As India’s electric commercial vehicle ecosystem gathers pace, localisation and supply chain resilience are emerging as decisive differentiators for long-term competitiveness. In this exclusive email interaction with Autoguide, Gaurav Kumar, Head of Supply Chain and Manufacturing and Director on the Board at Euler Motors, shares insights on how the company is building a deeply localised, future-ready EV supply chain.
From achieving 95% vehicle-level localisation to developing one of India’s most affordable 1-tonne electric commercial vehicles, Kumar outlines how strategic supplier partnerships, in-house engineering, and disciplined manufacturing processes are enabling Euler Motors to balance cost competitiveness with performance and safety. He also discusses the evolving EV supply chain landscape, alignment with government initiatives, and what lies ahead for India’s electric commercial mobility ecosystem.
Euler Motors has often highlighted deep localisation as a cornerstone of its growth strategy. How has this approach helped you achieve cost competitiveness while maintaining performance and safety standards?
Localization is not just a strategy for us; it’s a core belief. From day one, we’ve partnered with local suppliers, sharing knowledge and technical expertise to co-create components tailored for electric vehicles. Today, 95% of our vehicle components and 90% of our battery packs are sourced locally. This significantly reduces import dependence, logistics costs, and exposure to global supply chain volatility, enabling stronger cost competitiveness at scale.
At the same time, it allows us to engineer vehicles that are purpose-built for Indian operating conditions. For example, our recently launched Turbo EV 1000, the 1 Tonne 4W eCV, is one of the most deeply localised electric commercial vehicles in its class, not just assembled in India but truly engineered and built here. The battery system is designed to outlast EMIs, improving total cost of ownership and higher returns for fleet operators, while magnet-free motor technology reduces reliance on rare-earth materials, ensuring cost stability without compromising efficiency or durability.
By building critical systems in-house and localizing manufacturing, we have developed commercial EVs that match ICE vehicles in performance, payload capability, and safety standards while remaining commercially competitive.
What were the key challenges in developing a robust domestic supplier base for electric commercial vehicles, and how did Euler Motors overcome them?
One of the early challenges in building a domestic supply base for commercial EVs was that many advanced components were not originally developed in India. Several suppliers had adapted technology from abroad, and EV-specific manufacturing capabilities were still evolving. This led to initial quality and process consistency gaps as localisation began.
To address this, we worked closely with suppliers and co-created most of the designs, rather than sourcing standard off-the-shelf parts. We supported them in manufacturing these components in-house. To ensure quality and reliability, we implemented structured processes such as DFMEA (Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process), along with digital validation and process efficiency checks at supplier facilities. We also adopted a controlled deployment approach, testing components in limited early production batches to identify and resolve issues quickly before scaling. Over time, this structured and collaborative approach has helped us build a resilient domestic ecosystem of more than 300 local partners who have grown alongside us, creating a stable and scalable EV supply chain.
Creating the world’s most affordable 1-tonne electric mini-truck is a significant milestone. What design, sourcing, or manufacturing decisions played the most critical role in achieving this?
The Turbo EV 1000 is the convergence of deep engineering innovation and the practical needs of India’s logistics industry. From a design standpoint, one of the most critical choices was the chassis architecture. Instead of conventional pressed sheet metal, we adopted a tubular box-section frame, providing higher rigidity and torsional strength, thereby, allowing the vehicle to carry a one-tonne payload along with additional 200–300 kg of battery weight without compromising stability or safety. The use of front leaf suspension further improves loadability and serviceability for Indian operating conditions.
Equally important was building the vehicle ground-up rather than retrofitting an ICE model. Nearly all core systems including the battery pack, battery management system, motor controller, vehicle control unit, and telematics, are designed and manufactured in India. This level of localisation and vertical integration enables tighter cost control and integration across engineering and production, allowing us to achieve price parity with diesel vehicles while maintaining strength, durability, and performance.
How aligned is Euler Motors’ localisation roadmap with the Government of India’s Make in India and PLI initiatives for advanced automotive technologies?
Our localisation roadmap is fully aligned with Make in India and PLI objectives. We already meet and exceed current localisation thresholds, with around 95 percent localisation at the vehicle level and about 90 percent at the battery pack level excluding cells. These initiatives encourage exactly the kind of supplier collaboration, in-house capability building, and advanced manufacturing that we have focused on from day one. Policy support has helped accelerate ecosystem development, enabling scale, improving supplier maturity, and strengthening the long-term competitiveness of India’s EV industry.
