Saurav Kumar’s Euler Motors: Revolutionizing Commercial EVs in India

Saurav Kumar‘s journey into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) began with a childhood fascination for mathematics and robotics. His father, a mathematics and physics enthusiast, nurtured Kumar’s passion for science and technology. This early exposure to the world of innovation eventually led him to create Euler Motors, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the commercial EV sector in India. Kumar’s educational background included stints at the Delhi School of Engineering and Cornell University, where he honed his skills in robotics and engineering. His love for combining hardware and software never waned, serving as the foundation for his entrepreneurial journey.

After selling his first startup, Cube26, to Paytm in 2017, Kumar was on a mission to tackle a pressing issue facing Indian cities: pollution. He recognized that India had some of the most polluted cities globally, with vehicles contributing significantly to air pollution. In 2018, he founded Euler Motors, named after the renowned Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler, with a vision to produce electric three-wheelers that would contribute to cleaner urban environments.

Euler Motors’ journey began in a vendor’s workspace in Faridabad, where Kumar and his team built the first prototype of a three-wheeler electric vehicle. They initially used lead-acid batteries as power sources but soon ventured into developing their lithium energy battery packs. Today, Euler Motors’ flagship product, the HiLoad electric three-wheeler, boasts a remarkable driving range of up to 151 kilometers and can be charged in just 15 minutes. The company also operates its charging network and an app for users to monitor their vehicles.

While building the vehicle was an exciting challenge for Kumar, he recognized that success required more than just a superior product. It involved creating a full-stack electric vehicle company that addressed various aspects, including product quality, charging infrastructure, and financing. At the time, the electric vehicle industry in India was in its infancy, offering an opportunity for Euler Motors to make a significant impact.

One of the key insights Kumar gained during his journey was the importance of understanding customer needs. Commercial vehicle owners needed reassurance that electric vehicles could outperform traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles in terms of performance, durability, and reliability. To address this, Euler Motors built a robust ecosystem, including charging stations and service centres. In addition to developing their vehicle, Kumar dedicated significant effort to mastering battery technology, which accounts for a substantial portion of manufacturing costs. He conducted in-depth research, including disassembling Tesla and Chinese electric vehicle batteries to gain insights into solving this critical challenge.

The company made a strategic decision to manufacture 200 to 300 prototypes of the initial version of their vehicle to learn from actual users. They targeted customers from various industries, including e-commerce, B2B, and hyper-local grocery businesses, to gather feedback on performance, range, payload, and carrying capacity. This customer-centric approach enabled Euler Motors to refine their product based on real-world data.

After two years of running these prototypes, Euler Motors launched the HiLoad EV in the Indian market in 2021. The vehicle had undergone rigorous testing, covering over a million kilometers and addressing issues such as weather conditions and range. Euler Motors’ close proximity to the problem ensured that their final product was tailored to Indian conditions and customer expectations.

Currently, Euler Motors is constructing one of its largest factories, spanning 12 acres in the National Capital Region (NCR). They plan to invest approximately ₹150 crores to achieve a production capacity of 3,000 vehicles per month, with a goal of manufacturing 1,000 vehicles per month by March 2023. The company has already secured an order book of 9,000 vehicles, indicating strong demand for their electric three-wheelers. Although Euler Motors has not yet reached profitability, Kumar remains optimistic. He believes that profitability will be attainable once production reaches 2,000 vehicles per month, a milestone they aim to achieve in the coming years. Kumar’s vision is for Euler Motors to become synonymous with commercial vehicles and lead India’s EV commercial revolution, with a focus on expanding into tier 2 and tier 3 cities.

Saurav Kumar’s Euler Motors exemplifies innovation, customer-centricity, and commitment to a cleaner, sustainable future for Indian cities.