In an interview, Kunal Arya, Co-founder & Managing Director of ZELIO E Mobility, shared with AutoEV Times how the company is accelerating India’s green mobility transition. From launching a modern manufacturing plant in Hisar to expanding dealership networks and unveiling innovative EVs like the X-Men 2.0 and Tanga series, ZELIO is driving affordability, accessibility, and sustainability across the electric vehicle landscape.
Read the full interview here:
AET: ZELIO recently inaugurated a new manufacturing facility in Ladwa, Hisar. How will this state-of-the-art facility accelerate your mission of transforming India’s electric mobility landscape?
Kunal: The inauguration of our new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Ladwa, Hisar marks a transformative leap in our mission to redefine electric mobility in India. Spread across 6 acres with 3 acres under roof, this modern plant enhances our production capacity to 72,000 vehicles annually per shift, covering both electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers. This expansion allows us to meet the rising demand for sustainable personal and shared mobility solutions across varied regions. The facility also supports our commitment to the Make in India initiative through local sourcing of components, which helps control costs, ensure quality, and generate employment in the region. It also provides a strong foundation for innovation and product diversification, allowing us to introduce more advanced, user-friendly electric vehicles. This manufacturing hub will help us reach more customers faster and contribute meaningfully to India’s shift towards clean, sustainable, and accessible transportation solutions.
AET: From just 273 dealerships to a targeted 550 by May 2025 — what strategies are powering this aggressive dealership expansion, and how do you plan to generate over 1,000 jobs in the process?
Kunal: Our expansion strategy is built on a robust foundation, as we now have a network of 400+ dealerships and aim to grow this to 1,000 dealerships by the end of 2025. This aggressive growth is powered by a focused approach to identifying high-potential locations in both urban and semi-urban areas, where demand for eco-friendly transportation is rising. We are working closely with partners to ensure that each new dealership is supported with comprehensive training, marketing assistance, and supply chain integration, creating a seamless customer experience. As we expand, we anticipate generating over 1,000 jobs across sales, service, logistics, and administration roles, thus contributing to local economies. This strategic growth will not only enhance accessibility to our products but also strengthen our position in India’s rapidly evolving electric mobility sector.
AET: ZELIO has now evolved from an e-scooter brand into a full-spectrum electric mobility company. What drove this bold repositioning, and how do new offerings like the X-Men 2.0 and Tanga series support this vision?
Kunal: ZELIO’s repositioning into a full-spectrum electric mobility company stems from a deep understanding of India’s evolving transportation ecosystem, where affordability, efficiency, and sustainability now guide consumer choices. Launching the X-MEN 2.0 in four variants, starting at just INR 71,500, we aimed to offer an accessible yet advanced low-speed electric scooter delivering up to 100 km on a single charge, consuming merely 1.5 units of electricity. This caters to cost-conscious daily riders. Recognising that e-rickshaws represent an important segment in India’s growing EV ecosystem, providing essential last-mile connectivity, we strategically entered this space with the Tanga Butterfly and Tanga SS e-rickshaws, first showcased at EV India Expo 2024. With robust MS and SS body builds, 100 km range, 1200W motors, and efficient 8-hour charging cycles, they meet the demands of urban and semi-urban transit. Together, these innovations embody our mission to offer clean, inclusive mobility for both individuals and communities.
AET: With range anxiety and charging infrastructure still key concerns, how is ZELIO addressing these issues to make EVs more accessible and reliable for everyday Indian users?
Kunal: ZELIO is tackling range anxiety and infrastructure limitations through a multi-pronged approach focused on intelligent vehicle design and strategic ecosystem development. Our scooters and e-rickshaws are engineered to deliver dependable performance with ranges up to 100 kilometers per charge, addressing daily commute needs without frequent recharging. Leveraging energy-efficient BLDC motors and advanced battery systems, our vehicles consume as little as 1.5 units of electricity per full charge, reducing cost and maximizing utility. To ease charging concerns, we are actively partnering with local service providers and dealerships to establish a growing network of accessible charging and battery support points. Additionally, our battery systems are designed for user-friendly home charging, eliminating dependence on public infrastructure. This blend of efficient design and ecosystem enablement is at the heart of our commitment to make EV adoption practical, affordable, and worry-free for everyday Indian users.
AET: As a homegrown brand, how does ZELIO balance affordability with innovation in its electric two-wheelers while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability?
Kunal: As a homegrown brand, ZELIO is deeply committed to delivering affordable yet innovative electric two-wheelers, with a strong focus on sustainability. We achieve this through advanced manufacturing techniques and local component sourcing, which helps reduce production costs without compromising quality. This approach enables us to offer competitive pricing while ensuring our vehicles remain technologically forward. Our two-wheelers feature energy-efficient BLDC motors optimized for performance and minimal energy consumption, enhancing user savings and contributing to our environmental goals through lower carbon emissions. The product lineup includes both lead-acid and lithium-ion battery options, catering to varied price points and helping us serve a wider customer base. Continuous investment in research and development allows us to blend cutting-edge innovation with cost-effectiveness, ensuring that our electric vehicles remain accessible to the masses and aligned with India’s vision for a cleaner, greener tomorrow.
AET: Looking ahead five years, where do you envision ZELIO E Mobility in terms of market share, product innovation, and contribution to India’s green mobility revolution?
Kunal: Over the next five years, ZELIO E-Mobility envisions becoming a dominant force in India’s electric vehicle market, aiming to capture a strong share through relentless product innovation, expansion, and customer-centric solutions. Our goal is to emerge as a household name across both electric two- and three-wheeler categories, with a diversified product portfolio that caters to personal, commercial, and shared mobility needs. With sustained investment in R&D, we plan to introduce smarter, longer-range, and faster-charging EVs tailored to Indian road and climate conditions. Our dealer network will continue to expand across rural and urban regions, supported by scalable infrastructure and service readiness. ZELIO’s commitment to India’s green mobility revolution will be reflected in our efforts to reduce carbon footprints, support sustainable manufacturing, and empower communities through clean transportation solutions that are both accessible and future-ready.
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