Dulquer Salmaan’s dream investment: Ultraviolette electric bikes hit the European roads

It’s been two years since film actor Dulquer Salman has invested in Ultraviolette Automotive. Now, the company is celebrating its latest development: export of its F77 electric motorcycles to European markets.

On Tuesday, M.B. Patil, M B Patil, the Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister of Karnataka, officially launched the export process for the F77, highlighting its "world-class" quality. Manufactured in Jigani, near Bengaluru, these electric two-wheelers are already being shipped to countries such as Germany, Turkey, and Spain. The minister noted that Ultraviolette is leading the way in showcasing India's manufacturing capabilities on an international scale.

Ultraviolette, founded by Narayan Subramanyam and Neeraj Rajmohan, aims to establish itself as a leading player in the electric vehicle market. The company has commenced exports to several European countries, including Germany, Turkey, and Spain. Mr Patil stressed the importance of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which has helped companies like Ultraviolette to transition from dependency on imports to producing high-quality vehicles for both domestic and international markets.

When the wheels touch roads

Initially only the premium Recon variant, featuring a 10.3 kWh battery pack, will be available in Europe, although the company plans to introduce the entry-level version in the future. The export model will see no changes except for modifications in the software for the digital cluster and the number plate holder. In Europe, these bikes will be priced between €9,000 and €11,000 (Rs 8 lakh to 1 crore approximately).

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy said, “The expansion of Ultraviolette into the European market represents a defining moment for India’s automotive industry, demonstrating our nation’s ability to compete on the global stage. This is a prime example of how Indian startups are driving innovation in critical sectors like electric mobility. This export initiative aligns perfectly with our government's vision of making India a global EV manufacturing hub."

DQ as an investor

Dulquer Salmaan expressed his enthusiasm way back for being the first investor in Ultraviolette. His investment journey began with sectors like medtech and edtech, but he eventually shifted his focus towards clean energy and deep tech. It is very well known to his fans that Dulquer has always been passionate about automobiles and sees his involvement in Ultraviolette as a dream come true.

He reminisced about first hearing the concept for the F77 in 2016. The innovative designs and commitment to being a fully in-house, Made in India brand impressed him. Dulquer’s long-standing interest in automobiles made him confident that Ultraviolette had the potential to become a standout player in the electric vehicle market.