Discover the River Indie EV Scooter, designed by Aravind Mani and Vipin George. With USB charging and tailored for small business owners, learn all about the SUV of EV Scooters revolutionizing mobility in India.

Exploring the Journey: From Vision to Reality

Indian electric two-wheeler market is still evolving and has not yet addressed the practical needs of urban commuters by overlooking factors like onboard storage space and affordability. On its mission, River has raised $40 million in a series B funding round led by Japanese automaker Yamaha Motor Co. with participation from existing investors AI-Futtaim Automotive, Lowercarbon Capital, Toyoto Ventures, and Tel Aviv-based Maniv Mobility.

Aravind Mani and co-founder Vipin George have created the River Indie, an electric two-wheeler with 55 liters of storage space and a host of innovative features. Dubbed the SUV of Scooters, the Indie redefines mobility in the electric vehicle market.

The Strength of Collaboration: Fueling Innovation

The success of River is rooted in the strong partnership between Aravind Mani and Vipin George. By combining their unique skills, they skillfully navigated the challenges of the automotive industry. Their unwavering dedication to supporting small businesses drove the development of the River Indie, shaping its journey every step of the way.

”We both grew up in small towns and believe that India holds immense potential. The youth in these towns, particularly in the manufacturing sector, have great promise,” says Aravind.

Driven by a desire to harness Indias untapped potential, Aravind and Vipin decided to start their own company. “We were determined that whatever we create will be manufactured locally to tap into the countrys vast talent pool”, Aravind shares.

With a shared passion for automotive innovation, they were certain that the industry was their path, despite the challenges of entering this age-old sector. The automotive industry is tough to break into, but there is a huge shift towards EV adoption. We saw an opportunity to carve a niche in lifestyle mobility, and this was our window, says Aravind.

Both co-founders were clear about their approach: they wanted to focus on a specific area and address a pressing problem within the industry.

Having grown up in a small town, Aravind and Vipin observed a significant gap in the job market. In India, there are not enough blue and white-collar jobs for the educated youth. As a result, many young people in smaller towns turn to small entrepreneurship, Aravind explains.

Recognizing the need for affordable and efficient mobility, they realized that most small entrepreneurs preferred two-wheelers due to their cost-effectiveness and speed. We saw that these entrepreneurs required a two-wheeler that was not only electric and efficient but also provided ample storage space, says Aravind.

This insight became the central focus as they began designing their electric vehicle.

Engineering Excellence: Revolutionizing Space and Efficiency in Electric Scooters

Aravind explains the name of their company, River, by saying, just like a river that nourishes and helps others thrive, we aim to empower small businesses with the right transportation. In addition to utility, their focus as a company has been on delivering exceptional design.

"In India, we observed that highly functional products often lack attention to design. However, understanding the importance of appealing to the youth, we are committed to offering them not only utility but also the best design," he adds.

"The youth today not only know what they want from a vehicle but also seek one that reflects their personality. This insight became our driving force—combining utility with design to create an eco-friendly product that resonates with our users. Just as a farmer takes pride in his truck or tractor, we want small entrepreneurs, like carpenters, to feel the same pride in driving their business vehicle," he adds.

The scooter boasts the largest storage capacity in its class—55 liters, three times more than the average scooter in India.

"We have also designed the largest floorboard, as every inch of the vehicle is utilized in India. It is common to see grocery bags, school bags, or even kids standing on them. To accommodate this, we have added Lock and Load Pannier Mounts—sturdy alloy mounts on both sides of the scooter. These allow users to attach pannier boxes, load them up, and make the most of their day," he says.

"We admire the hustle culture of today youth, and thats why we have designed a vehicle specifically for them," he says.

The vehicle also features a 12-liter lockable glove box with a USB charger. "You can store and lock your valuables for safety and access them easily while seated," he adds.

Addressing the common concern of range anxiety, he explains, "In India, scooters are primarily used within cities, with motorcycles often serving for inter-city travel. To alleviate range concerns, our scooter offers a 120 km range on a full charge, ensuring that customers only need to charge the vehicle every three to four days."

Embracing the Future of Mobility

The River Indie EV is now available in three vibrant colors—Monsoon Blue, Summer Red, and Spring Yellow—paired with a glossy black body. The company has opened a store in Bengaluru and begun delivering the vehicles.

Our customers are primarily solo business owners from Bengaluru, and we plan to expand with additional stores across the city. “We are also looking to grow in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, and Chennai,” says Aravind.

Kugan Param, a proud owner near Bannerghatta Junction in Bengaluru, shares, “A yellow River Indie is a common sight around here. Its sleek design stands out. After 140 days of ownership, its been a smooth ride. The vehicle easily glides over potholes, and I can truly feel the difference from when I used to ride a motorcycle.”

If you are interested in checking out this EV, you can book your test drive here.

Edited by Gayathri