EMotorad: How Kunal Gupta Built an E-Bike Powerhouse and Won the Trust of MS Dhoni

In the global race for Electric Vehicle (EV) supremacy, most eyes are fixed on high-speed scooters and luxury cars. But in the background, a quieter revolution is pedaling its way to the top. While the Indian electric cycle market was estimated at a meager $1 million in 2020, it has exploded in just four years, with a single player now on track to do $15 million domestically. That player is EMotorad, a Pune-based startup that hasn't just captured the market—it has captured the attention of India’s most private sporting icon, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Led by Kunal Gupta and his co-founders Rajib Gangopadhyay, Aditya Oza, and Sumedh Battewar, EMotorad is solving for the "last 5 kilometers" of urban mobility. By building a tech-first smart bike that costs just 7 paisa per kilometer to run, they are bridging the gap between professional cycling and daily commuting. With the upcoming launch of the world’s largest integrated e-cycle Gigafactory in Pune, Kunal is proving that India can not only compete with China’s $40 billion industry but lead it with 85% localized innovation.

The Genesis: From Second-Hand Rentals to an EV Vision

Kunal Gupta’s entrepreneurial "keeda" (spark) was evident as early as 5th standard, when he sold glass greeting cards to buy ice cream. But the formal journey began in 2013 during his Masters in Finance in Pune. Realizing that students in outskirts colleges were stranded without transport, he started **myride**, renting out second-hand two-wheelers. The business was profitable from day one and was eventually acquired by **onbikes**, a VC-funded startup where Kunal joined as Co-founder and COO.

It was at onbikes that the core problem surfaced: Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) bikes didn't last in commercial usage. "A bike you or I buy lasts 7 years," Kunal explains. "But in commercial hands, they had to be scrapped in two. Maintenance and petrol were killing the margins." This led Kunal and his partner Rajiv to explore the West and China, where they discovered the "Universal Product" of mobility: the electric bicycle.

The Product: 5 Modes of Smarter Mobility

EMotorad isn't just selling cycles with batteries; they are selling a smart tech platform. Their bikes are equipped with interactive LCD screens that track commute patterns, optimize battery usage, and even provide safety features like crash alerts and geofencing for kids.

This versatility makes it a game-changer for the under-18 demographic, who aren't allowed to drive ICE vehicles but need energy-efficient transport for schools and coaching classes. By geofencing the school location, parents get a notification if the child wanders off-course, solving a major safety barrier for adoption.

The Dhoni Effect: From Curiosity to Partnership

Perhaps the most famous part of the EMotorad story is their partnership with MS Dhoni. Unlike traditional celebrity endorsements where brands seek out stars, this relationship happened in reverse. MSD’s manager was riding an EMotorad bike in Mangalore and posted a video. Intrigued by the form factor, the "Motorhead" Dhoni ordered one for himself.

"He really loved what it was all about," Kunal recalls. "His team reached out to us to understand the vision. He’s not just a face; he’s an investor and a partner. Since he joined, our domestic business has scaled by 60% because he brings instant trust to a new category across every demography in India."

Manufacturing: The Giga Factory and 85% Localization

EMotorad's grandest ambition is its **Giga Factory** in Pune. While 95% of the global e-bike industry is dependent on China, Kunal has localized the Bill of Materials (BOM) to 85%. All powertrain components—Battery, Motor, Charger, and Display—are now manufactured in-house.

"Automobile is not a universal product," Kunal notes. "A car for India is different from a car for Europe. But an electric bike is the same everywhere. We have cracked a product made in Pune that can be sold in Italy or the US with minimal standards adjustments. We are now India's largest exporter of e-bikes."

Kunal's Playbook for Founders: Veto and Trust

Managing four co-founders is a challenge few startups survive. Kunal credits their success to Business Design. All co-founders have functional ownership (Marketing, Sales, International Sourcing), while Kunal occupies the managerial CEO role.

"You should find people who match your vibe and bring complementary—not supplementary—skills," he advises. "You should be the biggest critic of your co-founders. Have the honesty to tell them what’s in your mind, but blindly trust their functional decisions. In our case, the veto always sits with the business owner of that function first, and the CEO second."

Conclusion: Pedaling Toward a Greener India

As EMotorad prepares to enter the kids' category and expand its global footprint, Kunal Gupta remains focused on the "Insights." Whether it’s choosing Nagpur as a model city for infrastructure or pushing for 100% localization, the journey is about building a sustainable institution. In a country where mobility has traditionally meant noise and smoke, EMotorad is proving that the future of travel is silent, smart, and incredibly light on the pocket.