Pointo, Jadavpur University Team Up to Electrify Iconic Hindustan Ambassador Cars

In a bold fusion of heritage and innovation, Pointo, an Indian innovator in clean energy solutions, has announced a landmark collaboration with Kolkata’s Jadavpur University (JU) to convert fossil fuel-powered Hindustan Ambassador cars into fully electric vehicles (EVs).

The initiative, rooted in sustainability and engineering excellence, is being hailed as a significant step towards India's goal of cleaner urban mobility.

Pointo is spearheading this retrofit revolution with JU, targeting legacy diesel vehicles that continue to pollute city air, especially Kolkata’s iconic yellow Ambassador taxis. The project will unfold in two distinct phases viz. part A , which involves the design and engineering of EV conversion kits for multiple Ambassador models such as Classic, Grand, Avigo, and Encore. It will cover diagnostics, chassis and suspension adjustments, smart battery placement, powertrain integration, and the addition of advanced battery management systems and telemetry.

Part B will ensure full regulatory compliance, with the retrofitted EVs undergoing rigorous testing to meet Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), obtain emission-free certification, and secure clearances from bodies like the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).

“This partnership with Jadavpur University marks a major step towards transforming India’s clean energy and storage legacy,” said Riki Biswas, CEO and Director, Pointo. “Our combined expertise will not only help reduce fossil fuel dependency but also repurpose aging vehicles as symbols of India’s EV future," he noted.

The move tackles multiple urban challenges, chief among them being air pollution from aging diesel-run fleets that are still in operation in several Indian metros. By converting them into zero-emission vehicles, the project offers a scalable and replicable solution that can extend to other legacy fleets, backup diesel engines, and even industrial diesel generators across India.

The retrofitted Ambassadors, once synonymous with Indian roads, are now poised to drive a new narrative, one that blends automotive nostalgia with clean, forward-looking mobility. With broader applications in energy storage and renewable integration, the Pointo-JU collaboration could help redefine India’s approach to electrification, urban air quality, and sustainable innovation.