Bijliride Partners Indofast Energy to Power Faster EV Rentals with Battery Swapping Network

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31st March 2026

CHARGEZONE has announced plans to deploy over 1,000 Dealer Owned, Company Operated (DOCO) supercharging stations across key national highway corridors in India by FY2027, as part of its strategy to scale high-speed EV charging infrastructure.

Aligned with the Government of India’s PM E-Drive initiative, the rollout is supported by a financing partnership with State Bank of India. The expansion will cover major routes including Delhi–Mumbai, Bengaluru–Hyderabad, Mumbai–Hyderabad, Delhi–Chandigarh, Bengaluru–Chennai, Vizag–Chennai, and Mumbai–Bengaluru, among others.

The DOCO model is designed to enable landowners, entrepreneurs, businesses, and institutions to invest in EV charging infrastructure, with project investments starting from ₹1 crore. Under this framework, CHARGEZONE will manage the development, commissioning, and operations of the stations, creating a new asset ownership model in the EV ecosystem.

According to Kartikey Hariyani, the initiative addresses the growing need for reliable, high-capacity charging infrastructure as EV adoption expands beyond urban centres into highways and freight corridors. The planned stations will feature charging capacities ranging from 500 kW to 1.5 MW, supporting both passenger and commercial electric vehicles.

To facilitate investor participation, CHARGEZONE has partnered with State Bank of India under the EV Mitra scheme to provide structured financing solutions. Eligible participants can access loans ranging from ₹10 lakh to ₹10 crore, with repayment tenures of up to seven years. The scheme also includes support under the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), along with co-investment options.

In parallel, the company is advancing its Project E-DHARA (Electrifying and Decarbonizing Highways through Accelerated Renewable Adoption), which integrates renewable energy sources such as solar power and battery energy storage systems (BESS) with high-speed charging infrastructure. This approach is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted operations and reducing dependence on grid reliability.

Headquartered in Vadodara, CHARGEZONE operates over 15,000 charging points across more than 1,200 locations in India and the UAE. The company is also collaborating with leading automotive manufacturers, including Tata Motors, Hyundai Motor Company, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, to ensure compatibility across a wide range of EV models.

Komaki Expands Manufacturing Capacity with New 1.2 Lakh Units Annual Battery Plant

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31st March 2026

Komaki Electric Vehicles has announced the launch of its second lithium battery manufacturing facility in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram, marking a significant expansion in its electric vehicle (EV) production capabilities.

Spread across 40,000 square feet, the newly inaugurated plant is being positioned as one of the largest integrated EV battery manufacturing units in North India. The facility has been developed with an investment of ₹30 crore and is equipped to produce up to 10,000 lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries per month, translating to an annual capacity of 1,20,000 units.

The company stated that the new unit will play a key role in supporting its growing EV portfolio while strengthening domestic battery manufacturing. Komaki has chosen to focus exclusively on LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) and LMFP (Lithium Manganese Iron Phosphate) technologies, citing their advantages in safety, durability, and performance.

These battery chemistries are known for their high thermal stability, fire-resistant characteristics, longer life cycles, and faster charging capabilities, making them suitable for Indian operating conditions. Komaki’s battery systems are designed to deliver up to 2,500 charge cycles and are backed by warranty options of three and five years for LFP and LMFP batteries, respectively.

The facility has also been developed with a focus on sustainability, incorporating manufacturing processes aimed at reducing material wastage and improving resource efficiency, in line with the company’s broader environmental goals.

Commenting on the development, Gunjan Malhotra said the new plant represents a major step toward building a self-reliant EV ecosystem in India, while reinforcing the company’s commitment to safety, innovation, and indigenous manufacturing.

Suzuki Motor Corporation Hits Record February Production Driven by India Growth

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30th March 2026

Suzuki Motor Corporation reported strong global performance for February 2026, achieving record-high production and sales figures, largely driven by robust overseas demand, particularly from India.

The company’s global production rose to 320,617 units in February, marking a 12.3% year-on-year increase and the sixth consecutive month of growth. This surge was fueled by record overseas production, which climbed 17.6% to 240,154 units. India played a pivotal role, with production reaching 223,441 units, up 19.2% year-on-year—its highest-ever February output.

In contrast, domestic production in Japan declined slightly by 1.1% to 80,463 units, continuing a downward trend for the fifth straight month due to reduced output for the local market despite improved export-oriented manufacturing.

On the sales front, Suzuki recorded global sales of 293,428 units in February, a 1.3% increase compared to the same period last year, extending its growth streak to five consecutive months. Overseas markets remained the primary growth driver, with sales rising 3.4% to 229,730 units. India again stood out, contributing 164,130 units, reflecting steady demand and record-high monthly sales for February.

