“For India to become a global EV manufacturing hub, owning more of the underlying technology will be as important as increasing production volumes. Motor efficiency is one of the areas where engineering capability can translate directly into better vehicle economics, performance and scalability.” Abhilash Maurya, Co-Founder and CEO of Naxatra Labs
India’s EV market is moving into a phase where the conversation is gradually shifting from adoption to performance, economics and localization. With more than 25 lakh EVs sold in FY2025-26, and electric two-wheelers accounting for 57.8% of total EV sales, the two-wheeler segment is emerging as one of the most important battlegrounds for EV technology and manufacturing.
As competition increases, battery capacity and vehicle range will remain important, but motor efficiency is likely to become a more critical differentiator. The motor is responsible for converting electrical energy from the battery into mechanical movement, meaning its efficiency directly influences how effectively the available energy is used. A more efficient motor can potentially deliver better real-world range, performance and energy consumption without simply increasing battery size.
This matters particularly in India’s two-wheeler market, where affordability, running costs and everyday usability strongly influence purchasing decisions. For example, if two electric scooters have similar battery capacities but one drivetrain uses energy more efficiently, the more efficient vehicle can potentially deliver greater usable range from the same battery pack. Over time, this can also influence charging frequency and operating economics.
The opportunity extends beyond consumer experience to manufacturing competitiveness. India has historically had significant dependence on imported components across parts of the EV value chain. Building capabilities in motors, controllers, power electronics and related technologies domestically can help manufacturers improve supply-chain resilience while creating greater control over vehicle performance.
Motor design also needs to be considered alongside the controller and the broader drivetrain rather than in isolation. The interaction between the motor, controller, battery and vehicle software determines how efficiently the system performs under different conditions. This becomes particularly important in India, where vehicles operate across varied temperatures, road conditions, traffic patterns, gradients and payloads.
The next phase of EV manufacturing will therefore require a greater focus on engineering for real-world efficiency, rather than efficiency measured only under controlled conditions. A motor that performs consistently across stop-and-go traffic, inclines, high temperatures and varying loads can have a meaningful impact on the everyday ownership experience.
The industry is also beginning to explore different motor architectures, including axial-flux and radial-flux designs, each offering different possibilities around size, weight, power density and efficiency. Naxatra Labs, for instance, has developed both axial- and radial-flux motor platforms and is focused on building motor and controller capabilities in India.
The broader point is that India’s EV manufacturing advantage cannot be built only around assembling vehicles or increasing battery capacity. As the market scales, the companies that can improve the efficiency, reliability, weight and cost of the complete drivetrain will have an important role in determining the next phase of EV competitiveness.
For India to become a global EV manufacturing hub, owning more of the underlying technology will be as important as increasing production volumes. Motor efficiency is one of the areas where engineering capability can translate directly into better vehicle economics, performance and scalability.
The author is Abhilash Maurya, Co-Founder and CEO of Naxatra Labs
