Author: Michael Khan

ZF Friedrichshafen has secured a multi-year contract to supply thousands of AxTrax 2 LF electric portal axles to a leading Indian bus manufacturer, its Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division said. The components will support both India’s domestic public transport sector and international export programs, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2026. The AxTrax 2 LF is designed specifically for low-floor electric buses, integrating propulsion, braking, and suspension into a single compact unit. ZF said the architecture frees up interior space for batteries and passengers while simplifying vehicle design for manufacturers through a modular platform adaptable to different markets. See also: ZF…

Kia has signed a memorandum of understanding with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to expand its K-Charge electric vehicle charging network in India, the companies said. The agreement was formalized at India Energy Week 2026, held from Jan. 27 to Jan. 30. Under the collaboration, Kia will gain access to more than 3,000 charging points established by BPCL, bringing the total number of public charging points accessible through the K-Charge network to over 15,000 nationwide. “Convenience and confidence are critical to EV adoption,” said Atul Sood, Senior Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Kia India. “Through this partnership with BPCL,…

Delhi’s state-owned public transport operator has added 500 electric buses to its fleet, reinforcing the Indian capital’s push to reduce urban emissions and expand clean mobility across city and regional routes. The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) flagged off the new buses on Sunday, bringing the total number of electric buses added over the past year to about 2,000, according to officials present at the launch ceremony. The latest deployment lifts Delhi’s electric bus fleet to 4,286 vehicles, the largest among Indian states and union territories. https://twitter.com/dtchq_delhi/status/2020516048332578903 The newly inducted buses include nine-metre and twelve-metre models, most of which will operate…

Indian electric bus operator LeafyBus has partnered with Eicher Trucks & Buses to deploy 100 battery-electric intercity sleeper coaches on major domestic corridors, marking one of the largest planned rollouts of long-haul electric buses in the country. The deployment will begin in early 2026 and centre on Eicher’s Skyline Pro E, a 13.5-metre electric coach designed for overnight intercity travel. The move targets a segment that has historically been dominated by diesel-powered vehicles due to range and charging constraints. See also: Kochi Airport to Deploy Hydrogen Buses in India First for Commercial Operations Under the agreement, the Skyline Pro E…

The European Union and India have agreed on a comprehensive trade deal that will significantly lower import tariffs for European-made vehicles entering the Indian market, a move that could reshape trade flows between the two economies and boost the competitiveness of European automakers in South Asia. Under the agreement, tariffs on a defined annual quota of motor vehicles exported from the EU to India will be gradually reduced from the current 110% to as low as 10%. The quota is set at 250,000 vehicles per year. In addition, duties on automotive components are expected to be fully eliminated within five…

GreenCell Mobility has raised $89 million in mezzanine financing to expand its electric bus operations across India, as demand for zero-emission public transport gathers pace under national and state electrification programmes. The funding, which combines debt and equity, was provided by International Finance Corporation, British International Investment and Tata Capital, the company said. GreenCell Mobility is backed by Eversource Capital, which focuses on sustainable infrastructure investments in India. The new capital will support the expansion of GreenCell Mobility’s electric bus fleet from about 1,200 vehicles to roughly 3,700 units. The increase includes buses already awarded to the company for intra-city…

Suzuki has launched the e-Access, its first electric scooter, in India, marking the company’s global entry into the electric two-wheeler segment. The model is priced at 188,490 rupees (€1,791), around twice the price of the petrol-powered Access sold in the country. The e-Access adopts a conservative, commuter-oriented design, contrasting with the more aggressive styling used by Indian electric scooter startups such as Ola Electric and Ather Energy. Suzuki has equipped the scooter with LED lighting, LED turn indicators and 12-inch two-tone alloy wheels, while retaining a familiar silhouette aimed at everyday urban use. Technically, the e-Access is positioned as a…

Aptiv said it has secured its first advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) contract with an Indian commercial vehicle manufacturer, marking an expansion of the supplier’s safety technology into the country’s truck and bus segment ahead of stricter regulations due to take effect in 2027. Under the agreement, Aptiv will supply its sixth-generation ADAS platform across 14 truck and bus models, covering more than 30 variants. The unnamed manufacturer plans to integrate the system to comply with upcoming Indian safety rules that will mandate features such as automatic emergency braking, lane departure warnings and collision detection. See also: Aptiv Launches Gen…

Indian electric vehicle startup Simple Energy has unveiled what it says is the longest-range electric scooter in the country, introducing the Simple Ultra alongside a series of upgrades to its existing Simple OneS and Simple One models, as the company looks to strengthen its position ahead of a planned public listing. The Bengaluru-based company said the Simple Ultra is equipped with a 6.5 kilowatt-hour battery, the largest fitted to an electric scooter in India, delivering an IDC-certified range of up to 400 kilometres. The model is positioned at the top of Simple Energy’s lineup and targets customers prioritising long range…

Hubject has formed a strategic partnership with Numocity to deploy ISO 15118-based Plug&Charge technology across electric vehicle charging networks in India, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, the companies said. Under the agreement, Hubject’s Plug&Charge solution will be integrated into Numocity’s charging management platform, which is used by charge point operators (CPOs) and eMobility service providers in more than 20 countries. The collaboration is intended to allow compatible electric vehicles to authenticate automatically with charging stations, removing the need for mobile apps or RFID cards. See also: Hubject Adds Shell Recharge to intercharge Platform to Expand EV Roaming in Europe The…

India has approved a new incentive programme worth 72.8 billion rupees ($880 million) to promote domestic manufacturing of sintered rare earth permanent magnets (REPMs), as the country seeks to reduce its heavy dependence on imports and shield key industries from supply disruptions. Under the scheme, the government will allocate 7.5 billion rupees as capital subsidies to support the establishment of REPM manufacturing plants, while 64.5 billion rupees will be distributed as sales-linked incentives over a five-year period. The government has not yet detailed how the remaining 800 million rupees will be used. See also: India Moves to Strengthen Rare Earth…

Mahindra has expanded its bespoke electric vehicle portfolio with the debut of the XEV 9S, positioned as India’s first locally manufactured three-row electric SUV. The model builds on the momentum of the BE 6 and XEV 9e and is underpinned by the company’s INGLO skateboard platform. Available exclusively as a seven-seater, the XEV 9S is priced between 1.995 million and 2.945 million rupees (approximately €19,250 to €29,400). The company offers three powertrain and battery combinations: a 170 kW motor paired with a 59 kWh LFP battery for the base version, a 180 kW motor with a 70 kWh battery for…