Industry meets Academia: Lauritz Knudsen joins forces with Orion Racing India for electric mobility push

Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, a recognised leader in India’s electrical and automation sector, has announced a strategic partnership with Orion Racing India, the Formula Student team from K J Somaiya School of Engineering, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, Mumbai. The collaboration is aimed at fostering young engineering talent while strengthening the foundations of India’s electric mobility ecosystem.

At its core, the engagement reflects Lauritz Knudsen’s firm belief that India’s transition to electric mobility must be shaped early—through immersive, hands-on learning, experimentation, and the cultivation of future-ready engineering skills.

Electric mobility, as industry leaders increasingly acknowledge, will only scale meaningfully when innovation is nurtured at the grassroots level. By engaging directly with students actively designing and building electric and autonomous vehicle platforms, Lauritz Knudsen is encouraging early adoption of clean mobility thinking. In doing so, the company is also contributing to the development of critical capabilities required for India’s evolving energy and mobility landscape.

Significantly, the initiative aligns with Lauritz Knudsen’s broader strategic focus on expanding its portfolio in electric vehicle charging infrastructure and advanced power distribution systems—key enablers of safe, efficient, and scalable electrification.

Orion Racing India, meanwhile, brings nearly two decades of experience in student motorsport. The team has consistently participated in national and international Formula Student competitions and made a pivotal transition from internal combustion engines to electric prototypes in 2019, mirroring global shifts towards sustainable mobility.

Its electric racecar functions as a dynamic learning platform, allowing students to bridge theoretical knowledge with real-world engineering challenges. These span critical domains such as power systems, energy management, safety protocols, and vehicle performance—skills that are indispensable in today’s rapidly advancing EV ecosystem.

Speaking on the partnership, Naresh Kumar, COO, Lauritz Knudsen Electrical and Automation, said, “India’s electric mobility journey will be shaped by the ecosystem we build today. At Lauritz Knudsen, we believe meaningful change begins early, when young engineers are encouraged to build, experiment, and apply their learning to challenges. By engaging with students who are actively working on electric vehicle technologies, we are helping develop future ready talent that will play a defining role in India’s mobility and energy future.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ukrande, Director, K J Somaiya School of Engineering, Somaiya Vidyavihar University, remarked, “Orion Racing India has a long and proud legacy of representing K J Somaiya School of Engineering at Formula Student competitions over the years. What makes this journey special is the continuity each batch of students builds on the learning, experience, and spirit of those before them. Through hands-on work on electric racecars, our students move beyond textbooks to real engineering challenges. Support from industry partners like Lauritz Knudsen further strengthens this learning ecosystem and motivates students to innovate in areas critical to India’s mobility future.”

Through this partnership, Lauritz Knudsen is deepening its engagement with young engineers at the grassroots level, reinforcing hands-on learning and capability building in electric mobility. The initiative stands as a testament to the company’s ongoing efforts to shape the skills, mindset, and innovation required to drive India’s mobility transformation forward.