In what appears to be an escalating legal battle in the electric vehicle (EV) space, India’s leading electric mobility brand Kinetic Green has reportedly initiated legal proceedings against US-based EV startup Zeno Mobility, alleging breach of contract and unauthorized use of proprietary intellectual property.
According to claims shared exclusively with CarBlogIndia, Kinetic Green and Zeno Mobility entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023 to collaborate on the design, development, and assembly of electric two-wheelers. The collaboration aimed to leverage India’s established automotive supply chain and local manufacturing capabilities, with a long-term view to deploy these electric motorcycles in East Africa and eventually in the Indian market.
Kinetic Green’s Allegations
As per sources from Kinetic Green, the company extended “extensive support” to Zeno under the MoU, including:
- Identifying and onboarding local suppliers, many of whom were existing Kinetic Green partners.
- Redesigning vehicle components for better performance and cost optimization.
- Providing technical and operational assistance in R&D, engineering, and production planning.
Kinetic Green claims that it invested significant resources and declined other business opportunities in anticipation of a strategic partnership. The MoU reportedly included a commitment from Zeno to purchase a minimum of 12,000 vehicles, enabling Kinetic Green to recover its costs and investments.
The company alleges that after successful assembly of a pilot batch of motorcycles, Zeno terminated the partnership unilaterally without resolving issues through mutual discussion. Kinetic Green has since issued a legal notice to Zeno, reportedly citing breach of contract and intellectual property rights infringement, and is seeking compensation and damages. A senior official from Kinetic Green stated that the company is currently reviewing its legal and contractual remedies to protect its interests.
Zeno Mobility’s Response
In response to queries sent by CarBlogIndia, Zeno Mobility acknowledged that it had discussions with Kinetic Green for potential contract assembly of a vehicle based on what it describes as its “proprietary design.” However, the company stated that the collaboration did not materialize into a formal agreement.
A spokesperson from Zeno Mobility said: “We explored working with Kinetic Green to contract assemble a vehicle of our proprietary design. Unfortunately, we could not come to a mutual agreement to work with them and did not proceed. We still have a lot of respect for the Kinetic Green team and wish them well.”
Zeno has categorically denied all allegations, asserting that it has fully complied with all terms of the engagement and that there has been “no infringement of Kinetic Green’s intellectual property by Zeno in any manner.” The company also expressed willingness to offer further clarification if required.
Legal Status
As of now, the matter is reportedly under legal review and may proceed to formal adjudication. No court rulings or regulatory decisions have been issued yet in connection to the dispute. CarBlogIndia will continue to monitor developments in this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.
