reserves, and projected the country’s potential to emerge as a global leader in the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector. Against this inspiring backdrop, Satyam Narang shares insights into Khalsa E-Vehicles’ growth, challenges, and contributions to India’s electric mobility mission.
Khalsa E-Vehicles has been a prominent player in the electric mobility sector. Could you share insights into your product offerings, including your recent launch in the L5 category?
We have been active in the L3 division for over a decade, manufacturing E-rickshaws. Over the years, we’ve built a strong network of more than 250 dealer distributors across India.
Recently, we entered the L5 category and in this exhibition launched our new line of battery-operated three-wheelers with the named ‘Luka’, which is powered by high-speed Lithium-ion battery with a range of 200 km, the first in its class in India. The model would be available in both passenger and cargo versions. It boasts a best-in-class 11.77KW battery, peak torque of 40NM, top speed of 44kmph, and an advanced IPM motor. Luka can be quickly charged in 4-5 hours and is also laced with an automatic gearbox.
We are excited to announce that dispatches for Luka are planned to begin in January. This marks a significant step forward in our journey to provide efficient, sustainable, and cutting-edge electric mobility solutions.
With a strong focus on ‘Make in India’, how are you preparing Khalsa E-Vehicles to penetrate international markets while sustaining domestic growth?
The three-wheeler business in India has a strong global footprint, with Indian players leading the market worldwide. India is already the top exporter of three-wheelers globally, and this provides us with a solid foundation to scale our operations internationally.
At Khalsa E-Vehicles, our vision has always been global. With this mission in mind, we have launched our Luka model today. This marks the beginning of our journey into international markets. While we continue to cater to India, we also plan to expand into Nepal, Africa, and other countries.
Our goal is ambitious yet clear: within the next 6-7 years, we aim to establish Khalsa E-Vehicles as a significant global player in the three-wheeler electric vehicle market.
Every innovation comes with its set of challenges. Could you share the obstacles Khalsa E-Vehicles faced during the development of the Luka model and how you overcame them to align with the government’s vision for electric mobility?
We faced several challenges during the development of our Luka model. Initially, we planned to launch the product last year. However, after conducting a market review with customers, we discovered a significant demand for higher mileage. Most three-wheelers in India currently offer a range of around 110 km, which led us to rethink our approach to deliver better performance.
One major technical challenge was the need for a waterproof motor. Considering India’s diverse climate, with its unpredictable rains, high humidity, and heat, it became clear that a robust solution was essential. Our R&D and quality teams worked tirelessly for over 1–1.5 years, conducting detailed ground studies and reports to address these issues.
The result of this extensive preparation is a three-wheeler that stands out in the market. It offers best-in-class mileage, incorporates IoT-enabled controls, and provides features like real-time tracking, GPS control, and technical monitoring. Essentially, we’ve created a fully digital vehicle aligned with the government’s vision of promoting electric mobility and reducing pollution.
We draw immense motivation from leaders like Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Nitin Gadkari, who are aggressively championing the EV revolution. At Khalsa E-Vehicles, we share this mission and are committed to steadily advancing India’s transition to electric vehicles.
How has the government’s FAME-2 scheme and related initiatives influenced the growth of Khalsa E-Vehicles and the adoption of lithium-ion battery-powered vehicles in India?
The Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in India (FAME) scheme, particularly Phase-II, implemented in 2019, has played a transformative role in promoting electric vehicles (xEVs) and lithium-ion battery adoption across India. Khalsa E-Vehicles was registered under FAME-2 in 2019, and for the past five years, we have leveraged the scheme’s subsidy benefits to expand our operations.
This support from the government has not only matured the EV industry but also provided essential subsidies and financing, enabling companies like ours to grow consistently. These initiatives have significantly boosted EV adoption and encouraged innovation in this sector.
Our latest model, Luka, will also be registered under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme, which focuses on accelerating EV adoption and building a robust charging infrastructure. This will further align with the government’s mission to promote cleaner and more sustainable transportation solutions.
The continuous support from schemes like FAME-2 and PM E-DRIVE empowers us to contribute actively to the government’s vision of a greener future while ensuring Khalsa E-Vehicles keeps moving forward with innovation and sustainability.
What key trends do you anticipate shaping the EV industry in the next five years, and how does Khalsa EV plan to leverage its reputation for quality and service to stay competitive and achieve its growth objectives?
At Khalsa E-Vehicles, we have built our reputation on quality and service, which has positioned us among the top 10 EV companies in India. As the EV industry continues to evolve, we foresee several trends that will significantly impact companies like ours: advancements in battery technology, increasing government support for EV adoption, and a growing demand for sustainable and affordable mobility solutions.
To stay ahead in this competitive landscape, we are focusing on expanding our reach and deepening our market presence. Currently, we have state approvals in 18 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal. As we increase production, we are also enhancing our dealer and distributor network to ensure a wider footprint across the country.
Our goal is to climb into the top 5 rankings by continuing to deliver exceptional products and services, while also embracing innovation and staying aligned with customer needs. By consistently improving our offerings and expanding our market reach, we are confident in our ability to thrive amidst the growing competition in the EV industry.