In an exclusive interview of Machine Edge Global with Gaurav Kumar, Head of Supply Chain and Manufacturing at Euler Motors, we delve into the transformative shifts taking place in India’s electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing sector. As India aims for 70% EV adoption in commercial vehicles by 2030, Gaurav offers insightful perspectives on how the country is emerging as a global manufacturing hub for electric mobility. With a focus on localization, AI-driven solutions, and sustainable manufacturing practices, Euler Motors has positioned itself as a key player in the EV revolution.
India is emerging as a global manufacturing hub for automakers. How do you see this trend impacting the EV industry, particularly commercial vehicles?
The Govt of India has set an ambitious target of achieving 70% EV adoption for commercial vehicles by 2030.
This scale of adoption demands local EV manufacturing. This will see both established ICE commercial vehicle players set up new Ev production lines, as well as spur new companies entering the fray with green field investments. But adoption will be defined not by mere supply alone . There will be the need to drive price parity with ICE, along with equivalent performance – and together this creates a fertile ground for innovation in the entire EV supply chain.
The logical next step to leverage such innovation and investments in R&D is to set sights on the global market in the medium term. So I would say India’s being a global manufacturing hub for commercial EV is a natural- if not imperative – progression !
What unique advantages does India offer for scaling up EV manufacturing compared to other markets?
India offers a unique trifecta—cost-effective manufacturing, a vast domestic market, and growing technical expertise. An EV is software on wheels, and for more than two decades, India has built and nurtured a compelling workforce skilled at precisely this – becoming the world’s largest exporter of IT services. The 245 billion USD IT industry in India, boasting 5.4 million engineers, makes for fertile ground and a compelling advantage for India to jump head of the EV manufacturing revolution.
Euler motors’ vehicles, including the HiLoad and Storm EV, are designed from India, for India, to address unique local needs such as high payload capacity and long-range. In fact , the guidance on value creation by policies such as FAME and PLI not only incentivizes local adoption but can quickly transform the way we think about delivering innovations from India to the rest of the world – ergo an EV manufacturing hub for the world.
How do you leverage data analytics and AI for demand forecasting, inventory optimization, or supplier management in the EV ecosystem?
At Euler Motors we use data analytics/ AI to deliver service excellence and to help manage inventory, operating independently but also together to achieve greater value for customers and for operational efficiencies.
For example, predictive maintenance is a key area where data analytics plays a vital role. By monitoring vehicle performance in real-time, we identify potential issues before they escalate, ensuring timely servicing and reducing downtime.
This real-time insight directly feeds into our inventory system, triggering purchase requests to maintain optimum stock levels for spare parts and components.
Further, these analytics reveal patterns in usage and maintenance, which are then fed back into our R&D processes. This enables us to proactively refine parts and production methods, reducing the recurrence of such patterns and enhancing product durability.
Using this continuous cycle we are able to deliver deliver high quality customer service and experience, while also improving our ability to drive up product quality and operational efficiencies. As usage increases, the availability of increased amounts of data for modelling will enable us, and other manufacturers using technology is a similar way, to continually deliver finer improvements on all counts.
EV supply chains often face challenges related to battery sourcing, semiconductor shortages, and raw material availability. How is Euler Motors navigating these issues?
The key is to develop a robust ecosystem across the EV manufacturing supply chain. This cannot happen overnight, but the good news is there are more players today than there were five years ago. Most components for EVs, from motors to chassis, are now produced domestically. This will only improve. However, semiconductors remain a critical dependency, and addressing this gap is essential to achieving 100% localization. India is taking concrete steps to establish a semiconductor manufacturing base, which will bring us closer to a fully localized supply chain.
The thrust will come from enabling policy frameworks and from players investing to grow the ecosystem for the good of all. At Euler Motors, we see this as a transformative opportunity that will bolster the resilience of the EV industry in the long term.
Euler Motors has achieved nearly 100% localization. Can you tell us more about this localized EV value chain? How does it contribute to cost efficiency, quality, and performance when compared to ICE vehicles?
Localization is not just a strategy for us; it’s a core belief. From day one, we’ve partnered with local suppliers, sharing knowledge and technical expertise to co-create components tailored for electric vehicles.
Today, 95% of our vehicle components and 90% of our battery packs are sourced locally. This deep localization ensures cost efficiencies, faster development cycles, and vehicles perfectly adapted to Indian conditions. It also enables us to offer EVs that rival ICE vehicles in performance and reliability while maintaining affordability. More importantly, this localized value chain strengthens India’s self-reliance and supports the EV ecosystem’s growth.
How do you view the collaboration between EV manufacturers, suppliers, and government policies in creating a more robust EV ecosystem?
At Euler Motors, we believe collaboration is the cornerstone of building a robust EV ecosystem. Manufacturers, suppliers, and government policies must work together to address challenges, innovate solutions, and accelerate the transition to electric mobility.
From the start, we have worked closely with suppliers, sharing insights to co-create high-quality, cost-effective EV components. This approach has been key to achieving 90% localization. Policies like FAME and PLI incentivize local manufacturing and infrastructure, further strengthening the ecosystem.
The ecosystem thrives when stakeholders align to create value. Vehicles like the HiLoad and Storm EV demonstrate how innovation in range, payload, and charging infrastructure can drive EV adoption. The path to a sustainable EV future demands collective effort, and we are proud to lead by example, fostering collaboration to build a resilient, impactful ecosystem for India’s clean energy ambitions.