Electric vehicles | Business Upturn

SWITCH Mobility completes 100-bus export to Mauritius, largest from India

Riddhima Jain — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 12:19:23 +0000

SWITCH Mobility is expanding its global footprint with the completion of a 100-unit electric bus delivery to Mauritius, positioning itself in international public transport markets.

The export, executed under a CESL-led tender, is part of a government-backed initiative aimed at supporting sustainable transport infrastructure in Mauritius. The buses will be operated by the country’s state-owned National Transport Corporation.

The deployment aligns with SWITCH Mobility’s strategy of manufacturing in India for global markets, as demand for electric public transport solutions rises.

“The completion of this 100-bus delivery marks an important milestone in strengthening the country’s transition to electric mobility, with tangible benefits for urban efficiency, environmental sustainability, and everyday commuter experience,” said Ganesh Mani, CEO – Switch

The buses integrate telematics systems and battery configurations designed for operational efficiency and stability in urban environments.

SWITCH Mobility rolls out electric intercity coaches on Mumbai–Pune route

Riddhima Jain — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:16:05 +0000

SWITCH Mobility has flagged off the first batch of 10 electric intercity coaches for Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, marking its entry into private intercity deployments.

The buses will operate on the Mumbai–Pune route, with a total order of 25 units to be delivered throughout the year. The deployment is being executed in partnership with Vertelo.

The development marks Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions’ entry into the electric intercity segment and reflects growing adoption of EVs in high-frequency corridors.

“The flag-off marks another important step in expanding electric mobility beyond cities and strengthening our presence in the intercity segment. This partnership reflects the growing confidence in electric buses for high-frequency routes like Mumbai–Pune, where performance, reliability, and efficiency are critical,” said Ganesh Mani, CEO, SWITCH Mobility.

Mr. Prasanna Patwardhan, CMD of Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, stated, “Entering the intercity electric mobility segment is a milestone for us. This collaboration introduces a cleaner travel option on the Mumbai–Pune route. We’re focused on enhancing the journey experience and pursuing sustainable operations, valuing our long-term partnership with Switch Mobility.”

The EiV12mt coaches offer a range of over 300 km per charge, fast-charging capability and seating for 45 passengers, aimed at enabling efficient long-distance operations.

Minda Corporation forms joint venture with UK’s Turntide for EV powertrain solutions

Business Desk — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:05:37 +0000

Minda Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary Spark Minda Green Mobility Systems has signed a joint venture agreement with Turntide Drives Limited, United Kingdom, on 9 March 2026, to develop and manufacture advanced motor controllers, axial flux motors, and thermal pumps for electric vehicles.

The joint venture company will be incorporated in India with shareholding split at 49% for Spark Minda Green Mobility Systems and 51% for Turntide Drives. The board will comprise five directors, with two nominated by Spark Minda and three by Turntide. Neither party may transfer their shares for three years from the execution date. Turntide will provide proprietary technologies and technical know-how required for manufacturing in India.

The venture targets the rapidly growing Indian EV market, focusing on high and low-voltage motor controllers, high-performance electric motors, and pumps for thermal applications. It aims to meet original equipment manufacturer requirements whilst delivering cost advantages through local manufacturing. Ashok Minda, Chairman and Group CEO, stated the collaboration combines globally proven technology with Minda’s local presence to deliver advanced, cost-competitive EV powertrains and strengthen India’s domestic EV supply chain.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Minda Corporation forms JV with Turntide for EV powertrain solutions; holds 49% stake

Business Desk — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:05:09 +0000

Minda Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary Spark Minda Green Mobility Systems Private Limited has signed a joint venture agreement with Turntide Drives Limited, United Kingdom, on 9 March 2026 to develop and manufacture advanced new generation motor controllers, axial flux motors, and pumps for thermal applications.

