"It's About Ensuring That Technology And Innovation Are Accessible—And Not Just To A Select Few”: Rohit Srivastava, EKA Mobility

On a winter morning in Mumbai, a silent bus glides past the usual chorus of honking rickshaws and diesel trucks. It doesn’t growl or sputter — it hums, as it rolls on. No exhaust, no haze, just the faint scent of cool air. For most passersby, it’s just another commuter ride. But for the team at EKA Mobility, it’s proof that India’s roads can hum with clean energy, that cities can breathe easier, and that transport doesn’t have to be the country’s biggest source of pollution.

Electric mobility is no longer a distant dream; it’s a movement gathering pace across the globe. For India’s urban centres, however, the essence of electric mobility will be met when it takes on a distinctly community-driven form. 

While the EV narrative often centers around sleek personal cars, EKA Mobility has deliberately chosen a different battleground: public and commercial transport — the buses, trucks, and delivery fleets that keep the country moving. 

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“In India, the need for accessible and scalable green mobility solutions is pressing,” says Rohit Srivastava, Chief Growth Officer at EKA Mobility. “Through inclusive growth, we aim to build a sustainable ecosystem where innovation thrives, and all participants can contribute to a cleaner, more connected future.”

Inclusion As A Business Model

That vision is rooted in a simple belief — the electric transition can’t be the privilege of a few. “It’s about ensuring that technology and innovation are accessible, not just to a select few, but to all stakeholders involved, whether large or small, global or local.” And in a country as vast and varied as India, inclusivity isn’t a nice-to-have — it’s the only way forward.

The signs of change are already visible. With programmes like the NEBP and PM E-Bus Seva scheme aiming to deploy tens of thousands of electric buses in the next few years — and a long-term vision of replacing up to 800,000 diesel buses by 2030 — India is positioning itself to become the world’s second-largest e-bus market after China. 

Smaller commercial EVs are gaining momentum too, especially in logistics, where nimble electric vans and three-wheelers are already a common sight in city centers. These aren’t just policy wins; they’re market signals that both public and private sectors see electrification as inevitable.

The Infrastructure Test

But ambition alone doesn’t build a future. To make electric mobility the norm, the technology, infrastructure, financing and policy must all move in lockstep. Charging networks, for instance, are the nervous system of the EV ecosystem. 

Without them, range anxiety — the fear of running out of charge mid-journey — can paralyse adoption. Srivastava believes the answer lies in strategy, not guesswork. “We should rely on data from industry bodies like BOCI or State Transport Undertakings to decide where charging stations go.” That, paired with ultra-fast charging technology, designed to get vehicles back on the road in minutes rather than hours, will be transformative.

One Roof, Many Capabilities

Of course, charging is just one side of the equation — the battery itself is the other. Breakthroughs in lithium-ion efficiency, solid-state prototypes, and recycling systems are reshaping what’s possible. Srivastava reveals that EKA’s vehicles are built for a million kilometers of service life, using recyclable materials and easy-to-service components. Battery recycling programs ensure that valuable minerals are recovered, not discarded, making the shift to electric a genuinely sustainable one.

EKA’s integrated model gives it a unique edge. With in-house R&D setups, the company designs, engineers, simulates and tests its vehicles entirely under one roof. This speeds up innovation and keeps every step aligned with real-world needs. Partnerships further extend this advantage — from the USD 100 million collaboration with Japan’s Mitsui and the Netherlands’ VDL Groep, bringing global capital and expertise, to the tie-up with KPIT Technologies for advanced electric powertrains. Each alliance adds another thread to the tapestry.

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Smarter, Not Just Cleaner

And then there’s the software revolution quietly underway. EKA’s AI team is building systems that make vehicles not just electric, but intelligent — predicting maintenance needs before breakdowns occur, assisting drivers with advanced safety features, and learning from usage patterns to optimize performance. “Imagine a bus that knows the road, understands its passengers, and manages its energy like a living system. That’s the kind of leap that can redefine mobility.”

The Payoff For India

The payoff for aligning all these threads is enormous. Cleaner air in cities, quieter streets, lower emissions, and an economy strengthened by local manufacturing and new jobs. For operators, the math is compelling — lower running costs, fewer breakdowns, and the confidence that their investment is future-proof. For communities, it’s a tangible improvement in quality of life.

“In the end, it isn’t just about developing groundbreaking technologies — it’s about building a shared future where these technologies can be leveraged in a way that benefits the entire community.” And if India can bring every element into harmony — policy, infrastructure, innovation and inclusion — electric mobility will be the present.