Kartik Hajela Resigns as Log9 COO, Joins Jupiter Electric Mobility
Kartik Hajela, cofounder and Chief Operating Officer of Log9 Materials, has stepped down from the battery manufacturing startup to assume a new role as Director at Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM). His transition marks a pivotal moment in both companies’ journey, as Log9 continues to evolve and JEM expands its footprint in the electric light commercial vehicle (e-LCV) segment.
A Strategic Move Amid Industry Transformation
Hajela announced his resignation on LinkedIn, stating that his departure was part of the partial merger between Log9 and JEM. He emphasized his new focus on driving innovation in India’s last-mile electric commercial fleet space.
“I pass on the baton to the awesome leaders in Log9 and will now, as a new beginning, focus on creating the next flywheel in the EV space…e-LCV in India,” Hajela said.
Log9’s Journey and Hajela’s Contributions
Founded in 2015 by Hajela, Akshay Singhal, and Pankaj Sharma, Log9 Materials has become a key player in manufacturing EV batteries and energy storage solutions, competing with companies like Hero Electric-backed Exponent Energy and Ather Energy.
During his tenure, Hajela played a crucial role in developing advanced battery technologies tailored to the Indian market. His leadership was instrumental in establishing Log9’s position in the competitive EV battery space.
The Log9-JEM Merger and Strategic Implications
Hajela’s move comes two months after JEM, a subsidiary of Jupiter Wagons Ltd (JWL), acquired the technology and business assets of Log9’s railway battery and electric truck battery divisions in October 2024.
Key Aspects of the Acquisition:
- Technology Transfer:
- JEM acquired Log9’s engineering and production teams, as well as its manufacturing facility in Bengaluru’s Devanahalli.
- Enhanced Capabilities:
- The deal bolsters JEM’s expertise in battery production, a critical component for its e-LCVs.
- It also enhances JEM’s offerings in the railway sector, positioning the company to support Indian Railways’ applications.
- Previous Collaborations:
- JEM and Log9 had earlier worked together to secure a Vande Bharat battery order in partnership with Siemens.
Hajela’s Role at JEM
As Director of JEM, Hajela will lead the electric light commercial vehicle (e-LCV) segment. He hinted at exciting developments, with multiple programs set to launch in the coming months.
Key Initiatives:
- Deployment of e-LCVs across eight cities in the next quarter.
- Expansion of production, distribution, and service networks established over the past two years.
“The foundation has been slowly set for the last 2 years…The coming quarter will be exciting to see the results on roads,” Hajela added.
Challenges and Developments at Log9
Hajela’s departure coincides with a period of significant change at Log9:
- Rebranding and New Ventures:
- In April 2024, Log9 rebranded its mobility business as ‘Amphion’, positioning it as a full-stack EV asset management company.
- Employee Layoffs:
- Earlier this year, Log9 laid off 115 contractual employees and delayed salaries for January, citing automation as the reason for workforce reduction.
- Asset Sale:
- Following these challenges, Log9 sold part of its assets to JEM as part of a strategic restructuring.
Kartik Hajela’s move to JEM reflects a broader consolidation in the EV and battery manufacturing sectors as companies align their resources to capture emerging opportunities in the e-LCV and energy storage markets. While Log9 continues to evolve under new leadership, JEM is poised to leverage Hajela’s expertise to accelerate its growth in the electric vehicle space.
The developments underscore the dynamic nature of India’s EV ecosystem, where innovation, collaboration, and strategic pivots remain critical to success.
