Discover Okaya EV’s future plans as MD Anshul Gupta shares exclusive insights on charging infrastructure development, manufacturing strategy, and the company’s 2027 IPO roadmap.
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OPG Mobility’s Vision: Leading India’s EV Revolution
Are you ready to witness the electric revolution transforming India’s transportation landscape? In an exclusive interview with Republic Auto, Anshul Gupta, Managing Director at OPG Mobility (formerly Okaya EV), unveiled ambitious plans that could reshape the electric two-wheeler market in India.
With the government pushing aggressively for electric mobility and consumers increasingly embracing cleaner transportation alternatives, OPG Mobility is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation with a comprehensive strategy spanning manufacturing, infrastructure development, and market expansion.
Made-in-India: OPG’s Manufacturing Powerhouse
In a groundbreaking development for India’s EV self-reliance journey, OPG Mobility has achieved an impressive 84% localization in its manufacturing process. This remarkable feat excludes only lithium-ion cells, which continue to be imported – a common challenge across the EV industry.
“All the other items, whether it’s battery manufacturing, wire harness, plastic parts, motors, or controllers – all of these items are made in-house or from a local party that is making them in-house,” Gupta emphasized, highlighting the company’s commitment to the Make-in-India initiative.
The company currently offers approximately 5 models of electric two-wheelers across both low-speed and high-speed segments, including scooters and motorcycles under the Ferrato portfolio brand. Additionally, OPG’s three-wheeler division provides 4 L3 vehicles, 3 L5 cargo models, and 2 passenger models.
| OPG Mobility Product Portfolio | Number of Models |
|---|---|
| Two-wheelers (Ferrato brand) | 5 models |
| Three-wheeler L3 vehicles | 4 models |
| Three-wheeler L5 cargo | 3 models |
| Three-wheeler passenger | 2 models |
Solving India’s EV Charging Puzzle
The critical infrastructure question looms large over India’s EV adoption journey: where will people charge their vehicles? Gupta offers a multi-pronged solution that could accelerate the electric two-wheeler revolution.
“We have supplied around 5,000-6,000 DC chargers across India, which is around 40-45 percent market share of the DC chargers,” Gupta revealed, showcasing OPG’s significant contribution to building India’s charging backbone.
For AC chargers, OPG Mobility has installed approximately 5,000-6,000 standalone public charging units. This dual approach addresses different charging needs and complements the company’s upcoming innovations.
“One of our products, which we are going to launch in this calendar year, is going to have a DC fast charger that can be used for two-wheeler applications,” Gupta shared, offering a glimpse into future developments.
What makes OPG’s approach particularly interesting is their vision for an integrated ecosystem where retail shops and landowners install private charging stations, creating a distributed network of charging points that could alleviate range anxiety – especially in metropolitan areas.
Setting OPG Apart in a Crowded Market
In an industry with over 300 manufacturers, differentiation is crucial. Gupta’s strategy centers on three key pillars: product excellence, technological innovation, and after-sales support.
“Every brand has a customer base, and every customer base has a specific need,” Gupta explained, emphasizing that features, performance, and quality are table stakes in today’s competitive landscape.
OPG’s technological edge comes from its extensive background in manufacturing and software development. Their latest product, the F22, showcases this expertise with an in-house TFT touchscreen display offering IoT connectivity and screen mirroring – a first in the industry, according to Gupta.
Perhaps most significantly, OPG has prioritized safety in its battery technology, choosing LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry for its inherent stability in hot climates like India’s.
“The core purpose of why we started the business in the EV sector was because we were cautious of the incidents that were happening around the industry,” Gupta noted, referencing past thermal incidents with EV batteries.
Circular Economy: Battery Recycling and Second Life
With sustainability becoming increasingly important, OPG Mobility has developed a comprehensive approach to battery lifecycle management. The process follows three distinct phases:
- Primary Use: High-discharge batteries power electric vehicles
- Second Life: Partially depleted batteries are repurposed for stationary applications
- Recycling: Completely spent batteries are processed to extract valuable materials
“When these batteries go out of use or they are completely discharged… they have a certain voltage, they can be revived for a second life, which is usually some sort of stationary-based application,” Gupta explained.
This approach not only reduces environmental impact but also creates additional value streams from what would otherwise become electronic waste.
IPO Roadmap: 2027 Public Listing Target
Perhaps the most significant revelation from the interview was OPG Mobility’s clear timeline for going public. Currently a 100% family-invested business, the company plans to follow a strategic growth path:
- Near-term (1-2 years): Launch new products and improve market position
- Mid-term (2-3 years): Bring private equity partners on board
- Long-term (2027): Launch an Initial Public Offering (IPO)
“Eventually we aim to bring an IPO at some point. I think my target is 2027,” Gupta disclosed, providing rare clarity on the company’s financial roadmap.
Rather than rushing to public markets, OPG sees value in private equity partnerships as intermediate steps. “Going ourselves, IPO also could be there, but I feel the kind of compliance required, the kind of foundations that we can develop… We just want to get the funds as well as the entire strategic inputs and compliances so that we can be ready for IPO,” Gupta reasoned.
Expanding Dealer Network: Quality Over Quantity
With 350 channel partners currently serving predominantly North India with some presence in South and West regions, OPG Mobility plans strategic expansion to 500 dealers within the year. However, Gupta emphasized quality over quantity.
“The ones that have given their heart and soul into the business are 50% of those dealerships that have been able to work. Some people invest, some people sit and make sure that the business succeeds,” he noted, highlighting the importance of partner selection.
To enhance after-sales service, OPG has created an Authorized Service Partner (ASP) program, establishing approximately 100 neighborhood service centers in the last quarter alone, with plans for significant expansion.
The Road Ahead for India’s EV Market
As electric vehicles transition from novelty to necessity in India’s transportation ecosystem, companies like OPG Mobility are reshaping the landscape with integrated approaches spanning manufacturing, infrastructure, and services.
With the government’s continued push for electric mobility through policies like FAME and EMPS, coupled with increasing consumer interest, the stage is set for accelerated growth in this sector.
OPG’s journey from a family business to a potential public company mirrors the evolution of India’s EV industry itself – from niche experimentation to mainstream adoption. As Gupta aptly summarized, “It’s the marathon that the company has to take, a path that the company has to follow.”
