Author: Michael Khan
With a background in electrical engineering and programming, Michael Khan became passionate about electric cars around 2007
Ultraviolette Expands Electric Two-Wheeler Lineup with Tesseract Scooter and Shockwave Motorcycle
Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ultraviolette has unveiled two new models, the Tesseract electric maxi-scooter and the Shockwave electric enduro motorcycle, marking a significant step toward becoming a mainstream brand. The company, known for its high-performance electric motorcycles, aims to broaden its market reach with plans to introduce ten more models by 2028. Tesseract: A Futuristic Electric Maxi-Scooter The Tesseract is positioned as a high-tech maxi-scooter featuring a futuristic design and advanced rider assistance technologies. Available in three variants—3.5, 5, and 6—each corresponds to its battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The scooter’s top-end version is powered by a 15 kW electric…
Rio Tinto has finalized its $6.7 billion acquisition of U.S.-based lithium producer Arcadium, solidifying its position as one of the world’s largest lithium suppliers. The deal, initially announced in October, expands the British-Australian mining giant’s role in the supply of key battery materials for electric vehicles. See also: Rio Tinto to Invest $2.5 Billion in Argentina’s Rincon Lithium Project “Today we are delighted to welcome the employees of Arcadium to Rio Tinto. Together, we are accelerating our efforts to source, mine and produce minerals needed for the energy transition,” Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm said. He added that combining Rio…
The government of Delhi will prohibit fuel stations from supplying petrol and diesel to vehicles older than 15 years starting March 31, as part of measures to tackle air pollution in the Indian capital, an official said on Saturday. AI-powered cameras will be installed at fuel stations to enforce the rule, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. “We are installing gadgets at petrol pumps which will identify vehicles older than 15 years, and no fuel will be provided to them,” he stated at a meeting of city officials on air pollution. See also: Infineon, CDIL Partner to Boost India’s EV…
Chevrolet has introduced the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept, an electric off-road vehicle equipped with three electric motors delivering a combined 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. The concept vehicle, comprising approximately 98% General Motors production parts, was unveiled ahead of its participation in the Mint 400 off-road race, where it will compete in the Open Production EV class driven by Chad Hall. See also: Chevrolet Unveils 1,300-HP Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype Ahead of Daytona 500 The Silverado EV ZR2 concept features a lifted suspension, Multimatic damper technology, locking differentials, and underbody skid protection, aligning with the design…
Tesla has secured its inaugural showroom location in India, leasing a 4,000-square-foot space in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), according to sources familiar with the matter. The showroom is situated on the ground floor of a commercial tower in BKC, with a monthly rent of approximately ₹35 lakh ($40,100). See also: Tesla Expected to Begin India Sales in 2025, Initial Shipments Planned This development follows CEO Elon Musk’s recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States, where they discussed topics including space, mobility, and technology. In addition to the Mumbai location, Tesla has selected a site…
India’s subsidy allocation for electric buses under the PM E-DRIVE scheme is being utilized swiftly, with the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) approving 9,800 electric buses—70% of the total quota—just over four months after the program’s launch. According to a report from Mint, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have secured subsidies for 7,000 and 2,800 electric buses, respectively. The scheme, capped at 14,028 buses, now has 4,228 subsidy slots remaining. See also: FlixBus and ETO Motors Partner to Electrify Intercity Transport in India with New Electric Coaches MHI has allocated 109 billion Indian rupees (approximately 1.2 billion euros) for the initiative from…
Ola Electric Mobility, India’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer by sales, is laying off more than 1,000 employees and contract workers as it moves to prioritize profitability, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. This marks the second round of job cuts at the SoftBank-backed (9434.T) company in five months. Ola Electric previously trimmed about 500 jobs in November, leaving it with 3,824 employees as of December 31—a 1.8% decline from the previous year, according to data from market intelligence firm Tracxn. See also: Ola Electric Unveils Gen 3 Electric Scooters with Enhanced Technology and Performance The…
Polestar is set to expand its retail presence by incorporating Volvo’s dealership network, moving beyond its online sales model. The transition, expected to be completed by March, aims to support the company’s goal of achieving annual growth of 30% to 35% between 2024 and 2027, CEO Michael Lohscheller said at the Automobilwoche event in Munich. “Our goal of growing by 30 to 35 per cent annually from 2024 to 2027 cannot be achieved with online sales alone,” Lohscheller stated. While Polestar has operated independent ‘Spaces’ and showcased its vehicles at some Volvo dealerships, purchases were previously handled online. The new…
Sedans may not be dominating the electric vehicle market, but Kia aims to challenge the trend with the introduction of the Kia EV4. Unveiled at the 2025 Kia EV Day in Barcelona, this all-electric sedan, along with its hatchback variant, is poised to offer a compelling alternative to the growing crossover segment. Combining an aerodynamic design, competitive range options, and an array of high-tech features, the EV4 seeks to redefine what an entry-level electric vehicle can be. Built on Kia’s E-GMP platform, the EV4 shares similarities with the boxy EV3 crossover but adopts a sleeker, more refined profile. Buyers will…
India’s electric vehicle (EV) policy, which provides tax incentives for foreign automakers setting up local manufacturing, will limit the extent to which investments in charging infrastructure can count toward required funding commitments, according to a government document seen by Reuters. Under the policy announced last year, foreign carmakers can import EVs at a reduced 15% tariff, down from around 100%, if they invest a minimum of $500 million in local manufacturing. However, the policy stipulates that only 5% of the total investment can be attributed to charging infrastructure, even if companies allocate a larger share of their funds to developing…
Tesla is preparing to enter the Indian market but will wait for the government to revise its policy on imported electric vehicles, a move that could determine the models it offers in the country, Bloomberg reported. The U.S. electric vehicle maker plans to import a few thousand cars to Mumbai in the coming months, with the Model Y being a likely candidate for launch. However, local reports suggest Tesla may introduce its rumored ‘Model Q’ instead. The final decision will depend on the outcome of ongoing tariff discussions between India and the United States, including a potential reduction of the…
Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ola Electric has introduced the Roadster X range of electric motorcycles, featuring chain-drive systems, mid-mounted motors, and integrated motor control units for enhanced efficiency. Deliveries are set to commence on March 15, the company announced. The Roadster X lineup includes standard and ‘+’ variants, with power outputs ranging from 7 kW to 11 kW. The base Roadster X is available with three battery options—2.5 kWh (144 km range), 3.5 kWh (201 km range), and 4.5 kWh (259 km range). It achieves a top speed of up to 118 kph and accelerates from 0 to 40 kph…