Bengaluru-based electric vehicle technology company Exponent Energy has completed the conversion of 200 internal-combustion-engine autorickshaws into electric vehicles as part of a four-month pilot conducted through its Exponent OTO platform.
According to the company, the converted three-wheelers have collectively travelled more than 1.5 million kilometres during the pilot. The fleet has also recorded over 25,000 charging sessions, highlighting the use of the vehicles in commercial operations.
Bengaluru Pilot Builds Case for EV Conversion
Exponent Energy said the retrofit programme has helped it achieve a 20% share of Bengaluru’s electric three-wheeler segment during the pilot period.
Rather than replacing existing autorickshaws with factory-built electric models, the company’s approach focuses on upgrading vehicles that are already in operation. The strategy is aimed particularly at commercial drivers who may want to transition to electric mobility without completely replacing their existing vehicle ecosystem.
The company believes retrofitting can provide an alternative route to electrification by combining an existing vehicle platform with an electric powertrain and rapid-charging technology.
15-Minute Charging Technology at the Core
Exponent Energy’s retrofit solution is built around its rapid-charging technology, which the company says enables charging in around 15 minutes.
For commercial three-wheelers, shorter charging times can be particularly important because vehicles typically spend long hours on the road and generate income through daily operations.
The Bengaluru pilot has provided Exponent with an opportunity to evaluate its retrofit technology under real-world commercial usage while gathering operational data from the converted fleet.
Exponent Plans Wider Commercial Rollout
Following the Bengaluru pilot, Exponent Energy plans to expand its commercial retrofit operations to other major cities across India.
The company is positioning vehicle conversion as a way to accelerate electrification without requiring every existing commercial vehicle to be replaced with a new EV.
Company Statement
Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business at Exponent Energy, said the Bengaluru programme demonstrates the potential to electrify vehicles already operating on Indian roads.
“The 200 retrofits in Bengaluru show that there is a real opportunity to electrify the vehicles already on the road, rather than waiting for them to be replaced.”
He added that the retrofit approach could provide drivers with a more accessible route to electric mobility while allowing them to retain familiarity with their existing vehicle and service ecosystem.
What Comes Next
With 200 three-wheelers converted during the Bengaluru pilot, Exponent Energy is now looking to take its retrofit model beyond the city. The planned expansion will focus on commercial vehicle fleets and could provide the company with a larger platform to test its rapid-charging and retrofit technology across different operating environments.
