India's utility-focused EV segment to cross 1.5 lakh annual sales in next 5 years: Ayush Lohia

As India's cities grapple with the twin challenges of urban congestion and environmental degradation, the emergence of electric mobility—especially in the form of electric three-wheelers (e3Ws)—offers an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine our grassroots infrastructure.

- RITWIK MUKHERJEE

This transformation is not merely about cleaner air or quieter streets. It's about enabling access, improving livelihoods, and unlocking cost-effective, scalable solutions to some of urban India's most persistent problems.

That's what Ayush Lohia, CEO, Zuperia Auto Pvt Ltd, (Lohia Auto, a leading name in India's electric vehicle (EV) industry, has rebranded itself as Zuperia Auto Private Limited -ZAPL), feels.

He thinks that the true power of electric mobility lies in utility-driven deployment—where every vehicle is a service enabler.

From last-mile cargo delivery to decentralized garbage collection, electric vehicles (EVs) are fast becoming integral to the daily functioning of our cities, towns, and industrial corridors.

Speaking to The Statesman, Ayush Lohia, CEO, Zuperia Auto Pvt Ltd, explains how EVs can reshape urban infrastructure at the grassroots.

Excerpts:

Q: How is the electric three-wheeler segment growing in India?

A: India's EV market is witnessing rapid expansion, driven by government incentives, rising consumer awareness, and the push for sustainable mobility.

ZAPL aims to strengthen its presence in the electric three-wheeler segment by focusing on product accessibility and brand engagement.

In 2024 alone, India recorded sales of nearly 6.94 lakh electric three-wheelers, registering an 18 percent growth over the previous year.

The cargo sub-segment was particularly strong, rising 45 per cent year-on-year—an indication that businesses and service providers are rapidly moving toward electric alternatives for last-mile logistics and intra-city operations.

But this is just the beginning.

Q: Do you think that electric three-wheeler is a solution for narrow streets and big gaps?

A: Urban India's infrastructure wasn't designed for its current population.