Author: Michael Khan

Sarla Aviation, an electric air taxi startup, has raised $10 million in a Series A1 funding round led by Accel. The round saw participation from notable angel investors, including Binny Bansal (Flipkart co-founder), Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha co-founder), and Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy co-founder). The Bengaluru-based company aims to revolutionize urban mobility in India with aircraft designed to handle higher payloads, even if it means shorter ranges compared to conventional flying taxis. The startup, founded in January 2024 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, plans to use the new funding to expand its team, establish a research and development center…

India’s automakers are preparing to unveil close to a dozen new electric vehicle (EV) models this year, many of them targeting the premium market, with longer driving ranges and faster charging capabilities to attract consumers. This move comes at a time when global EV demand has slowed, but Indian companies are focusing on capturing a greater share of their home market, where electric vehicle sales are still in their infancy. The new models will be showcased at India’s five-day auto show in New Delhi starting Friday, alongside brands like Vinfast, Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra & Mahindra, BYD, Toyota, and Hyundai. India’s…

Indian automaker Mahindra & Mahindra is considering introducing its electric vehicles (EVs) in European markets, marking a significant step in its evolution from an emerging markets player to a global brand. Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO of Mahindra’s auto and farm sectors, revealed that the company is exploring opportunities in right-hand drive markets such as the UK, with plans to evaluate left-hand drive regions over time. “Globalisation is easier said than done,” Jejurikar told ET Auto, emphasizing the company’s focus on establishing a strong foothold in India before expanding internationally. Mahindra recently unveiled its first bespoke EVs in India,…

Mahindra has inaugurated a new electric vehicle (EV) production and battery assembly plant in Chakan, Maharashtra, marking a key step in its push toward electric mobility. The facility, located within the company’s 2.83 km² manufacturing hub, spans 88,000 m² and operates entirely on renewable energy. The plant is equipped with more than 1,000 robots and various automated transfer systems, including 500 robots in the body shop. It also features advanced technologies such as laser brazing and pixel painting, making it the first of its kind in India to include these innovations. Mahindra aims to initially produce 90,000 EVs annually, with…

India’s electric car market witnessed significant growth in 2024, with a record-breaking 99,004 units sold, marking a 20% increase compared to 2023’s 82,563 units, according to data from the government’s Vahan portal. Tata Motors, which has been a dominant player in the country’s electric vehicle (EV) market, saw its market share decline from 73% in 2023 to 62% in 2024. Despite this drop, the company sold 61,435 electric cars, up by just 2% from 60,007 units in the previous year. Tata Motors offers the widest EV portfolio in India, including models such as the Tiago.ev, Tigor.ev, Nexon.ev, Punch.ev, and the…

Tata Motors has won an order from the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) for 148 units of its Starbus EV, reinforcing its position in the electric public transport sector. The order will be fulfilled by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions, a Tata Motors subsidiary that provides end-to-end electric bus solutions. The 148 electric buses will be supplied, operated, and maintained by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions for a period of 12 years. The Starbus EV, a 12-meter electric bus, comes in two versions: a low-floor variant with a 40 cm height and a higher-floor variant with a 90 cm height.…

Tesla’s Shanghai plant is set to begin mass production of the updated Model Y next month, according to a report by local media outlet LatePost. The revisions to the Model Y will mirror updates made to the Model 3 earlier, including enhancements to the interior, exterior, battery capacity, motor performance, and self-driving capabilities. In addition to the refreshed Model Y, the plant is expected to start deliveries of a six-seat variant in the fourth quarter of 2025, as per the report. Tesla’s Giga Shanghai, the company’s largest factory with an annual production capacity of 1 million vehicles, manufactures both the…

Chery has officially unveiled the iCar V23, a compact all-electric SUV that combines retro off-road styling with state-of-the-art EV technology. This versatile vehicle is available in three trims—offering rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations—with a maximum CLTC range of 501 km. Starting at an accessible 13,700 USD, the iCar V23 presents an impressive blend of affordability and performance. Exterior Design and Dimensions The iCar V23 adopts a distinctive off-road aesthetic, highlighted by a smoked front grille bearing the iCar logo and iconic round headlights. Its boxy silhouette pays homage to classic off-roaders while integrating modern touches such as…

Labatt Breweries of Canada is enhancing its sustainability efforts by integrating ten Volvo VNR Electric semi trucks into its transport fleet. These electric vehicles will be used to deliver Labatt’s beer and ready-to-drink beverages from distribution centers in Bois-des-Filion to customers in Montreal. Equipped with 565 kWh batteries, the Volvo VNR Electric trucks are well-suited for Labatt’s 50-110 km (about 70 miles) delivery routes, often completing trips without the need for recharging. When necessary, the trucks can recharge from 10% to 80% in under an hour using Labatt’s privately developed onsite charging infrastructure. This efficiency, combined with reduced maintenance costs…

St. Gallen’s public transport operator, VBSG, has canceled its contract with Dutch electric bus manufacturer Ebusco for the supply of 12 electric buses, citing the company’s inability to meet contractual obligations due to financial instability. The buses, originally scheduled for delivery in 2025, will now be procured through a fresh tendering process. The new tender framework is currently being finalized, though delays in deployment appear inevitable, even with a different supplier. Ebusco’s competitors will now have another opportunity to secure the contract, while the Dutch manufacturer grapples with its challenging economic circumstances. This is the latest in a series of…

Ola Electric has announced two new electric scooter models, the Ola Gig and Ola S1 Z, featuring its proprietary Bharat 4680 battery cells. Sales for the models are scheduled to begin in April and May 2025, with both scooters designed to address personal and commercial transportation needs. The Bharat 4680 cells are designed for enhanced performance, offering five times the energy density of conventional 2170 cells (275 Wh/kg). With an operating range of 10–70ºC, the batteries are intended to perform reliably across various climatic conditions. Ola states the cells have a lifespan of more than 1,000 charge cycles and support…

GLS Spain has entered into an agreement with Endesa to electrify its delivery fleet and enhance its infrastructure with renewable energy solutions. The collaboration will see Endesa install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at GLS locations across Spain. While specific details regarding the number of chargers remain unclear, the agreement includes up to 19 sites nationwide, with some locations expected to feature over 100 charging points, including both AC and DC chargers capable of up to 300 kW. The primary purpose of the new charging infrastructure will be to support GLS’s fleet of electric delivery vehicles, with the 300 kW…