Zelo is focused on making electric mobility truly accessible and practical for every Indian. While many EV brands focus on metros and premium segments, Zelo saw a clear need gap in Bharat – Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, where affordability, trust, and service matter most, says Mukund Baheti, Co-founder, Zelo Electric in an interview with EVolution Auto India.
Q: What led to the inception of Zelo Electric and how has been your journey so far?
Mukund Baheti: Zelo Electric was born out of a clear gap we noticed in the EV space. While the market was growing, there weren’t enough affordable, practical electric scooters built for everyday Indian commuters. Coming from a business background and driven by a passion for entrepreneurship, I started researching about the EV industry/segment right after college. With the support of the family and co-founder Aditya Baheti, Zelo was launched in 2021 as a fully bootstrapped brand under SLSR Electro Pvt. Ltd.
The journey so far has been both challenging and rewarding. From developing our first models to building a network of 70+ dealers across India, we’ve focused on being cost-effective, customer-centric, and operationally sound. We’ve launched 4 models and are now gearing up to introduce 2 new RTO models by 2025. Our mission remains simple — to make electric mobility accessible, reliable, and built for real Indian roads.
Q: What is your vision and why do you want to focus on Bharat (Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns particularly). What need gap did you spot in the market that you think others missed?
Mukund Baheti: At Zelo, we are focused on making electric mobility truly accessible and practical for every Indian. While many EV brands focus on metros and premium segments, we saw a clear need gap in Bharat – Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, where affordability, trust, and service matter most.
People in these towns need reliable, low-maintenance vehicles for daily use, but the market was flooded with either overpriced EVs or untrustworthy low-quality options. That’s where Zelo comes in, offering affordable, well-built scooters with service-backed dealer support. We’re not just selling EVs, we’re helping build confidence in clean mobility where it’s needed most.
Q: You claim to be the most affordable EV scooters in India? If yes, what design, engineering, or supply chain choices helped you achieve this price point without compromising on safety/quality?
Mukund Baheti: Yes, affordability is one of our core strengths — but not at the cost of quality or safety. We follow a value-driven engineering approach that focuses on what the customer truly needs, without burning a hole in the pocket.
We focus on:
- Simple, functional design suited for daily use, avoiding unnecessary frills
- Localised sourcing and vendor partnerships to reduce dependency on imports
- A semi-automated assembly process that balances consistency with cost-efficiency
- Strong cost discipline being a fully bootstrapped company — every rupee is spent wisely
These choices allow us to offer EVs that are not only budget-friendly but also reliable, durable, and easy to maintain, especially for Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
Q: Can you tell us about the models currently in the market—and what kind of real-world use cases they’re designed for?
Mukund Baheti: Zelo Electric currently offers four models designed to meet different everyday use cases:
- Zoop, Knight, and Zaeden – Non-RTO models, ICAT certified ideal for short- distance commuting, local deliveries, students, and senior citizens. They’re available in both Lead Acid and Lithium-ion variants to suit different budgets and usage needs.
- Zaeden+ – RTO-approved model, built for longer-distance travel and daily work commutes, powered by a Lithium-ion battery. It’s ideal for users who want a registered vehicle with higher performance and better range.
Each model is designed to be affordable, low-maintenance, and practical – with Bharat in mind, not just big cities. We focus on giving users a reliable, everyday alternative to petrol scooters without the complications.
Q: How does your product stand out in a competitive EV market in India?
Mukund Baheti: Most EV brands in the market focus on premium pricing or flashy features, Zelo stands out for its practicality, affordability, and proven performance in everyday conditions. We don’t overengineer, we build electric scooters that are easy to own, maintain, and made for everyday Indian riders. Our mix of RTO and Non-RTO models, available in Lead Acid and Lithium variants, give customers real choice based on their needs and budget. Backed by a growing dealer network, localized service support, we keep it simple, functional- built to last.
Q: What has been your journey so far in terms of revenue and sales?
Mukund Baheti: We’ve been growing steadily since our launch in 2021. As a fully bootstrapped company, we’ve focused on building a strong foundation first, with over 70+ active dealers and a presence across multiple states. We’re currently growing at 75% year-on-year, and our product mix has helped us reach both urban and Tier 2/Tier 3 markets effectively. The traction we’re seeing now gives us confidence to scale further, especially with our new RTO models in the pipeline.
Q: EV adoption is still underway in India, what infrastructure and support are you looking forward to from the Indian government and how Zelo is building consumer trust in the post-sales journey ?
Mukund Baheti: For EV adoption to grow faster, we believe the government’s continued support in areas like localized manufacturing incentives, battery recycling policies, and simplified RTO processes will be key, especially for smaller, cost-sensitive EV brands like ours.
At Zelo, we’re focused on building consumer trust through a strong post-sales experience. All our dealers are trained directly by our team to handle servicing, and we’ve put systems in place for timely maintenance, spare parts availability, and direct support. In Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, trust travels by word of mouth, so we make sure every rider’s experience with Zelo is smooth, reliable, and service-backed.
Q: With India pushing for stricter safety standards (like BIS battery mandates) and state-level EV subsidies, how are you navigating the evolving regulatory environment as a startup?
Mukund Baheti: We fully support the government’s push for stricter safety standards and accountability in the EV space. As a responsible brand, all our models are ICAT certified, and we’re aligning our systems to comply with upcoming BIS battery norms and other evolving guidelines/policies.
Being a startup, we see these regulations not as roadblocks, but as necessary steps to build long-term trust in EVs. We’ve kept our operations agile, which helps us adapt quickly, whether it’s updating our battery supply chains, training dealers, or reworking documentation processes. As policies mature, we’re staying fully committed to compliance, rider safety, and transparency.
Q: What are your future plans and products in the pipeline? Are you exploring new vehicle categories, battery technologies, anything else?
Mukund Baheti: We’re gearing up to launch two new RTO models by 2025, with one set to launch next month. These upcoming products will focus on higher performance, better range, and enhanced rider comfort, while still staying true to our value-driven pricing.
We’re also exploring new battery technologies like LFP and swappable options to improve safety and user convenience. In addition, we have a clear roadmap to move toward 100% Made-in-India scooters, from components to final assembly, strengthening localisation and long-term cost efficiency.