The joint venture will be structured with Spark Minda holding 49% equity stake and Turntide holding 51%. The new joint venture company will be incorporated in India and will focus on delivering advanced EV and hybrid powertrain solutions for the Indian market, including high and low-voltage motor controllers, high-voltage and high-performance electric motors, and thermal management systems. The venture aims to meet original equipment manufacturers’ stringent performance and quality requirements while delivering cost advantages through local manufacturing.

The joint venture board will comprise five directors: two nominated by Spark Minda and three by Turntide. Neither party shall transfer their shareholding for three years from execution. Turntide will provide proprietary technologies and technical know-how required for development and manufacturing in India on mutually agreed terms. Ashok Minda, Chairman and Group CEO, stated the collaboration combines globally proven technology with local presence to deliver advanced, high-quality and cost-competitive EV powertrains.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Ola Electric launches #ChampionMahotsav with benefits worth Rs 10,000 across portfolio

Business Desk — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:15:57 +0000

Ola Electric announced #ChampionMahotsav, a three-day nationwide promotional campaign offering benefits worth ₹10,000 on any Ola vehicle. Customers can avail the ₹10,000 in benefits on Ola scooters or Roadster motorcycles during the campaign window.

The promotion extends Ola Electric’s celebration following a recent victory during the T20 World Cup Final. The company’s current portfolio includes the Gen 3 S1 scooter range and Roadster X motorcycles across multiple configurations and price points. The S1 Pro+ models are priced from ₹1,39,999 to ₹1,85,338, whilst the S1 Pro variants range from ₹1,19,999 to ₹1,65,338. The S1 X+ and S1 X models are priced between ₹77,999 and ₹1,14,999, and Roadster variants range from ₹74,999 to ₹1,84,999 depending on battery configuration.

Ola Electric is India’s leading EV manufacturer with vertical integration across technology and manufacturing. The company operates the Ola Futurefactory in Tamil Nadu for EV and component production, supported by the Bengaluru-based Battery Innovation Centre dedicated to cell and battery technology advancement. Ola’s R&D operations span India, the UK, and the US, whilst the company maintains a direct-to-customer distribution network and one of the largest company-owned automotive retail store networks in India.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a regulatory filing submitted to the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE).

Tata Motors and Kia India to increase passenger vehicle prices by up to 3% starting January 2025

Matrika Shukla — Mon, 09 Dec 2024 11:08:45 +0000

Tata Motors and Kia India have announced price increases across their passenger vehicle portfolios, including electric vehicles, effective January 2025, reports Reuters.

Tata Motors will raise prices by up to 3%, with adjustments varying by model and variant. The automaker cited rising input costs and inflation as key reasons for the hike. Similarly, Kia India plans a price increase of up to 2%, attributing it to surging commodity costs, unfavorable exchange rates, and higher supply chain expenses.

Hardeep Singh Brar, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Kia India, stated, “Despite these challenges, we are committed to delivering advanced vehicles of the highest quality. However, a necessary price adjustment has become unavoidable.”

These price hikes align with moves by other automakers in India, such as Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, and Hyundai Motor India, who have also announced increases effective January.

Reliance Infrastructure expands EV footprint through 2 new subsidiaries

Matrika Shukla — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 14:22:02 +0000

Reliance Infrastructure Limited has announced the incorporation of two new subsidiaries under its wholly owned subsidiary, Reliance Velocity Limited (RVL). The newly formed entities, Reliance Perfect EV Private Limited and Reliance Pure EV Private Limited, mark a significant step forward in the company’s ambition to strengthen its foothold in the electric vehicle (EV) and sustainable mobility industry.

The primary objective of these subsidiaries is to manufacture and deal in vehicles and components catering to diverse transport and conveyance needs. This includes a focus on leveraging various fuel types, with an emphasis on cleaner, electric energy. Both entities aim to contribute to the evolution of India’s EV ecosystem, which is seeing robust growth and government support.

According to the disclosure, the authorized and paid-up share capital for each of the new companies stands at ₹1,00,000, divided into 10,000 equity shares of ₹10 each. Reliance Velocity Limited holds 100% ownership of both subsidiaries, ensuring complete control by Reliance Infrastructure.

