From building a ecosystem focusing on customer trust in the early years, he also talks about how Samarth plans to position itself in a still maturing EV motorcycle market and what customers can expect from the brand going forward.

Tell us a little about Samarth and the journey so far. What inspired you to start the company and what opportunity did you see in the EV space?

So, Samarth E Mobility started almost three years ago in July 2023. At that time most companies were focused on assembly, but we decided not to follow that route and instead build all components ourselves before launching the product. This gave us full control over components, technology, and after sales service.

With this approach, we began by setting up our R&D center. Today we have around 105 people working purely in R&D, and over the last three years we have developed the motor, motor controller, battery pack, BMS, charger, DC DC, display, and even our own operating system. Using all these components, we have built a high-speed electric motorcycle, which is currently under testing and will be launched soon.

A lot of EV startups in India are choosing to source components and focus on assembly. Why did you decide to build a full stack EV platform in house and what kind of trade-offs did that involve in terms of cost, time and complexity?

So when we started the company, we had two options. One was to import components, assemble them, and start selling immediately to generate revenue from day one. But based on our business experience over the last 12 years, we believe that to survive, sustain, and capture the market, the foundation has to be strong.

We decided not to follow the assembly route. Otherwise, we would have been just another company among many doing the same thing. Instead, we focused on building our own technology, because the Indian market, road conditions, and riding behaviour are very different from other countries.

You cannot simply import technology and expect it to perform here. For long term success, the product has to be built for Indian conditions, including roads, climate, and riding patterns. So we studied how people ride, understood their pain points, and developed our entire stack with the Indian customer at the center.

India is a very diverse market with climate, terrain and usage patterns varying massively from region to region. How has your product been developed to handle everything from extreme heat to varied road conditions across the country?

To handle this diverse situation, we developed our own BMS and PCM systems. If you look at India, conditions vary widely. In the North, places like Kashmir experience sub-zero temperatures in winter, while regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra see temperatures above 45 degrees in summer. In the South, the climate is very humid.

So the vehicle must be able to perform across all these environments. We designed a smart BMS that continuously monitors temperature, surroundings, and operating conditions, and accordingly manages power and efficiency for the battery pack and the vehicle.

During testing, we validated the battery pack across a range from plus 50 degrees to minus 10 degrees to ensure it performs reliably. Based on these results, we developed and refined our technology.

Specifically on the battery and BMS side, what were the key challenges in making a system that is reliable for pan India usage and how have you addressed concerns like thermal management and long-term durability?

When developing the BMS and other components, the biggest challenge in an EV is heat management. Better heat control leads to improved performance over time and reduces service and repair issues. So our primary focus while designing the BMS was on effective thermal management. The second key aspect was power, as motorcycles demand strong torque and throttle response, which must be sustained across different temperatures and conditions.

At the same time, the BMS also plays a critical role in maintaining battery health. Our system continuously monitors cell temperature and voltage, balances the cells, and adjusts based on operating conditions. This helps improve battery life and ensures smooth and reliable performance.

You are targeting the premium electric motorcycle segment. Do you think India is truly ready for that space considering most EV adoption so far has been in scooters rather than motorcycles?

If I answer briefly, yes, EV motorcycles will see strong penetration, but it will happen gradually, not overnight. We have already seen this with scooters, where adoption has grown steadily over the past five years and now accounts for nearly 20 percent of the segment.

However, motorcycles are a very different space. Unlike scooters, they are often an emotional choice, with higher expectations around design, power, acceleration, top speed, and range. To succeed in this segment, EV motorcycles must meet all these demands. If we can achieve that, there is clear demand in the market, and we are working towards delivering a product that aligns with these expectations.

What is the plan when it comes to selling the product. Are you going direct to consumer, building a dealership network or exploring a hybrid approach?

We are now moving from the industry stage to production, and our go to market strategy is to build a strong dealer network rather than selling directly to customers. We are currently setting up dealers across different cities, starting with a few to test the market and streamline our supply chain and service operations.

Our approach is clear. Before selling even a single motorcycle in any city, we will establish a service center and ensure a smooth supply chain so we can support customers within 24 hours. Only once this foundation is in place will we begin sales in that market.

