Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup River Mobility is gaining solid momentum with its first and only product – the River Indie electric scooter. Since hitting the market in late August 2023, the Indie has surpassed 7,000 cumulative sales, marking a significant milestone for the young brand.
Sales Picking Up Steam in 2025
After a relatively modest performance in 2024, where annual sales stood at 2,515 units, River has already recorded a 77% year-on-year increase in 2025. Notably, the brand crossed 600 monthly retail sales for the first time in January this year, and numbers have continued to rise since.
The surge in demand follows the introduction of an upgraded version of the Indie in November 2024, which featured key improvements such as a chain final drive for better durability and reduced ownership costs. This revised model, priced at ₹1.43 lakh (ex-showroom, Bengaluru), helped spark renewed customer interest.
Product Highlights: Practical, Powerful, and Feature-Rich
The River Indie is powered by a 4kWh battery, offering a claimed IDC range of 161km. Its motor delivers a peak output of 6.7kW and 26Nm of torque. The scooter stands out in its segment for its practicality – offering 55 litres of lockable storage (12L in the glovebox and 43L under the seat), the largest in any Indian e-scooter. It also gets 14-inch wheels at both ends and front footpegs, making it suitable for a range of riders.
Riders can switch between three modes – Eco, Ride, and Rush – to suit different riding conditions.
Built in Karnataka, Sold Across Southern and Western India
River’s manufacturing plant, located in Hoskote near Bengaluru, began operations on August 25, 2023. The 1.2 lakh sq ft facility is capable of producing up to 1 lakh units annually and features automated lines for battery and vehicle assembly.
Initially targeting electric two-wheeler strongholds in southern and western India, River has established a retail presence in cities including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Hubli, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Coimbatore, Vellore, Tirupati, and Mysore. The company is now preparing to expand into Trivandrum and Vijayawada, with a broader goal of reaching over 100 cities across India by 2026 through both company-owned outlets and dealer partnerships.
Yamaha Joins Hands with River for India EV Entry
A major boost to River’s credibility came in February 2024 when Yamaha Motor Co. invested $40 million (around ₹350 crore) in River’s Series B funding round. Now, Yamaha is working closely with River to develop its first electric scooter for the Indian market.
Codenamed RY01, this new Yamaha scooter is being built on the River Indie platform and will be manufactured at River’s Hoskote plant. While Yamaha will retain ownership of the product, River has been entrusted with end-to-end execution – from research and development to manufacturing.
The RY01, co-engineered by Yamaha teams from Japan, the US, Europe, and India, has already been spotted testing in Bengaluru. Its launch is expected within the next few months – potentially timed for the festive season – and it is likely to be positioned as a more performance-oriented offering than the Indie.
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