Drivn Energy in Motion electric truck deployment India partnership

Drivn, an EV leasing platform headquartered in India, has entered into a strategic partnership with Energy in Motion (EIM), an associate venture of Ravindra Energy Limited, to accelerate electric truck deployment in the country. The agreement, signed on 21 April 2026, targets the rollout of approximately 1,000 heavy-duty electric trucks through Drivn’s customer ecosystem over the next two years. The collaboration focuses on delivering a scalable and commercially viable solution for fleet operators transitioning to electric mobility.

Integrated Approach to Electric Truck Deployment

The partnership outlines a comprehensive framework that includes vehicle supply, financing models, deployment planning, lifecycle management, and energy support systems. Both companies will work together to identify suitable deployment opportunities, standardize vehicle specifications, and ensure timely delivery schedules. Additionally, after-sales services such as charging access and battery-swapping infrastructure will be provided to ensure seamless operations. This integrated model is designed to reduce operational complexity while improving efficiency and reliability for commercial fleet operators adopting electric trucks.

Focus on Economics and Operational Reliability

Manav Bansal, CEO and Co-founder of Drivn, emphasized that large-scale adoption of electric trucks in India depends on strong commercial viability. He stated that while interest in electrification is already present, fleet operators require clear cost benefits, consistent performance, and dependable operations. The collaboration with Energy in Motion combines vehicle technology, energy infrastructure, and financial solutions, enabling a more complete and practical offering. This approach is expected to strengthen confidence among fleet operators and support adoption at scale.

Simplifying Transition for Fleet Operators

Alpna Jain, Co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Drivn, highlighted that the shift to electric mobility remains primarily a business decision for fleet operators. Key considerations include process simplicity, cost predictability, and ecosystem reliability. Through this collaboration, both companies aim to align vehicle availability, financing structures, and lifecycle services to reduce adoption barriers. The goal is to make electrification easier to evaluate and implement, particularly for operators managing large and diverse fleets across multiple use cases.

Battery-Swapping Model for Heavy Commercial Vehicles

Narendra M. Murkumbi, Managing Director and CEO of Energy in Motion, described the agreement as validation of EIM’s approach to addressing EV challenges in heavy commercial vehicles. The company follows a model where electric tractors are sold without battery packs, while battery leasing, charging, and swapping services are provided separately. This structure allows operators to lower upfront costs and benefit from flexible energy solutions through long-term service contracts, making electric trucks more accessible for large-scale deployment.

Strategic Expansion Backed by Investment

This partnership builds on Drivn’s broader expansion strategy within the electric mobility ecosystem. The company recently secured an investment commitment of US$80 million from Nomura, strengthening its ability to scale operations and support large deployments. Meanwhile, Energy in Motion, which commenced commercial operations on 1 August 2025, continues to focus on delivering integrated energy and infrastructure solutions. Together, the companies aim to create a robust ecosystem that supports sustainable and economically viable electrification of commercial transport in India.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the objective of the Drivn and Energy in Motion partnership?
The partnership aims to deploy around 1,000 electric trucks across India within two years by combining vehicle supply, financing, and energy infrastructure. This collaboration is designed to make electric truck adoption commercially viable for fleet operators by addressing cost, reliability, and operational challenges. It integrates vehicle deployment with battery-swapping and charging solutions, ensuring a complete ecosystem that simplifies the transition to electric mobility for large-scale commercial fleets.

How does the battery-swapping model benefit fleet operators?
The battery-swapping model reduces upfront vehicle costs by separating the battery from the truck purchase, allowing operators to pay for energy services separately. This approach improves cost predictability and minimizes downtime since batteries can be quickly swapped instead of charged. It also ensures better asset utilization and operational efficiency, especially for heavy-duty commercial vehicles operating on tight schedules and long routes, making electrification more practical and scalable.