India, November 7, 2025: Exponent Energy, a Bengaluru-based energy-tech company, has launched its ‘Exponent Oto’ technology to retrofit ICE three-wheelers into EVs with 15-minute rapid-charging batteries. Retrofitted CNG and LPG autorickshaws will be able to seamlessly integrate with Exponent’s proprietary energy ecosystem, charging from 0-100% in just 15 minutes at any Exponent e^pump (charging station).
The new retrofit EV technology is available for passenger three-wheelers currently running on CNG and LPG. The retrofit process takes just 24 hours, giving existing autos a fresh lease of life. Exponent Oto is backed by a warranty of 5 years or 3,000 charging cycles, giving drivers the peace of mind to confidently make a switch.
Retrofitting makes the EV transition more accessible to millions of drivers across India, accelerating the adoption of clean mobility. With zero downpayment, flexible EMI plans, and an assured buyback after three years, Exponent aims to make the shift to electric simple, affordable, and secure. Drivers will see an immediate savings of up to ₹5,000 every month, as the monthly charging costs and EMI combined will be lower than current monthly fuel and maintenance costs for CNG or LPG vehicles.
Vehicle conversion to EVs will also play a key part in meeting India’s EV penetration targets for 2030, reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality across Indian cities and states, and strengthening the country’s energy security. All in addition to bettering drivers’ livelihoods and economic outcomes.
Once retrofitted, these vehicles deliver class-leading performance, accelerating from 0-30 kmph in under 4.5 seconds and offering a real-world range of 140-150 km. They operate without clutch or gearshifts, ensuring a consistent and efficient drive. Designed for Indian city conditions, the system includes IP67-rated water resistance, hill-start assist, and IoT-enabled connectivity for GPS, diagnostics, and real-time service alerts.
The retrofit process begins by stripping the vehicle of all IC-engine-related components – engine block, gearbox, exhaust system, fuel tanks (CNG/LPG), and wiring harnesses. Each of these removals clears space and weight for the new EV systems. After inspection and preparation of the chassis, new structural mounts are fabricated to accommodate the Exponent retrofit kit, which includes the Piccolo battery pack, CX1 e^port rapid-charging interface, motor, motor controller, and drivetrain. The systems are integrated using plug-and-play harnesses and lightweight structural brackets, enabling a complete conversion within just 24 hours.
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Commenting on the launch, Arun Vinayak, CEO and Co-founder, Exponent Energy, said, “As an energy company, we are always looking for ways to massively speed up the adoption of EVs across India. We already cater to new vehicle buyers with a bunch of great products from partners using our 15-minute charging tech. But vehicles on the ground are almost 25-30x the number of new vehicle sales. We want everyone to be able to get the Exponent EV experience as fast as possible, which is why retrofitting becomes a great option. And in the three-wheeler segment historically, every fuel shift has happened through retrofitting. The whole idea is to make great tech accessible and affordable to every driver, that’s how you bring about sustainability at rapid scale. We’re going to work with stakeholders and policymakers across the country to make that happen.”
Reflecting on the milestone, Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business, Exponent Energy said, “Exponent Oto is a very efficient solution for the driver because they are able to change their energy ecosystem from LPG or CNG to EV at half the cost. That means more drivers shifting to EVs sooner. Speeding up that transition is extremely important if we as a country want to meet our EV penetration targets by 2030. Going after the existing base is important, and that’s why we are working with multiple governments to find ways to make retrofits easier for drivers.”