Reliance Perfect EV Private Limited was incorporated on November 28, 2024, while Reliance Pure EV Private Limited followed on November 29, 2024. Both companies are yet to commence business operations, positioning them to actively contribute to Reliance Infrastructure’s strategic expansion in the automotive and EV domain.

This development reflects Reliance Infrastructure’s commitment to fostering sustainable mobility solutions and advancing its position in the evolving EV market in India.

24M innovates with Eternalyte™, a breakthrough electrolyte for Lithium-Metal batteries, paving the way for 1000-Mile range EVs

Tushar Aggarwal — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 11:23:14 +0000

24M, a company driven by MIT professor Yet-Ming Chiang’s innovative spirit, has once again pushed the boundaries of energy storage with its latest breakthrough: Eternalyte™, a revolutionary electrolyte designed for lithium-metal batteries. This cutting-edge development promises to significantly enhance the cycle life and rate capability of lithium-metal batteries, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of electric vehicles (EVs), energy storage, and consumer electronics.

The journey of 24M’s disruptive technology began with the introduction of its semi-solid-state batteries, which offered a new paradigm in battery manufacturing and product design. Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, refining its manufacturing processes and expanding its product portfolio to address the evolving needs of the energy storage market.

In 2015, 24M shipped its first batteries to commercial customers, marking a significant milestone in its mission to revolutionize lithium-ion battery manufacturing. The company’s unique approach, characterized by its capital-efficient, low-cost manufacturing process, has positioned it as a leader in the industry, driving advancements in battery technology and paving the way for a more sustainable energy future.

The introduction of the electrode-to-pack (ETOP) battery system further solidified 24M’s position as an industry innovator. This groundbreaking technology, which eliminates the need for individual cells and modules by packaging electrodes directly into the battery pack, delivers unmatched energy density and efficiency. The ETOP system represents a major leap forward in battery design, offering a streamlined, cost-effective solution for electric mobility and energy storage systems.

Now, with the unveiling of Eternalyte™, 24M is poised to revolutionize lithium-metal batteries, unlocking the potential for EVs with 1000-mile ranges. Unlike traditional solid-state electrolytes, which have been the preferred choice for lithium-metal batteries, Eternalyte™ offers superior cycle life and rate capability, addressing key challenges that have hindered the commercial viability of lithium-metal cells.

By combining Eternalyte™ with its other groundbreaking technologies, such as the Impervio™ battery separator, 24M is creating a comprehensive suite of battery solutions that promise to reshape the energy storage landscape. These innovations not only enhance the performance and safety of lithium-ion batteries but also contribute to a more sustainable future by enabling the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems.

24M’s relentless pursuit of innovation and commitment to sustainability continue to drive advancements in battery technology. With Eternalyte™ and its other groundbreaking developments, 24M is not only pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in energy storage but also shaping the future of transportation and energy consumption on a global scale.

Tesla offers $1000 incentive amid winter car sales slump

Dimple Gehlot — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 11:16:13 +0000

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, recently took to Twitter to announce a new incentive for potential car buyers. In a tweet, he mentioned that since most people prefer not to purchase cars during the winter season, Tesla is providing a $1000 incentive to encourage purchases.

This situation highlights a common challenge in manufacturing: while factories thrive on continuous production for efficiency, consumer demand tends to fluctuate with the seasons.

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have seen a notable decline in recent times. This decline is particularly evident during the winter months, where electric vehicles often face reduced range.

The decrease in range during winter can be attributed to two main factors. Firstly, cold temperatures increase the internal resistance of the battery, making it less efficient. Secondly, the use of heating systems in vehicles during cold weather further contributes to decreased range. Heating systems, along with heated seats, consume a significant amount of energy, which ultimately reduces the overall range of the vehicle.

