Tadpole Projects

What Tadpole Projects does

Tadpole Projects Private Limited is an India-based EV retrofitting startup founded in 2020 by Jawaad Khan and incubated at IIT Delhi's R&I Park. The company converts existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles without scrapping them, using in-house designed Permanent Magnetic Synchronous (PMS) motors paired with Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) battery packs. Its branded 'XEV' conversion line spans passenger SUVs (Maruti Gypsy, with the Swift Desire and Tata Ace variants listed as upcoming), vintage and classic cars (Volkswagen Beetle, Austin, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Hyundai Santro), and uses phone-based diagnostics and fast-charging capability. Only the Gypsy conversion currently holds road-legal certification in India.

Tadpole operates a hybrid business model combining enterprise fleet contracts and direct-to-consumer bookings. Commercial revenue comes from one-time vehicle conversion services priced between approximately ₹5.78 Lakh (Indian Army spec, 21.7 kWh, 120 km range) and ₹6.5 Lakh for the consumer XEV Gypsy (200 km range), with vintage and custom builds running higher (Safari guide conversion ~₹9 Lakh). Consumer bookings open via the company website with a ₹5,000 deposit. The go-to-market blends direct enterprise sales to government and institutional clients (Indian Army, national parks) with event-driven visibility at forums such as the Army Commanders Conference and earned media coverage.

The company serves four primary customer segments: Government & Defense (primary), Wildlife & Eco-Tourism (national parks and safari operators), Vintage Car Enthusiasts (individuals preserving classic vehicles), and Commercial Fleet Operators. Its claimed differentiators include an 83% reduction in running costs versus petrol equivalents (₹200 vs ₹1,200 per 120 km), zero tailpipe emissions, a 7-year extension to vehicle life, and IIT Delhi-backed R&D. Operations are headquartered in New Delhi with a registered entity in Jammu & Kashmir.

Name

Tadpole Projects

Legal name

Tadpole Projects Private Limited

Website

https://tadpoleprojects.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Tadpole Projects is an IIT Delhi-incubated EV retrofitting startup that converts existing ICE vehicles, including Maruti Gypsys and vintage cars, into electric vehicles using proprietary PMS motors and LFP batteries, serving government, defense, eco-tourism, and individual customers across India.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

EV Retrofit & Conversion Services

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing (3336)

SIC

Motors & Generators (3621)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Electrification Manufacturing (eAxles/Battery Packs/Fuel Cells) (IMACABAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aftermarket Battery, Charging & Power Accessories Manufacturing (12V Batteries/Jump Starters/Chargers/Inverters) (IMACANAL)

Keywords

• EV retrofitting services
• Electric vehicle conversion
• Automotive powertrain manufacturing
• Vehicle electrification kits
• Sustainable mobility solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

New Delhi

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. EV Retrofitting Services: One-time conversion service transforming existing ICE vehicles to electric vehicles, including removal of engine, fuel tank, exhaust and related assemblies, and installation of PMS motor with LFP battery
2. Proprietary Hardware Sales: Sale of in-house manufactured motors, batteries, and chargers designed under their own brand for EV conversions
3. Custom EV Solutions: Tailored electric conversion solutions for vintage cars, SUVs like Gypsy, and various other vehicle types

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Tadpole Projects converts existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles through retrofitting, removing engine, fuel tank, exhaust, and related assemblies and installing in-house manufactured Permanent Magnetic Synchronous (PMS) motors paired with Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP) batteries. The company sells branded conversion kits (XEV GYPSY at ₹6.5 Lakh, 200 km range, 8-seater, 4X4) and provides custom conversion solutions for vintage cars and commercial/government fleet vehicles.

