Tork Motors

Tork Motors, an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Pune, India, operates with a dual business model, serving both individual consumers (B2C) and other businesses (B2B). The company was founded in 2010 by Kapil Shelke, whose passion for motorcycles began in his youth and led him to build an electric race bike as a college project. This early endeavor achieved a podium finish at the prestigious Isle of Man Electric GP in 2009, a milestone that laid the groundwork for the company's formation.

The company's direct-to-consumer arm focuses on the design, manufacturing, and sale of its own brand of electric motorcycles. Its flagship product is the Kratos R, a naked roadster-style electric motorcycle. The Kratos R features a 4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and an axial flux motor, delivering a peak torque of 38 Nm. It has a certified riding range of 180 km on a single charge and can reach a top speed of 105 km/h. The motorcycle is equipped with features such as multiple riding modes (Eco, City, Sport), a fully digital instrument cluster, regenerative braking, and mobile connectivity for features like geo-fencing and ride analytics. Revenue is generated through the sale of these motorcycles and after-sales services offered via its experience centers.

In addition to its consumer-facing business, Tork Motors operates as a supplier of electric powertrain components to other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), primarily in the electric three-wheeler market. This B2B segment involves designing, developing, and supplying critical components like motors, controllers, battery management systems (BMS), and gearboxes. Tork works with E3W OEMs from the body-in-white stage to integrate the entire electrical system, retaining the intellectual property for these components. This business line provides a significant revenue stream for the company, with clients including major players like Greaves, Okaya, Baxy, and Omega Seiki Mobility.

Financially, Tork Motors has secured funding through multiple rounds from investors including Bharat Forge, which is the largest stakeholder, Maxis Capital, and notable angel investors like Ratan Tata. The company's most recent funding was a Series C round in February 2024. While experiencing substantial revenue growth, the company has also faced financial challenges, including reported funding issues and delays in employee salary payments as of mid-2024. The company's manufacturing facility in Pune has the capacity to produce over 60,000 motorcycles annually.

Keywords: electric motorcycle, EV powertrain supplier, Kratos R, Kapil Shelke, axial flux motor, lithium-ion battery, electric three-wheeler components, automotive manufacturing, EV technology, direct-to-consumer, B2B automotive supplier, e-mobility, Indian EV market, Bharat Forge, electric vehicle engineering, battery management system, digital instrument cluster, regenerative braking, mobile connectivity, sustainable transport, urban mobility, performance electric bike, EV charging infrastructure, automotive design, powertrain development