Pune: Award winning engineer plans to change road transport with his e-scooter

Pune, November 05, 2024: Genesis Electric Mobility (Genel) has partnered with Pune Metro, a university, a resort and an IT company to create a niche in first and last mile mobility and hyperlocal transportation.

E-scooters have become a fun and common sight in many countries. London Mayor Sadiq Khan once said, “You will never bring back e-scooters.” While governments are working to establish road safety laws related to e-scooters globally, these vehicles have captured the imagination of people in India.

Pune-based startup Genel has not only developed a lightweight motor-powered e-scooter, but has also partnered with Pune Metro, a leading university in the city, a resort and an IT company in Hinjawadi to create a niche in first and last mile mobility and hyperlocal transportation.

The offices at Genel quietly acknowledge the potholes and other obstacles on Indian roads, as well as the lack of supporting infrastructure for electric vehicles. However, there are plans to make e-scooters a part of the city’s transport system.

One of the people behind this eco-friendly vehicle is CEO and co-founder Aniruddha Gunjal. He is a mechanical engineer who grew up on Vetal Hill near the Automotive Research Association of India, where his father worked. Gunjal gained a fair amount of experience in testing processes and new cars coming to market, including India’s first electric car, the Revv. During his undergraduate studies, Gunjal designed an off-road vehicle for an international competition. He won it and received the prestigious Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship to study at the University of Coventry. He also gained knowledge of industrial design and running organisations while working in multinational companies. “In the back of my mind, I was drawn to automotive design,” says Gunjal. The dream was to make end-to-end mobility convenient for the citizens of India. I focused my entire academic career on building things.”

Riding for normal people

Though Gunjal experienced e-scooters on the grand boulevards of Paris in 2019 and was convinced it could make an impact on transportation in India, it was only in 2021 that the company started working on e-scooters. “We realised that normal people, even if they have to go 100 or 200 metres from their home to buy something, will take their car. Even if they have a cycle, they will not use it. We needed the convenience of getting around. We also found that there is a market for e-scooters and most of the vehicles were being imported from China,” says Gunjal.

The first prototypes built in 2021 were rolled out around Pune and residents were asked to ride it. The company then realised that the realities of Indian roads demanded a different kind of e-scooter.

Geenal has given the e-scooter suspension and solid tyres to reduce maintenance costs. “We have built a more robust vehicle. We are promoting wearing helmets and driving on the left side,” says Gunjal. The e-scooters are foldable, can carry up to 120 kg, can run 30 km on a single charge, have a top speed of 25 km/hr and are integrated with an app. An advanced model of the product also comes with seats.

Working with a green mindset

The ideal use of the product would be in IT parks and universities that are within 3 km from a metro station. Resorts that promote eco-friendly transport are also a key market for the product. “We are getting good response from educational institutions that have closed campuses, and IT companies that are close to metro stations,” says Gunjal. At one university, e-scooters were introduced to encourage students to use the metro. For thousands of students, e-scooters have become an alternative to cycling (which is difficult on hills), walking (which takes 15 minutes) or auto-rickshaws (which are expensive over short distances).

One reason why EVs have not displaced conventional vehicles is the lack of public infrastructure. Jinal is attempting to address this issue, by deploying battery packs at metro stations and campuses.

“A user can remove the used battery and replace it with a new one. They can then place the old battery to charge again,” says Gunjal. Genel aims to establish its presence throughout Pune with easy access to Metros.

Gunjal sees potential for e-scooters in the congested Peth areas, but the idea would appear utopian to others. “E-scooters would solve a major issue. It is where our journey is heading. The moment we prove that we are sustainable and making change happen, we can shift to bigger change necessary in the Peth area,” says Gunjal.Meanwhile, the company is moving swiftly into the farm sector as well. Their next product will replace tractors in polyhouses with electric vehicles to reduce costs and maintenance. Also, the company is developing a delivery vehicle for gig workers that is more efficient and cost-effective than 100 cc vehicles.“The aim is to create an environmentally friendly and people-vehicle ride,” says Gunjal.

Genesis Electric Mobility is not only engaged in the development of e-scooters but also plans to bring about a transformation in the transportation sector of Pune. Led by Aniruddha Gunjal, the company is not only trying to adopt new technology but also promote environmental sustainability.