Author: Michael Khan

Mumbai has launched battery swapping stations at 31 of its Metro and Monorail stations, in a move to accelerate electric mobility and boost public transport infrastructure in the Indian financial capital. The project, led by Maha Mumbai Metro Operation Corporation Ltd (MMMOCL) in partnership with Honda Power Pack Energy India, has introduced dedicated kiosks for Honda-compatible electric two- and three-wheelers. These enable riders to replace depleted batteries with fully charged ones in under two minutes, offering a swift alternative to conventional charging. The 31 locations include 25 Metro stations and six Monorail stations. According to MMMOCL, the initiative is also…

Tata Motors said on Tuesday that its electric vehicle (EV) launch plans remain on schedule despite recent export restrictions on rare earths by China, a move that has raised concerns across the global automotive industry. Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Tata Motors Chief Financial Officer P.B. Balaji said the company had not yet seen a disruption in supply that would affect production. “Currently, I think there’s no panic because we believe the supplies are coming through. There’s no production curtailment. Nothing is being planned at this point in time,” Balaji said. China, which controls more than 90% of the…

Indian electric bus manufacturer JBM Electric Vehicles (JBM EV), part of the JBM Group conglomerate, has officially launched its entry into the European market with the debut of its all-electric Ecolife city bus at the UITP Summit 2025 in Hamburg. The company also announced the opening of its European headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and a strategic leasing partnership with Germany’s Kazenmaier. The Ecolife electric bus, designed to meet European and VDV standards, is JBM’s flagship model for the region. While detailed technical specifications were not disclosed, the bus boasts a driving range of over 400 kilometers and high-speed DC…

Bengaluru has inaugurated a new solar-powered electric vehicle charging station, named the ‘Renewable Energy to Electric Vehicle (RE2EV)’ hub, as part of its push toward sustainable urban mobility. Located at Galamma Circle near Kempegowda International Airport, the RE2EV hub can charge up to 23 EVs simultaneously and operates independently of the local coal-powered grid. The facility includes 18 fast-charging points and five slow-charging points, primarily serving electric four-wheelers. Nine of the charging units are DC fast chargers—five rated at 50 kW and four at 30 kW—supplied by domestic EV charging manufacturer Delta Electronics. A 45 kWp rooftop solar photovoltaic system…

Maruti Suzuki has cut its near-term production forecast for the e-Vitara, its first electric vehicle, by roughly two-thirds due to a shortage of rare earth materials, according to an internal document reviewed by Reuters, underscoring how China’s export restrictions continue to disrupt the global auto industry. India’s largest carmaker, which had earlier stated it was unaffected by supply chain challenges, now expects to produce approximately 8,200 e-Vitara units between April and September, down from a previously targeted 26,500 units. The company cited “supply constraints” involving rare earth elements, critical for EV motors and other advanced components, as the reason behind…

Vecmocon Technologies, an electric mobility solutions startup based in Delhi, has closed its Series A funding round with a total of $18 million. The funding will support the company’s research and development initiatives and expansion into new electric vehicle (EV) segments. The latest tranche of $8 million was led by the Ecosystem Integrity Fund (EIF), with participation from Aavishkaar Capital. This follows an earlier $10 million round in November 2024, which was also led by EIF and included British International Investment (BII) and Blume Ventures. Founded in 2016, Vecmocon develops critical components for electric vehicles, such as battery management systems,…

Tata Motors said it plans to invest up to 350 billion rupees ($4.1 billion) over the next five years as part of its strategy to reinforce its leadership in India’s growing electric vehicle (EV) market, according to an investor day presentation released on Monday. The company intends to nearly double its EV portfolio from eight to 15 models, while also expanding its range of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles and enhancing technology features across its lineup. The investment comes as India prepares to introduce stricter emission norms in 2027 and works toward a national goal of EVs making up 30%…

Indian electric vehicle and energy storage company Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Delhi-based logistics startup Pickkup to supply 300 electric mini trucks. The agreement was formalized on Tuesday and marks a major step in enhancing sustainable intra-city and intercity logistics. JEM has already delivered the first batch of its one-tonne electric mini truck, the Tez, to Pickkup as part of the initial rollout. Ahead of the deployment, JEM conducted pilot runs on urban and intercity routes to demonstrate the Tez’s performance. During the trials, the vehicle achieved a driving range of up to 220…

Tesla has decided against building electric vehicles in India, instead opting to enter the world’s most populous market through imports and retail showrooms, according to India’s Minister of Heavy Industries. The move signals a shift in the company’s long-delayed approach to expanding in a country that has prioritized domestic manufacturing as a core part of its economic strategy. See also: Tesla’s India Market Entry in Doubt as Country Head Departs  The announcement, made earlier today by Minister Shri Kumaraswamy, confirms that Tesla will not establish a local production facility in India, despite years of discussion with the government. The automaker,…

India has released final guidelines for a new scheme aimed at encouraging global automakers to manufacture electric cars locally, offering tariff incentives in exchange for substantial investments. Under the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), automakers must commit a minimum investment of 41.50 billion rupees ($500 million) within three years of approval by the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). The programme requires a minimum domestic value addition (DVA) of 25% within this period, rising to 50% in five years, subject to certification by an MHI-approved agency. See also: India Allocates ₹20 Billion to Expand EV…

Ola Electric, India’s leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer, has started delivering its first electric motorcycle, the Roadster, aiming to expand its footprint beyond electric scooters. The Roadster is available in four main variants, with sales commencing for the Roadster X and X+ models. These variants feature mid-drive motors and a range of battery options, including a high-capacity 9.1 kWh battery using 4680 cells. The Roadster X offers acceleration from 0 to 40 kph in 3.1 seconds and a range of up to 252 kilometers, while the X+ accelerates faster at 2.7 seconds and can travel up to 501 kilometers on a…

Indian two- and three-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor has received a bulk order for 500 units of its King EV Max electric rickshaw from Chennai-based mobility startup OOR Cabs, the company said on Thursday. The agreement marks a significant step in expanding the availability of the electric three-wheeler to southern India, after a limited rollout earlier this year. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the supply of the King EV Max on Thursday. TVS Motor handed over the first 10 units during the signing ceremony, with another 10 units scheduled for delivery in June. The remaining vehicles…