Can you share which cities are being considered for the first phase of Samarth dealerships?

We are planning to start our dealership network from the western part of India because we are based in Gujarat also so we can easily adapt and easily smoothen our supply chain and service network and then start adding different states after six months.

What kind of manufacturing scale are you targeting in the initial phase and how do you see that ramping up over the next few years?

For the first one to two years, our focus is not on volumes. Our priority is to build trust with customers, establish a strong brand, and deliver reliable service. Once we have built that foundation, we will then shift our focus towards scaling volumes.

On the demand side what are your realistic sales targets once the product hits the market?

The EV motorcycle segment is currently a niche market with limited volumes. However, we believe that within the next two years, we can establish ourselves as a market leader, becoming a preferred choice when customers consider buying an EV motorcycle.

Can you give us a ballpark idea of where this motorcycle will be priced?

The Indian market is highly price sensitive, and we have kept this in mind from day one while developing our components and vehicle. Our focus is to ensure competitive pricing to gain a meaningful share in the motorcycle segment. We are targeting the 125 cc to 200 cc category and aim to price our EV motorcycle in line with existing vehicles in this segment, so customers can adopt EVs without paying a significant premium.

Like you mentioned you all are targeting the 125 cc and the 250 cc segment so today in the market who do you see as the biggest rivals or both in terms of maybe ICE as well as EVs who are the biggest rivals that Samarth sees today as a brand and as a product?

The motorcycle segment is extremely diverse, spanning from under 100 cc to over 250 cc, with each category already dominated by established players. In contrast, the EV motorcycle segment is still in a very early stage of development and far from mature.

At this stage, the priority is to grow the segment and bring more customers into EV motorcycles. The market is currently small, so we do not see any significant competitive threat. As the segment expands and matures, competition will naturally increase, but for now the focus remains on building the category rather than competing within it.

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MG M9 – Design

The MG M9 features a clean exterior design with massive dimensions—5,200 mm long, 2,000 mm wide, and 1,800 mm tall, riding on a 3,200 mm wheelbase. These dimensions make it significantly larger than most MPVs in the market.

The front fascia carries a modern connected LED DRL design, split LED headlamps, a wide trapezoidal grille, and sculpted bumpers. The side profile gets dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels, Z-shaped chrome window trim, and powered sliding doors. The rear section houses LED tail-lamps with a wraparound light bar, completing the M9’s look.

MG M9 – Interior Design

Inside the cabin, the MG M9 offers a rich mix of premium materials and technology. It gets a cognac-brown theme with leather and suede upholstery, ambient lighting across all rows, and a panoramic sunroof setup—single-pane at the front and dual-pane at the rear. The dashboard is clean and minimalistic, featuring a 12.23-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch digital driver’s display. Wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a 13-speaker JBL sound system, and a digital IRVM are all part of the standard kit.

Second-row captain seats come with electric adjustment, ventilation, heating, massaging function, and powered ottomans. A control screen on the centre armrest allows passengers to adjust seat settings, blinds, and climate controls. Rear entertainment screens and wireless phone chargers are also included, reinforcing its chauffeur-oriented design.

MG M9 – Battery Pack

The MG M9 is powered by a 90 kWh NMC (Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery pack that drives a front-mounted motor. This setup delivers a power output of 245 hp and 350 Nm of torque. MG claims an MIDC range of 548 km on a single charge. While the official certification under MIDC or WLTP is pending, these figures put the M9 on par with most of the existing EVs in that price range.

Charging options include an 11 kW AC charger, which takes about 10 hours for a full charge, and a 160 kW DC fast charger that can top up the battery from 0 to 100 percent in approximately 90 minutes. The vehicle also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) charging.

MG M9 – Safety

The MG M9 comes equipped with a full suite of safety features. It gets seven airbags, electronic stability control, ABS with EBD, an electronic parking brake, tyre pressure monitoring system, all-wheel disc brakes, and ISOFIX child seat mounts. The MPV also includes a 360-degree camera system and Level-2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, front collision warning, and autonomous emergency braking.

Internationally, the model has been rated five stars under both Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety standards.

