Urja Mobility Partners With Eastman Auto And Power To Electrify 20,000 E-Rickshaws

Urja Mobility recently announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Eastman Auto and Power, a player in India’s energy storage sector through its subsidiary, Eastman New Energy Private.

The partnership aims to accelerate India’s transition to sustainable urban mobility by converting 20,000 lead-acid-powered e-rickshaws to advanced lithium-ion battery technology.

Commenting on the partnership, Pankaj Chopra, co-founder and director, Urja Mobility, said, "At Urja Mobility, we are committed to transforming India’s urban transport landscape with innovative and sustainable solutions. Our partnership with Eastman marks a significant milestone in accelerating the shift from lead-acid to lithium-ion technology for e-rickshaws. By lowering costs, increasing driver earnings, and reducing carbon emissions, we are not just electrifying vehicles—we are driving economic empowerment and environmental impact at scale. With data-driven innovation at our core, we aim to make clean mobility more accessible, efficient, and future-ready for millions of Indians."

The collaboration will leverage Urja Mobility’s advanced battery leasing model and Eastman’s expertise in lithium-ion technology, delivering economic and environmental benefits including a 57% increase in daily earnings which will result in a reduced downtime, greater efficiency, and lower maintenance costs for drivers.

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Additionally, the partnership is expected to lower per kilometre cost by 40% bringing operational expenses to under Rs 1 per km. Moreover, the partnership is expected to save approximately 90 GWh of electricity which is equivalent to powering approximately 1 million homes annually.

With over 3 billion kilometres of real-world vehicle performance data collected across Indian streets, the company continuously optimises battery performance, enhances fleet efficiency, and improves urban mobility solutions.

Shekhar Singal, managing director, Eastman Auto and Power, added, “The partnership marks a significant milestone for Eastman Auto and Power as we join forces with Urja Mobility to accelerate the growth of electric mobility in India. Our cutting-edge lithium-ion battery technology, combined with Urja Mobility’s innovative battery leasing solution for electric three-wheelers, will play a crucial role in making sustainable transportation a reality for millions of people across the country.”