After 22 years in the ICE space, EV brought newness and a very different perspective to the automobile industry, including zero pollution, zero noise, amazing operating costs, and has emerged a hassle-free product. This is where the future of the automobile is heading, says Hyder Ali Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Godawari Electric Motors Pvt. Ltd. in an interview with EVolution Auto India.
Q: Godawari Electric has been gaining attention in the EV space. Can you tell us about the company’s founding vision and how it has evolved under your leadership?
Hyder Ali Khan: Godawari Electric worked on the basics of the business, such as reach (through dealers with proper financing), finance availability, proper manpower appointment and development, customer connect programs & most importantly, service as a differentiator, with proper product line and quality.
Q: What inspired you personally to enter the electric mobility sector, and how do you see your role shaping the future of sustainable transportation in India?
Hyder Ali Khan: After 22 years in the ICE space, EV brought newness and a very different perspective to the automobile industry, including zero pollution, zero noise, amazing operating costs, and has emerged a hassle-free product. This is where the future of the automobile is heading. So moving to a progressive and futuristic business model was a normal transition.
Q: How have recent government policies (like FAME II, PLI, and state-level EV policies) impacted your growth trajectory?
Hyder Ali Khan: The decrease in FAME II has increased the product price and impacted business to some extent, but I am hopeful it will settle soon.
Q: Earlier this year, Godawari Electric Motors launched new electric scooters and the EbluCare app for sustainable mobility. Could you walk us through the R&D process behind your flagship models? How does innovation drive your product development cycle?
Hyder Ali Khan: After the launch of our first line of products, we found segments that we are not able to cater to with these products, so we developed the new products to cater to the segment, like FEODX focused at youth, and Rozee ECO focused at entry level L5, EbluCare was a tool to keep connected with customers and understand our customer profiles and driving habits.
Q: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in building a robust manufacturing and supply chain ecosystem, especially for EV-specific components like batteries and motors?
Hyder Ali Khan: The real challenge is volumes not meeting the expectations, which is a problem for the vendor confidence.
Q: Are there any strategic partnerships—either domestic or international—that have helped strengthen your position in the market?
Hyder Ali Khan: Service as a differentiator is a strategy that we are focusing on to build customer confidence and trust hence positive word of mouth for our products. We feel every Eblu customer is our brand ambassador.
Q: How do you envision India’s EV landscape evolving by 2030, and what role will Godawari Electric play in that vision?
Hyder Ali Khan: The EV industry is maturing, and consumer acceptance is growing. We are also positioning ourselves for this growth with a good range of products and reach to semi-urban and rural India. Our main focus is on service and customer satisfaction.