Page 24 - Electric Vehicles

Maha govt clears road for e-bike taxis, aims to create 10,000 jobs in MMR

The Maharashtra cabinet on Tuesday approved introduction of electric-bike taxis for cities with at least one lakh population, a move which will benefit single passengers travelling up to 15 km and cover Mumbai besides several other urban centres in the state. The measure will create more than 10,000 jobs in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and another 10,000 in the rest of the state, state Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said. Talking to reporters, he said e-bikes with a proper partition between front and pillion riders and a roof cover for monsoons will be allowed to ferry people. Sarnaik made the announcement after a weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Sahaydri guest house approved the proposal to launch electric-bike taxis in major urban areas. He said the cabinet has only approved the policy on launching e-bike taxis, and a revenue model is being finalised and would be announced soon. Security of passengers and affordable tariffs ...

Ola Electric registers 23,430 units in March, showing strong demand

Ola Electric on Tuesday said it registered 23,430 units in March this year, as per the VAHAN portal, reflecting strong demand across urban and rural markets. The shift to in-house vehicle registrations in February led to temporary disruptions. While the transition continues, daily registration volumes and backlog clearance are steadily improving, the company said in a statement. "We have nearly cleared the February backlog and expect to complete the remaining February-March registrations in April 2025," it said, adding the company is scaling up its registration operations and actively coordinating with all external stakeholders to support the exercise. Ola Electric said it has also started deliveries of its Gen 3 portfolio in March 2025 and has ramped up production in March and will continue ramping it up further in April for faster deliveries and better customer experience.

Fall in lithium battery prices will boost EV sector, says Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari has said reduction in the cost of lithium batteries would significantly lower the price of electric vehicles (EVs), making them more affordable for consumers. Pollution is India's biggest challenge and the transport sector is a major contributor, Gadkari on Monday said, stressing the urgent need to transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources. The Union minister for road transport and highways asserted the ongoing advancements in battery technology were key to India's transition to sustainable transport. He said India's dependence on fossil fuels is both an economic burden, as Rs 22 lakh crore is spent annually on fuel imports, and an environmental hazard, making clean energy adoption crucial for the nation's progress. Speaking at the launch of an eco-friendly electric cycle in Thane, the minister said cycling needs to be promoted as a sustainable urban transport option in view of increasing urbanisation. The rapid growth of India's ...

Renault, Nissan further loosen ties to support Japanese firm's turnaround

Nissan will also be released from its commitment to invest in Renault's electric vehicle unit Ampere, for which it had pledged 600 million euros

Govt weighs EV charging expansion across key infra with ₹2,000 crore fund

India aims to increase the number of public EV charging stations from the current 32,500 to 72,300 by the end of 2025-26

India-US BTA: Commerce ministry to begin talks with other departments

Interministerial talks to explore tariff cuts and market access; key sectors under focus include EVs, oil derivatives, plastics, and sensitive farm goods like dairy and almonds

Auto sales see 5% growth in FY25; industry seeks GST cut to drive demand

As of March 30, the total automobile sales for the financial year were seen at 25.9 million units, up from 24.6 million in FY24, and 22.3 million in FY23

BluSmart's big bet: Major restructuring, CEO exit and a ₹315 cr fleet deal

BluSmart Mobility undergoes major restructuring as CEO and top executives exit; company signs a fleet leasing deal while assuring that ride-hailing operations remain unaffected

BYD to build a plant in India: Can it reshape the car and EV market?

BYD's India entry will spark a new EV battle. Can it outpace local giants and repeat its China triumph over Tesla, or will the competition reshape India's electric mobility landscape?

BYD plans EV manufacturing unit with Megha Engineering in Telangana

Location likely to be Shabad near Hyderabad; battery project also under consideration

BYD to set up first India EV factory near Hyderabad, eyes 600K cars yearly

The Telangana government has suggested three potential sites for the facility, all located near Hyderabad for the proposed BYD plant

UP to launch crackdown on unauthorised e-rickshaws and autos from April 1

The Uttar Pradesh Transport Department is set to launch a statewide crackdown on illegal e-rickshaws and autos from April 1-30, following directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The transport commissioner has instructed all district magistrates, police commissioners, and senior superintendents of police to ensure strict enforcement of the drive, an official statement issued here said. The special campaign will be conducted in all districts, including the state capital, Lucknow. Adityanath, who chaired a review meeting on law and order on Sunday issued directives on the matter to strengthen enforcement at the ground level. He instructed that the verification of tempo and e-rickshaw drivers be taken up on priority. The CM underlined that minors must not be allowed to operate vehicles under any circumstances. He also called for tenant verification and immediate action to prevent overloading at zero points, it said. Acting on these directives, the Transport Department will laun

Demand dip: Switch Mobility UK likely to shut down its Sherburn plant

The company is expecting to double its bus sales from around 450 this financial year to around 1,000 next financial year, owing to a rise in demand in the Indian market

Maha govt has shelved proposal to levy 6% tax on high-end EVs: CM Fadnavis

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday announced in the legislative council that the government won't implement its proposed 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above Rs 30 lakh. The announcement came while Fadnavis was responding to a question by Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anil Parab during a discussion in the Upper House on EVs and air pollution. Parab raised concerns over the proposed tax, saying it would go against the Centre's efforts to promote non-polluting EVs through various incentives. The Maharashtra government's proposal to levy a 6 per cent tax on EVs above Rs 30 lakh would be counter-productive and contradict the broader objective of encouraging clean mobility, Parab said. Fadnavis conceded and said the government has concluded that the tax won't generate significant revenue. It could send a wrong signal about our commitment to electric mobility. Therefore, the state government will not go ahead with the 6 per cent tax on high-end electric

Exide Industries, Amara Raja Energy gain up to 5% in trade; here's why

The government decided to remove import duty on EV batteries and mobile phones to help local producers withstand the potential impact of reciprocal US tariffs

Ease of imports, company-agnostic norms to be focus of scheme for EV cars

Since the announcement of the scheme, about 4-5 consultations have so far taken place between MHI and stakeholders like original equipment manufacturers

Govt ends import duty for items needed to make EV batteries, phones

India will exempt from import duty 35 items used to make EV batteries and 28 items used in mobile phone manufacturing

BluSmart not for sale; its total debt at all-time low: Anmol Jaggi

Jaggi elaborates on financing plans, the issues under investigation, and the way forward

IIT Madras takes the lead in India's eMobility with 15 govt projects

The initiatives of the department make significant contributions towards safety, skilling, outreach, research and advocacy requirements of the country in the eMobility sector

UK welfare spending cuts pose unexpected risk to carmakers' EV ambitions

A review of the benefits system announced in recent days could hit a car-financing program called Motability, which provides vehicles to disabled customers on mobility benefits