Jedlik Motors Innovates with the e POD Electric Two Wheeler
Chennai-based EV startup Jedlik Motors is creating the e POD, a fully enclosed electric two wheeler designed to merge the agility of a scooter with the comfort and security of a car. In a conversation with Startup Superb, Raguram SK, the founder and CEO of Jedlik Motors, shared insights on the company’s product roadmap, business model, technological advancements, funding strategies, and expansion plans.
Raguram, who has a background in mechanical engineering, embarked on his entrepreneurial path with an online electric vehicle dealership in 2019. After facing setbacks due to Covid-19, he worked as a mechanical designer at a multinational corporation before founding Jedlik Motors. Currently, the startup is in the MVP stage and has successfully created a prototype of the e POD. According to Raguram, the startup has secured two patents, one of which has been granted while the other is published.
The e POD is tailored for urban commuters who seek shelter from the elements without sacrificing the manoeuvrability usually associated with two wheelers. This innovative vehicle is expected to include features like air conditioning, pushback seats, an infotainment system, and an impressive boot space of around 600 litres. Additionally, the vehicle will incorporate crab walking steering, allowing for tighter turns and enhanced navigation through busy city traffic.
Raguram noted that the aim is to develop a vehicle that integrates the safety and comfort of a car with the flexibility of a motorcycle. For end-users, Jedlik Motors has set an estimated on-road price of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh. The company is also exploring a battery as a service (BaaS) model, which could reduce the initial vehicle cost to about Rs 1.5 lakh. The expected monthly battery subscription will be around Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500, though final pricing is still under discussion.
In addition to the consumer version, Jedlik Motors is designing a separate B2B variant intended for uses such as food delivery, rapid commerce, and large industrial areas. The startup has begun discussions with various companies, including Mahindra, Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, and Maruti Suzuki. They are also reaching out to service providers like Rapido, Yes Madam, Tiffit, and Ajego.
On the technological side, the company focuses on developing autonomous driving features alongside its own motors, controllers, and steer-by-wire systems. The goal is to build an autonomous driving system capable of navigating increasingly complex traffic situations.
Currently, Jedlik Motors employs a team of approximately 10 individuals and conducts assembly operations at its facility in Chennai. Roughly 90% to 95% of component designs are created in-house, while battery cells are procured from suppliers in Taiwan or China.
The company aims to launch the e POD by June 2027, commencing with a pilot in Bengaluru before extending to Chennai and other tier 1 cities. Future targets include markets such as the UAE and other Asian countries, with plans for broader global outreach by 2030.
So far, Jedlik Motors has garnered around Rs 26 lakh in government grants and Rs 47 lakh in angel investments. The company is actively seeking to raise Rs 7 crore in a pre-Series A round to facilitate the next stage of development.