Simple Energy announced on September 16, 2025, that it has become India's first original equipment manufacturer to commercially produce heavy rare earth-free motors for electric vehicles. The company manufactures these motors at its 200,000 square foot facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu.
The development addresses supply chain vulnerabilities that have affected the global electric vehicle industry. Heavy rare earth elements, primarily sourced from a limited number of countries, are typically used in electric vehicle motors due to their high torque density and compact size. Disruptions in the supply of these materials have prompted manufacturers to seek alternatives.
Simple Energy's motor technology uses alternative compounds instead of heavy rare earth magnets and incorporates proprietary algorithms to manage heat and torque delivery. The company developed this technology through its in-house research and development team and holds patents for the motor architecture. According to the company, the new motors deliver performance comparable to traditional heavy rare earth-based systems.
The company was founded in 2019 by Suhas Rajkumar and Shreshth Mishra. Simple Energy currently produces electric scooters including the Simple ONE Gen 1.5, which has a claimed range of 248 kilometers, and the Simple OneS with a 181-kilometer range. The company has raised over $41 million in funding from various investors including family offices and individual investors.
Simple Energy operates 46 showrooms across Indian cities and has achieved 95% localization in its manufacturing and supply chain operations. The company plans to establish 150 new stores and 200 service centers by the end of fiscal year 2025.
The company is preparing for an initial public offering scheduled for the second or third quarter of fiscal year 2027, with plans to raise $350 million. The funds will be used for product development, manufacturing expansion, and market penetration across India.
Simple Energy's move comes as the Indian government promotes domestic manufacturing in the electric vehicle sector through various policy initiatives. The elimination of heavy rare earth dependence aligns with efforts to reduce reliance on imported critical materials in the country's growing electric vehicle industry.