Author: Michael Khan

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…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is reinforcing its electric vehicle strategy by hiring 150 maintenance engineers in the West Midlands, UK. The automaker will add 50 positions at its Solihull plant and 100 at its Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre (EMPC) in Wolverhampton. The engineers in Solihull will be responsible for maintaining equipment used to build the upcoming Range Rover Electric, while those in Wolverhampton will oversee machinery producing battery packs and Electric Drive Units (EDUs) for JLR’s future electric vehicles. “These positions are central to the luxury automotive’s Reimagine strategy, which will see pure electric versions of all its brands launched…

Tesla has begun the process of seeking regulatory approval in India, submitting homologation applications for the Model 3 and Model Y, reinforcing speculation about its imminent entry into the market, according to a report from IANS. The U.S. automaker has now submitted at least eight homologation applications for its vehicles in India, with the latest two likely intended for commercial production rather than test prototypes. See also: Tesla Finalizes Deal for First Indian Showroom in Mumbai’s BKC Tesla has no plans to manufacture the Model S or Model X in right-hand drive, and the Cybertruck’s unconventional design makes it a…

Indian electric two-wheeler manufacturer Ultraviolette has unveiled two new models, the Tesseract electric maxi-scooter and the Shockwave electric enduro motorcycle, marking a significant step toward becoming a mainstream brand. The company, known for its high-performance electric motorcycles, aims to broaden its market reach with plans to introduce ten more models by 2028. Tesseract: A Futuristic Electric Maxi-Scooter The Tesseract is positioned as a high-tech maxi-scooter featuring a futuristic design and advanced rider assistance technologies. Available in three variants—3.5, 5, and 6—each corresponds to its battery capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh). The scooter’s top-end version is powered by a 15 kW electric…

Rio Tinto has finalized its $6.7 billion acquisition of U.S.-based lithium producer Arcadium, solidifying its position as one of the world’s largest lithium suppliers. The deal, initially announced in October, expands the British-Australian mining giant’s role in the supply of key battery materials for electric vehicles. See also: Rio Tinto to Invest $2.5 Billion in Argentina’s Rincon Lithium Project “Today we are delighted to welcome the employees of Arcadium to Rio Tinto. Together, we are accelerating our efforts to source, mine and produce minerals needed for the energy transition,” Rio Tinto CEO Jakob Stausholm said. He added that combining Rio…

The government of Delhi will prohibit fuel stations from supplying petrol and diesel to vehicles older than 15 years starting March 31, as part of measures to tackle air pollution in the Indian capital, an official said on Saturday. AI-powered cameras will be installed at fuel stations to enforce the rule, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. “We are installing gadgets at petrol pumps which will identify vehicles older than 15 years, and no fuel will be provided to them,” he stated at a meeting of city officials on air pollution. See also: Infineon, CDIL Partner to Boost India’s EV…

Chevrolet has introduced the Silverado EV ZR2 race truck concept, an electric off-road vehicle equipped with three electric motors delivering a combined 1,100 horsepower and 11,500 lb-ft of torque. The concept vehicle, comprising approximately 98% General Motors production parts, was unveiled ahead of its participation in the Mint 400 off-road race, where it will compete in the Open Production EV class driven by Chad Hall. See also: Chevrolet Unveils 1,300-HP Blazer EV.R NASCAR Prototype Ahead of Daytona 500 The Silverado EV ZR2 concept features a lifted suspension, Multimatic damper technology, locking differentials, and underbody skid protection, aligning with the design…

Tesla has secured its inaugural showroom location in India, leasing a 4,000-square-foot space in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), according to sources familiar with the matter. The showroom is situated on the ground floor of a commercial tower in BKC, with a monthly rent of approximately ₹35 lakh ($40,100). See also: Tesla Expected to Begin India Sales in 2025, Initial Shipments Planned This development follows CEO Elon Musk’s recent meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the United States, where they discussed topics including space, mobility, and technology. In addition to the Mumbai location, Tesla has selected a site…

India’s subsidy allocation for electric buses under the PM E-DRIVE scheme is being utilized swiftly, with the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) approving 9,800 electric buses—70% of the total quota—just over four months after the program’s launch. According to a report from Mint, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have secured subsidies for 7,000 and 2,800 electric buses, respectively. The scheme, capped at 14,028 buses, now has 4,228 subsidy slots remaining. See also: FlixBus and ETO Motors Partner to Electrify Intercity Transport in India with New Electric Coaches MHI has allocated 109 billion Indian rupees (approximately 1.2 billion euros) for the initiative from…

Ola Electric Mobility, India’s largest electric two-wheeler manufacturer by sales, is laying off more than 1,000 employees and contract workers as it moves to prioritize profitability, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing sources familiar with the matter. This marks the second round of job cuts at the SoftBank-backed (9434.T) company in five months. Ola Electric previously trimmed about 500 jobs in November, leaving it with 3,824 employees as of December 31—a 1.8% decline from the previous year, according to data from market intelligence firm Tracxn. See also: Ola Electric Unveils Gen 3 Electric Scooters with Enhanced Technology and Performance The…

Polestar is set to expand its retail presence by incorporating Volvo’s dealership network, moving beyond its online sales model. The transition, expected to be completed by March, aims to support the company’s goal of achieving annual growth of 30% to 35% between 2024 and 2027, CEO Michael Lohscheller said at the Automobilwoche event in Munich. “Our goal of growing by 30 to 35 per cent annually from 2024 to 2027 cannot be achieved with online sales alone,” Lohscheller stated. While Polestar has operated independent ‘Spaces’ and showcased its vehicles at some Volvo dealerships, purchases were previously handled online. The new…

Sedans may not be dominating the electric vehicle market, but Kia aims to challenge the trend with the introduction of the Kia EV4. Unveiled at the 2025 Kia EV Day in Barcelona, this all-electric sedan, along with its hatchback variant, is poised to offer a compelling alternative to the growing crossover segment. Combining an aerodynamic design, competitive range options, and an array of high-tech features, the EV4 seeks to redefine what an entry-level electric vehicle can be. Built on Kia’s E-GMP platform, the EV4 shares similarities with the boxy EV3 crossover but adopts a sleeker, more refined profile. Buyers will…

India’s electric vehicle (EV) policy, which provides tax incentives for foreign automakers setting up local manufacturing, will limit the extent to which investments in charging infrastructure can count toward required funding commitments, according to a government document seen by Reuters. Under the policy announced last year, foreign carmakers can import EVs at a reduced 15% tariff, down from around 100%, if they invest a minimum of $500 million in local manufacturing. However, the policy stipulates that only 5% of the total investment can be attributed to charging infrastructure, even if companies allocate a larger share of their funds to developing…