However, sales in Japan fell by 5.7% to 63,698 units, impacted by declining demand for minivehicles. Despite this, the company achieved record sales in its standard and small vehicle segment, which grew significantly year-on-year.

Exports, however, presented a mixed picture. Suzuki’s total exports dropped 11% in February to 16,822 units, marking the first decline in two months, primarily due to reduced shipments of completely built units (CBUs). Still, cumulative exports for the January–February period showed a positive trend, rising 9.5%.

Overall, Suzuki’s performance highlights the growing importance of international markets, especially India, in driving growth. The company’s strong overseas production and sales underscore its strategic focus on emerging markets, even as it faces challenges in its domestic segment and export volumes.

The figures released are preliminary and reflect Suzuki’s continued momentum in global automotive markets.

LEAF Consortium Launched to Boost EV Charging Ecosystem for Two- and Three-Wheelers in India

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30th March 2026

A new industry-led initiative, the Light Electric-Vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF), has been launched to strengthen India’s electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem, with a focus on accelerating the adoption of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers.

The forum was inaugurated by H. D. Kumaraswamy, marking a significant step toward building a unified and efficient EV charging infrastructure in the country.

LEAF has been established as a neutral consortium that brings together key stakeholders across the EV value chain, including vehicle manufacturers, charging infrastructure operators, suppliers, component makers, and technology providers. The platform aims to foster collaboration between industry players and work closely with government and regulatory bodies to align with national EV policies.

The initiative comes at a time when EV adoption in India is witnessing rapid growth, particularly in the light electric vehicle (LEV) segment. However, challenges such as fragmented charging networks and inconsistent user experiences continue to hinder large-scale adoption.

To address these issues, LEAF will focus on advancing interoperability across charging networks, improving reliability, and ensuring a seamless user experience. One of the key developments in this direction is the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards, which introduces a unified “Type 7” connector supporting both slow and fast charging.

The consortium has been formed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hero MotoCorp Limited, Ather Energy Limited, and IPEC India. These founding members will serve as the initial steering committee guiding the forum’s direction.

At its launch, LEAF brought together over 20 organizations from across the LEV ecosystem, with plans to expand membership in the coming months. The consortium aims to create a scalable and cohesive public charging infrastructure that can support India’s growing EV demand.

Industry leaders associated with LEAF emphasized that India has reached a critical point in EV adoption, where addressing charging concerns will be key to sustaining growth. They noted that a collaborative approach is essential to deliver interoperable and reliable charging solutions at scale.

With initiatives like LEAF, India is positioning itself to become a global leader in light electric mobility by building a robust and future-ready charging ecosystem.

Scalvy and Valeo Validate Breakthrough Modular Battery Architecture for Next-Gen Electric Vehicles

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30th March 2026

Scalvy has announced a major breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) technology, confirming the successful evaluation of its modular battery-integrated architecture in collaboration with Valeo.

The joint study tested Scalvy’s innovative “Power Neuron” system—compact, software-controlled modules that manage and convert power at the battery level—under real-world automotive conditions using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Cycle (WLTC). The results mark a significant step toward advancing next-generation EV power systems.

Unlike traditional EV architectures that rely on centralized components such as inverters and DC-DC converters, Scalvy’s distributed approach minimizes energy losses by shifting power management closer to the battery packs. This design allows greater flexibility, scalability, and compatibility across different vehicle types and battery technologies.

Key findings from the evaluation highlighted notable improvements in performance and efficiency. The system achieved a peak inverter efficiency of 98.3% under high-speed conditions, while maintaining stable thermal performance with motor temperatures below 62°C and no hotspot formation. Additionally, the architecture demonstrated improved battery health, with up to 15% longer lifespan due to better state-of-charge balancing and reduced thermal stress.

The modular system also enables faster charging by preventing uneven load distribution across battery cells, a common limitation in conventional EV designs. Scalvy’s pulse-like current behavior further enhances durability by minimizing localized wear within battery modules.

Executives from both companies emphasized the importance of the collaboration. Scalvy CEO Mohamed Badawy stated that the results validate years of development and position the company for the next phase of commercialization. Meanwhile, Valeo’s advanced development leadership described the findings as highly encouraging for future EV integration.

Scalvy is currently conducting field tests with select automotive partners and plans to begin supplying Power Neuron samples to OEMs. The company is targeting commercial production by 2027, following certification across mobility, energy storage, and data center applications.

The breakthrough highlights growing innovation in EV battery systems, with modular architectures emerging as a promising solution to improve efficiency, scalability, and overall vehicle performance.

Battery-Swapping EV Trucks Gain Momentum as U Power Targets 1,000-Vehicle Rollout in Thailand

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30th March 2026

U Power Limited has completed production of its first batch of 30 battery-swapping electric heavy-duty trucks for deployment in Thailand, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of electric freight solutions in the region.

