Greaves Cotton Limited, a company with over 165 years of history, has announced a strategic partnership with Chara Technologies, a startup based in Bengaluru. Together, they will produce rare-earth-free electric motors designed for the next generation of mobility solutions. These motors will be manufactured at Greaves’ facility in Shendra, Aurangabad.
The collaboration will focus on producing synchronous reluctance motors and their corresponding controllers. These components are aimed at powering electric vehicles, including L5-category three-wheelers, golf carts, and compact four-wheelers. Chara’s motor designs eliminate the need for rare-earth magnets, which are expensive, scarce, and have significant environmental impacts.
The new motors are expected to reduce energy consumption by up to 50% and cut CO₂ emissions by 30%. This is achieved by using simpler, more widely available materials. While Greaves Cotton will handle the manufacturing, leveraging its expertise in engineering and large-scale production, Chara will provide the core motor and controller technologies.
Dr. Arup Basu, Managing Director of Greaves Cotton, highlighted that this alliance reflects the company’s commitment to cleaner, more resilient mobility solutions. He said, “This partnership strengthens our focus on homegrown innovation and smarter supply chains. We are building for the future—efficient, reliable, and scalable.”
Bhaktha Keshavachar, Founder and CEO of Chara Technologies, shared his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “This partnership brings together our breakthrough in electric motor design and Greaves’ industrial strength. Together, we can accelerate the shift to cleaner transportation.”
As the automotive industry continues to face challenges with supply chains and material sourcing, this partnership marks a significant step toward reducing reliance on imported components. Motors that avoid rare-earth materials are gaining global attention as car manufacturers seek more sustainable and cost-effective alternatives.
Greaves Cotton Limited (GCL), commonly known as Greaves, is a well-established engineering company with a rich history. Originally known for its single-cylinder diesel engines, the company has evolved into a provider of fuel-agnostic mobility solutions. Its mission, “Empowering Lives,” aims to facilitate the global shift to green mobility, with a goal of positively impacting one billion lives by 2030.
Greaves operates across five business sectors: Greaves Engineering, Greaves Electric Mobility Ltd., Greaves Retail, Greaves Finance Ltd., and Greaves Technologies Ltd. These units collaborate to deliver innovative and accessible mobility solutions. By continuing to invest in technology, talent, and infrastructure, Greaves is poised to lead India’s transition to electric and sustainable mobility.
Chara Technologies, founded in 2019, is a deep-tech startup focused on developing electric motor systems that do not rely on rare-earth materials. The company creates sustainable motor solutions for various industries, including electric vehicles, agriculture, and industrial sectors. By eliminating rare-earth dependencies, Chara is helping build a more resilient and sustainable supply chain in the electric mobility sector.
This partnership between Greaves Cotton and Chara Technologies represents a bold step forward in the quest for greener, more cost-effective electric vehicle solutions.
