Drivn, a Gurugram-based electric mobility platform, has secured a funding commitment of up to $80 million (about ₹650 crore) from global financial services firm Nomura to accelerate deployment of electric buses and trucks across India’s inter-city and industrial transport routes. The capital will support roll-out of nearly 1,000 heavy commercial EVs and related infrastructure, bolstering efforts to cut transport emissions and strengthen clean mobility networks.
Full-stack approach to commercial electrification
Founded in 2025 by Manav Bansal and Alpna Jain, Drivn focuses on electrifying large commercial fleets rather than passenger EVs. The company provides a full-stack solution that includes vehicle leasing and ownership models, charging infrastructure planning, fleet management software, and battery lifecycle optimisation to lower total cost of ownership for operators.
The Nomura commitment is structured to enable fleet operators to transition from diesel without bearing prohibitive upfront capital costs. By offering long-term asset ownership and operational support, Drivn aims to mitigate financial and operational risks that typically hinder EV adoption in heavy transport.
Addressing financing and operational gaps
One persistent barrier to electrifying heavy transport is the absence of integrated offerings that combine financing with end-to-end operations. Drivn’s model tackles this by pairing customised financial structures for asset-heavy businesses with technology-driven fleet optimisation, helping ensure predictable performance and high utilisation.
Being OEM-agnostic, the platform can integrate vehicles from multiple manufacturers while using data analytics to monitor battery health, vehicle usage and lifecycle costs. These systems allow operators to plan efficient charging schedules and reduce downtime, progressively lowering operational costs.
Alignment with India’s climate and mobility goals
Drivn’s expansion dovetails with India’s national push to increase EV adoption and lower reliance on fossil fuels. Commercial vehicles—particularly buses and heavy trucks—contribute disproportionately to transport emissions because of high daily mileage and fuel consumption, so electrifying these segments is crucial to meeting emissions targets.
By emphasising Scope 3 emission reductions—indirect emissions from logistics and transport—Drivn positions itself as a strategic partner for corporates, logistics firms and transport operators aiming to meet sustainability commitments without disrupting service efficiency.
Investor confidence in commercial EVs
Nomura’s commitment signals growing global investor confidence in India’s electric mobility opportunity beyond passenger vehicles. The investment reflects a belief that scalable, asset-backed and technology-led models will be essential to electrify large fleets in emerging markets.
As Drivn moves from pledged capital to on-the-ground deployment, its initial corridors and customers will be watched closely. Successful execution could accelerate fleet electrification, reduce urban pollution and help build the charging and service ecosystems required for long-term, large-scale commercial EV adoption.
