Dhoni Electric Cycle The morning sun casts long shadows across the vast expanse of land on the outskirts of Pune where, in less than two years, what’s being billed as the world’s largest electric cycle manufacturing facility will stand. Today it’s mostly dirt and preliminary markings, but Kunal Gupta, co-founder and CEO of Emotorad, sees something much more significant as he walks the perimeter with a small group of investors and journalists.
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“This isn’t just going to be a factory,” he explains, gesturing toward the horizon. “We’re building an ecosystem that will transform how India approaches personal mobility and, hopefully, position the country as a global leader in electric cycle production.”
What makes this ambitious project particularly noteworthy is the involvement of cricketing icon MS Dhoni, whose investment and endorsement have helped propel Emotorad from a promising startup to a company with truly global ambitions. After spending several days with Emotorad’s leadership team, visiting their current manufacturing facilities, and speaking with industry experts, I’ve gained insight into what might be one of India’s most significant clean mobility ventures—and why a sports superstar has thrown his considerable influence behind it.
The Dhoni Electric Cycle Journey: From Startup to Scale-up
Founded in 2020, Emotorad entered the market just as the COVID-19 pandemic was reshaping urban mobility preferences worldwide. The timing proved surprisingly advantageous, as lockdowns and social distancing requirements triggered unprecedented interest in cycling as both recreation and practical transportation.
“We launched with a simple but ambitious goal,” recounts Aditya Oza, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer, as we tour the company’s existing manufacturing facility in Pune’s industrial belt. “We wanted to democratize electric cycles in India by focusing on models that were both technically advanced and affordably priced for the average Indian consumer.”
This balance between innovation and accessibility quickly garnered attention, with the company selling over 35,000 electric cycles within its first three years of operation. Exports to markets across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East further validated the company’s approach to product development and market positioning.
“What differentiated us from many competitors was our comprehensive approach to the value chain,” explains Rajib Gangopadhyay, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer. “From day one, we invested heavily in research and development, focusing not just on assembling components sourced from elsewhere but on designing and engineering products specifically for Indian conditions and use cases.”
This commitment to R&D manifested in innovations like proprietary battery management systems, motor efficiency improvements, and frame designs optimized for the often challenging road conditions found across India. By 2023, the company had secured five international patents related to electric cycle technology and had another dozen pending.
The Dhoni Electric Cycle Factor: Beyond Celebrity Endorsement
MS Dhoni’s involvement with Emotorad goes beyond the typical celebrity endorsement arrangement. The former Indian cricket captain and World Cup-winning leader joined as a strategic investor in late 2022, bringing not just capital but active involvement in the company’s expansion strategy.
“Mahi’s approach to business investments is similar to his approach to cricket—thoughtful, strategic, and committed to long-term success rather than quick wins,” notes Gupta, using Dhoni’s widely-known nickname. “He spent months understanding our technology, business model, and vision before deciding to come on board. This wasn’t a decision he made lightly.”
For Dhoni, whose investment portfolio spans industries from agriculture to fitness technology, Emotorad represented an opportunity to participate in India’s clean mobility transition while supporting domestic manufacturing—a combination that aligned with his post-cricket focus on ventures with both commercial potential and social impact.
“I’ve always believed that sustainable transportation is critical for India’s future,” Dhoni explained in a written response to questions about his involvement. “What attracted me to Emotorad was their commitment to developing products specifically for Indian conditions and price points, rather than simply importing or adapting global models.”
This perspective has influenced the company’s product development approach, with Dhoni reportedly providing input on everything from ergonomic considerations to design elements that would appeal to consumers beyond urban early adopters.
“His understanding of aspirational India—the smaller cities and towns where brand preferences are rapidly evolving—has been invaluable,” adds Oza. “He intuitively grasps how to position electric cycles not just as eco-friendly alternatives but as desirable lifestyle products that people are proud to own.”
The Gigafactory Vision: Scale and Significance
The planned gigafactory represents a quantum leap for both Emotorad and India’s clean mobility manufacturing capabilities. With a projected annual production capacity of 1.5 million electric cycles when fully operational, the facility would be approximately three times larger than any existing e-cycle manufacturing plant globally.
Located on a 45-acre plot in Maharashtra’s Chakan industrial area, the project has an estimated investment of ₹240 crore (approximately $29 million) and will be developed in multiple phases over the next five years.
