Author: Michael Khan

India has announced a funding package of 20 billion rupees (approximately 206 million euros) to accelerate the rollout of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, as part of its broader clean mobility agenda under the PM E-Drive scheme. The Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) said it plans to deploy approximately 72,000 public charging stations nationwide, focusing on high-traffic corridors and urban hubs. The new infrastructure will span 50 national highway corridors and key locations such as petrol stations, railway stations, airports, toll plazas, and state highways. The move is aimed at supporting the growth of electric cars, buses, and commercial…

Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech has launched an experimental production line for its Gemstone all-solid-state batteries, signaling continued momentum in the industry’s transition toward mass-producing advanced battery technologies by 2027. Unveiled at its annual technology conference on May 17, the new facility has a designed capacity of 0.2 gigawatt-hours and is intended for early-stage validation and development. All core equipment used in the production line is domestically sourced, Gotion said. Pan Ruijun, head of R&D at Gemstone, confirmed that the batteries have already been installed in vehicles and undergone road testing. “This means that the human imagination of this ultimate…

Tata Motors has launched the first 10 TATA.ev MegaChargers across major Indian highways and cities, marking the initial phase of a larger rollout that aims to establish 500 ultra-fast EV charging stations nationwide. The new network is part of Tata’s broader commitment to double India’s available charging points to 400,000 by 2027. The TATA.ev MegaCharger network is being developed by Tata.ev, the electric mobility arm of Tata Motors focused on 4-wheeled electric vehicles. The newly inaugurated chargers are primarily situated along key highway corridors, including Mumbai–Ahmedabad, Delhi–Jaipur, Pune–Nashik, and in the cities of Bengaluru and Udaipur. See also: Tata Passenger…

Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Middle East (HMMME), a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Company and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), has begun construction on its first automotive production plant in the Middle East, located in King Abdullah Economic City. The facility, announced in 2023, will produce both combustion engine and electric vehicles (EVs) and is scheduled to begin operations in Q4 2026. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles, according to the companies. The joint venture is majority-owned by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, which holds a 70% stake, while Hyundai owns the remaining 30%. Hyundai…

Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the Indian conglomerate Adani Group, has launched India’s first hydrogen-powered truck for mining logistics as part of its broader commitment to decarbonisation. The pilot project began operations on 10 May in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, a mineral-rich central Indian state. The hydrogen truck is currently transporting coal from the Gare Pelma III Block mine, operated by the Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company Limited (CSPGCL), to a nearby state-owned power plant using a zero-emission vehicle. While the truck’s official name has not been disclosed, it was developed by Ashok Leyland, one of India’s leading…

Tesla is reportedly exploring land options in Satara, Maharashtra, to set up a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly facility as part of its broader plans to enter the Indian electric vehicle market, according to a report by Business Standard. A CKD plant allows automakers to ship vehicle components in parts and assemble them locally, enabling manufacturers to reduce tariffs imposed on fully built imported vehicles—a significant barrier Tesla has faced in India. Industry sources indicate Tesla aims to begin rolling out locally assembled vehicles by the final quarter of the current fiscal year, positioning the company for a potential market…

Global sales of electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids climbed 29% year-on-year in April, driven by continued growth in China and Europe despite mounting trade tensions, while North America recorded its first decline since September 2024, according to data released on Wednesday by consultancy Rho Motion. Worldwide, 1.5 million battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles were sold in April. China led the growth with a 32% increase from a year earlier, accounting for 0.9 million vehicles. Europe saw registrations rise 35% to 0.3 million, while North American sales slipped 5.6% to 0.1 million. In the rest of the world, sales surged…

Wrightbus, a UK-based manufacturer of zero-emission buses, has obtained a £150 million finance package from HSBC UK to scale up production and accelerate the rollout of its electric and hydrogen vehicle technologies globally. The funding more than doubles the company’s current facilities and is intended to support research and development, international expansion, and the commercialisation of next-generation zero-emission solutions. With production sites in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, and a growing presence in Asia-Pacific, including a manufacturing facility in Malaysia, Wrightbus is positioning itself to play a leading role in the electrification of global public transport fleets. See also: Wrightbus Commits Multi-Million…

Abu Dhabi Mobility, an arm of the United Arab Emirates’ Department of Municipalities and Transport, announced plans to install 1,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points across 400 locations in the emirate, as part of efforts to expand EV infrastructure and support growing demand. The authority did not disclose the size of the investment but confirmed that the project will be carried out through public-private partnerships (PPP), involving multiple appointed operators responsible for the supply, installation, operation and maintenance of the charging stations. The new charging points will be distributed across Abu Dhabi Island, the Al Ain region and the Al…

Tesla has lost its head of operations in India, casting further uncertainty over the electric vehicle maker’s long-delayed entry into one of the world’s largest auto markets. Prashanth Menon, who had been with the company since 2016 and led its Indian operations since 2021, has reportedly stepped down. Oversight of the Indian market has now shifted to Tesla’s team in China, according to a Bloomberg report. See also: Tesla Begins Local Hiring for Autopilot Operations in India The leadership change comes more than a year after India introduced a policy designed to attract global electric vehicle manufacturers. The program reduces…

Volta Trucks, the Swedish-founded electric truck manufacturer, has filed for insolvency for a second time, impacting both its UK-based parent company and its Austrian subsidiary. The company, which aimed to revolutionize urban freight transport with its purpose-built electric trucks, has struggled to bring its flagship Volta Zero model to market. The filings affect Volta Commercial Vehicles Limited in the United Kingdom and Volta Commercial Vehicles GmbH in Austria, the latter responsible for the production of the Volta Zero. Production of the electric truck had been plagued by delays since its inception, and the company has been unable to generate sufficient…

Tesla has posted new job openings for Autopilot Vehicle Operators in New Delhi and Mumbai, marking the electric carmaker’s first direct hiring efforts tied to autonomous driving operations in India. The full-time positions involve operating engineering vehicles to collect camera and audio data intended for training Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) software. The job listings also outline responsibilities including equipment troubleshooting, vehicle safety checks, and collaboration with development teams. Candidates are offered a 10% shift premium for afternoon and night hours. See also: Tesla Prepares for India Launch as Model Y Spotted Testing Near Mumbai https://twitter.com/TeslaClubIN/status/1918264623851311317 The postings follow Tesla’s broader…