Page 13 - Electric Vehicles

OSM to invest $25 million in EV assembly plant in Jafza over 5 years

Electric vehicle (EV) maker Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) will invest USD 25 million (AED 92 million) over the next five years in its international EV assembly plant in Jafza (Dubai), which was launched on Wednesday, the company has said. Spanning over 42,000 sq ft, the first Jafza plant will assemble the company's range of electric two-and three-wheelers as well as handle storage and distribution of auto components and spare parts, OSM said. The facility is expected to commence assembly by the end of 2025, it stated. Strategically positioned to serve export markets across the Middle East and Africa, the plant will create over 100 jobs in its initial phase and strengthen UAE-India trade in clean technology, the company said. "Jafza gives us unmatched connectivity to more than 2 billion consumers and a business environment that enables speed, scale and sustainability. Through Dubai, we aim to make clean mobility accessible and commercially viable for partners across the Middle East and

Ola Electric likely to unveil sports scooter segment at I-Day event

Ola Electric is likely to announce its foray into the sports scooter segment on August 15 as part of its plans to expand its product portfolio, according to sources. The company plans to unveil the new range at its upcoming annual event on August 15. In the run-up to its annual 'Sankalp' event, the company on Wednesday dropped a teaser on what looks like a sportier version of its scooter line-up. As per sources, Ola Electric is gearing up to expand its portfolio with its entry into the sports scooter segment. According to people in the know, these sports scooters could feature artificial intelligence features powered by Ola Krutrim. The sports scooter segment has been taking off in India on the back of products such as the TVS Ntorq, Yamaha Aerox and Aprilia SR160. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its Gen 3 scooter portfolio that boasted of first-in-segment features like brake-by-wire, dual ABS, and variants with its own 4680 cell.

Electric motorcycle maker Ultraviolette raises $21 mn in funding round

Premium electric motorcycle manufacturer Ultraviolette on Tuesday said it has secured USD 21-million in a funding round with strategic investment from deep tech investor TDK Ventures. TDK Ventures is the corporate venture capital arm of Japanese firm TDK. "The investment round of USD 21-million saw strategic participation from TDK Ventures and strong continued backing from existing investors Zoho Corporation and Lingotto (previously Exor Capital) among other leading institutional investors," Ultraviolette said in a statement. Other investors in Ultraviolette include Sriharsha Majety (co-founder & CEO, Swiggy), Ankit Nagori (co-founder, Cure Foods; former Chief Business Officer, Flipkart), Aprameya Radhakrishna (Co-founder, TaxiForSure), and actor Dulquer Salmaan, the company said. The partnership with TDK Ventures represents a pivotal step in Ultraviolette's mission to develop and scale globally competitive performance-oriented EVs, it stated. "We look forward to bringing our TDK

Recharging the old: How retrofitting can help improve green mobility

Unlike new EV purchases, which remain unaffordable for many low-income users and small fleet operators, retrofitting leverages existing assets

Govt targets critical minerals security through mining law changes

The proposal, aimed at securing long-term access to resources like lithium, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements, comes amid tightening global supply and rising geopolitical risks

EV adoption surges in developing nations, challenging oil demand narrative

Like the EV surge in Gulf oil nations, it signals a rapid global shift to electric mobility, making OPEC's forecast of a 50% rise in developing nations' oil use by 2050 seem unrealistic

Electric two-wheeler manufacturing loses charge amid rare earth shortage

Industry racing to fast-track magnet-free designs, diversifying sourcing

Lack of EV charging infra leading to range anxiety among customers: Maruti

Maruti Suzuki's Partho Banerjee states that the lack of sufficient charging infrastructure keeps electric vehicles from becoming primary cars. He also discusses the growth of SUVs and challenges with

Public charging infra development vital for EV adoption: Maruti Suzuki

The development of public charging infrastructure will play a vital role in faster adoption of electric vehicles as driving range anxiety has emerged as a deterrent to customers to accept an EV as a primary car in a household, according to a senior Maruti Suzuki India executive. The sales of electric passenger vehicles in the domestic market have almost doubled, but the overall base still remains small. "Total contribution of EVs is 4.5 per cent (overall PV sales), it has grown from 2.4 per cent to 4.5 per cent. Absolutely, if you see numberwise, growth is 100 per cent. But is it sustainable?" Maruti Suzuki India Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) Partho Banerjee said in an interaction. Maruti Suzuki is set to introduce its first electric model - e-VITARA this fiscal. Banerjee stated that the segment is not witnessing adequate growth as customers do not perceive EVs as the primary car in a household. "He (customer) has got many inhibitions that EV cannot be my first car.

PM E-DRIVE subsidy scheme extended for 2 years for certain segments

Govt extends EV subsidy scheme for e-trucks, buses, ambulances and charging infra till March 2028; support for e-2Ws, e-rickshaws and e-3Ws to end by March 2026

EV car sales nearly double in July; two-wheeler demand slips: FADA data

Passenger EV sales surged 93% YoY in July 2025, even as electric two-wheeler volumes fell 4.3% due to production cuts and soft demand, FADA data showed

Oben Rorr EZ Sigma launched at ₹1.27 lakh with smart features, fast charge

Oben Electric's new Rorr EZ Sigma electric motorcycle offers up to 175 km range, TFT screen, app support, LFP battery, and booking at Rs 2,999 for August 15 delivery

SUN Mobility rewires old scooters for a green electric second life

Retrofit push targets India's 200 million ICE scooters; eyes expansion in Africa and Southeast Asia

Vietnamese auto major VinFast inaugurates EV assembly unit in Thoothukudi

The plant was inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin. VinFast Tamil Nadu is the company's third operational plant and the fifth project in its global manufacturing network

Move over incentives, time for 'soft' mandates on EVs: Niti Aayog

Niti Aayog suggests the government shift focus from incentives to "soft" mandates for electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to increase EV adoption through regulations, disincentives, and targeted policies

Delhi, Maharashtra, Chandigarh lead in NITI's Electric Mobility Index

Delhi, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have emerged as frontrunners in NITI Aayog's first India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) which assesses performance across three themes of EV adoption, charging infrastructure readiness and EV technology and innovation. The Aayog in it's report titled 'India Electric Mobility Index 2024' evaluated all Indian states and Union Territories across 16 indicators under three core themes. According to the Aayog, Delhi, Maharashtra and Chandigarh have emerged as frontrunners in the overall IEMI score, reflecting the robust ecosystems. In transport electrification, Delhi and Maharashtra are the frontrunners while Haryana, Karnataka, Ladakh and Hamachal Pradesh lead in charging infrastructure readiness. In terms of EV research and innovation, the Aayog said Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Haryana and Telangana stand out as frontruners. According to the Aayog, currently 29 states and UTs in India have notified EV policies, with four in draft stage

Tesla launches first charging station in India at BKC, Mumbai: Details here

Tesla first charging facility in Mumbai features superchargers and AC stalls; three more charging locations to open in Mumbai this quarter

VinFast in talks to boost local sourcing as first Indian plant opens

The firm is in discussions with several of its current component suppliers, and some want to shift part of their production to the industrial park in India, VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau said

Just 1/5th of auto PLI firms have products cleared for incentives

These companies have received clearance for 107 model and component variants, having met the DVA threshold, based on data available till July 31

Swedish car giant Volvo Cars India expects modest sales growth this year

Volvo Cars India anticipates flat sales growth in 2025 due to a combination of macroeconomic challenges and forex fluctuations but remains optimistic about 2026 and 2027