Podcast: The River Mobility story – Building India’s next big electric two-wheeler brand

In this episode of the evo India podcast, Ed Sirish Chandran interviews Aravind Mani, co-founder and CEO of River Mobility, about the challenges and successes of establishing an electric two-wheeler startup in India. They discuss the importance of securing investment, achieving critical sales milestones, and building a brand focused on utility and lifestyle. Aravind shares insights on their journey to creating their scooter prototype and launching their first product, emphasising the need for robust R&D and a well-curated business presentation to attract investors.

About the podcast

Aravind shares River Mobility's journey from concept to market, beginning with the challenges of raising initial funding during the pandemic. A well-structured pitch and strong automotive experience played a key role in securing $2 million in seed investment, which kickstarted the company’s R&D efforts. Listeners get an inside look at how River developed its prototype and launched a full-fledged product within 27 months — a remarkable pace in the electric two wheeler startup world. Aravind also emphasises the need for clear sales targets and a disciplined approach to product development, highlighting the company's goal of reaching 1,000 units sold per month and ₹100 crore in revenue within four years.

The conversation also explores River’s understanding of the modern Indian EV consumer. Aravind explains how today’s entrepreneurs seek scooters that balance everyday utility with aspirational design — vehicles that work hard and look good doing it. River’s strategy centers around quality and customer experience, especially important in a segment dominated by well-funded players. As the brand looks ahead, expansion of physical retail and new product launches are on the horizon, all while staying focused on execution excellence. This episode captures not just the technical and business side of EV startups, but also the passion and persistence needed to make a mark in India’s fast-evolving mobility space.

Watch the full conversation in the video below to dive deeper into River Mobility’s journey and insights.