India’s JSW initiates talks with Chinese carmaker Leapmotor for EV tech

Adesh Dixit — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:37:34 +0000

Steel-to-energy in India According to those with knowledge of the conversations, JSW Group is in preliminary discussions with Chinese carmaker Leapmotor to license technology to construct electric vehicles in India.

According to the technology license agreement, JSW would employ Leapmotor’s platform—the foundation upon which a car is built—to produce EVs in India under its own brand name, according to the sources. This would be the company’s second attempt to get into the expanding market.

One of the sources stated that JSW is likely to use a single platform on which it can produce at least three mid-sized sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), and that Leapmotor will also engineer the vehicles for the Indian firm.

When production might start was not specified by the sources.

For its EV drive in the nation, the business has also been in talks to purchase a stake in MG Motor India, owned by China’s SAIC Motor Corp, but those talks have halted, the source noted.

Tata Motors dominates the small EV market in India, which accounted for less than 2% of all vehicles sold during the previous fiscal year. The government plans to increase EV sales to 30% of all sales by 2030, but growth is happening quickly.

One of the sources stated, “JSW wants to sell cars under its own brand for which they need the technology more than an investment or joint venture in an existing carmaker,” adding that it has also been in talks with a few other Chinese automakers.

As the discussions are still ongoing and no decision has been made in full, the sources declined to be named.

Leapmotor chose not to respond.

While Sajjan Jindal, the billionaire chairman of JSW, declined to comment, he has made public statements about his goal to create electric vehicles and its conversations with MG Motor. In 2016, the business launched its initial foray into electric vehicles.

This week, the Indian media claimed that JSW is in technological negotiations with Chinese firms and is also in talks to buy Ford Motor Co.’s southern India plant, where manufacturing was halted last year after the company left the market.

The specifics of discussions with Leapmotor have not before been publicized.

Tesla is also interested in this market and is in discussions with the Indian government about establishing a factory there to produce inexpensive EVs. The government is also developing a new plan to entice EV manufacturers by lowering import taxes in exchange for their investment in domestic manufacturing.

Leapmotor, founded in 2015, sells four mass market electric cars and holds less than 2% of the fragmented EV industry in China. It revealed a new EV platform in August and intends to license it to additional automakers.

Leapmotor would have the chance to profit from the Indian market through a contract with JSW at a time when Chinese businesses are finding it difficult to establish manufacturing operations there as a result of New Delhi’s stricter regulations governing foreign investment from nearby nations, according to one of the people.

As a result, MG Motor India was compelled to seek out regional investors like JSW in order to obtain stock.

According to media reports, Leapmotor has also been in collaboration discussions with other significant automakers, such as Stellantis and Volkswagen.

Exide Energy plans for extra 40 acres of land to build 2nd lithium cell factory

Avinash Ram — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:11:49 +0000

Exide Energy, which started building a lithium battery cell factory in Karnataka’s second phase of Devanahalli Industrial Area, wants to increase the size of its production facility and has asked for an extra 40 acres of land to do so. In the second phase of the Devanahalli Industrial Area, the corporation has already started building a plant with a 6,000 gigawatt-hour production capacity. The project is currently under construction, and operations should start in 2024. The company also plans to increase its production capacity by an additional 6,000 gigawatt-hours. The two plants will require an investment of Rs 6,000 crore in total, according to MB Patil, the minister of large and medium industries for Karnataka, on August 21.

On August 21, the company’s staff, led by Managing Director and CEO Mandar V Deo, met with Patil and presented a proposal. The proposal will be examined before a decision is made, according to Patil, whose administration wants to encourage the expansion of the EV market in the state. According to a statement from Patil’s office, the business intends to begin construction on the second proposed plant in the year 2024.

Ford partners with a Chinese company to build EV battery facility in Michigan

News Desk — Tue, 14 Feb 2023 05:02:09 +0000

America’s Ford Motor Co. is said to partner with its Chinese counterpart Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd. to build a battery plant in Michigan. Ford plans to invest $3.5 billion to build an electric vehicle battery plant in Michigan, betting that making the batteries in the United States will help it and Chinese partner CATL (300750. SZ) attract U.S. customers to embrace a lower-cost technology pioneered in China.

