As India accelerates its push towards electric mobility and self-reliant manufacturing, Kinetic Green is quietly scripting a compelling comeback story. In an exclusive interaction with ETAuto, Sulajja Firodia Motwani, CEO of Kinetic Green and torchbearer of the iconic Kinetic legacy, outlines how the company is doubling down on localisation, battery innovation, and smart technology to build EVs that are not only affordable but also deeply tailored for Indian roads and consumers. From reviving the e-Luna with AI-driven features to expanding into autonomous mobility and fleet intelligence, Motwani speaks candidly about the company’s billion-dollar ambition, global roadmap, and why Kinetic Green is betting on India-first EVs for the next phase of growth.

From Day 1, Kinetic Green was built with a Make-in-India vision. In fact, we started back in 2012 by partnering with CSIR, India’s top science institution, to create an indigenised EV platform — at a time when there was no policy, demand, or supply chain.

Today, I’m proud to say that 100 per cent of our vehicle components are made in India, except for two items--battery cells (imported by battery suppliers) and magnets in motors.

Everything else — from axles, motors, controllers, batteries, to chassis — is domestically sourced or made in our own group companies. To support this ecosystem, we even got our group companies to invest in EV tech. For example, Kinetic Engineering now makes e-axles and gearboxes; Kinetic Electric Motor Company supplies us motors; other companies handle controllers, clusters, etc.

We own all the IP and designs, and partner with Tier-2/3 suppliers to manufacture them in India. This co-developer approach gives us both control and flexibility.

Yes, these are the two weak links: battery cells and magnets. The PLI scheme for cell manufacturing is already underway, and players like Exide, Amara Raja, Reliance, Ola, Tata are building facilities. We're in active talks with many of them, and we’re optimistic about sourcing Indian-made cells by 2026.

As for magnets, the situation escalated quickly due to geopolitical issues. Localisation in this area will take two–three years. In the meantime, we’ve built up inventory, thanks to our early planning and supplier relationships.

We’re also applying for end-user certificates for imports and hoping for policy clarity soon. Until then, it remains a watch point — similar to how semiconductor shortages hit the industry during COVID.

At Kinetic Green, we’re focused on both electric three-wheelers and two-wheelers — both critical pillars for us.

Three-wheelers are livelihood enablers — a very stable, established category. But two-wheelers represent a massive volume opportunity.

Our two-wheeler vision is to democratise e-mobility. We’re not just making premium electric scooters that are out of reach for most. Our focus is to deliver innovative, durable, and affordable products that suit Indian road and consumer needs.

Luna, for example, was India’s first personal mobility solution and empowered the middle class in the ’70s and ’80s. The Kinetic Honda also brought advanced tech within everyone’s reach. We’re building on that legacy.

With the e-Luna already launched, we’re now working on several scooters under the “Luna Limitless” umbrella, a mid-speed scooter (e-Zulu), a family scooter for cities (*Kinetic Honda DX EV) which will be a very stylish and affordable vehicles that we will bring out very soon. Even a high-performance scooter is planned for next year. We're designing for different price points and user needs, reflecting our deep understanding of Indian consumers.

Yes, that’s the direction we’re headed. EVs aren’t just about electrification; they’re about reimagining mobility for a connected, smart future.

We’ve made significant investments in technology across three areas--powertrain and batteries, connectivity and IoT solutions and AI-based driver assist systems.

All our vehicles, including the e-Luna, are smart. They use CAN communication protocols, allow for remote diagnostics, location tracking, and connect via our KG Connect app.

We’re also developing ADIS (AI-based Driver Information System). This system will:

Even our most affordable models will be equipped with these smart features. The goal is to empower users, reduce misuse, and make EV adoption more intuitive — especially for first-time users.

A: Yes, we’re developing a tool that monitors real-time usage patterns using sensors placed across critical areas of the vehicle. It captures data like tire pressure, load, braking frequency, and charging behavior, all of which affect the vehicle’s range. The system then communicates personalised insights to the rider—advising on tire pressure, load management, drive mode optimization, and charging habits—so they can maximise their EV’s range. It's essentially a real-time training tool for better EV usage.

A: We’ve launched a programme called KG Fleets where our vehicles, particularly e-Luna and electric three-wheelers, are being used by companies like Big Basket, Blinkit, and Domino’s. For instance, many of Domino’s deliveries now happen on e-Luna.

We’re also tracking these fleets on a live dashboard at our headquarters. This allows us to see, in real-time, how many kilometers are covered, how many deliveries were completed, etc. It connects us deeply with our customers' journeys and showcases our contribution to the last-mile ecosystem.

In fact, a large part of Domino’s delivery happens on e-LUNA. Sometimes, when I order something and the delivery guy comes, I go running to the door, open the door and say, “Which vehicle did you come in?” And when I see a Kinetic Green vehicle, I give him a special thank-you or a chocolate. It’s so exciting that I ask some questions and get real-time feedback.

A: Yes. We're collaborating with Infosys to develop an autonomous stack—starting with our golf carts. These are ideal for campuses and resorts where vehicles follow fixed, safe routes. The autonomous system will allow for on-demand shuttling, offering a smart, future-ready solution. We’re excited to roll this out soon.

A: We’re doing some groundbreaking work on battery technologies:

From our KG Connect app to IoT solutions and display systems, we’re ensuring that all our vehicles—yes, even the humble e-Luna—are smart and connected. Our younger customers expect intuitive, tech-integrated products. This is not just about mobility, but about transforming transportation into an intelligent experience. We're proud to be an established company embracing new tricks and technologies.

A: We’re focused on becoming a $1 billion company within five years, reaching about ₹8,000+ crore in topline revenue. Exports will play a key role—especially in our golf carts (which will be 90–95 per cent global), three-wheelers in markets like Africa and South Asia, and two-wheelers in Southeast Asia and Africa.

Our three product lines—two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and golf carts—allow us to serve B2B and B2C, domestic and international markets, while maintaining supply chain and technology synergies. As I like to say: three-wheelers are our bread, two-wheelers the butter, and golf carts the jam.

We’re building not just for valuation, but for value—for our customers, for society, and for the future.