Author: Michael Khan

India’s Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) has earmarked ₹5 billion (approximately €50 million) to subsidise electric trucks under the recently launched PM E-Drive scheme, marking the country’s first direct incentive programme for the sector. The allocation represents nearly five percent of the scheme’s total ₹109 billion (€1.1 billion) budget and is expected to support the deployment of 5,643 electric trucks during the 2025-26 fiscal year, including 1,100 units in Delhi, which faces persistent air quality challenges. To qualify for the subsidy, electric trucks must have an ex-factory price of no more than ₹12.5 million. The incentive amount will be calculated…

Kia has introduced its first mass-market electric vehicle in India, the Carens Clavis EV, marking a strategic shift from its earlier limited EV offerings in the country. Orders for the new electric MPV will open on July 22, with deliveries to follow shortly after, the company said. The Carens Clavis EV is based on the fourth-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) Carens platform, which was originally designed for India and other emerging markets. Comparable in size to the EV5 compact SUV launched in Europe earlier this month, the Clavis EV features design elements such as Star Map lighting and geometric wheel…

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has begun accepting pre-orders in India for its VF 6 and VF 7 models, marking its official entry into the Indian market. The company plans to launch both electric SUVs in August, with customer deliveries expected to begin shortly after. Starting July 15, customers across India can reserve either model by placing a fully refundable deposit of 21,000 rupees (approximately 211 euros), either at VinFast showrooms or through the company’s Indian website. The VF 6 and VF 7 are set to be VinFast’s first offerings in the country and will include features such as Level…

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has pushed back the launch timeline for its upcoming electric Range Rover and Jaguar models to allow for further testing and align with evolving market demand, according to a report from The Guardian published on Friday. Customer deliveries of the Range Rover Electric, originally scheduled for late 2025, are now expected to begin in 2026. Production of Jaguar’s first all-electric vehicle has been rescheduled to start in August 2026, the report said. These models represent JLR’s first fully electric vehicles to be developed and built in-house. The delay comes as the company conducts additional performance and…

Tesla has begun offering its Model Y electric vehicles in India, listing the rear-wheel drive version at a starting price of 6 million rupees ($69,770) on its website, ahead of the opening of its first showroom in Mumbai. India, the world’s third-largest car market, currently sees electric vehicles account for just 4% of total car sales. The high entry price, limited public charging infrastructure, and dominance of internal combustion engine vehicles remain barriers to wider EV adoption. Tesla’s entry signals a push to tap into the country’s wealthier urban consumers, who have increasingly turned to premium goods and luxury vehicles.…

Tesla will open its first experience center in India on July 15 at Jio World Drive in Mumbai, marking a significant milestone in its push into the Indian electric vehicle market, Reuters reported. The company signed a lease for the 4,000-square-foot retail space in March, located near Apple’s flagship store in the city. The opening aligns with Tesla’s broader retail and service strategy in India. In June, the company secured commercial space in Kurla West, Mumbai, which is expected to serve as a service facility. Tesla now holds four commercial properties in India, including an engineering hub in Pune, a…

Tata Motors has commenced series production of its new flagship electric SUV, the Harrier.ev, just one month after its official unveiling. The company has already received more than 10,000 bookings and is preparing to start customer deliveries before the end of July. The first unit of the Harrier.ev rolled off the assembly line at Tata Motors’ manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra. Painted in the model’s signature ‘Nainital Nocturne’ blue, the vehicle marks a key milestone in the company’s expanding electric vehicle portfolio. Tata had initially introduced the internal combustion version of the Harrier in 2019 and has since adapted the…

Servotech Renewable has announced plans to establish India’s first electric vehicle (EV) charging hub dedicated to airside operations, to be located at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) in Bengaluru. The project, commissioned by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), aims to support the airport’s growing fleet of electric vehicles and marks a milestone in decarbonising ground operations. Under the agreement, Servotech Renewable will supply, install, test, and commission the EV charging infrastructure, as well as provide maintenance for five years. The contract includes ten 240 kW ultra-fast DC chargers—totaling a combined output of 2.4 MW—to support high-capacity electric buses used to transport…

Ultraviolette Automotive, a premium electric motorcycle manufacturer based in India, has expanded its European footprint by launching sales in France, marking its presence in ten European markets. The Bengaluru-based company announced that it will open pre-orders for its F77 Mach 2 and F77 Superstreet models by the end of July, with deliveries expected to begin in August or September. The move is part of Ultraviolette’s broader strategy to tap into the growing demand for high-performance electric two-wheelers across Europe. To incentivize early adopters in France, the company is offering a limited-time discount. The F77 Mach 2, typically priced at €9,990,…

Tamil Nadu has launched its first fleet of electric buses for public transport, deploying 120 low-floor, battery-electric buses across Chennai as part of a broader push to reduce emissions and improve air quality in the capital city. The electric buses, operated by a private contractor under a gross cost contract (GCC) model, serve 11 routes throughout Chennai. Under this arrangement, the operator maintains ownership and manages the daily operations of the vehicles, while the government compensates on a per-kilometre basis. Manufactured by OHM Global Mobility—a subsidiary of Switch Mobility owned by Ashok Leyland—the fleet cost the Tamil Nadu government ₹2.079…

India is ramping up efforts to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of rare earth minerals, following China’s imposition of new export controls that have unsettled global supply chains, according to a government economic report released on Friday. The finance ministry’s May economic review highlighted concerns over potential disruptions in the domestic supply of rare earth elements — materials essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and medical equipment — as China tightens its grip on global exports. Despite possessing the world’s fifth-largest reserves, India’s rare earth production remains minimal and underdeveloped. “In response to global supply risks, India has been…

Mobileye, a provider of Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), has introduced region-specific enhancements to its safety technology in India, a country that recorded the highest number of road traffic fatalities globally in 2022. The company’s ADAS technology has been adapted to meet the distinct challenges of India’s road conditions, which include a broad mix of vehicles, pedestrians, and animals, often in environments with limited road infrastructure. India reported more than 168,000 traffic deaths in 2022, according to government data. As part of broader safety goals, the Indian government has drafted legislation that would make features such as blind spot monitoring and…