Author: Michael Khan

Skoda Auto has started developing its first electric vehicle designed and manufactured in India, as part of its broader strategy to enter the country’s rapidly growing EV market, a company executive told Business Standard. The upcoming model, which will be built at the Volkswagen Group’s facility in Chakan, Maharashtra, will span 4.5 metres in length, placing it in the compact or C-segment category. Skoda India Brand Director Petr Janeba said the EV will be available with two battery pack options, aiming to attract both price-sensitive and premium customers. “While the platform is decided, product development is ongoing,” Janeba said, noting…

Tesla appears to be accelerating its long-anticipated entry into India, with a camouflaged Model Y seen driving on Indian roads over the weekend. The sighting comes amid preparations for the company’s official sales launch in the country, expected in the coming months. A video posted to Reddit on Sunday showed a privacy-wrapped Model Y SUV being tested in India. The vehicle’s appearance comes shortly after Tesla received certification to sell the Model Y and Model 3 in the country, marking the first step toward introducing its electric vehicles (EVs) to the Indian market. A similar sighting occurred just days earlier…

ZF has secured an order to supply several thousand units of its AxTrax 2 electric axle drive to a major manufacturer in India. This order, which spans several years, will see the AxTrax 2 integrated into a new fleet of emission-free intercity buses, marking a significant development in India’s push towards sustainable public transportation. The AxTrax 2 electric axle is designed to replace the conventional engine, transmission, and axle components in commercial vehicles, offering an efficient solution for electrification. Capable of delivering 210 kW of continuous power, the electric axle is part of ZF’s modular e-mobility kit, which integrates in-house…

Himachal Pradesh has commissioned 402 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations as part of its strategy to promote green mobility and cleaner transportation. The northern Indian state also plans to deploy 297 electric buses to modernize its public transport fleet. The state government announced the initiatives following a recent cabinet meeting that outlined measures to support EV adoption across government departments. The charging stations will primarily be installed at Public Works Department (PWD) rest houses and other government-operated facilities. See also: Olectra Greentech Wins Order for 2,400 Electric Buses from Mumbai Of the 402 new charging stations, 252 will be located…

Tesla has installed 24 Supercharger stations across Saudi Arabia, responding to concerns over the country’s limited electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, as the U.S. automaker begins deliveries of its Cybertruck in the region. The company announced the opening of the charging sites one day after launching vehicle deliveries in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Each of Saudi Arabia’s three largest cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam—received eight Supercharger units, Tesla said. The move comes amid growing scrutiny over the Kingdom’s readiness for wider EV adoption. A report from Reuters earlier this week cited data showing that as of 2024,…

Indian charge point operator ChargET has inaugurated a major electric vehicle (EV) charging hub in Kolkata, enabling up to 60 vehicles to charge simultaneously. Located at the headquarters of India Power Corporation in Salt Lake City’s Sector V, the facility marks a significant expansion of EV infrastructure in eastern India. The charging station includes 54 AC charging points equipped with Type 2 connectors and six DC fast chargers with CCS connectors, according to ChargET’s founder and director Manya Kanoria. “The site has been designed to cater to both daily EV users and fleet operators with a mix of fast and…

Electric vehicle startup Harbinger has commenced production of its medium-duty EV platform chassis at a new facility in Garden Grove, California, and has so far manufactured more than 100 units for commercial and specialty vehicle customers, the company said on Wednesday. The chassis, designed for use in applications such as walk-in vans, box trucks, emergency vehicles, and recreational vehicles (RVs), integrates a modular electric drivetrain, steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire systems, as well as a scalable battery system capable of reaching up to 800 volts DC. Harbinger said it is the only U.S. truck manufacturer currently building its own drivetrain in-house. See…

German engine manufacturer Deutz has agreed to acquire Dutch electrification specialist Urban Mobility Systems (UMS), expanding its capabilities in battery-electric drive systems for off-highway applications. The deal, which covers 100% of UMS and its parent company UMS Holding B.V., marks a strategic move by Deutz to strengthen its position in the growing market for alternative powertrains. UMS, regarded as an innovation leader in electrification solutions, has successfully converted more than 200 machines—including excavators, wheel loaders and cranes—to electric power. The acquisition will allow Deutz to target new customer segments, particularly in transportation and logistics, while accelerating its research and development…

India is weighing a significant reduction in import tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) built in the United States, as part of ongoing trade talks aimed at easing tensions with Washington, government sources told Reuters. The move would mark a departure from decades of high import duties that have shielded the domestic auto sector. Currently, India imposes tariffs of up to 110% on imported EVs, making it one of the most protected auto markets globally. See also: Tesla Seeks Regulatory Approval for Model 3, Model Y in India Amid Launch Speculation “We have protected the auto industry for far too long.…

India’s state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have installed over 25,852 EV charging stations, with only 5,817 funded through the government’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME-II) scheme, The Hindu Business Line reported. The majority—20,035 stations—were financed by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. In 2021, BPCL and other oil firms pledged to install 22,000 EV chargers by 2026. Companies such as Lubi Industries and Servotech Power Systems have been awarded contracts for thousands of fast DC chargers, further accelerating infrastructure deployment. Last summer, India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries announced 5,833…

Switch UK, the electric bus subsidiary of India’s Ashok Leyland, has begun a consultation process on the possible closure of its manufacturing plant in Sherburn, Yorkshire, as the company shifts its focus to India’s growing electric bus market. The 13,000-square-meter Sherburn facility, which opened in 2011, employs hundreds of workers, with at least 200 jobs at risk if operations cease. The company cited economic uncertainty and slower-than-expected adoption of electric buses in the UK as key reasons for the potential shutdown, despite the country leading Europe’s electric bus market through initiatives like the ZEBRA program. “While Ashok Leyland remained committed…

More than 3,600 electric buses were deployed across India in 2024, with Tata Motors maintaining its leadership in the segment, accounting for 40% of the market share, according to official data. Despite this progress, electric buses remain a small fraction of India’s overall bus fleet. Government figures show that of the 58,936 buses registered last year, approximately 41,000 were diesel-powered. Among heavy passenger vehicles (HPVs), 3,568 electric buses were registered, representing a 12.5% market share. Tata Motors led the sector with 1,431 registrations, followed by Olectra Greentech (17.7%) and JBM Auto (15.6%). The latter recently secured an order for 1,021…