Altigreen: Pioneering Carbon-Free Last Mile Transport through Ground-Up Engineering
Every year, 2.6 million people in India lose their lives due to poor air quality. A staggering 25% of these deaths—nearly 6 lakh people—are directly attributed to road transport related pollution. For Amitabh Saran, the Founder and CEO of Altigreen Propulsion Labs, these aren't just statistics; they are a call to action. A former NASA engineer with a PhD in computer science, Saran is leading a deep-tech revolution to replace India's fossil-fuel-guzzling fleet with high-efficiency electric vehicles engineered for the world's most demanding conditions.
Starting in 2013, Altigreen has spent over a decade building a full-stack EV ecosystem from the ground up. With 29 global patents already granted and a massive Series A funding led by Reliance, Saran is proving that the key to EV adoption in India isn't just about being "green"—it's about being better, more reliable, and more profitable than diesel. From cargo three-wheelers to the next generation of passenger vehicles, Altigreen is transforming how 400 million Indians move every single day.
The Moving Parts Paradox
A traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle has approximately 2,000 moving parts. An electric vehicle, by contrast, has only 17 or 18. This fundamental difference means EVs are inherently simpler, more durable, and require far less maintenance—provided they are engineered correctly for the environment they operate in.
From NASA to the "Environment of Abuse"
Amitabh Saran's background is one of extreme technical rigor. Born in Lucknow and an alumnus of REC Allahabad, he earned a NASA-funded PhD from the University of California. After working on Goddard Space Flight Station projects and leading teams at **Hewlett-Packard**, he returned to India to begin a 25-year entrepreneurial journey. After two successful exits in the software space, he turned his sights to his two primary passions: environment and automobiles.
"India is an environment of abuse," Saran explains. "Potholes, dust, waterlogging, and unprofessional driving are day-to-day scenarios. Diesel has done a wonderful job lasting 100 years in these conditions. When we create new technology, it has to be better." This is why Altigreen refuses to use cheap imports. Every component—from the motors and electronics to the battery packs and gearboxes—is Made in India, for India.
"Startups fail only because of indigestion, not starvation. You try to create too many things at once and retrofit problems into them. We chose one vehicle and did a damn good job at it before moving to the next."
The Economics of the Last Mile
Saran is candid about the adoption of electric vehicles: just telling people to "go green" won't work in India. The solution must make financial sense from Day 1. While the upfront cost of an EV is higher due to lithium-ion battery prices, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is where the magic happens.
The Altigreen Profit Equation
- Fuel Savings: A diesel cargo vehicle costs ₹4-₹8 per km; an Altigreen EV costs only ₹0.90 to ₹2.00 per km.
- Monthly Benefit: An auto driver moving 100-200 km daily sees an immediate benefit of ₹7,500 to ₹9,000 per month.
- Lifetime Advantage: Over the life of a vehicle, an electric three-wheeler can save ₹9 to ₹10 lakh—more than double the cost of the vehicle itself.
- Ecosystem Approach: Beyond the vehicle, Altigreen provides financing, customer support, and charging infrastructure to ensure a seamless transition.
Engineering Ground-Up: 29 Global Patents
Altigreen's competitive moat is its deep-tech focus. Saran believes that an electric vehicle shouldn't just be a diesel vehicle minus the engine plus a motor. It must be built ground-up for EV functionality. This approach has led to 29 granted patents in the US, Europe, Australia, and Africa.
Their focus on the **L5 category** of sturdy, fast-moving cargo three-wheelers has changed the face of last-mile delivery in India. If you receive a parcel from a major e-commerce company today, it is more likely than not delivered by an electric three-wheeler with an Altigreen powertrain. "You have to go to the bottom of the pyramid," Saran notes. "If you make that auto driver happy and increase his earnings, you change the world."
Altigreen: Impact at Scale (Jan 2026)
- Innovation: 29 Global Patents granted across 60 countries.
- Daily Reach: Targeting the 400 million Indians who access three-wheelers daily.
- Fuel Efficiency: Up to 80% reduction in per-km operating costs vs diesel.
- Capital: Secured $40M Series A from Reliance New Energy and Sixth Sense Ventures.
- Sustainability: 100% ground-up development for high-abuse Indian conditions.
Founder's Wisdom: The "Worm" of Entrepreneurship
Amitabh Saran describes himself as a "Serial Entrepreneur" driven by a "worm" inside that refuses to accept the status quo. He warns that 93% of funded startups fail, and the journey is anything but fun late nights and parties. It requires a "larger purpose" to survive the multiple pivots and team-building challenges inherent in a traditional industry like automobiles.
Amitabh's Guide for EV Founders
Don't Accept the Status Quo: Just because something has been done for 100 years doesn't mean it's the only way. Change is the reason entrepreneurs are born.
Focus on Software: EVs are "computers on wheels." Don't forget that the software driving the vehicle is as important as the hardware itself.
Detach from the "Baby": A startup is not your baby; it's a vision served by thousands. If you find a platform or exit that scales your original mission (like saving lives), take it.
The Meaning of the Exit
Having done multiple acquisitions, Saran has a unique perspective on "exits." He believes that if your goal is truly to save lives through carbon-free transport, you must be willing to choose the platform that accelerates that vision. Whether it's an IPO or an acquisition, the focus must remain on the original aim—not personal royalty or name recognition.
As Altigreen expands into passenger vehicles and targets Emerging Markets in South Asia, Africa, and South America, the goal remains unshakeable: zero-pollution mobility that empowers the world's most essential workers. In the competitive race for EV dominance, Amitabh Saran isn't just building a car—he's engineering a cleaner future for the next generation.
About the Guest
Amitabh Saran is the Founder and CEO of Altigreen Propulsion Labs. A former NASA-funded researcher and engineer at Hewlett-Packard, Amitabh holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of California. He is a serial entrepreneur with over 28 years of experience and multiple successful exits. A co-inventor in over 25 global patents, he is a recognized authority on high-efficiency hybrid and electric mobility solutions. Under his leadership, Altigreen has become a flagship for "Make in India" innovation, securing strategic backing from Reliance Industries and scaling carbon-free transport across the subcontinent.
Altigreen Propulsion Labs is a leading Indian deep-tech company specializing in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of all-electric commercial vehicles. With a focus on the "last mile" segment, Altigreen provides proprietary EV powertrains and vehicles designed specifically for the rugged terrain and unique demands of India and other emerging markets. The company is committed to democratizing carbon-free transport through technological excellence and a robust support ecosystem.