MG M9 – MG Select Dealerships

The MG M9 will be sold exclusively through MG’s premium retail network, MG Select. Revealed in early 2025, MG Select comprises 14 experience centres spread across 13 major Indian cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru (with two locations), Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Kochi, Chandigarh, Surat, Thane, and Gurgaon. These showrooms are dedicated to MG’s new-energy product line, which currently includes the MG M9 and the upcoming MG Cyberster electric sportscar

MG M9 – Market Positioning and Rivals

Priced at ₹69.90 lakh ex-showroom, the MG M9 sits in a segment with very limited competition. While there are no direct all-electric MPVs in this class, the M9 will be benchmarked against the ICE-powered Kia Carnival and the Toyota Vellfire. The Vellfire is significantly more expensive, starting at around ₹1.22 crore (ex-showroom), while the new Carnival is priced at a slightly lower ₹63.91 lakhs (ex-showroom).

Bookings of the MG M9 had opened a few months back, customers could reserve their cars online or visit an official dealership. The booking amount is set at ₹51,000. There has been no official communication from MG about delivery timelines.

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This move comes at a crucial time as the comopany prepares to introduce its premium electric SUVs to the Indian market—an industry witnessing a rapid EV transition and increased consumer expectation for responsive and reliable service experiences.

VinFast VF6 and VF7 – Upcoming VinFast Products for India

The VinFast VF6 and VF7 are the company’s first major products for Indian consumers. The VF6 is a subcompact SUV designed mainly for urban commute, offering either 174 hp or 201 hp depending on trim, and powered by a 59.6 kWh CATL-sourced battery. With a projected range of around 399 km (WLTP), it competes with models like the Tata Nexon.ev Hyundai Creta EV and Mahnindra BE 6.

On the other hand, the VF7 is a compact-to-midsize electric SUV with stronger performance. The Plus variant offers a dual-motor AWD setup producing 349 hp, powered by a 75.3 kWh battery pack and an estimated range of up to 500 km. Both vehicles are expected to offer modern cabin experiences with large infotainment screens, ADAS features, and OTA capabilities. The VF7 is a slightly more premium offering as compared to the VF6 and will compete with likes of the Harrier.ev and XEV 9E.

The success of these vehicles in India, however, hinges not just on specs and pricing—but also on a capable support ecosystem. This is where the Global Assure partnership becomes pivotal.

Nationwide 24×7 Support for VinFast Products Through Global Assure

The newly signed partnership is designed to ensure that VinFast customers in India receive timely and efficient support regardless of location. Services will be channeled through a dedicated toll-free number (1800-571-8888) and email (vfcareindia@vinfastauto.in).

Key services enabled through this tie-up include: 24/7 Customer Call Center: Staffed with trained professionals, the call center will handle general queries, technical assistance, and emergency requests. Nationwide Roadside Assistance (RSA), customers will have access to round-the-clock support for flat tires, battery issues, towing, and more—even in remote regions. Mobile Charging Services, for EV owners facing range anxiety or unexpected depletion, on-demand charging vans will be dispatched. Mobile Service Fleet, emergency service vans equipped for basic on-site repairs will ensure quick turnaround for minor breakdowns.

This initiative aims to address a common concern among EV buyers in India—the availability and reach of service networks, especially outside major cities.

Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO Asia, VinFast, commented “As VinFast is gearing up to launch the VF6 and VF7 in India, this partnership underlines our commitment to deliver dependable, customer-focused service nationwide. Global Assure’s extensive reach and operational strength complement our vision of building a trustworthy electric mobility ecosystem.”

Manish Vij, Co-founder and CEO of Global Assure, added “With our pan-India presence and deep understanding of local mobility challenges, we’re confident that VinFast customers will receive high-quality, efficient service—ensuring every journey is smoother and safer.”

The collaboration is a clear signal that VinFast is not merely entering India as a vehicle exporter but as a brand investing in long-term infrastructure. While much of the EV market buzz revolves around specs and range, ownership experience plays a critical role in building consumer trust—particularly in a country where first-time EV buyers form a large chunk of the market.

