Bihar Man Builds Affordable 5-Seater Electric Jeep in 18 Days, Costs Just Rs 1 Lakh

Purnia, Bihar | January 8, 2026 In an impressive display of innovation, Murshid Alam, a resident of Purnia in Bihar, has built a five-seater electric jeep in just 18 days at a cost of only Rs 1 lakh. Locals have nicknamed it the "Desi Tesla" for its combination of practicality and affordability. What makes the vehicle particularly remarkable is that it can travel up to 100 kilometers on a single charge, taking approximately five hours to recharge fully. Murshid, who is not a trained engineer or startup founder, runs a small repair shop and works on vehicles in his garage. While observing the transportation challenges faced by farmers and small business owners in villages, he realized that diesel and petrol vehicles were expensive and difficult to maintain, while commercially available electric vehicles were largely unaffordable for rural users. This inspired him to design a homegrown electric jeep tailored to the daily needs of villagers. The jeep comes equipped with four wheels fitted with tubeless tires, a speedometer, power steering, and a charging point. For added utility, a trolley can be attached to transport crops, fertilizers, and other goods, making it especially useful for farmers. Its design allows it to navigate rural roads efficiently while offering enough seating for family use or group transport. Murshid’s innovation highlights a growing trend in India as the country slowly transitions from diesel and petrol to electric-powered vehicles. Electrifying transportation in rural areas not only reduces costs for farmers and small businesses but also promotes cleaner and quieter mobility. The jeep demonstrates how low-cost, practical solutions can bridge gaps in accessibility and efficiency for everyday transport needs. The project is part of a broader movement of homegrown innovation, following examples like 17-year-old Spurthi from Telangana, who previously built a special electric vehicle from scrap iron and waste materials. Her vehicle, which cost around Rs 40,000 to build and could run 40–50 kilometers, showed how ingenuity and resourcefulness can create functional electric transport solutions without relying on commercial options. Murshid’s invention also reflects the potential of small-scale innovation in supporting sustainable development goals. By offering an affordable, reliable, and electric mode of transport, such initiatives can reduce rural dependence on fossil fuels while empowering local communities. It also demonstrates that advanced technology, such as electric vehicles, can be adapted to local needs in cost-effective ways. With the success of this electric jeep, Murshid Alam hopes to inspire other rural innovators to explore practical electric mobility solutions. He is already receiving attention from local farmers and business owners interested in similar vehicles for daily use. The project underlines how creativity, technical skill, and understanding of community needs can produce solutions that are both sustainable and affordable. As India continues to encourage electrification of transport, especially in agriculture and rural logistics, innovations like Murshid’s electric jeep showcase how locally made solutions can complement broader policy efforts. With low cost, ease of maintenance, and versatility for carrying passengers and goods, such vehicles may play a key role in transforming rural mobility while supporting environmental sustainability. This achievement not only demonstrates individual ingenuity but also highlights the potential for grassroots innovation to contribute meaningfully to India’s electric mobility future. Murshid Alam’s electric jeep stands as a testament to what can be accomplished with practical thinking, determination, and an understanding of community needs. Bihar Man Builds Affordable 5-Seater Electric Jeep in 18 Days, Costs Just Rs 1 Lakh Murshid Alam, a resident of Purnia in Bihar, has built a five-seater electric jeep in just 18 days for only Rs 1 lakh, earning the nickname “Desi Tesla” from locals. The jeep can travel up to 100 kilometers on a single charge, which takes about five hours. Murshid is not a trained engineer or startup founder. He runs a small repair shop and noticed that farmers and small business owners in villages had no affordable and efficient transport. Diesel and petrol vehicles were costly and high-maintenance, while commercial electric vehicles were out of reach. This inspired him to build a homegrown electric jeep suited for rural needs. The vehicle comes with four wheels, tubeless tires, a speedometer, power steering, and a charging point. A trolley can also be attached to carry crops, fertilizers, or goods, making it highly practical for farmers. The jeep is designed for both daily commuting and transporting goods across rural roads efficiently. Murshid’s innovation reflects India’s gradual shift from fossil fuels to electric vehicles, showing how local solutions can be low-cost, sustainable, and practical. His creation follows other homegrown efforts, like a 17-year-old from Telangana who built an electric vehicle from scrap materials. Murshid hopes his jeep inspires more rural innovators to create affordable electric transport for everyday use.