Que: India’s electric two-wheeler market is increasingly moving beyond the major metros. What are you seeing on the ground in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities?

Ans: What we are seeing in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities is a fairly practical approach to electric mobility. A signifi-cant share of our customers comes from these markets, so we get a good sense of what they are look-ing for. For most customers, the economics are an important consideration. They compare the cost of charging with what they currently spend on petrol and look at the savings they can make over time.

The conversation around EVs is also becoming more familiar. As more people see electric vehicles be-ing used around them and interact with dealerships and existing users, they are becoming more com-fortable with the technology. The focus is now increasingly on finding a vehicle that offers the right balance of price, range, reliability and after-sales support. Two-wheelers are already widely used in smaller cities. As financing, service networks and awareness improve, we expect EV adoption in these markets to continue growing.

Que: Affordability remains central to mass-market EV adoption. What needs to happen across vehicle pricing, financing, battery costs and the broader ecosystem to make electric mobility accessible to a much wider consumer base?

Ans: Affordability will remain important for EV adoption, and the choice of battery technology plays a role in this. At Tunwal, we offer different battery options based on customer needs. Our lead-acid models are a cost-effective and reliable option, while we also offer lithium-ion technology and have started manufacturing our own lithium batteries at our new facility.

For customers, affordability is not just about the initial price. They also look at running costs, perfor-mance and how well the vehicle meets their daily needs. As the industry develops, easier financing, lower battery costs, better charging infrastructure and more localised manufacturing can make EVs more accessible. The focus should be on offering practical, reliable vehicles at a price that makes sense for the customer.

Que: Consumers increasingly expect EVs to match or exceed petrol two-wheelers on range, performance and reliability. How do you balance these expectations with the need to keep products affordable?

Ans: The key is to design the product around how customers actually use it, rather than trying to match eve-ry specification of a petrol vehicle. Range, performance and reliability matter, but adding too many features can also push up the price. At Tunwal, we offer different models for different needs. Our lead-acid entry models cater to customers looking for reliable daily mobility of around 40–50 kilometres, while models such as the Alfa Pro and Lithino Pro offer around 90–100 kilometres with lithium-ion technology.

We look at the overall balance of price, range, performance and running costs to ensure the vehicle makes sense for everyday use.

Que: What are the biggest challenges in creating a truly indigenous and commercially viable EV manufacturing ecosystem?

Ans: One of the challenges for the EV industry is building a stronger domestic supplier ecosystem. India has made progress in EV manufacturing, but smaller component makers still need better access to capital, R&D support and financing to scale. Localisation is also about more than manufacturing in India. Com-ponents need to meet the right standards of quality, cost and scale. Battery cells, in particular, are an important area given their share of the overall vehicle cost.

Policy support can help suppliers invest and scale. A stronger local ecosystem will help bring down costs, improve localisation and make Indian EV manufacturing more competitive.

Que: Tunwal E-Motors has built a presence across 21 states with 450+ dealers. How important has the dealer network been in taking EVs to emerging markets where brand awareness and customer education are still developing?

Ans: Our dealer network has played an important role in helping us build our presence in emerging markets. For many customers, an EV is still a new product, so they want to see it, take a test ride and understand things like range, charging, battery life and servicing before making a decision. Dealers also give cus-tomers confidence that they have local support after the purchase, especially in smaller cities. That makes the network an important part of the overall customer experience.

Today, we have a presence across 21 states with 450+ dealers. Over the next three years, we plan to expand this across India, while continuing to focus on customer service and local support.

Que: Tunwal currently offers 10+ electric two-wheeler models. How do you approach product development for such a diverse and price-sensitive market, and how do you decide which segments and use cases to target?

Ans: India’s two-wheeler market is quite diverse, and different customers have different needs. A student, a daily commuter and a small business owner may all be looking for very different things. Our portfolio of 10+ core models and 20+ variants helps us cater to these requirements across different price points. We look at what customers actually need in their daily use. How much do they travel? What price works for them? What kind of range and performance do they expect? These are the things we consid-er when developing products.

We don’t believe every model needs to have every feature. The focus is on getting the basics right and making sure each vehicle offers the right combination of price, range, reliability and running costs. In a price-sensitive market, that matters more than simply adding more features.

Que: With a community of riders, what does the next phase of Tunwal’s growth look like? Which geographies or customer segments offer the biggest opportunities?

Ans: Our next phase will be about strengthening our presence in markets where EV adoption is still growing. The South and East are important for us, particularly states such as Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, An-dhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam and Bihar. At the same time, we see opportunities to grow further in markets like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan, where we already have a presence.

Both personal and commercial users will be important for us. For individual commuters, the lower run-ning cost of an EV can make a difference to everyday expenses. For commercial users such as delivery riders and small operators, the savings can be higher because they typically travel longer distances each day.

We also have a community of riders, and their feedback gives us a good understanding of how our ve-hicles are being used. We will use these insights as we plan our products and expand into new markets.