OIL-Backed Startup Hopun Innovations Unveils Indigenous Electric Vehicles at IIT Kharagpur’s Platinum Jubilee

DULIAJAN / KHARAGPUR: In a major push toward indigenous clean-energy innovation, Oil India Limited (OIL) marked a key milestone during the Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. The event coincided with the launch of the Energy Innovation Hackathon by the MC² Foundation, an initiative designed to accelerate entrepreneurship and research in the energy transition space.

The centerpiece of OIL’s participation was the official inauguration of three indigenously designed and manufactured electric vehicles (EVs), engineered by Hopun Innovations Private Limited—a dynamic startup nurtured by OIL and incubated at IIT Bhubaneswar.

Simultaneous Virtual Launch and Field Flag-Off

The electric vehicles were virtually unveiled on August 16 by Sandeep Maheshwari, CEO of the MC² Foundation, in the presence of Prof. Manoj Kumar Mondal of IIT Kharagpur.

Simultaneously, at OIL’s operational headquarters in Duliajan, Assam, the fleet was flagged off for active field operations by Binayananda Bharali, Resident Chief Executive, OIL.

Engineered for Rugged Industrial Terrain

Hopun Innovations has developed 13 specialized electric vehicles tailored specifically for industrial, heavy-duty, and rugged terrain operations. Out of these, three customized units have been deployed at OIL's Duliajan facilities for extensive field trials and operational demonstration.

The vehicles are engineered to endure demanding oilfield environments while significantly cutting emissions and aligning with OIL’s broader sustainability roadmap.

Fostering Homegrown Innovation

Highlighting the importance of industry-academia collaboration, OIL reaffirmed its commitment to backing homegrown technology ventures and academic partnerships. Initiatives like these play an essential role in driving India’s self-reliant clean-energy transition and fostering robust, homegrown engineering solutions.