India’s energy future isn’t just being powered — it’s being purpose-built. At the intersection of clean mobility, energy storage, and manufacturing resilience stands Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM), a company that’s not just catching up with the EV wave — it’s engineering its curve. At a time when the world is racing to localize battery value chains and scale up electric transport, JEM is quietly — and confidently — building out India’s industrial battery backbone, one system-level breakthrough at a time.
Unlike many players who chase trends, Jupiter Electric operates on a philosophy rooted in systems engineering and execution clarity. Whether it’s pioneering four-wheeler electric trucks that rewrite the affordability equation, or establishing state-of-the-art BESS container and battery pack facilities in Indore and Bangalore — the company is addressing both the market gaps and the infrastructural voids that often go unnoticed.
Amidst this backdrop, Shweta, Sub-Editor of The Battery Magazine, sat down for an in-depth conversation with Kartik Hajela, Director at Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM). What followed was a thought-provoking dialogue on next-gen battery architecture, the evolving ecosystem of localization, the overlooked distribution challenges in India’s C&I storage sector, and why sustainable engineering isn’t just a goal — it’s Jupiter’s operational DNA.
From demystifying the hype around sodium-ion and solid-state batteries, to reimagining second-life use cases and recyclable systems, Kartik sheds light on the opportunities that lie beyond the obvious.
Let’s explore this exclusive interview in depth.
Q1. How is Jupiter engineering contributing to the evolving battery ecosystem, particularly in areas like manufacturing, assembly or testing?
Jupiter Electric, a subsidiary of Jupiter Wagons, was established with a vision to accelerate clean energy adoption through advanced electric mobility and energy storage solutions. While Jupiter Wagons has long been recognized as a leader in the rail and wagon manufacturing sector, Jupiter Electric has taken on the challenge of building robust battery capabilities tailored for emerging energy demands.
In the battery space, we currently operate a manufacturing facility in Bangalore and are in the process of setting up another in Indore. Our focus isn’t on two- or three-wheeler battery applications, but rather on specialized domains like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), spanning from residential setups to Commercial & Industrial (C&I) and now even utility-scale applications. Our core differentiation lies in system-level engineering—we’re actively supplying battery packs for the prestigious Vande Bharat project to OEMs such as Siemens.
Additionally, our container manufacturing facility in Indore allows us to design and build BESS containers for both domestic and international clients. The entire integration process—mechanical, thermal, and electrical—is performed in-house, which provides us with better control over safety, modularity, and efficiency.
Q2. So, “Engineering the Future” is your vision. How does this translate into practical innovations for next-generation battery technologies such as solid-state or sodium-ion?
Engineering in batteries occurs at two levels: the cell and the system. Our strength lies in system-level engineering. Just like a vehicle where the engine is just a part of the whole, we treat the cell as a component of a well-engineered battery system.
We currently work predominantly with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. LFP has become a reliable commodity and offers a stable platform for scale. Sodium-ion, while promising, is yet to mature at a commercial level. It needs to prove itself in terms of performance consistency over a 12-15 year lifecycle. Solid-state batteries are inevitable in the future. We already use semi-solid state cells in certain high-performance applications. However, the broader adoption of solid-state technology will depend on its readiness for mass manufacturing and integration.
Q3. What steps is your company taking to make electric mobility more affordable and accessible in India?
We recently launched our JEM TEZ, a one-ton electric truck designed for last-mile urban logistics. One of the key pain points we addressed is range anxiety. With a category-leading 200 km range, the JEM TEZ ensures reliable performance for intracity deliveries.
From a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) perspective, it’s significantly more economical than its diesel counterparts. A diesel truck running 3,000 km a month incurs fuel costs of roughly ₹24,000. Combined with EMIs, the monthly outflow often exceeds ₹40,000. In comparison, our JEM TEZ offers a monthly outlay of around ₹21,000–₹22,000, including EMI and charging costs. That’s a 40-50% cost reduction from the first month itself, with break-even achievable within 18-24 months. We believe that this kind of economic advantage is crucial to accelerate EV adoption in commercial logistics.
Q4. How do you ensure the sustainability and recyclability of EV batteries used in your vehicles?
Sustainability is deeply embedded in our ecosystem. Our EV battery packs, after their first lifecycle, can be repurposed into stationary applications—an area where we already operate through residential and C&I deployments. This second-life application helps extend usable battery life.
For end-of-life batteries, we work closely with Indian recyclers. As the lithium battery recycling industry matures, we have formed partnerships to ensure that critical materials are recovered efficiently, safely, and sustainably. This closed-loop strategy strengthens the value chain while minimizing environmental impact.
Q5. What role do you see electric mobility playing in India’s transition to a net-zero carbon future?
Electric mobility, especially commercial EVs, will be the cornerstone of India’s clean energy transition. Beyond environmental benefits, commercial EVs offer substantial cost savings. We’ve already seen widespread electrification in the L3 and L5 segments, like e-rickshaws, where frugal innovation has made clean transportation both affordable and scalable.
However, the bigger opportunity lies in the light and medium-duty truck segments. Every year, India sells over 4 lakh cargo trucks, compared to around 1 lakh three-wheelers. Diesel emissions from these vehicles are massive. With our JEM TEZ truck, we aim to decarbonize this segment by offering a reliable, cost-effective electric solution, thereby contributing to India’s net-zero goals.
Q6. Are there any India-specific collaborations or projects Jupiter is working on to support domestic battery manufacturing and localization?
Yes, we follow a phased approach to indigenization. While we do depend on global suppliers initially—especially for cells and mission-critical components—we work extensively with Indian partners to build domestic capability.
For example, our Battery Management Systems (BMS) initially came from global suppliers, but we gradually integrated Indian BMS technologies once they proved reliable. Our goal is to ensure product reliability and safety first. Once those are established, we accelerate local sourcing. We are also actively nurturing Indian vendors to qualify as component suppliers for future projects.
Q7. Is there any message you would like to share with our Battery Magazine readers?
The battery value chain is far broader than just manufacturing. There’s immense untapped potential in distribution, application engineering, and consumer education. Most end-users don’t understand the nuances of battery systems.
For example, deploying a battery system for C&I solar storage in a remote industrial zone near Kanpur remains a challenge due to the lack of a proper distribution network. Existing systems are mostly for vehicles or inverters—not batteries. We need innovators to bridge this gap and create last-mile connectivity for advanced battery systems. That’s where the next big opportunity lies.