The company announced that the trucks will be shipped in late May 2026 as part of a pilot program aimed at evaluating performance, efficiency, and integration within logistics networks. The initiative is a precursor to a larger plan to deploy up to 1,000 such vehicles in Thailand over the next three years in partnership with Whale Logistics (Thailand) Co., Ltd..

The vehicles, manufactured by SAIC Hongyan Automotive Co., Ltd. under the UNEX EV brand, incorporate U Power’s proprietary battery-swapping technology and intelligent energy management systems. The integration enables trucks to replace depleted batteries within minutes, addressing one of the key challenges of electric vehicle adoption—charging downtime.

According to the company, the trucks have successfully undergone operational testing and full-system integration earlier this month, validating their safety, performance, and compatibility with its battery-swapping ecosystem.

U Power’s collaboration with Whale Logistics aims to build one of Southeast Asia’s largest electrified logistics fleets powered by battery-swapping technology. The model is expected to improve vehicle utilization, reduce operating costs, and lower carbon emissions across freight operations.

Johnny Lee, CEO of U Power, said the milestone reflects the company’s strategy to electrify commercial transportation through intelligent energy solutions. He added that the Thailand pilot will generate critical operational data to refine the technology and support expansion into other global markets.

Beyond Thailand, the company plans to replicate this model across Southeast Asia and other regions, leveraging insights from the pilot to scale its battery-swapping infrastructure and commercial EV platforms worldwide.

The development underscores growing momentum in battery-swapping solutions, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles, where efficiency and uptime are critical for fleet operators.

LEAF Consortium Launched to Accelerate EV Charging Ecosystem in India

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30th March 2026

The Light Electric-Vehicle Acceleration Forum (LEAF) has been launched as an industry-led consortium aimed at advancing the electric vehicle (EV) charging ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers in India.

The forum was inaugurated by H. D. Kumaraswamy, signalling government support for strengthening EV infrastructure and addressing key challenges in the sector.

LEAF brings together stakeholders across the EV value chain, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), charging infrastructure operators, component suppliers, and technology providers. The consortium will collaborate with government bodies and industry associations to support the development of a robust and scalable charging network.

A key focus of the forum is to enhance interoperability across charging networks, improve reliability, and ensure a consistent user experience. Initiatives such as the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS), approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards, aim to enable unified communication and seamless charging across networks through a combined AC/DC “Type 7” connector.

LEAF has been established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Hero MotoCorp, Ather Energy, and IPEC India. These founding members will form the initial steering committee of the consortium.

At launch, the forum included over 20 member organisations spanning vehicle manufacturers, charge point operators, suppliers, and software providers, with plans to expand participation in the coming months.

Industry leaders highlighted that while EV adoption in India is gaining momentum, addressing challenges such as charging accessibility and network fragmentation will be critical for the next phase of growth. The LEAF initiative is expected to play a key role in building a unified, interoperable, and scalable public charging ecosystem, positioning India as a global leader in light electric mobility.

Ultraviolette Automotive inks MoU with Government of Karnataka for Manufacturing Expansion Backed by PLI Support

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30th March 2026

Ultraviolette Automotive has announced a proposed five-year investment plan to expand its manufacturing footprint in Karnataka, signalling a major push to scale its production capabilities in India’s rapidly growing electric mobility sector.

The phased expansion programme will include capacity enhancement at the company’s existing facility along with the establishment of a new production plant within the state. The move reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to Karnataka and aligns with its broader strategy to accelerate electric vehicle adoption in India.

To formalize this initiative, Ultraviolette signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka during the Invest Karnataka Conclave held in Bengaluru. The agreement was signed in the presence of M. B. Patil, Minister for Large and Medium Industries.

Commenting on the development, CEO and Co-founder Narayan Subramaniam stated that Karnataka continues to play a pivotal role in the company’s “Make in India for the World” vision. He highlighted the state’s robust EV ecosystem, infrastructure readiness, and policy support as key enablers for the company’s next phase of growth.

CTO and Co-founder Niraj Rajmohan emphasized Karnataka’s contribution to Ultraviolette’s research and development journey, citing access to engineering talent, strong supplier networks, and proximity to major industrial hubs as critical advantages.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, Ultraviolette is known for its proprietary battery technology and performance-focused electric two-wheelers, including models such as the F77 and X-47 Crossover.

The company currently operates over 40 experience centres across major Indian cities and aims to expand its presence to 100 cities by the end of 2026.

On the global front, Ultraviolette has entered 12 European countries, becoming one of India’s first electric two-wheeler manufacturers to establish a presence in Europe. The company is also planning further expansion across Asia and Latin America as part of its international growth strategy.

Sony and Honda Halt AFEELA EV Launch as Joint Venture Reviews Business Strategy

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28th March 2026