Can This Startup Break China’s Grip on India’s EV Industry?

Every electric vehicle has a hidden dependency that most consumers never think about rare-earth magnets. These tiny yet critical components power high-performance EV motors, and today, much of the global supply chain depends on China.

Bengaluru-based Vimag Labs believes it's time to change that.

Founded by Manish Seth, the deeptech startup has developed a software-defined motor technology that eliminates the need for permanent rare-earth magnets. Instead of relying on imported magnetic materials, the system uses advanced software, copper windings, and power electronics to generate the required magnetic field, potentially reducing India's dependence on a vulnerable global supply chain.

The idea was born during the COVID-19 pandemic when a shipment of magnets required for the company's prototype remained stranded for months, exposing the risks of relying heavily on overseas suppliers. Rather than searching for an alternative supplier, the team decided to rethink the motor itself.

Today, Vimag Labs is testing its technology with several Indian electric vehicle manufacturers and is initially focusing on commercial vehicles such as electric trucks and buses, where efficiency, torque, and reliability are especially critical. The startup expects to begin commercial deployments as it scales production.

Beyond electric mobility, the company also sees applications in defence, industrial equipment, and other sectors that depend on advanced motor systems. By removing one of the most expensive and strategically sensitive components from EV motors, Vimag hopes to make future electric vehicles more resilient, cost-efficient, and less exposed to geopolitical disruptions.

As India accelerates its transition toward clean mobility, breakthroughs like these highlight an important reality: the future of electric vehicles won't be shaped only by better batteries. It will also depend on homegrown engineering that strengthens supply chains, reduces import dependence, and gives Indian innovation a larger role in the global EV ecosystem.