Electric mobility and technology company EKA by Pinnacle Mobility Solutions named Sohel Merchant as its chief innovation officer (CIO).

Sohel brings over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, focusing on vehicle engineering and program management. He has held significant roles in companies such as Canoo Inc., Tesla, Faraday Future Inc., and the Ford Motor Company. Before joining EKA, he co-founded Canoo, where he served as Chief Technology Officer.

During his tenure, he contributed to designing innovative electric platforms and vehicles for commercial applications and projects for the US Department of Defense and NASA. At Tesla, he played a key role in designing the Model S and Model X vehicles.

Before joining EKA, Merchant was the co-founder and chief technology officer at Canoo, where he contributed to the development of innovative electric platforms and vehicles for the US Department of Defence, NASA, and the commercial sector.

EKA, which seeks to provide dependable and effective mobility solutions to the general public, has equity partners in Mitsui (Japan) and VDL Groep (Netherlands).

Sudhir Mehta, founder and chairman, EKA says, “With his invaluable global experience, Sohel joins our robust senior leadership team. Together with our global management team, we look forward to continuing to deliver cutting-edge solutions and redefining the future of sustainable transportation.”

EKA Mobility tackles major issues including urban congestion, growing fuel prices, and environmental concerns in the Indian market, where electrification of transport is becoming more and more important.

To encourage the use of electric vehicles in both the public and commercial sectors, the corporation is attempting to match its product offers with government programs such as FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles).