EV News

Orxa Energies Collaborates with Nunam Tech for Reuse of EV Batteries in Second-Life Applications Orxa Energies, a new company in Bengaluru that makes electric vehicles, has teamed up with Nunam Technologies, a company good at reusing batteries. This team-up is a big move towards making a system where batteries are used in a way that creates less waste and is better for the environment. With Nunam Technologies, Orxa will be able to extend the life of its flagship electric motorcycle Mantis batteries, providing a second life in the form of renewable energy storage systems. This will have a significant impact on the more affordable batteries for solar adoption with a minimal carbon footprint and also lower the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the Mantis. Both companies are actively developing a battery buyback mechanism for Orxa’s B2B customers as well as Mantis riders, fostering an engagement that emphasizes sustainable practices. The affiliation aims to create a circular value chain for Orxa’s batteries. Ranjitha Ravi, Co-Founder, Orxa Technologies said, “With Orxa Energies all set to launch our flagship product, the electric motorcycle Mantis; this partnership also helps assure our community of the impact that they will be a part of driving. It also complements our work in battery technology, drone technology for B2B applications, and aerospace and defense sectors.” Darshan Virupaksha, Co-founder, Nunam Technologies said, “Evolving a circular value chain for batteries in the EV ecosystem is a key aspect of our society’s transition towards electric mobility. Our team has been relentlessly finding means to maximise the life of such EV batteries. Mantis’s high-quality battery creates an opportunity for second life and thereby potential to reduce CO2 footprint by 40%. This initiative will contribute to the larger interests of clean energy requirements in India, with a focus on enabling clean energy for applications such as off-grid energy storage, micro-grids, and solar-powered machines for agriculture and cottage industries.” In order to secure the highest buyback value for Mantis batteries, the Nunam team will work closely with Orxa Energies’ engineering team over the next few months to identify ways to maximize reuse possibilities and minimize reuse costs. Following this, a customer-oriented plan for buyback programs will be developed for the Mantis community, and Orxa Energies anticipates more accessible financing schemes for Mantis going forward. Content Credit: Express Mobility Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

BLive Introduces Ather Electric Scooters for Zomato’s Last-Mile Delivery in Ahmedabad As part of its partnership to expand its EV fleet across 20 Indian cities, BLive, a leading multi-brand EV platform, has deployed 30 Ather EVs for Zomato’s last-mile deliveries in Ahmedabad. This reflects the shared commitment to sustainability and lowering the carbon footprint of the delivery ecosystem, encouraging a shift from conventional vehicles to eco-friendly EVs. With a primary focus on Tier II cities, BLive seeks to close the supply gap and meet the needs of last-mile delivery services. The strategic alliance with Zomato was formed in July and resulted in the EV initiative being launched in Hyderabad with the first fleet, which was a major step toward the sustainable food delivery landscape in India going forward. Samarth Kholkar, CEO & Co-Founder, BLive said, “In our ongoing commitment to fostering green mobility solutions, BLive is thrilled to join forces with Zomato and Ather to introduce 30 Ather electric vehicles for food delivery in Ahmedabad. Our objective is to transform the way deliveries are made, setting a new standard in the industry by integrating EVs into Zomato’s operations.”   Nikhil Patil, Head – Corporate Sales, Ather Energy said, “Electric vehicles are not only known for their performance but also their environmental impact. Our vision aligns perfectly with this initiative, and we look forward to witnessing the positive change our electric scooters will bring to the delivery landscape in the city.” Ather Energy Ather Energy is an Indian company that designs and sells premium electric scooters for the Indian market. It was founded in 2013 by Tarun Mehta and Swapnil Jain, who are both alumni of IIT Madras. Ather Energy currently offers three models of electric scooters: Ather 450S, Ather 450X, and Ather 450X Pro. These scooters have features such as best-in-class acceleration, touchscreen dashboard, home charger, and a large fast charging network across the country called Ather Grid. Ather Energy is also the only EV manufacturer in India to make its own battery packs, which have 13 patents on the design and manufacturing of li-ion batteries. Ather Energy has received funding from investors such as Flipkart founders, Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal, Tiger Global, Hero MotoCorp, and InnoVen Capital Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Electric Two-Wheeler Market Poised to Surpass 100,000 Units The initial half of the season witnessed a substantial double-digit increase, culminating in October 2023 with sales reaching 75,000 units. This figure approaches the peak levels previously recorded in the industry before the implementation of a complete subsidy system. Ola Electric company officials confirmed that they anticipate a 35–40 percent increase in sales in November, leading up to December, which is scheduled to surpass an earlier high of 28,276 units in May 2023.  In order to boost sales, Ola Electric is offering incentives of up to Rs 24,500 on its product range. During a recent analyst call, KN Radhakrishnan, Director and CEO of TVS Motors, stated that on the back of strong demand, the company has increased production of its electric scooter to 25,000 units per month and plans to debut a line of products ranging from 5 kW to 25 kW over the next year. “TVS anticipates that electric two-wheeler penetration will rise to 20-25 percent over the next three years,” Radhakrishnan said. Like TVS, Ather Energy is offering cash and corporate discounts on the 450X and 450S. Customers looking to switch from petrol to electric scooters are being offered an exchange value of up to Rs 40,000 on both these models. The 450X and 450S models from Ather Energy, like those from TVS, come with festive benefits like cash and corporate discounts. Customers who want to convert from petrol to electric scooters can get an exchange value of up to Rs 40,000 on both of these models. Ather Energy’s Chief Business Officer, Ravneet S. Phokela, also said that he expects “The market to return to pre-subsidy levels by the end of the festive season.” According to Vahaan data, the pre-subsidy levels were at 1,05,000 units prior to the implementation of the FAME II Scheme. Hero MotoCorp’s Vida, which was averaging less than 1,000 units in the first nine months of the current calendar year, has seen its sales more than double during the Navratri and Dusshera season from 532 units in September 2023 to 1914 units in October 2023. Greaves Cotton-backed Ampere is also counting on the holiday season to help boost sales, which according to Vahaan data went from 1,500–2,000 units in June and July to 4169 units in October as a result of the FAME subsidy being reduced. Greaves is also offering cash discounts of up to Rs 6,000 on the Magnus EX and Rs 10,000 on the Primus range of electric scooters as part of its festive offers. Sanjay Behl, CEO and Executive Director of Greaves Electric Mobility told Autocar Professional, “We remain optimistic that the current festive season will herald a’resilient rebound’ (on the back of FAME II subsidies) and the market is poised to achieve new heights. The sector is expected to increase not just during the holidays but well beyond, according to analysts who share this industry optimism. Pushan Sharma, Director of Research at CRISIL Market Intelligence and Analytics, said: “Given that the festive season will last for another two weeks, we expect the Indian electric two-wheeler market to register 35–40 percent YoY growth.” After the holidays, the rating agency anticipates that the market will stabilize at a growth rate of 25%. “Despite a marginal increase in the cost of ownership due to the subsidy adjustment, the average running cost of running an electric two-wheeler is 25–30 paise per km as opposed to Rs 2-2.25 per km for a petrol vehicle makes a significant difference over the life of the two-wheeler which is further expected to fuel this growth further,” the CRISIL said in a research note. Retail sales this year at 688,442 units have eclipsed 6,31,174 units sold in 2022, while EV sales at 6,89,948 units in the first 10 months of 2023 are 42 percent higher than the same period in 2022, according to the Vahaan portal. Content Credit: Autocar Professional Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