“The scale allows us to achieve several critical objectives simultaneously,” explains Gupta as he shows me the detailed architectural renderings. “We’ll dramatically reduce costs through economies of scale, significantly increase our export capabilities, and create an integrated manufacturing ecosystem that reduces dependency on imported components.”
This last point is particularly significant in the context of India’s broader manufacturing ambitions. Currently, most electric cycle manufacturers in India—and globally—rely heavily on imported components, particularly motors, batteries, and electronic control systems. The Emotorad gigafactory aims to achieve up to 90% localization of components by its third year of operation.
“We’re not just building assembly lines but creating an integrated manufacturing ecosystem,” emphasizes Gangopadhyay. “The facility will include battery cell production, motor manufacturing, frame fabrication, and electronics assembly—essentially bringing the entire supply chain under one roof.”
Technology and Sustainability Focus
Beyond scale, the gigafactory design incorporates significant technological and sustainability innovations. The facility will be powered primarily by renewable energy, with a 10-megawatt solar installation planned for the rooftop and surrounding areas. Advanced water recycling systems aim to make the plant nearly water-neutral, a critical consideration given Maharashtra’s recurring drought challenges.
Inside the facility, automation will play a key role, with collaborative robots working alongside human operators in what the company describes as a “hybrid manufacturing model.” This approach aims to balance efficiency with employment generation—a critical consideration for manufacturing investments in India.
“Complete automation isn’t our goal,” notes Gupta. “We want to create a facility that’s technologically advanced while still generating meaningful employment opportunities. The gigafactory will directly employ approximately 2,000 people when fully operational, with perhaps three times that number in the surrounding supply ecosystem.”
The manufacturing processes themselves incorporate several innovative approaches, including modular assembly systems that allow rapid reconfiguration of production lines to accommodate different models or respond to market demand shifts. This flexibility represents a significant advantage in a rapidly evolving market where consumer preferences and technology capabilities continue to develop.
Market Positioning and Product Roadmap
Emotorad’s product strategy has evolved significantly since its founding, with the company initially focusing on mid-range electric cycles priced between ₹35,000 and ₹65,000. The gigafactory will enable expansion in both directions—more affordable entry-level models and premium offerings with advanced features.
“The gigafactory gives us the scale to introduce models starting around ₹25,000 without compromising quality or features,” explains Oza. “This price point is crucial for penetrating markets beyond metropolitan areas and competing with traditional non-electric cycles.”
At the same time, the company plans to introduce more sophisticated models targeting both domestic premium segments and export markets where higher average selling prices can support advanced features and materials.
“We’re developing models with carbon fiber frames, integrated GPS and connectivity features, and range-extending technologies that can achieve up to 100 kilometers on a single charge,” shares Gangopadhyay. “These will position us in the premium segment alongside established European and American brands, but at more competitive price points.”
The roadmap includes specialized models for various use cases, from urban commuters to cargo delivery, tourism, and even off-road adventure cycling. This diversification strategy reflects the company’s belief that electric cycles will increasingly differentiate into purpose-specific categories rather than remaining general-purpose vehicles.
Global Ambitions with Indian Roots
While expanding domestic market share remains a priority, the gigafactory’s scale clearly indicates global ambitions. Currently exporting to 35 countries, Emotorad aims to more than triple this number within three years of the facility becoming operational.
“India has a unique opportunity to become a global manufacturing hub for electric cycles,” suggests Gupta. “We have the engineering talent, increasingly robust supply chains for critical components, favorable manufacturing costs, and now, with this facility, the scale to compete globally.”
The company has identified Europe, Southeast Asia, and parts of Africa as priority export markets, with different product variants tailored to the specific requirements and preferences of each region. Strategic partnerships with distribution networks in key markets are already being established in anticipation of the increased production capacity.
These global ambitions reflect a broader shift in India’s manufacturing sector from focusing primarily on domestic consumption to establishing the country as an export hub for sophisticated engineered products. The electric cycle category represents a particularly attractive opportunity as global demand grows while established manufacturing centers in China face increasing cost pressures and trade complications.
Industry Impact and Ecosystem Development
Beyond Emotorad’s own growth, the gigafactory project has significant implications for India’s broader electric mobility ecosystem. The scale of component requirements will likely attract suppliers to establish operations nearby, creating a clustering effect that could benefit the entire industry.
