River, a Bengaluru-based EV start-up, is ready to take on the world. On February 22, 2025, co-founder and CEO Aravind Mani shared plans to export to 11 countries soon. Backed by heavyweights like Yamaha Motor and Toyota Ventures, the company’s got the muscle to make it happen. “We have an investor—Al Futtaim Group of Middle East Dubai. They are Toyota distributors in Dubai,” Mani told The New Indian Express. This partnership is their ticket to scaling globally.
Where They’re Headed
The journey starts close to home. River plans to kick off exports with Sri Lanka or Myanmar by late 2025 or early 2026. From there, it’s Southeast Asia and Europe on the horizon. The scooters will roll out from Bengaluru, where the company’s R&D hub hums with about 400 employees. “We have an agreement with them to help us scale to around 11 countries globally because they already have local presence in those countries,” Mani explained. That local know-how could smooth the ride ahead.
Building It from Scratch
River isn’t just slapping parts together—they’re crafting everything in-house. “We develop the entire vehicle from scratch, starting from designing the vehicle, making the battery technology, the battery management system, the vehicle control units,” Mani said. The cells come from abroad, but the battery packs are homegrown. He’s optimistic about India’s future too: “In the next 2 to 3 years, India will start producing it at a large scale.” That’s a game-changer for local manufacturing.
The Indie Scooter Story
River’s first ride, the Indie—tagged “the SUV of scooters”—hit the streets in October 2023. Their first store opened in Bengaluru in January 2024. Sales are picking up speed. “We will close the year with maybe around 6000-7000 vehicles in FY25,” Mani noted. Next year’s target? A hefty 30,000 to 40,000 scooters. With $40 million (Rs 335 crore) raised in a Series B round last year, led by Yamaha, they’ve got the cash to fuel this growth.
Expanding the Footprint
The plan’s not just about exports—River’s growing at home too. By March 2025, they aim to have 25 stores up and running. A year later, that number jumps to 100. It’s a bold push for a company founded in 2021 by Mani and Vipin George. The Indie’s rugged design has caught eyes, and now they’re betting it’ll turn heads overseas too. Social media’s buzzing—X users are already hyping the export news as a win for Indian EVs.
Why It’s a Big Deal
River’s move signals India’s EV scene is heating up. With global demand for green rides spiking, they’re jumping in at the right time. The Al Futtaim tie-up gives them a leg up in markets where Toyota’s a trusted name. Sure, there’s competition—think Ola Electric or Ather—but River’s focus on building from the ground up sets it apart. If they nail this, those 11 countries might just be the start.