By aligning with Global Assure, VinFast is attempting to fill a major gap that many newer automakers overlook: post-sale engagement and support consistency. The company appears aware that without reliable service, even the most competitive EV offering could fall short in a price-sensitive and service-conscious market like India. Whether this partnership results in improved buyer confidence and sales for the VinFast VF6 and VF7 remains to be seen

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In recent years, we have seen a strong surge in the demand for electric two-wheelers while the electric four wheels are also getting popular among new car buyers. Likewise, we see a similar trend in the commercial vehicle segment as more buyers are now considering electric three-wheelers over their ICE counterparts. With this sudden spike in the overall electric vehicle sales in the country, many people are still concerned about the overall feasibility and challenges we might face in the near future. With that, we are forced to re-think – Is India ready for electric vehicles? 

Improving Charging Infrastructure

For starters, with a clear rise in EV sales in the country, we are also seeing strong development of charging infrastructures. These charging setups are not only being installed and maintained by leading electric vehicle manufacturers like Tata and MG, but are also being set up and run by a number of other companies and organizations.

With increasing charging network and improving road infrastructure, taking an electric vehicle on the highway is less stressful today. The overall wait time and availability of public chargers have also improved in the past and we are expecting a similar trend to continue in the coming months.

Zero-Emissions

Almost all electric vehicles, including bikes, scooters, cars and CVs boast zero-emission figures and are known to be significantly more environmentally friendly than other conventional vehicles. For those wondering, ICE-powered vehicles are one of the major contributors to air pollution in metro cities and are directly responsible for multiple greenhouse emissions.

Electric vehicles are currently being looked upon as healthy alternatives to ICE and can bring a major change in the overall pollution factors. While many might argue that these vehicles also require energy to run which results in in-direct pollution, the experts suggest that most of the power plants are located in less dense areas, hence reducing the overall pollution in the highly-dense and populated cities.

Rising Fuel Costs And Stricter Emission Norms

The demand for fossil fuels is refusing to die but the overall availability still remains a major concern. With only limited production capacity and finite reserves, it is difficult for us to meet the growing demand for fossil fuels. As a result, while we are seeing a major rise in overall fuel costs, long-term sustainability is yet to be addressed.

Electric vehicles, in such cases, are currently being seen as effective and low-cost alternatives to ICE vehicles and offer improved flexibility for manufacturers. Low to nil emissions also help the brands reduce the overall development costs.

What Are The Challenges With Electric Vehicles?

Despite having better practicality and comparatively easier norms, electric vehicles are still expensive to manufacture and may not be as affordable as conventional vehicles in most cases. In addition to this, an electric powertrain is considerably less efficient as more energy is lost due to heat loss, noise, friction, etc.

The overall lifecycle of a battery too is limited and the users might require to replace the battery pack after every few years. The battery pack is one of the most important and expensive parts of the package and increases the overall maintenance costs by a fair margin.

Long Charging Time

Unlike the ICE vehicles, electric vehicles have a long down time due to which they are not very practical for long-distance commute. Charging an electric car using a fast charger takes over one hour in most cases while a standard charger can take up to 10 hours for the same. This not only makes it difficult to plan a long-trip in such a vehicle, but also increases the wait time for other EV users.

Limited Electric Vehicle Range

Despite boasting powerful setup and a stress-free driving experience, most of the electric vehicles struggle with one common issue – limited range. Most of the mass market electric cars offer a real-life range of 250-300 km on a single charge while the two wheelers on the other hand deliver only around 80-100 km. This makes them less practical and the users are required to carefully plan their trips.

Should I Buy An Electric Vehicle In India?

Considering everything which has been discussed so far, electric vehicles come out as practical and environment-friendly alternatives to the conventional ICE vehicles and not only boast superior performance, but are also claimed to offer zero emissions, zero noise pollution, and low operational costs. The EVs also offer a smooth riding experience for the users making them a great choice for anyone looking for a cheap-to-run city commuter.

However, limited range and long charging time in addition to high maintenance costs are a few of the parameters which are yet to be addressed. What makes it even more difficult to own an electric vehicle is not so good charging network in India and limited options available in the market. In this case, it won’t be wrong to conclude that while we are almost ready for electric vehicles in India, we still have that last mile to go which will make it even more easy and practical to shift to EVs.

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