This project comes after a months-long search that became mired in geopolitical tensions between the US and China. This initiative comes with a lot of uncertainty as to how the US Treasury Department will interpret requirements in President Joe Biden’s signature climate package — the Inflation Reduction Act. The law is designed to withhold consumer tax credits for EVs made with a certain amount of China-linked materials in their batteries.

Ford in a statement said that CATL is the world’s largest battery manufacturing unit for electric vehicles and it has agreed to “accepted Ford’s invitation for collaboration in Ford’s battery factory in Marshall, Michigan by providing services and knowledge for the construction and operation of the plant, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ford.”

Ford is investing $50 billion broadly to develop and build electric vehicles and plans to produce 2 million a year by the end of 2026. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker was the No. 2 seller of EVs in the US last year, well behind Tesla Inc., which controls almost two-thirds of the American market.

Michigan approved just over $1 billion in incentives over 15 years to win the project including “Critical Industry Program” grants of up to $210 million and $772 million to designate the project as a “Renaissance Zone” that will significantly reduce both real and personal property taxes.

Ford has not yet released details to the public and further information is yet to be announced.

Suzuki to invest $1.3 billion into EVs & battery manufacturing in India

Keertiman Upadhyay — Sun, 20 Mar 2022 05:46:30 +0000

On Sunday, March 20, the Japanese carmaker, Suzuki announced to invest $1.3 billion approx Rs 10,445 crore into electric vehicles & battery production in India. This move will help in achieving the long term goal of carbon neutrality.

The company has signed an MOU with Govt of Gujarat. “Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) signed MOU with the State of Gujarat, India to invest approximately 150 billion yen (approximately 104.4 billion rupees) for local manufacturing of electric vehicles (BEV) and BEV batteries,” the car manufacturer said in a statement.

As the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is on his two-day visit to India, this MOU was signed in his presence at India-Japan Annual Summit held in New Delhi. PM Narendra Modi was also present at the forum. Mr Toshihiro Suzuki, Representative Director and President of Suzuki Motor Corporation & Mr Kenichi Ayukawa, Managing Director & CEO of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd took part in the discussion.

“Suzuki’s future mission is to achieve carbon neutrality with small cars. We will continue active investment in India to realise Self-reliant India (Atma-nirbhar Bharat),” said Toshihiro Suzuki. In 2019, Maruti Suzuki partnered with Toyota Tsusho Group to develop a vehicle dismantling & recycling plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

RIL keen on buying shares of EV tech firm Altigreen

Mymun Malik — Thu, 10 Feb 2022 05:10:02 +0000

Reliance New Energy Limited (RNEL), a sister concern of Reliance Industries Limited today has announced it is signing a contract with Altigreen Propulsion Labs Private Limited. RNEL has taken the subscription of 34000 series A Convertible Preference Shares of order value ₹ 50 crores.

Mr. Mukesh Ambani had committed to invest $ 76 billion in renewable energy and the like over the next 3 years (2022 to 2025), so this is the RNEL’s strategic business intent of joining hands with the innovative companies in Electric Vehicles, New Mobility and New Energy ecosystems.

Interestingly for the RNEL and Altigreen’s negotiation, a regulatory of governments approval is not required and the settlement is expected to be completed before March 2022; RIL mentioned.

Altigreen is based out of the capital city of Karnataka, Bengaluru. It is into electric vehicle (EV) technology and provides solutions for the same. It helps in the commercial last-mile logistics with its two, three and four-wheeled vehicles.

Nitin Gadkari asks Tesla not to sell cars made in China, suggests Tesla vehicles should be ‘affordable’

Cheryll Jain — Sat, 09 Oct 2021 10:33:52 +0000

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday, October 8, that Electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer Tesla Motors has been asked not to sell cars in the country that have been manufactured in China. He instead proposed to the company’s CEO, Elon Musk, to start manufacturing Tesla cars in India.

