EXELmoto’s new ₹48,500 e-bicycle blends scooter-like comfort with pedal-assist efficiency, targeting women, seniors, and first-time EV users with a low-step frame and license-free access. With models like the BMX-inspired E1X-Sky and a strong localization strategy, the brand plans to scale in-house manufacturing to 50,000 units annually by 2026.
EXELmoto’s latest e-bicycle launch arrives at a moment when India’s electric mobility landscape is expanding faster than ever, yet still searching for solutions that blend affordability, accessibility, and everyday usability. The brand, founded by Akshai Varde and backed by Suniel Shetty, KL Rahul, and Ahan Shetty, has long drawn attention for its star-studded associations. But with this new product, EXELmoto is clearly signalling a shift beyond celebrity appeal. It is positioning itself as a design-led, economically viable mobility company with a practical long-term vision—one that embraces scalability, inclusion, and relevance in a market where the next wave of EV adoption will depend on solving the needs of millions of daily riders.
Priced from ₹48,500, the new e-bicycle brings together the comfort of a scooter and the familiar ease of pedal-assisted cycling. It introduces a bench seat, a low-step frame, and an intuitive assist system—elements that might seem simple, but which are crucial in addressing a gap that many mainstream EV makers have overlooked. In India’s two-wheeler ecosystem, much of the innovation in recent years has targeted young, urban, tech-forward riders. EXELmoto instead focuses on a broader demographic: women who need stability and accessibility, senior citizens who prioritise confidence and ease, and first-time EV users who may find conventional electric scooters intimidating. By ensuring that the e-bicycle is license- and registration-free, the company further lowers the barriers to adoption. In a country where bureaucratic hurdles can deter new mobility users, this decision positions the e-bicycle as a product that welcomes rather than excludes.
What becomes clear while observing EXELmoto’s approach is that the company is thinking not just about performance metrics or premium features, but about the real-world frictions people face on the road. The thoughtful design is evident in the step-through frame, which is especially helpful for women wearing sarees or salwar kameez, older riders who may struggle with swinging a leg over a conventional bike, or delivery workers who must hop on and off frequently. The adjustable seat supports growing teens and young adults, making it a vehicle that adapts with the family. The balance between pedal power and motor assistance allows users to stay engaged in cycling while enjoying bursts of throttle-driven ease, a combination that appeals equally to fitness-minded riders and those who simply want a smoother, less tiring commute.
Among the models showcased, one that particularly stands out is the E1X-Sky. It brings a wave of nostalgia with its BMX-inspired design, but refreshes that memory with modern engineering. The addition of a throttle—a rarity in bicycle-based EVs—creates a distinctly fun riding experience. Pair that with Shimano gears, known for their precision and durability, and the result is a machine that blends old-school charm with contemporary functionality. The frame, crafted from high-tensile steel, features a bold double-top-pipe crossbow design with 50 mm and 32 mm sections. This gives the bike both style and strength, setting it apart visually while ensuring durability on Indian roads. In many ways, the E1X-Sky captures the brand’s ethos: playful yet practical, nostalgic yet forward-looking.
But while design is an important pillar of EXELmoto’s identity, what truly positions the brand for long-term impact is its clear commitment to localization. Recent industry reports and company statements emphasize a strategic push toward vertical integration—a move that sets EXELmoto apart in an EV space crowded with import-reliant assemblers. Over the next 18 months, the company plans to bring key manufacturing processes in-house, a shift that carries significant implications. By Q3 2026, EXELmoto intends to scale its capacity to 50,000 units annually, a number that signals its ambition to become a serious player in the budget EV category.
This shift towards in-house production is not just about scaling volume. It is about exercising tighter control over three critical levers: cost, quality, and supply chain reliability. India’s EV market has seen several brands struggle due to fluctuating component prices, dependence on overseas suppliers, and inconsistent quality control. The unpredictable nature of global supply chains—from battery cells to semiconductors—has shown that brands lacking local manufacturing resilience are vulnerable to delays and rising costs. By contrast, EXELmoto’s planned vertical integration allows it to stabilize pricing, maintain product reliability, and accelerate innovation cycles. It also aligns with India’s broader push for domestic manufacturing, which includes government incentives for companies willing to build locally and invest in supply chain ecosystems.
Moreover, localization supports EXELmoto’s mission of inclusion. Manufacturing closer to home can help reduce operational costs, making it possible to keep retail prices lower and accessible to a wider population. It encourages job creation and skill development within the sector and builds trust among consumers who increasingly prefer products built with Indian conditions in mind. In a market where retaining customers depends heavily on post-purchase reliability and service, localized production can ensure better availability of spare parts, faster service turnaround, and a deeper understanding of user needs.
EXELmoto’s trajectory suggests that it understands India’s mobility transition not as a mere technological shift, but as a mindset shift. Electric mobility in India cannot mirror Western markets, where higher-priced e-bikes and EVs dominate. Instead, it must prioritize affordability, practicality, and cultural context. The new e-bicycle reflects this philosophy through features that prioritize comfort over complexity and through pricing that invites experimentation rather than commitment anxiety. It could become a first EV for many, especially in smaller cities and towns where scooters dominate but electrification remains slow.
What also stands out is the brand’s subtle but significant move away from relying solely on celebrity endorsements. While backing from well-known personalities like Suniel Shetty, KL Rahul, and Ahan Shetty undeniably boosted visibility during the early stages, EXELmoto’s narrative is no longer anchored in star power. Its communication today focuses more on engineering, user experience, and long-term growth. This marks a shift from a lifestyle-oriented branding approach toward one rooted in utility and trust—an important evolution for any mobility company looking to scale.
As India moves toward a more diverse and democratic EV future, EXELmoto’s newest launch represents the kind of innovation the market needs: grounded in real human behaviour, responsive to everyday challenges, and ambitious in its manufacturing vision. It doesn’t attempt to overwhelm users with futuristic concepts but instead meets them where they are, offering a mobility solution that is easy to learn, enjoyable to use, and affordable to own.
In many ways, EXELmoto is quietly defining what the next phase of India’s electric mobility should look like—products that bridge the gap between bicycles and scooters, companies that invest deeply in local manufacturing, and brands that design for inclusivity rather than exclusivity. The new e-bicycle is not just a product launch; it is a small but meaningful step toward a future where electric mobility is not aspirational, but simply accessible to all.
