Yulu, a renowned shared electric mobility firm, has launched services in Kolkata, marking its first foray into eastern India via a franchise-based model. The operations will be led by Electrie, a company formed by regional industrialist Soham Misra.
Electrie will deploy Yulu's DeX GR electric vehicles (EVs) in important Kolkata neighbourhoods such as Topsia, Ballygunge, Park Street, and Jadavpur, with plans to expand coverage. Kolkata's congested urban setting, rising demand for e-commerce and rapid commerce, and environmentally sensitive people make it an excellent metropolis for Yulu's sustainable products and mobility services. Over the next six months, Electrie intends to add approximately 1,000 delivery riders for brands such as Swiggy, Zomato, Blinkit, Zepto, and Amazon.
Amit Gupta, Co-founder and CEO of Yulu, emphasised Kolkata’s potential to become a hub for sustainable mobility solutions. "Kolkata’s vibrant ecosystem aligns perfectly with Yulu’s mission to promote eco-friendly shared mobility. Partnering with Soham Misra, who has an in-depth understanding of the local market and a strong vision for sustainability, will further accelerate EV adoption in Kolkata and beyond," Gupta said.
He also highlighted Yulu’s commitment to collaborating with entrepreneurs across the country to expand clean and affordable mobility solutions for last-mile deliveries, leisure travel, and daily commutes.
Soham Misra, Founder of Electrie, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership with Yulu to introduce high-tech, sustainable goods mobility solutions in the city. "Electrie aims to become a leading provider of last-mile delivery and operational support for EVs in East India. Together with Yulu, we are committed to promoting EV adoption under the Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) model, helping businesses lower their carbon footprint and contributing to a greener and cleaner future," Misra stated.
Yulu's revolutionary mobility platform is already making waves in India, with over 45,000 shared EVs installed nationwide. By eliminating fuel expenditures and lowering maintenance costs, the platform reduces delivery costs by 30–40% while increasing vehicle uptime and rider productivity. It also provides delivery staff with a cost-effective and dependable mode of transportation, thereby maintaining gig workers' long-term livelihoods.
Electrie intends to expand its reach in Kolkata beyond its initial locations to include Rajarhat, Salt Lake, New Town, Howrah, and North and South 24 Parganas. Yuma Energy, a leading provider of Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS), will put up three battery-swapping stations in Central, East, and South Kolkata to meet the fleet's energy demands.
This collaboration between Yulu and Electrie is a crucial step towards establishing Kolkata as a pioneer in sustainable urban mobility while also meeting the city's logistics demands in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner.