In his address at the Game Changers: Climate Action session at the India Today Conclave 2021, he disclosed a conversation that occurred between him and Elon Musk, stating that he had asked the CEO to start the manufacturing process locally and export assembled cars from India. He also suggested that Tesla cars in India should be ‘affordable’ and thus priced at Rs.35 lakhs.

He affirmed that as part of the Atmanirbhar programme launched by the Modi government, the local production of batteries to power the vehicles is rising and Indian manufacturers shall be able to commence their export in the near future. Deeming this an added advantage for Tesla Motors, he stated that the Modi government is ready to extend all its support to the company to set up local manufacturing units in the country soon.

Gadkari’s comments alluded to the mutual interest between the Modi government and Elon Musk in having Tesla debut into the world’s fifth-largest automobile market, which has a reputation of being price sensitive.

Tesla has been gunning to kickstart the process of selling its electric vehicles in India but has been discouraged due to high import duties charged in the country. In order to secure the domestic manufacturers, the Indian government charges 100 per cent import duty on cars if their CIF (cost, insurance and freight) value exceeds $40,000 or has a petrol or diesel engine with a displacement of greater than 3,000 CC and 2,500 CC, respectively.

The ongoing attempts by Tesla to lobby with the Indian government to grant tax concessions and reduce the import duties levied on EV have not given fruitful results so far. Last month, the heavy industries minister had replied to Tesla’s attempt at negotiating by stating that any tax concessions can be considered once Tesla begins the manufacturing process of its cars in India.

TVS Motors signs MoU with Tata Power to implement Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure across India

Cheryll Jain — Tue, 05 Oct 2021 09:58:26 +0000

In yet another initiative to integrate clean, renewable energy sources across India, TVS Motor Company has entered into a strategic partnership with Tata Power, an entity of the Tata Group, to set up Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure across the country.

TVS Motor Company on Tuesday, October 5, stated that has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Power to encourage the widespread implementation of Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure (EVCI) across India and look for opportunities to extend solar power technologies at select TVS Motor locations.

“This collaboration with Tata Power marks yet another significant milestone towards enabling a greener future for the country.” Said Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company in a regulatory filing, commenting on the company’s aim to employ clean energy sources to reduce carbon footprint.

According to the statement, the partnership between the two companies will endeavour to set up a regular AC charging network and a DC fast-charging network for two-wheelers across the country to facilitate the adoption of electric vehicles amongst two-wheeler customers.

Disclosing the company’s foresight to implement renewable energy for powering vehicles, Venu said that through this partnership, it intends to set up wide and reliable charging infrastructure for EV customers across the country which will be powered by renewable sources of energy such as solar.

Meanwhile, Praveer Sinha, the CEO and Managing Director of Tata Power, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership and the opportunities the collaboration will bring for the two companies, stating that Tata was happy to join hands with TVS Motors. He also stated that through this partnership, they plan to take advantage of their expertise to “enhance synergy between sustainable mobility and renewable energy integration resulting in the creation of robust EV charging eco-system across India.”

Tata Steel commits to invest Rs 3,000 crore in Jharkhand over next 3 years

Sneha Sengupta — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 15:36:42 +0000

On Saturday, India-based steel company Tata Steel averred its aim to raise Rs 3,000 crore in Jharkhand over the upcoming three years that will enable the company to increase its reach. This announcement was made at the launch event of the Jharkhand Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (JIIPP) by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

“Tata Steel plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore in the next three years in Jharkhand with the expansion of capacities of coal and iron ore mines and downstream value-added steel portfolio,” Chanakya Choudhary, Vice President – Corporate Services at Tata Steel, told PTI. Choudhary averred Tata Steel was in Jharkhand for the past 114 years and it was home to the steel company.

Soren added: “You all are part of the Jharkhand family. And we want our family to grow further so that the rich identity of the state comes in front of the country and the world.” The chief minister said that an upgraded industrial policy has been prepared and it is a matter of pride that Tata Steel has expressed willingness to invest in Jharkhand.

Tata Steel, a Jharkhand-based company with a revenue of Rs 1,84,191.47 crore. Aiming to make larger investments and a focal for the manufacturing of electric vehicles, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren granted facilities to industrial giants like Tatas, Vedanta, SAIL, NTPC and Maruti Suzuki.

“During one on meeting with Tata Group officials, the Chief Minister asked them why can’t open an electric vehicles manufacturing plant in the state,” an official privy to the meeting told PTI. A Tata Group senior official asserted that the discussions centred around the proposed EV policy of the state and expansion of group activities in the state, and the group would soon come out with suggestions in this regard.

Ampere Vehicles reach 1 lakh EV customer base in India

Vandana Nampoothiri — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 05:43:28 +0000

Green Cotton’s e-mobility arm Ampere Vehicles announced on Thursday, August 12 that it has achieved the milestone of a 1lakh EV customer base in over 400 towns.

The company says that it got more reach because of the increased acceptance from B2B and B2C customers and fast-growing channel partners.

Speaking about the achievement, Roy Kurian, COO, E-Mobility Business, Ampere Vehicles, said in an official statement, “We would like to thank all our stakeholders for being part of this enriching and exciting journey of electrifying India and providing smooth and affordable last-mile connectivity. With this significant milestone, we are now getting ready to move millions of daily commuters and livelihood earners through last-mile logistics ahead.”

According to the official statement, the company saw a huge spike in sales due to increasing petrol prices in the country during the pandemic. The company also noted that there was an increase in demand for electric vehicles from smaller towns and cities.

Ampere also stated that it has been investing in technology, talent development, and channel network, and consumer experience through physical and digital modes. Earlier this year, the company announced Rs. 700-Cr investment over a period of 10 years for its new state-of-the-art EV facility in Tamil Nadu’s Ranipet.

In July, Ampere had announced that it had reached 500 touchpoints across India, offering 350 dealerships from Ampere Vehicles and 165 from ELE e-rickshaw segment.

CESL issues tender to procure 1 lakh electric three-wheelers

Aayushi Singh — Sat, 07 Aug 2021 18:28:39 +0000

The State-run, Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL), had floated a tender for acquiring 1 lakh electric three-wheelers for different use cases like freight loaders, garbage disposal, food and vaccine transport and passenger autos.

Original equipment manufacturers had been invited to provide quotations for electric three-wheelers, to be used under various mentioned use cases and posy the procurement of these vehicles, CE would lease them to the entities that wish to avail such leasing services.

For any entity that would be interested in buying, CESL would make the e-three-wheelers available on their digital platform for outright purchase, and all the vehicles would comply with the FAME-II policy requirements.

CESL had issued a tender to procure the EV’s in order the fulfilling the demand aggregated from their various partners and states across the country. The cities aim to transform their garbage collection fleet from fossil fuel to electric power which would be greener and cheaper to operate. The tender’s huge part consists of the demand for vehicles that would be used to deliver vaccines and provide employment.

OEM’s would be responsible for manufacturing, designing, testing, engineering, inspection, transportation, supply, transit insurance, and system warranty, delivery of the product to the end consumer and also providing after-sales support.

CESL through the tender and procurement of e-three wheelers aims to reduce cost, standardise the demand for these vehicles and maintain high quality and service levels through the implementation of quality assurance and quality control procedures, they were also working on providing electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, electric buses and their associated charging infrastructure.

Mahua Acharya, MD and CEO, had said that CESL has aimed to catalyse large scale transformation of the transportation system in India by focusing on accessibility and affordability.

Mercedes to become ‘electric only’ by 2030, will invest 40 billion Euros to make battery cells

Bhomik Mathur — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 14:42:10 +0000

German luxury carmaker Mercedes Benz will be investing a sum of 40 billion Euros into electric car batteries over the next decade to make a complete shift towards electric vehicles. The company on Thursday unveiled a comprehensive plan and a timeline to mark a turnaround from ‘electric first’ to ‘electric only’.