How does the EV supply chain differ from traditional ICE commercial vehicles, particularly in areas like power electronics, batteries, and drivetrains?
The EV supply chain differs significantly from traditional ICE commercial vehicles in both component architecture and technological complexity. While ICE supply chains are heavily centered around mechanical systems such as engines, transmissions, fuel systems, and exhaust assemblies built over decades, EV supply chains are far more electronics- and software-driven.
In an EV, the battery pack becomes the most critical and high-value component, integrating cells, battery management systems, thermal management, and power electronics. The drivetrain shifts from complex mechanical assemblies to electric motors, motor controllers, inverters, and vehicle control units. Additionally, EVs demand tighter hardware-software integration and more rigorous safety validation, particularly around battery performance and thermal management. As a result, the EV ecosystem requires new supplier capabilities, deeper R&D collaboration, and stronger quality control frameworks compared to traditional ICE manufacturing.
How does Euler Motors work with suppliers to ensure quality, innovation, and long-term capability building rather than just cost optimisation?
At Euler Motors, we view suppliers as long-term partners rather than just vendors. We carefully select suppliers who meet our high standards and work closely with them from the start, ensuring alignment on technical requirements. Beyond selection, we implement structured quality frameworks such as DFMEA and PPAP, along with digital validation and on-site process audits, to maintain high standards of safety and performance.
Throughout production, we conduct rigorous testing of critical systems such as batteries and power electronics to ensure reliability. Our relationship with suppliers is built on continuous collaboration, sharing feedback and working together on improvements. This ensures not only top-quality components but also long-term reliability and performance in our EVs.
As volumes grow, what strategies are you adopting to balance scaling up production with cost control and supply chain stability?
Our focus is on disciplined, phased scaling rather than sudden capacity jumps. Data-driven demand forecasting enables accurate production planning and prevents inventory stress. Deep localisation and in-house development of critical systems give us tighter control over costs and reduce exposure to global supply disruptions as scale increases.
On the supply chain side, we strengthen long-term partnerships, implement dual sourcing for critical components where necessary, and closely monitor supplier capacity and quality metrics. At the manufacturing level, automation and process standardisation improve efficiency and reduce variability at higher volumes. By combining structured capacity planning, localisation, supplier alignment, and manufacturing discipline, we ensure that scaling does not compromise cost control, delivery reliability, or product performance.
Apart from zero tailpipe emissions, what steps is Euler Motors taking to make its manufacturing and supply chain operations more sustainable?
At Euler Motors, sustainability is more than a goal, it’s our responsibility. Our manufacturing plant incorporates structured waste management systems, a sewage treatment plant, and a circular groundwater recharge system to minimise water discharge and improve resource efficiency. We also adhere to ISO-certified environmental and safety standards to ensure sustainability practices are measurable and continuously monitored.
Our deep localisation strategy, with over 95% of components sourced domestically, helps reduce transport-related emissions and lowers overall logistics intensity. We also design our battery systems for long life through advanced thermal systems and predictive diagnostics. Once batteries reach the end of their automotive life, we enable second-life applications such as stationary energy use. This not only cuts down waste but also maximizes the battery’s potential.
Based on Euler Motors’ journey so far, what key lessons would you share with emerging EV startups aiming to localise and scale in India?
For domestic EV manufacturing, building a strong, collaborative ecosystem is key. Working closely with component manufacturers, identifying parts to localize, and ensuring consistent quality standards are crucial steps. Early supplier engagement and cross-functional teamwork spanning finance, engineering, supply chain, and manufacturing ensure smooth operations. Sharing knowledge and technology with suppliers further strengthens local manufacturing capabilities, making the process more efficient and cost-effective.
How do you see India’s electric commercial vehicle supply chain evolving over the next five years, and what role do you expect Euler Motors to play in shaping it?
Over the next five years, India’s electric commercial vehicle supply chain is expected to deepen significantly, with greater localisation of batteries, power electronics, and drivetrains. As domestic cell manufacturing scales and semiconductor capacity strengthens, dependency on imports will gradually reduce. We will also see supplier capabilities mature, with higher quality standards, improved process automation, and greater integration between design and manufacturing. This evolution will make the ecosystem more cost-competitive and resilient.
We remain committed to continuing to deepen localisation and strengthen domestic supplier capabilities as well as demonstrating that locally built electric commercial vehicles can outperform ICE vehicles on cost, performance, and sustainability.
