Bengaluru-based EV startup River launches e-scooter ‘Indie’ starting at INR 1,25,000

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle (EV) startup River launches Indie, the SUV of scooters. Indie is conceived and designed in the River R&D facility in Bengaluru and will be manufactured at the River Factory in the outskirts of the city. The scooter is priced at Rs. 125,000/- (ex-showroom Bengaluru). Pre-orders are open on the River website, with deliveries starting August 2023.

Indie features 14 inch wheels with a massive 43L under the seat storage and a 12L front glove box. The Lock & Load pannier-stays on the sides offer an array of customizations to serve different purposes. The motor has a peak power of 6.7 kW with a top speed of 90 kmph, and have a gradeability of 18 degrees. And the rider can switch between three ride modes – Eco, Ride and Rush. The 4 kWh battery provides a real world range of 120 km and can be charged to 80% in 5 hours with a standard charger.

“River’s mission is to improve the day-to-day lives of people through a design-first approach. Our first product Indie is a bold statement, combining two different offerings — utility and lifestyle. It will be the most sensible scooter with the right mix of practicality, capability and style.”, said Aravind Mani, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at River.

“Indie is inspired by the modern Indian who is always on the move, who wants to make the most of every day. The unique combination of design elements and technical specs give Indie a distinct character, something that inspires you to do more and be more.”, said Vipin George, Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at River.

About the company

River was co-founded by Aravind Mani (CEO) and Vipin George (CPO) in March 2021. The start-up has an R&D facility spanning an area of 70,000 sq. ft. in Whitefield, Bengaluru with a fully fledged Design Studio, Mechanical Workshop, Electrical Labs and Battery Labs. The company has set up a manufacturing facility spanning an area of 1,20,000 sq ft in Hoskote, Bengaluru, with production capacity of 1,00,000 units per year. In July 2022, River raised $11 million in its Series A funding round led by Chris Sacca’s Lowercarbon Capital with participation from Toyota Ventures, Maniv Mobility and Trucks VC, bringing the total funding to $13 million. Earlier in March 2021, River had raised its seed round of $2 million from mobility-focused venture capital funds including Israel-based Maniv Mobility and San Francisco-based Trucks VC. River is the only Indian investment for Toyota Ventures, Maniv Mobility and Trucks VC.