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Japanese electric two- and three-wheeler manufacturer Terra Motors is set to resume exports of its e-rickshaws and electric autos to African countries by the end of 2025. Simultaneously, the company is expanding its India operations with a new manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Terra Motors, a key player in Asia’s electric mobility space, operates manufacturing units in India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Japan, serving several South and Southeast Asian markets. Since entering the Indian market in 2014, Terra Motors has scaled rapidly, boasting over 400 dealerships across the country.
The company began its India journey with a manufacturing plant in Kolkata, which currently produces 36,000 to 50,000 e-rickshaws annually. Its second facility in Manesar, Haryana, manufactures 5,000–10,000 L5 vehicles per year. The upcoming Bengaluru facility is part of the company’s focus on tapping into the growing southern Indian market. Additionally, the Kolkata plant will be expanded to support L5 vehicle production.
Terra Motors plans to launch a new electric auto, KYORO+, and aims to establish 100 new dealerships with a target production of 60,000 units annually by the end of 2025.
“We’ve observed strong demand for L5 vehicles in states like West Bengal and Assam. By dispatching directly from Kolkata, we can reduce transportation costs. Bengaluru will help us efficiently serve southern markets, while Manesar will cover the north,” said Masanori Takahashi, CTO and Director at Terra Motors.
The company is also planning to resume exports to African countries such as Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Nigeria, which were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions with local dealers are ongoing, company officials confirmed.
“We’re currently in talks with partners in Africa, but our primary focus remains on strengthening our India operations,” said Go Suzuki, Managing Director of Terra Motors.The company is also exploring expansion opportunities in Bangladesh and Myanmar, where demand for electric three-wheelers is steadily increasing. “There’s tremendous potential in these regions, especially where petrol vehicles are harder to access,” Takahashi added.
Terra Motors generated ₹250 crore in revenue from its electric three-wheeler and financing business in FY 2024–25. It now targets ₹350–₹400 crore in FY 2025–26, with a long-term goal of crossing ₹1,000 crore in revenue by 2030.
India continues to be the largest market for electric three-wheelers, accounting for over 60% EV penetration in the segment. According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2025, India retained its position as the world’s largest electric three-wheeler market for the second consecutive year, with 700,000 units sold in 2024, an 18% year-on-year increase, compared to China’s 300,000 units, which saw a 6% decline.
