Ola in talks with State govts to start e-scooter manufacturing in India

New Delhi: Ola is in talks with various State governments to set up India’s largest e-scooter manufacturing plant, according to sources.

Sources close to the development said Ola Electric, the EV arm of the ride-hailing company, has been engaging with State governments, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, to set up an e-scooter manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of about 2 million units.

One of the sources said the facility is proposed to be established on a 100-acre land and is envisaged to be state-of-the-art, use solar energy and have a zero-effluent footprint.

When contacted, Ola did not comment on the matter.

Ola Electric plans to start production in the next 18-24 months, another person privy to the development said.

The move will pitch Ola Electric against players like Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp-backed Ather Energy, Hero Electric and others that currently make electric two-wheelers in the country.

In May this year, Ola Electric announced the acquisition of Amsterdam-based Etergo BV for an undisclosed amount.

In August, Ola Electric announced plans of hiring 1,000 engineers and introducing an electric two-wheeler soon.

Ola Electric has raised about USD 400 million in funding from Tiger Global, Matrix India, Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata, and others.