In an interview with Surendar Nath, Executive Director, ETO Motors, AutoEV Times, explores how the company is building a 100% electric multimodal mobility ecosystem across passenger transport, logistics, buses and premium services. Nath shares insights on scaling EV operations, technology-led fleet management, strategic partnerships, infrastructure challenges, and the Three Es—Environment, Employment and Empowerment while outlining his vision for India’s sustainable urban mobility transformation over the next five years.
Read the full interview here:
AET: ETO has built a multimodal electric mobility ecosystem spanning passenger transport, premium mobility, buses, and logistics. What have been the key learnings in scaling such a diverse EV fleet across different use cases?
Surendar: Building a multimodal electric mobility ecosystem has taught us that every mobility segment has its own operational dynamics, but the foundation for scaling remains the same—technology, operational excellence, and ecosystem collaboration. Whether it is passenger transport, premium airport transfers, corporate buses or last-mile logistics, success depends on integrating vehicles, digital platforms and infrastructure into a unified operating model rather than treating them as separate businesses.
One of our biggest learnings has been the importance of designing solutions around customer use cases. Passenger mobility demands reliability and seamless first- and last-mile connectivity, premium mobility focuses on comfort and service quality, buses require predictable high-volume operations, while logistics prioritises fleet utilisation and turnaround time. Understanding these distinct requirements has enabled us to optimise fleet deployment and maximise asset productivity.
Another key learning is that scaling EV operations goes beyond deploying electric vehicles. Intelligent fleet management, real-time operational visibility, charging infrastructure planning and strong local partnerships are essential to maintaining service quality across multiple cities and use cases. As we expand into diverse urban markets, adaptability has become just as important as standardisation.
Finally, we believe the future of mobility lies in building an integrated ecosystem where sustainability, technology and social impact reinforce one another. By operating a 100% electric fleet across passenger mobility, logistics and corporate transportation, while creating employment opportunities and advancing inclusive mobility initiatives, we are demonstrating that commercial scalability and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. That holistic approach has been our biggest learning and continues to shape how we grow.
AET: Your cargo fleet supports major e-commerce and delivery platforms such as Amazon, BigBasket, and Flipkart. How are electric vehicles helping logistics operators balance sustainability goals with delivery efficiency and operational costs?
Surendar: The logistics industry is no longer looking at sustainability and operational efficiency as competing priorities—they are increasingly interconnected. Our experience of supporting leading e-commerce and delivery platforms has shown that electric vehicles can deliver both, provided they are deployed within a well-planned operational ecosystem.
For logistics operators, consistency and reliability are just as important as sustainability. Electric fleets, when supported by intelligent fleet management, efficient route planning and robust charging infrastructure, enable high-volume, time-sensitive deliveries while significantly reducing emissions. This allows businesses to meet their environmental commitments without compromising on service quality.
Another important learning has been that success depends on understanding the unique operational requirements of last-mile logistics. Fleet deployment, charging schedules and vehicle utilisation all need to be carefully aligned with delivery demand to maximise productivity and minimise downtime. As operations scale across different cities, local partnerships and technology-driven decision-making become critical to maintaining efficiency.
Our work with some of India’s largest e-commerce and delivery platforms demonstrates that electric mobility is now a commercially viable solution for last-mile logistics. Beyond reducing the environmental footprint of urban deliveries, it helps build a more resilient and future-ready logistics network that can adapt to growing demand while supporting businesses in achieving their long-term sustainability goals. The future of logistics will be driven by integrated electric mobility ecosystems that combine operational excellence, digital intelligence and clean transportation.
AET: ETO partnership with Uber aims to strengthen integrated urban mobility. How do you see such collaborations accelerating EV adoption and improving urban transportation networks in India?
Surendar: Partnerships between mobility platform providers and electric fleet operators have the potential to significantly accelerate EV adoption because they combine complementary strengths. Our collaboration with Uber brings together our expertise in operating a 100% electric, multimodal fleet with Uber’s advanced mobility technology, creating a more seamless and integrated urban transportation experience.
Such collaborations make it easier to deploy electric mobility at scale by connecting reliable EV fleets with an established digital platform that millions of users already trust. This not only enhances rider convenience but also encourages greater acceptance of electric vehicles as a mainstream mode of transport.
Beyond increasing EV adoption, integrated partnerships improve the overall efficiency of urban mobility networks. By combining passenger mobility, premium airport transfers and other transport services within a technology-enabled ecosystem, cities can reduce congestion, improve first- and last-mile connectivity, and offer commuters more sustainable travel options.
