EV Companies' Mindset Should Be of a Startup

Murugappa Group is aggressively making its mark in electric vehicles (EVs) by investing around ₹3,000 crore through TI Clean Mobility. Jalaj Gupta, managing director of TI Clean Mobility, in an interview with Shine Jacob in Chennai, spoke about the company's growth roadmap, export plans, and upcoming launches. Edited excerpts:

- Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, TI Clean Mobility

You recently launched the e-SCV Eviator and Super Cargo (three-wheeler). What's your future roadmap?

Montra Electric is part of the Murugappa Group. The brand name is Montra, and the company name is TI Clean Mobility. Murugappa Group is 125 years old, so we have a rich heritage. The group decided about two to three years ago that we wanted to get into the electric mobility space. From day one, the promoters were very clear that we would focus only on EVs. Montra Electric has a presence in four businesses: three-wheeler last-mile, small commercial, heavy commercial, and e-tractors. Two businesses are fully operational—the truck business with the brand Rhino (check) and the Montra three-wheeler passenger or L5M.

Eviator and the cargo three-wheeler will be available for sale starting in April this year. Whatever we have displayed at Bharat Mobility will come up in the next year. Commercial sales of tractors will begin in the first quarter of the next financial year. We will leverage the group's strength. We are category creators.

You had a couple of acquisitions. Are you looking at more inorganic growth opportunities?