Bengaluru-based energy company Exponent Energy has completed 200 electric vehicle (EV) retrofits of internal combustion engine (ICE) autorickshaws in Bengaluru through its Exponent OTO platform as part of a four-month pilot programme.
The company said the milestone demonstrates the potential for retrofitting existing commercial three-wheelers as part of India’s transition to electric mobility. The retrofitted vehicles in Bengaluru have collectively covered more than 1.5 million kilometres and completed over 25,000 charging sessions.
Exponent Energy has also captured a 20% share of Bengaluru’s electric three-wheeler market, according to the company, reflecting demand for electric commercial mobility and its rapid-charging technology.
Exponent OTO Enables ICE-to-EV Conversion
Exponent OTO is Exponent Energy’s three-wheeler mobility platform, combining battery technology, powertrain systems and vehicle software to support the electrification of existing and new commercial three-wheelers.
For existing vehicles, the platform enables ICE three-wheelers to be retrofitted into electric vehicles. The retrofit process can be completed in approximately 24 hours, allowing commercial drivers to transition to electric mobility with limited disruption to their daily operations.
The OTO platform offers 15-minute 0–100% rapid charging, a claimed real-world range of 140–150 km, and a five-year or 3,000-cycle warranty.
For new electric three-wheelers, Exponent Energy is working with OEM partners to integrate the OTO mobility platform into their vehicles.
Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business, Exponent Energy, said the Bengaluru pilot demonstrates an opportunity to electrify vehicles already in operation rather than relying solely on replacement with new EVs. He added that the retrofit model could provide commercial drivers with an accessible route to electrification while allowing them to continue using familiar vehicle and service ecosystems.
Financing Support for EV Retrofits
To address the upfront cost associated with vehicle electrification, Exponent Energy has introduced Exponent ONE, its EV financing platform. The platform provides financing for the OTO retrofit kit, with the aim of reducing the initial capital requirement for commercial drivers.
The company said retrofitting could be particularly relevant for commercial three-wheelers, which are used intensively and require solutions that minimise charging downtime and maximise vehicle utilisation.
OTO is also compatible with standard public and home charging infrastructure, allowing drivers to charge their vehicles beyond the Exponent charging network.
Exponent Energy Scales EV Technology Across India
Since its founding in 2020, Exponent Energy said its technology has powered more than 3,500 EVs across India. The company has deployed over 200 charging stations, completed more than 2 million rapid charging sessions and recorded over 100 million kilometres travelled by vehicles powered by its technology.
The company said expanding EV retrofits could help accelerate commercial vehicle electrification by bringing vehicles already on the road into the electric mobility ecosystem while reducing the upfront cost and operational disruption associated with replacing existing vehicles.
