Skip to main content
Pro Plus

[PLUS] Chetan Maini: The pioneer's path

The journey of an Indian entrepreneur who pioneered electric vehicles in the country and continues to shape the future of sustainable transportation through innovative battery-swapping technology.

By Shahkar Abidi and Ketan Thakkar calendar 10 Dec 2024 Views icon6901 Views Share - Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Whatsapp
Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman, SUN Mobility

Chetan Maini, Co-Founder and Chairman, SUN Mobility

In 1990, two key figures in India's EV story – strangers to each other – found themselves at the same event, a solar car race organised by General Motors in the US. The race was won by a car designed by the University of Michigan named Sun Runner. Among the university's team members was an Indian student, Chetan Maini. Observing the race on behalf of General Motors was another Indian, Pawan Goenka. Goenka would later join Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) and serve as its Managing Director and CEO.

By 1993, Goenka had joined M&M, and Maini had returned to ...

This is an Autocar Pro Plus article. Subscribe to continue reading.

STAY AHEAD OF THE CURVE WITH THE LATEST NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHTS INTO INDIA'S EXPANDING AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY

SUBSCRIBE TO AUTOCAR PRO PLUS

1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION

$39.00

  • Unlimited Access to Pro Plus articles
  • Features and Insights
  • Opinions and Analysis
  • Pro Plus Newsletter
  • Multi-Device Accessibility
Tags: Sun Mobility

RELATED ARTICLES

Pro Plus

Upping the Game: Tata Motors' Investment Plan for EVs, Hatchbacks and Capacity Expansion

auther Kiran Murali calendar09 Jul 2026

Tata Motors has big plans for its passenger vehicle business, with product launches lined up across segments, new capaci...

Pro Plus

How Mercedes-Benz's Bengaluru Hub Ended up Driving its Global Software Backbone

auther Ketan Thakkar calendar07 Jul 2026

Mercedes-Benz’s global technology chief says Bengaluru is playing an increasingly central role in software, infotainment...

Pro Plus

Beyond E20: How Geopolitical Crisis and an Industry Standstill Forced India to Redraw its Ethanol Roadmap

auther Shahkar Abidi calendar02 Jul 2026

As Brent crude spiked past $119 a barrel, India fast-tracked E22-E30 certification in weeks, reviving a Rs 50,000-crore ...