Author: Michael Khan

The ePlane Company, an Indian startup focused on electric air taxis, announced it has raised $14 million in a Series B funding round. The funds will support the development and certification of its manned electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, ePlane, with plans to begin manned air taxi testing by mid-2025, the company stated on Thursday. The funding round, co-led by Speciale Invest and Antares Ventures, has boosted ePlane’s post-money valuation to $46 million, up from $21.2 million in December 2021. The company has now raised a total of $19.85 million. “We are excited to take the next step…

Royal Enfield has officially unveiled its new electric motorcycle sub-brand, Flying Flea, at the EICMA 2024 event, marking its entry into the electric vehicle (EV) market. Staying true to its iconic retro-styling, the Flying Flea division will initially launch two electric motorcycles, the FF.C6 and FF.S6, continuing the company’s successful formula of blending modern technology with classic design. The name “Flying Flea” is inspired by lightweight motorcycles used during World War II, often dropped behind enemy lines for military purposes. This hints at the brand’s aim to deliver agile, maneuverable bikes suited for urban and recreational use. The FF.C6, the…

One year after the Tesla Cybertruck began reaching customers, the radically designed electric truck has a new customization option to make it even more striking: a limited-edition widebody kit by Waido. Installed by LA-based custom shop Stars In The Ceiling, the widebody kit is the first of its kind for the Cybertruck and comes with a premium $9,990 price tag. Only 100 of these kits will be produced, adding a rare, exclusive option for owners who want to take the already futuristic design to new heights. The kit’s design extends the Cybertruck’s width by an impressive six inches through flared…

India is set to introduce 100,000 electric buses as part of its ambitious five-year plan aimed at transforming public transport in major cities. The initiative, named the Bharat Urban Megabus Mission, is scheduled to launch in 2025 and targets deployment in cities with populations exceeding 1 million by March 2030. According to a report from The Economic Times, this mission aligns with the government’s objective to encourage public transport usage over private vehicles, helping to mitigate pollution and congestion in urban areas. The government aims for public transport to account for 60% of all motorized trips by 2030, increasing to…

Maruti Suzuki, the Indian arm of Japanese automaker Suzuki Motor , announced on Wednesday it will manufacture its first electric vehicle (EV) for Toyota Motor at its plant in Gujarat, India, with production set to start in spring 2025. This marks the companies’ first joint effort in electric mobility. The EV, jointly developed by Suzuki, Toyota, and Daihatsu Motor, will feature a 60-kilowatt-hour battery offering an estimated range of 500 kilometers (311 miles). The vehicle, planned as a sport utility model, debuted in concept form at India’s auto show last year. “We would like to learn from each other’s strengths,…

India’s largest bus manufacturer, Ashok Leyland, announced that its subsidiary, OHM Global Mobility, has secured a contract to provide 500 ultra-low-floor electric buses to Chennai’s Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). These 12-meter buses, known as the Switch EiV12, will be operated and maintained by OHM for a period of 12 years, contributing to MTC’s shift toward green public transport. The Switch EiV12 buses feature a robust 650V electric architecture and IP67-rated batteries, with a range exceeding 200 kilometers per charge. Each bus has a capacity for 37 seated and 24 standing passengers, and 100 of the ordered units will include air…

Tesla’s Model Y has secured the title of the best-selling vehicle in Europe for September, achieving this milestone for the second time this year. According to data from market researcher Dataforce, the electric SUV sold 28,680 units during the month, surpassing its nearest competitors by approximately 8,000 units, as reported by Automotive News Europe. The Model Y’s sales showed a slight decline of about 3.6 percent compared to the previous month. Notably, sales figures from Slovakia and Hungary are yet to be reported, which may impact the rankings for second place. Currently, the Volkswagen Tiguan and the Renault Clio are…

Hyundai Motor Co. announced plans to launch an electric version of its compact SUV, Creta, in India in January 2025. This model will be the first electric vehicle (EV) to be produced at Hyundai’s plant in India, which is the world’s third-largest automobile market. The introduction of the electric Creta aims to strengthen Hyundai’s SUV lineup tailored for Indian consumers, as the company targets an annual production output of 1 million vehicles by 2030. “With the roll-out of the electric Creta, Hyundai will bolster its SUV lineup tailored to Indian drivers,” the company stated. Hyundai has also outlined plans to…

The BMW Group and Tata Technologies have officially launched their joint venture, BMW TechWorks India, with offices in Pune, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Following the final signing of contracts and regulatory approvals, the joint venture is set to begin with 100 employees and aims to scale to a four-digit workforce by the end of 2025, focusing on attracting top-tier Indian talent. Each company holds a 50% stake in the joint venture. BMW TechWorks India is designed to complement the BMW Group’s global strategy by engineering advanced, scalable software solutions for next-generation vehicles and enhancing digital experiences. Leveraging Tata Technologies’ expertise across…

The state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in northern India is gearing up to expand its electric vehicle (EV) fleet by adding 120 new electric buses to its public transportation network. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), the government agency responsible for state and interstate bus services, will operate these new buses as part of the state’s broader push towards sustainable mobility. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the deployment of these buses will be spread across several key cities in the state. Of the 120 new electric buses, 20 will be introduced in the state capital…

Toyota is reportedly moving forward with plans to establish a new factory for electric and hybrid vehicles in India, having acquired land in the state of Maharashtra through its local joint venture, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM). TKM, which is the Indian joint venture between Toyota and the Kirloskar Group, focuses on the production and sale of Toyota vehicles in the Indian market. According to media reports, the subsidiary has purchased land covering an area of 335 hectares in Maharashtra for the new factory. Operations are expected to commence in January 2026, with a production capacity of 400,000 electric and hybrid…

Hyundai Motor India is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) next week, with shares likely to be priced between 1,865 to 1,960 rupees ($22 to $23) per share, according to sources. The offering is expected to value the company at up to $19 billion, making it the largest stock market listing in India this year. The IPO marks Hyundai’s first listing outside South Korea and will be the first carmaker to go public in India in two decades, following Maruti Suzuki’s 2003 IPO. The timing coincides with Indian stock markets hitting record highs, encouraging a wave of new…