We also believe that successful EV adoption depends on collaboration across the broader ecosystem. Fleet operators, technology platforms, governments and infrastructure partners all have a role to play in creating scalable, region-specific mobility solutions. By bringing these capabilities together, we can accelerate India’s transition to cleaner transportation while delivering smarter, more efficient and customer-centric urban mobility solutions.
AET: As ETO expands across multiple states, what are the biggest infrastructure, charging, and operational challenges you encounter, and how are you addressing them?
Surendar: As we expand across multiple states, one of the biggest learnings has been that every market has unique mobility requirements. Factors such as travel patterns, customer expectations and the maturity of the local EV ecosystem vary significantly from one region to another. This makes adaptability a critical component of scaling electric mobility.
Addressing these challenges requires more than simply deploying electric vehicles. It demands a scalable operating model supported by intelligent fleet management, well-planned charging infrastructure and strong local partnerships. We have focused on building an integrated ecosystem where technology, operations and infrastructure work together to deliver reliable services across passenger mobility, premium transport, buses and last-mile logistics.
Another important aspect is maintaining operational consistency while tailoring solutions to local conditions. As we expand our presence across metropolitan and emerging urban markets, our regional partnerships and scalable infrastructure enable us to develop solutions that align with the specific mobility needs of each city, while maintaining the same standards of service quality and operational excellence.
We believe that the long-term success of electric mobility depends on creating a collaborative ecosystem involving fleet operators, technology partners, governments and infrastructure providers. By combining these capabilities with a 100% electric fleet and a technology-driven operating model, we are building a resilient and scalable mobility platform that can support India’s transition towards cleaner, smarter and more connected urban transportation.
AET: The company’s ‘Three Es’ framework—Environment, Employment, and Empowerment—forms the foundation of its growth strategy. How do you translate these principles into measurable impact on the ground?
Surendar: For us, the Three Es—Environment, Employment and Empowerment—are not just guiding principles; they shape every aspect of how we build and scale our mobility ecosystem.
From an environmental perspective, our commitment is reflected in operating a 100% electric fleet across passenger mobility, premium transport, buses and last-mile logistics. By replacing conventional vehicles with electric alternatives, we are helping reduce emissions and contributing to cleaner, healthier cities while supporting India’s transition towards sustainable urban mobility.
Employment is equally central to our growth strategy. As our operations expand across multiple states, we continue to create meaningful livelihood opportunities for drivers, logistics personnel and EV technicians. Building a future-ready workforce is an essential part of developing a resilient and scalable electric mobility ecosystem.
Empowerment goes beyond mobility. We are committed to making the EV ecosystem more inclusive, exemplified by the launch of India’s first all-women electric three-wheeler fleet in Kevadia, Gujarat. Alongside this, we continue to create dignified livelihood opportunities for underserved communities, ensuring that the transition to clean mobility also drives social progress.
Ultimately, we measure success not only by fleet expansion or operational growth, but by our ability to create lasting environmental, economic and social value. The Three Es ensure that every stage of our growth contributes to building a cleaner, more inclusive and sustainable mobility ecosystem for India.
AET: Looking ahead, what role do you envision technology, fleet electrification, and multimodal mobility solutions playing in shaping the future of sustainable urban transportation in India over the next five years?
Surendar: Over the next five years, we believe the future of urban transportation in India will be shaped by the convergence of three key elements—technology, fleet electrification and integrated multimodal mobility. The transition to sustainable mobility is no longer just about replacing conventional vehicles with electric ones; it is about creating an intelligent ecosystem where different modes of transport work seamlessly together.
Technology will be the backbone of this transformation. Digital platforms, intelligent fleet management and data-driven operations will enable operators to optimise fleet utilisation, improve service reliability and deliver a more seamless experience for both commuters and businesses. As mobility networks become increasingly connected, technology will play a vital role in enhancing efficiency and scalability.
Fleet electrification will continue to accelerate as organisations increasingly recognise that electric mobility delivers both environmental and operational benefits. A 100% electric fleet across passenger transport, premium mobility, buses and last-mile logistics demonstrates that clean mobility can effectively serve diverse urban transportation needs while contributing to lower emissions and healthier cities.
Equally important is the growth of multimodal mobility solutions. Integrating passenger transport, premium services, corporate mobility and logistics into a connected ecosystem will improve first- and last-mile connectivity, reduce congestion and create more efficient urban transport networks. We believe collaboration between fleet operators, technology platforms, governments and infrastructure partners will be essential to making this vision a reality.
Ultimately, the next phase of urban mobility will be defined not by individual electric vehicles, but by integrated, technology-enabled and sustainable mobility ecosystems that create long-term environmental, economic and social value for India’s cities.
