Sulajja Firodia Motwani, CEO and Founder of Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions, stands as a transformative force in India’s electric mobility landscape. Her journey is not just about business —it’s about taking ahead an illustrious family legacy, pioneering innovation, empowering women, and driving social change at scale.
With a legacy rooted in the iconic products that the Firodia family pioneered, like the Kinetic Honda and Luna which gave wings of mobility to millions of Indians, Sailaja’s leadership has propelled the Kinetic Group now into a new era of accessible, sustainable transportation for all.
Visionary Leadership: From Legacy to Green Mobility
Sulajja’s strategic foresight led her to pivot from traditional ICE vehicles to electric mobility in 2013, long before EVs became a national priority or popular among consumers. Her bold moves—launching 100% Made in India electric three-wheelers in 2016 in partnership with CSIR, and reviving the Iconic Luna as the E-Luna in electric avatar as Kinetic Green’s entry strategy into the world of electric two-wheelers—set benchmarks for accessible, durable, and India-ready EVs for masses- and not just the classes. Today, Kinetic Green’s portfolio addresses the unique demands of both urban and rural India, with products engineered through indigenous R&D and local manufacturing.
She is passionate about not only a future that is sustainable and a planet that is green, but also about democratization of e-mobility, where a vast majority of the society can use and enjoy electric vehicles.
Championing Women’s Empowerment: Breaking Barriers
Sulajja’s impact extends far beyond boardrooms. She is a passionate advocate for gender diversity and inclusion in manufacturing and leadership. Under her guidance:
- 100% Women-led Assembly Lines: 50% E-Luna’s production is managed entirely by women & Kinetic Green aims to attain100% women led assembly line, demonstrating its dedication to providing opportunities for women in technical and manufacturing roles.
- Upskilling Initiatives: Programs like ‘SkillHer’ and ‘SheRise’ offer targeted training and leadership opportunities for women, especially from underprivileged backgrounds.
- Inclusive Workforce: Kinetic Green targets 40–50% female representation across its workforce and management, setting new industry standards. Motwani’s vision is clear: empower women at every level, from shop floors to C-suites, and create dignified employment pathways for thousands.
Social Impact: Mobility as a Tool for Upliftment
Sulajja’s leadership has positioned Kinetic Green as a vehicle for social transformation. Livelihood Generation: Large-scale partnerships initiatives with state governments such as “Pink E-Rickshaw” is promoting women empowerment and developing micro entrepreneurs in women across Maharashtra fostering growth and enhance livelihood.
Employment Creation: Kinetic Green has generated direct and indirect employment for thousands across its supply chain, dealerships, and service networks nationwide.
Brand Revival and Campaigns: Rekindling a Legacy
Sulajja’s marketing acumen shines through the relaunch of the Iconic Luna as the E-Luna. The “Phir Se Chal Meri Luna” campaign, crafted with advertising legend Piyush Pandey, bridges nostalgia with innovation—celebrating mobility as freedom and aspiration for all. This emotionally charged campaign has resonated across generations, cementing E-Luna’s place as a symbol of independence and progress.
Industry Influence and Advocacy
Sulajja is a respected voice in policy and industry circles & has contributed to shaping India’s EV policies as Chairperson of FICCI’s National Green Mobility committee, chairing IFGE’s (Indian Federation of Green Energy) Electric vehicle forum & as member of the National Executive Committee of CII.
Thought Leadership: She has served on the boards of Invest India, India’s premiere investment promotion arm and iCreate – International Centre for Entrepreneurship & Technology, an initiative of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
She is on the Board of Advisors of National Innovation Foundation of India and a founding member of the Pune International Centre think tank. Sulajja Is the Chairperson of FICCI’s Green Mobility Committee and IFGE’s (Indian Federation of Green Energy) EV Forum. She is also a member of FICCI’s National Steering Committee as well as Chairperson of FICCI Maharashtra.
Accolades and Recognition
Motwani’s pioneering work has earned her numerous awards, including:
- “Young Global Leader” by World Economic Forum
- Featured as India Today’s “Face of the Millennium”
- “India’s Most Powerful Women award”, Outlook’s Women of Worth (WOW) 2019 Award
- “Woman of the year Award for 2023” by the prestigious IMC Chamber of Commerce
- “Niti Aayog’s Woman Transforming India Award” for 2022
- FICCI FLO’s “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” for 2021
- Top 100 Industry Leaders in Electrifying the Mobility Future by Emobility+.
- “75 Most Influential Women in India 2022” by Business World
- ISGF Innovation Award for Sustainability
- Featured in Fortune India’s list of 100 Most Powerful Women of India, 2025.
Sulajja Firodia Motwani’s journey is one of vision, purpose and resilience. She has reimagined Kinetic’s legacy for the futuristic electric age, empowered thousands through dignified employment, and set new standards for women’s leadership in Indian automotive industry. As India accelerates toward a cleaner, more inclusive future, Motwani’s story stands as a beacon for what business—and leadership—can achieve when driven by both heart and vision.
