In a significant move within the electric vehicle (EV) sector, Kartik Hajela, the cofounder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Log9 Materials, has stepped down from his role
In a significant move within the electric vehicle (EV) sector, Kartik Hajela, the cofounder and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Log9 Materials, has stepped down from his role at the deeptech startup. He’s now taken on the position of Director at Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM), where he will oversee the company’s electric light commercial vehicle (e-LCV) segment. This shift comes just a couple of months after JEM acquired several key divisions from Log9, a move that seems to set the stage for new, exciting developments in India’s growing electric mobility market.
Kartik Hajela’s resignation from Log9 marks the end of a significant chapter for both him and the company. He co-founded Log9 Materials in 2015 with a vision to revolutionize India’s EV battery and energy storage market. During his time at Log9, Hajela played a pivotal role in developing advanced battery technologies designed to meet the unique needs of the Indian market.
Now, he’s shifting gears to focus on a new challenge at Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM), a subsidiary of Jupiter Wagons Ltd. (JWL). At JEM, Hajela will lead the electric light commercial vehicle (e-LCV) division, a sector that’s seeing rapid growth due to the increasing demand for environmentally-friendly commercial transport solutions.
In a LinkedIn post, Hajela shared his excitement about this new journey, saying, “…I have joined JEM as a Director, ending my 7-year long journey at Log9… I pass on the baton to the awesome leaders at Log9 and will now, as a new beginning, focus on creating the next flywheel in the EV space, which is ripe for disruption: e-LCVs in India.”
Hajela’s move to JEM is part of a larger strategic shift in the electric vehicle industry. In October 2024, JEM acquired the railway battery and electric truck battery divisions of Log9, along with its engineering and production teams. This acquisition was not just about gaining valuable assets but also about bolstering JEM’s battery production capabilities, which are essential for the company’s expansion in the e-LCV space.
The deal also included the acquisition of Log9’s manufacturing facility in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, which will now play a crucial role in JEM’s growth strategy. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing JEM’s capabilities in producing high-performance batteries for electric light commercial vehicles, which are expected to play a vital role in India’s push towards sustainable transportation.
The partnership between Log9 and Jupiter Electric Mobility has already yielded positive results. For instance, JEM and Log9 have previously worked together on battery solutions for the Indian Railways, even securing a major order for Vande Bharat batteries in collaboration with Siemens.
Now, with the addition of Kartik Hajela to the JEM leadership team, the company is poised to launch several new initiatives aimed at scaling up its e-LCV production. The focus will be on deploying electric vehicles across key cities in India, which aligns with the growing demand for cleaner, more efficient commercial transportation solutions.
Hajela’s appointment is expected to give JEM a sharper edge in its quest to lead the Indian market in the electric light commercial vehicle sector. In his LinkedIn post, he mentioned that JEM plans to deploy vehicles across eight cities in the next quarter, signaling a rapid expansion of its footprint.
India is witnessing a surge in the adoption of electric vehicles, especially in the commercial sector. While electric cars have garnered much attention, electric light commercial vehicles (e-LCVs) are quickly becoming a key area of focus. These vehicles are ideal for last-mile delivery services, goods transportation, and urban logistics—areas where traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles have dominated for years.
The e-LCV market in India is set for significant growth, driven by a few key factors:
Given these trends, JEM’s focus on e-LCVs puts it in a prime position to tap into this growing market. With Hajela’s leadership and experience in the battery technology space, the company is well-positioned to bring more electric commercial vehicles to India’s roads.
As for Log9 Materials, the company is set to continue its mission of providing cutting-edge energy storage solutions, including EV batteries. Under new leadership, Log9 will likely continue developing and improving its battery technology while focusing on its core business areas. With Hajela’s departure, Log9 will now rely on the remaining leadership team to guide the company’s next phase of growth.
Log9’s focus on battery technology is also crucial, as it competes with other EV battery manufacturers in India, including Hero Electric-backed Exponent Energy and Ather Energy. With its strong R&D capabilities and focus on high-performance batteries, Log9 will remain a key player in India’s evolving EV ecosystem.
Kartik Hajela’s move to Jupiter Electric Mobility marks the start of an exciting new phase in his career. With his deep expertise in battery technologies and experience in building Log9 from the ground up, he’s set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of India’s electric commercial vehicle market.
As India’s shift toward electric mobility accelerates, companies like JEM and Log9 will be at the forefront of this transformation, driving innovations that will make electric vehicles a common sight on Indian roads. With the industry ripe for disruption, Hajela’s leadership at JEM is sure to have a significant impact on the growth of the electric light commercial vehicle sector in the coming years.
