Lauritz Knudsen Partners with Orion Racing India to Back Student Electric Vehicle Development

Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation has announced a partnership with Orion Racing India, the Formula Student team of K J Somaiya School of Engineering at Somaiya Vidyavihar University in Mumbai. The collaboration aims to support student-led innovation in electric vehicle technology and contribute to the development of engineering talent at an early stage.

Orion Racing India has been active in student motorsport for nearly two decades, competing in national and international Formula Student events. The team made the shift from internal combustion engines to electric prototypes in 2019, positioning itself in line with broader global trends toward sustainable mobility. The team's electric racecar functions as a hands-on learning platform where students work through real engineering challenges spanning power systems, energy management, vehicle safety, and performance optimisation.

Naresh Kumar, COO of Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, noted that building the right ecosystem today is central to advancing India's electric mobility ambitions. He emphasised the company's focus on supporting young engineers who are actively designing and experimenting with electric vehicle technologies, describing such engagement as critical to developing future-ready skills.

Dr. Ukrande, Director of K J Somaiya School of Engineering, highlighted the team's legacy of carrying forward knowledge across successive student batches. He noted that industry partnerships of this nature reinforce the practical, application-driven learning environment that the institution seeks to cultivate.

The partnership also connects to Lauritz Knudsen's wider commercial focus on electric vehicle charging infrastructure and power distribution systems. The company, formerly known as L&T Switchgear, has over 70 years of presence in India's electrical industry and currently exports to more than 30 countries.