Author: Michael Khan

India and the United Kingdom are set to implement their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on July 15, opening the door to lower import duties on vehicles traded between the two countries and creating new opportunities for automakers over the coming decade. While tariff reductions for conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles will begin immediately, hybrid, battery-electric, and hydrogen-powered vehicles will receive preferential treatment only from the sixth year of the agreement, reflecting India’s efforts to protect domestic automotive manufacturing. Tariff Cuts Begin With Conventional Vehicles Under the agreement, India will gradually reduce customs duties on UK-built ICE vehicles from current…

Indian electric bus operator JBM Ecolife Mobility has secured an investment of ₹750 crore (approximately €69.3 million) from Motilal Oswal Alternates, providing fresh capital to expand its electric bus operations and supporting infrastructure across the country. The funding is expected to finance the deployment of around 2,000 additional electric buses, strengthening the company’s position in India’s growing zero-emission public transport market. Fleet Expansion Planned Over Next Year JBM Ecolife, a subsidiary of JBM Auto, said the investment will be used to increase both its electric bus fleet and the operational infrastructure needed to support large-scale deployments. The company currently operates…

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Urban Cruiser EV in India, marking the company’s entry into the country’s battery-electric vehicle market. The model is Toyota’s version of a compact electric SUV developed in partnership with Suzuki and is produced by Maruti Suzuki at its manufacturing facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat. TKM announced three variants of the vehicle—E1, E2 and E3—but has initially disclosed pricing only for the range-topping E3 grade, which is priced at 2.36 million rupees. Battery Subscription Option Available Customers can also purchase the vehicle through a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, under which the vehicle is offered at a…

Tata Motors plans to license a vehicle platform developed by Chery Jaguar Land Rover (CJLR) for its upcoming Avinya electric vehicle lineup, marking a change in strategy for the Indian automaker’s premium EV brand. The move follows Tata Motors’ decision to move away from using Jaguar Land Rover’s Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform, which had originally been intended to underpin future Avinya models. Platform Strategy Changes According to reports from Autocar Professional, Tata Motors reconsidered its plans after Jaguar Land Rover decided against manufacturing EMA-based electric vehicles in India. With Avinya volumes alone deemed insufficient to support local investment in the…

VinFast has produced its 10,000th vehicle at its manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, marking a new milestone for the Vietnamese electric vehicle maker’s operations in India. The achievement comes less than a year after the company began production at the site, which serves as VinFast’s first manufacturing facility outside its home market of Vietnam. India Plant Supports Growing EV Portfolio VinFast entered the Indian market with the launch of its VF 6 and VF 7 electric sport utility vehicles and later expanded its lineup with the introduction of the VF MPV 7 earlier this year. https://twitter.com/VinFastofficial/status/2061779869483012538 The company said…

India has approved the installation of 4,874 public electric vehicle chargers under its PM E-Drive programme, with allocated funding of 503.86 crore rupees (around 44 million euros), as the country accelerates expansion of its charging infrastructure network. The announcement was made by India’s Heavy Industries and Steel Minister during a conference on EV charging infrastructure in Bengaluru. According to the Ministry of Heavy Industries, the approved projects include proposals submitted by state-owned fuel retailers Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), along with state governments including Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat,…

Vietnamese electric vehicle maker VinFast has launched bookings for its VF MPV 7 in India, a seven-seat electric multipurpose vehicle, as it expands its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing auto markets. The model is available for booking with a fee of 21,000 Indian rupees starting April 2 through the company’s website and 50 authorised dealerships nationwide. VinFast said the official launch and full pricing announcement are scheduled for April 15, 2026. The VF MPV 7 measures 4,740 mm in length, 1,872 mm in width and 1,734 mm in height, with a 2,840 mm wheelbase. It is equipped with…

Ultraviolette has partnered with Bolt.Earth to deploy a dedicated fast-charging network for electric two- and three-wheelers across India. Under the collaboration, Bolt.Earth will roll out Type-6 DC chargers capable of delivering up to 3 kW, designed specifically for light electric vehicles. The chargers will support Ultraviolette’s current lineup, including the Ultraviolette F77 and Ultraviolette X-47. In addition to these chargers, Ultraviolette is also deploying higher-capacity “Supernova” and “Supernova Plus” DC chargers, offering 6 kW and 12 kW respectively, primarily along highways to support intercity travel. Bolt.Earth plans to introduce its own “Blaze” series of 6 kW and 12 kW chargers…

Robert Bosch GmbH and Tata AutoComp Systems plan to establish a joint venture to develop and manufacture electric powertrain components in India, targeting the country’s growing electric mobility market. The companies said the new entity, expected to launch by mid-2026, will focus on e-axles and e-motors and will be equally owned by both partners. The joint venture will be headquartered in Pune, Maharashtra, subject to regulatory approvals. The boards of Bosch, Bosch Limited, and Tata AutoComp Systems have approved the transaction, though final clearance from antitrust authorities is still required. The collaboration is intended to strengthen Bosch’s position in India’s…

Tata Motors has secured a government-backed order to supply 40 hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) trucks for operations at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The company signed a memorandum of understanding with the port authority to deploy the vehicles in phases through 2028. Tata Motors said it will initially conduct trials with a hydrogen-powered prime mover before gradually introducing H2 ICE trucks into port logistics over the next two years. The project is funded by India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. As part of the initiative, the port authority will install a 2-megawatt electrolyser and…

Maruti Suzuki has launched the e-Vitara, its first fully electric vehicle in India, offering customers the choice between conventional ownership and a battery-as-a-service (BaaS) subscription model aimed at reducing purchase costs. The electric SUV is available in four trims—Delta, Zeta, Alpha and Alpha Dual Tone—with ex-showroom prices ranging from 1.599 million rupees to 2.001 million rupees. Under the BaaS scheme, buyers can purchase the vehicle without the battery at significantly lower prices starting from 1.099 million rupees, while paying a usage-based fee per kilometre for battery leasing. Maruti Suzuki has initially introduced only front-wheel-drive variants powered by permanent magnet synchronous…

ZF Friedrichshafen has secured a multi-year contract to supply thousands of AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axles to a leading Indian bus manufacturer, its Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division said. The components will support both India’s domestic public transport sector and international export programs, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2026. The AxTrax 2 LF is designed specifically for low-floor electric buses, integrating propulsion, braking, and suspension into a single compact unit. ZF said the architecture frees up interior space for batteries and passengers while simplifying vehicle design for manufacturers through a modular platform adaptable to different markets. See also: ZF…