“We’re already in discussions with several component manufacturers who are considering co-locating facilities adjacent to our gigafactory,” reveals Gupta. “This includes battery cell producers, motor manufacturers, and electronics specialists who see the advantage of proximity to a major customer.”
This ecosystem development extends to the technology and knowledge domains as well. The company plans to establish an R&D center within the gigafactory complex that will collaborate with academic institutions and technology partners on next-generation electric mobility solutions.
“Our vision extends beyond manufacturing to becoming an innovation hub for light electric vehicles more broadly,” explains Gangopadhyay. “The R&D center will focus not just on incremental improvements to existing technologies but on breakthrough innovations in materials, battery chemistry, motor efficiency, and smart connectivity.”
Policy Support and Challenges
The project has received preliminary support from both Maharashtra state authorities and central government agencies aligned with India’s manufacturing and clean mobility objectives. However, several policy challenges remain, particularly regarding the classification of electric cycles within India’s evolving electric vehicle incentive framework.
“Currently, the policy environment for electric cycles is somewhat ambiguous,” notes Oza. “They don’t clearly fall under the same incentive structure as electric scooters or cars, despite offering similar environmental benefits. We’re actively engaging with policymakers to establish more specific support mechanisms for this category.”
These discussions include potential inclusion in the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) scheme, GST rationalization for electric cycle components, and export incentives aligned with India’s broader manufacturing promotion policies.
Beyond policy considerations, the project faces implementation challenges typical of large-scale manufacturing investments, from land acquisition and environmental clearances to talent recruitment and supply chain development. The company has established a dedicated project management office to navigate these complexities and maintain the ambitious timeline for phased commissioning beginning in early 2025.
The Broader Significance: Beyond Business
As our tour of the future gigafactory site concludes, it’s worth considering the broader significance of this project beyond its business dimensions. In a country where transportation accounts for approximately 10% of carbon emissions, with that percentage rising annually, accessible electric mobility solutions represent an important element of climate action.
Electric cycles occupy a particularly interesting position in this transition—more affordable and practical than electric cars for many Indians, while offering genuine utility beyond the recreational focus that has limited cycle adoption historically.
“We see electric cycles as a critical bridge technology,” explains Gupta. “They provide motorized transportation with minimal environmental impact, require limited charging infrastructure compared to larger EVs, and offer health benefits that fully motorized options don’t. For many Indians, they represent the most practical first step into electric mobility.”
This perspective aligns with growing recognition among urban planners and policy experts that smaller, lighter electric vehicles may be more suitable for many Indian cities than simply replacing conventional cars with electric equivalents of similar size and power.
For MS Dhoni, whose involvement has undoubtedly accelerated the project’s development, the gigafactory represents an opportunity to influence India’s mobility future while creating manufacturing capabilities that generate economic benefits.
“Cricket gave me a platform, but I’ve always believed in using that platform to contribute to India’s development journey,” Dhoni noted in his written responses. “This project combines several things I’m passionate about—clean technology, domestic manufacturing capability, and creating solutions specifically designed for Indian needs rather than simply importing global products.”
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Ambitious Vision, Significant Execution Challenges
As I prepare to leave the vast expanse of land that will eventually house India’s most ambitious electric cycle manufacturing facility, I’m struck by both the scale of the vision and the significant challenges that lie ahead in its execution.
The Emotorad gigafactory represents a compelling convergence of several important trends: India’s growing manufacturing ambitions, the global shift toward electric mobility, increasing consumer interest in sustainable transportation options, and the evolving role of celebrity investors in shaping emerging industries.
Whether this particular venture succeeds in achieving its ambitious goals will depend on numerous factors, from execution capabilities and market development to policy support and consumer adoption rates. What’s clear, however, is that the attempt itself represents an important milestone in India’s clean mobility journey and manufacturing evolution.
For a country with ambitions to reduce carbon emissions while building domestic manufacturing capabilities, ventures like this—that aim to address both objectives simultaneously—warrant close attention. And with the backing of one of India’s most recognized and respected sports icons, this particular venture has both the resources and the visibility to potentially catalyze broader changes in how Indians think about personal mobility.
As MS Dhoni transitions from cricket legend to business investor, his backing of Emotorad’s gigafactory ambitions suggests he’s identified electric cycles as a segment with potential for both commercial success and positive societal impact. Whether this judgment proves as successful as his famous on-field decisions remains to be seen, but the ambition and potential significance of the venture are undeniable.
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