Exponent Energy has converted 200 CNG and LPG autorickshaws into electric vehicles in Bengaluru, marking a test of retrofit-led commercial electrification. Completed through a four-month pilot under its Exponent OTO platform, the programme targeted working three-wheelers that require dependable range and minimal charging downtime. The Exponent Energy EV Retrofit fleet collectively travelled more than 1.5 million kilometers and completed over 25,000 rapid-charging sessions during the trial.
The company also claims the initiative helped it secure a 20% share of Bengaluru’s electric three-wheeler market, highlighting growing demand for affordable conversions among drivers seeking lower operating costs without replacing existing vehicles entirely.
Exponent Energy converted 200 ICE autorickshaws into EVs in Bengaluru during a four-month pilot. Each conversion can be completed within 24 hours, delivering 140–150 km of real-world range, 15-minute charging, and a five-year or 3,000-cycle battery warranty.
EV Retrofitment Scheme in India
Pilot Delivers High-Intensity Operational Proof
The programme tested the vehicles under demanding commercial conditions instead of laboratory cycles. Its results include:
- 200 autorickshaws retrofitted from CNG or LPG to electric power.
- More than 1.5 million kilometers travelled collectively.
- Over 25,000 rapid-charging sessions completed in Bengaluru.
- 20% city market share claimed in the electric three-wheeler segment.
These figures suggest the Exponent Energy EV Retrofit solution can support frequent use, where charging delays and lost earning hours remain concerns for autorickshaw operators.
How Exponent OTO Works
Exponent OTO combines the company’s battery, powertrain, and vehicle software in one conversion package. According to the startup, an autorickshaw can be transformed into an EV within 24 hours. When connected to Exponent’s charging network, its battery can charge from zero to 100% in 15 minutes.
The converted vehicle offers a real-world range of 140–150 km per charge. Its battery is backed by a five-year or 3,000-cycle warranty, providing protection for commercial users. Exponent says the platform can also be incorporated into manufactured electric three-wheelers through partnerships with original equipment manufacturers.
Financing Could Lower the Adoption Barrier
The company is pairing the retrofit package with Exponent ONE, its EV financing platform. Funding for retrofit kits is intended to reduce the initial expense for drivers, who may otherwise struggle to finance an electric autorickshaw.
Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business at Exponent Energy, said the 200 conversions demonstrate an opportunity to electrify vehicles already operating on roads rather than waiting for their replacement. This approach could accelerate fleet electrification while extending the life of existing autorickshaws.
Exponent Expands Its EV Ecosystem
Founded in 2020, Exponent says it has powered more than 3,500 EVs and installed over 200 charging stations. Its network has reportedly supported more than two million rapid-charging sessions and enabled over 100 million kilometers of travel.
The Bengaluru pilot positions the Exponent Energy EV Retrofit model as a potential route to faster commercial-EV adoption. However, success will depend on financing accessibility, retrofit certification, charging-network expansion, and long-term performance across larger fleets operating throughout many different Indian cities nationwide.
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