According to Mercedes, by the year 2022, all car segments of the company will have battery electric vehicles while starting from 2025, customers will have the option to go for an electric alternative for each of its models. The carmaker will only launch electric vehicle architecture from 2025. For this purpose, Mercedes will be launching three electric-only architectures- MB.EA, AMG.EA and VAN.EA.

“We will be ready as markets switch to electric-only by the end of this decade,” said Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes.

Over the next decade, Mercedes Benz will invest to create eight Gigafactories and will partner with new companies for developing and producing the battery cells required in EVs. The carmaker aims to reach a battery cell capacity higher than 200 Gigawatt hours as moves towards an emission-free and software-driven future.

Mercedes claimed that it would make the transformation while ensuring that it meets the profitability targets. “Thanks to our highly qualified and motivated workforce, I am convinced that we will be successful in this exciting new era,” Källenius said in a statement.

EV maker Hero Electrics raises Rs 220 crore in funding from GII and OAKS

Bhomik Mathur — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:42:51 +0000

Amid increasing competition with Ola Electric and Ather Energy, electric scooter company, Hero Electric has raised Rs 220 crore in series B funding. The fundraise saw participation from Gulf Islamic Investments(GII) in addition to existing investor OAKS. OAKS had earlier invested a sum of Rs 140 crore in the electric vehicles(EV) company in 2018.

The proceeds from the fundraiser would be used by the company to expand its production capacity, invest in new technologies and strengthen its leadership in the market, Hero Electric’s Managing Director Naveen Munjal told financialexpress.com.

With the government’s formulating favorable policies for electric vehicles, competition has been heating up in the sector. Hero Electric’s competitor, Ather Energy has been raising funds aggressively, having raised Rs 260 crore last year in series D funding. Ather is backed by Hero MotoCorp. . Ridesharing company Ola is also making a foray into the EV sector, announcing a plan to invest up to Rs 2,400 crore to build an EV scooter manufacturing plant in Tamil Nadu.

According to a report by financialexpress.com, Hero Electric has set the target to sell over 1 lakh two-wheeler EVs during the financial year 2021-22. Naveen Munjal told the publication that the company had installed 1,650 charging stations across the country to facilitate the growth in sales of EV’s. “now even in terms of sticker price EVs are more affordable(than petrol two-wheelers),” he told financialexpress.com.

Govt allows registration and sale of Electric Vehicles without pre-fitted batteries

Pravin Suryawanshi — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 05:11:28 +0000

The union road transport and highways ministry has asked states to permit the registration and selling of
electric vehicles ( EVs) without pre-fitted battery, thereby reducing the cost of these vehicles as well
as promoting the use of swappable batteries.

With India striving to create an ecosystem to encourage the adoption of electric mobility, the latest step is expected to reduce its upfront cost, as compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) fitted vehicles. The battery in an EV accounts for 30-40% of its cost. The adoption of electric mobility will also reduce vehicular pollution and reduce dependence on oil imports.

The battery can be provided separately by an original equipment manufacturer or an energy service provider.

In a letter to transport secretaries of all states and union territories, the ministry said that vehicles without batteries can be sold and registered after getting an approval certificate issued by a testing agency. There is also no need to specify the type or any other details of the battery for vehicle registration.

“For the promotion of electrical two-wheelers and three-wheeler vehicles, there are recommendations brought to the notice of the Ministry to delink the cost of the battery (which accounts for 30-40% of the total cost) from the vehicle cost. Vehicles could then also be sold in the market without the battery. This will make the upfront cost of the electrical 2 wheeler (2W) and 3 wheelers (3W) to be lower than ICE 2 and 3W,” it is mentioned in the letter.

Progress comes at a time when India is still struggling to move for more costly electric adoption and a lack
of charging infrastructure. Adopting battery swapping would also shorten the time it takes to charge EVs,
said an industry official.