Zuperia Auto Expands into Cargo and Garbage EV Market

Zuperia Auto Private Limited, formerly Lohia Auto Industries, is expanding its operations in the electric cargo and garbage collection vehicle market, the company announced on Wednesday. The manufacturer has secured an order to supply 40 electric garbage collection vehicles to the Delhi State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation for the Bawana Industrial Area.

The company recently underwent restructuring and now operates two brands: 'Youdha' for mass-market institutional customers and 'Lohia' for premium clientele. Zuperia is increasing production capacity at its Kashipur facility and preparing to launch a new line of electric loaders and cargo vehicles under the Youdha brand.

"The real opportunity in the EV space lies beyond the personal mobility segment," said Ayush Lohia, CEO of Zuperia Auto. "With increasing restrictions on diesel-run vehicles in cities and growing pressure on municipalities to adopt clean mobility solutions, the cargo and garbage vehicle segments are emerging as key focus areas."

India's electric three-wheeler segment has grown substantially, with approximately 694,466 units sold in 2024, representing an 18% increase compared to the previous year. The cargo sub-segment specifically saw a 45% year-over-year growth, driven by e-commerce expansion and last-mile delivery needs.

Zuperia has already deployed electric garbage collection vehicles in Delhi-NCR, Andhra Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Industry analysts estimate the current fiscal year market for cargo and utility EVs at approximately 93,000 units, with projections to exceed 150,000 units within the next 4-5 years.

The company's strategy aligns with government policies promoting electric vehicle adoption. Electric three-wheelers offer operational cost advantages and reduced emissions compared to traditional fuel vehicles, making them increasingly attractive for commercial applications in both large cities and smaller urban centers.

Zuperia Auto claims its competitive advantage comes from in-house research and development capabilities, dedicated manufacturing facilities, and the ability to customize vehicles for specific institutional requirements.