Product overview

Tadpole Projects is an EV retrofitting company incubated at IIT Delhi that converts existing Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles into electric vehicles without scrapping them. The company's core offerings are branded as 'XEV' conversions and include products for vehicles like the Maruti Gypsy (XEV GYPSY), Hyundai Santro, Mercedes Benz C-Class, and vintage vehicles like Austin and Volkswagen Beetle. Their XEV product line ranges from production-ready conversions (XEV GYPSY at ₹6.5 Lakh) to upcoming models (XEV SWIFT DESIRE, XEV TATA ACE). Beyond passenger vehicles, the company also develops e-bikes, heavy-duty EVs, and earth movers, positioning itself as a comprehensive sustainable mobility solutions provider.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• XEV GYPSY EV conversion kit for the Maruti Gypsy SUV, priced at ₹6.5 Lakh, offering 200 km range, 8-seater capacity, 4X4 capability, and 1 lakh km warranty. Targeted at individual Gypsy owners and fleet operators seeking road-legal electric conversion.
• Mercedes Benz C-Class EV Conversion Full EV conversion for the W203 Mercedes-Benz C-Class (early 2000s models), replacing the petrol/diesel engine with a bespoke electric powertrain offering up to 150-200 km range. For owners of older C-Class sedans seeking electric modernization.
• Hyundai Santro EV Conversion EV conversion for the Hyundai Santro featuring a 72V/200 Ah battery, 15 kWh motor, 120 km range, and 80 kmph top speed. Targeted at Hyundai Santro owners seeking affordable electric conversion.
• Austin 10 (1936) EV Conversion EV conversion of the vintage 1936 Austin 10, preserving the classic aesthetic while adding an electric powertrain with 70 kmph top speed. For vintage car collectors and enthusiasts.
• Volkswagen Beetle (1948) EV Conversion India's first vintage VW Beetle EV conversion, recognized by the Indian Postal Service with a commemorative stamp, achieving 100 km range. For vintage car collectors and enthusiasts.

Quantifiable outcome

• 83% reduction in running costs (from ₹1,200 to ₹200 per 120km)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Indian Army CellcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 July 2023Indian Army Cell collaborated with IIT-Delhi and Tadpole Projects to convert 10 Maruti Gypsy military vehicles to electric. The partnership showcases retrofitted EVs at the Army Commanders Conference and aims to modernize military fleet with sustainable transportation solutions.
• Tadoba-Andhari Tiger ReserveflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra partnered with Tadpole Projects to convert safari vehicles to electric. The reserve plans to convert most of its internal combustion engine vehicles to electric following successful pilot with converted Gypsy.
• IIT DelhicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Tadpole Projects is incubated at IIT Delhi's R&I Park, leveraging cutting-edge R&D and technical expertise from one of India's premier engineering institutions. The partnership provides access to research infrastructure, technical talent, and institutional credibility.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Moment Motor Company: Texas-based bespoke EV conversion shop for vintage and classic cars — comparable in craft-style, low-volume, high-touch heritage electrification to Tadpole's vintage conversions.
• Cell Propulsion: Bangalore-based EV technology company building electric powertrains and conversion solutions for commercial vehicles in India — operates in the same retrofit/electrification manufacturing space with similar target customers.
• Everrati Automotive: UK-based company redefining iconic vehicles (Porsche 911, Land Rover Series, GT40) as electric — directly comparable to Tadpole's vintage/heritage EV conversion value proposition.
• Electric Classic Cars: UK-based specialist converting classic British vehicles (Mini, VW, Range Rover) to electric powertrains — similar bespoke vintage-EV retrofit service model to Tadpole's heritage car business.
• E-Trio Technologies: India-based EV retrofitting startup focused on converting commercial vehicles (cargo three-wheelers, LCVs, last-mile delivery fleets) to electric powertrains — the most direct domestic competitor to Tadpole's commercial-fleet ambitions.
• Lunaz Design: UK-based company specializing in upcycling classic and luxury vehicles (Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, Range Rover) into fully electric cars — the closest global analogue to Tadpole's vintage-car premium conversion segment.
• Zero Labs Automotive: US-based company restoring and re-powering classic vehicles (Land Cruiser, Bronco) with proprietary electric platforms — comparable in classic-SUV electrification focus to Tadpole's Gypsy XEV offering.

Broad incumbents

• Mahindra Electric: Established Indian OEM with electric three-wheelers, commercial EVs, and SUV EVs — a broad incumbent whose new-EV lineup is the principal alternative to retrofitting legacy vehicles.
• Tata Motors (EV division): India's largest commercial vehicle OEM with a growing EV portfolio (Tata Ace EV, Tata Nexon EV) — competes broadly for fleet electrification budgets and could potentially absorb the retrofit use case with new-vehicle sales.

Emerging players

• Arcimoto: US-based developer of purpose-built three-wheeled electric vehicles for delivery and recreation — adjacent to retrofit electrification with overlapping target customers (fleet operators, tourism).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tadpole-projects

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tadpole Projects