Exponent Energy has completed 200 electric retrofits of internal combustion engine autorickshaws in Bengaluru, concluding a four-month pilot under its Exponent OTO platform. The company plans to expand its commercial vehicle retrofit programme to other major Indian cities.
200 Autorickshaws Converted to Electric
The Bengaluru pilot focused on converting existing ICE three-wheelers into electric vehicles, offering fleet operators and drivers an alternative to replacing their vehicles entirely.
According to Exponent Energy, the retrofitted fleet has:
- 200 three-wheelers converted to electric
- Over 1.5 million kilometres travelled
- More than 25,000 charging sessions completed
- 20% share of Bengaluru’s electric three-wheeler segment, according to the company
15-Minute Rapid Charging Technology
Exponent Energy’s retrofit solution is built around its rapid-charging technology, which the company says can recharge compatible vehicles in around 15 minutes.
The approach is aimed particularly at commercial vehicles, where shorter charging downtime can be important for daily utilisation and driver earnings.
Scaling Commercial EV Retrofits
Following the Bengaluru pilot, Exponent Energy plans to expand its commercial retrofitment operations across other major Indian cities. The company sees retrofitting as a way to electrify vehicles already operating on the road rather than relying solely on new EV purchases.
Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business at Exponent Energy, said the Bengaluru pilot demonstrates an opportunity to electrify existing vehicles while allowing drivers to continue using familiar vehicle and service ecosystems.
The company’s next phase will focus on scaling the retrofit model and its rapid-charging ecosystem for commercial three-wheelers across India.
