EVBots relocates to Chattanooga to be closer to the logistics hub
EVBots creates on-demand autonomous charging robots that service fleets of vehicles with energy, and is a part of the second cohort of the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator in Chattanooga.
After six weeks of intensive, in-person work in the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator in Chattanooga, Virind Gujral decided to relocate his company, EVBots, from Philadelphia to Tennessee.
““Chattanooga is the place we call home now,” he said. “We’ve already signed a lease for an office at the Society of Work, effective May 13.”
Gujral is one of the most bubbly, sociable founders you’ll ever meet—strangers are just friends he hasn’t met yet. When we asked him the number one thing teknovation.biz readers should know, he responded, “I want them to know that I love people.”
With that attitude—and support from The Company Lab and gener8tor—Gujral has lined up demos with Chattanooga-based organizations EPB and Carta.
“Chattanooga is the place to be. It’s a logistics hub with access to so many logistics companies. It’s the perfect base for us,” he said.
EVBots creates on-demand, autonomous EV-charging robots for vehicle fleets. The driver parks, presses a button in the app, and the robot gets to work. So far, EVBots can charge vehicles, perform detailed external inspections to ensure road readiness and safety, check for damage, and monitor tire pressure.
Gujral has developed a couple prototype iterations and joined the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator with plans to launch a formal pilot. Entrepreneurship has always been a dream of his.
“I came from India to the United States as an ambassador of goodwill and peace,” he said. “I could have gone anywhere in the world, but I wanted to be here.”
He worked in diesel fuel management for large logistics companies like Penske, where he managed billion-dollar deals. During his time there, he helped facilitate fuel sales for 13,000 fleet customers and more than 300,000 trucks and trailers.
As more customers transitioned to electric fleets, Gujral saw a challenge.
“Electric vehicles (EVs) are coming, and charging infrastructure will be a major problem for fleets. Drivers are paid around $100,000 per year just waiting for vehicles to charge. I wanted to find a practical solution,” he said.
So, on February 29, 2022, he began sketching a concept for a robot that could handle charging and reduce employee downtime.
Leaning on his background in mechanical engineering, Gujral began building a robot that would autonomously charge EVs once they returned to their lot. The robot would bring a charge from the dock, stay with the car until full, then return—no human needed.
Gujral and his team built and tested the first EVBot prototype in his basement. The next iteration, built and tested in India, is now ready for shipment.
It is fully equipped with a robotic arm, camera, and sensors. To say that Gujral is excited is an understatement. It’s been almost three years since his first on-paper mockup, and he’s ready to get it into the hands of companies that need it.
“It’s a huge market, no doubt about it,” he said. “We have shown our progress, and people are starting to take notice.”
Praise for the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator
Unprompted – Gujral really emphasized the growth during his experience with the Sustainable Mobility Accelerator in Chattanooga. He specifically mentioned the benefits of mentorship, valuable introductions, and The Company Lab and gener8tor’s financial investment. He also detailed the thoughtfulness of his gift basket ahead of the program, beneficial team meetings, targeting growth areas, and networking opportunities.
“As a result, I’ve gained access to potential customers, local government support, funding opportunities, UTC, and more. These elements played a key role in EVBots’ decision to relocate to Chattanooga—a testament to how much I value this program,” Gujral said.
In the coming months, he plans to gradually relocate his team from Philadelphia to Chattanooga. He’s already hired his first Tennessee-based employee.
“I enjoy people anywhere I go – and I look forward to all the people I’m going to meet in Chattanooga,” he said.
Feature Video: Courtesy of Virind Gujral on Youtube.
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