KPIT Technologies Set to Acquire 13% of N-Dream, a Zurich-Based In-Car Gaming Platform New Delhi: KPIT Technologies, a well-known software integration partner in the automotive and transportation industries, is preparing to purchase a 13% share in N-Dream AG, a young business that specializes in cloud-based game aggregation platforms and is situated in Switzerland. KPIT can grow its ownership further under the terms of the agreement.  By December 15, 2023, the 13% equity ownership deal is expected to close, and KPIT has committed to investing EUR 3 million in N-Dream. During their meeting on November 9, 2023, the KPIT Technologies Board of Directors approved this transaction.  N-Dream, a leader in the in-vehicle gaming space, provides automobile OEMs all over the world with a tested Cloud-based game aggregation platform that includes data services.  N-Dream recorded a turnover of CHF 1.99 million as of December 31, 2022, a significant rise from CHF 0.865 million in 2021 and CHF 0.784 million in 2020.  The business, which is based in Zurich, hopes to transform the in-car entertainment market by bringing the USD 152 billion mobile gaming market to living room TVs and car entertainment systems through the use of Cloud OTA (over-the-air) technology.  N-Dream’s cloud-based in-car gaming aggregation platform offers a wide variety of casual game genres, including sports, racing, and entertainment. One of its products that stands out is AirConsole, which is targeted at the automobile sector. There are now 19 workers at N-Dream.  This calculated move supports KPIT’s plan to enable automakers to improve the driving and passenger experience in the Cockpit of the Future.  KPIT plans to provide N-Dream’s automotive clients with supplementary software integration and validation services. The goal of the two organizations’ partnership is to provide automobile OEMs with value-added data products that will enable the development of new, monetizable features and experiences. This project is a big step in determining how driving and in-car entertainment will develop in the future. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Piyush Goyal and Elon Musk Explore Opportunities for Tesla in India’s EV Market Piyush Goyal is a minister in India who works in commerce and industry. He went to see how Tesla makes electric cars in California. He was happy that many parts of the cars come from India. He also said that Tesla will buy more parts from India in the future. Goyal met many people from Tesla who are from India. They work as engineers and finance experts. He wished that Tesla’s boss, Elon Musk, would get well soon. He liked how Tesla is changing the way people travel. Goyal also met a minister from Singapore, Gan Kim Yong. They talked about how to work together more on business and trade. Goyal had a meeting with Katherine Tai, who is in charge of trade for the US. They talked about how to improve trade between India and the US. Goyal planned to meet Gina Raimondo, who is in charge of commerce for the US, and other people from different fields. They want to solve problems, attract money, and work together on new technologies. Goyal and Raimondo will also host an event called the “India-USA Innovation Handshake Initiative”. They want to support new ideas, create jobs, and work together on new technologies. Goyal will also meet with investors, CEOs, students, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and Indians living in the US. He wants to connect with the people who are good at technology and business in Silicon Valley. He wants them to invest and grow in India in areas like electronics, technology, and FinTech. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Matter Aera Electric Motorcycle Slated for Delivery in Q1 2024 Matter’s Aera electric motorcycle is available in two variants, priced at ₹1.74 lakh and ₹1.84 lakh (ex-showroom, post-revised FAME subsidy). Both models have an electric motor that produces 10 kW (13.4 bhp), with a sprint time of six seconds from 0 to 60 kmph and a range of 125 km on a single charge. The motorcycles also have a 7-inch touchscreen console for navigation, music, and phone calls.  Matter prioritizes convenience by allowing charging through any 5-amp socket. The company projects a running cost of 25 paise per km.  Mohal Lalbhai, Matter’s Group CEO and Founder expressed excitement about the forthcoming production and delivery phase, highlighting the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Matter plans to initiate production at its plant with a capacity of 60,000 units annually, with potential expansion to 120,000 units based on demand.  Despite Aera being Matter’s first electric offering, the company plans to introduce two more electric bikes and display executive models based on the M2 platform at the 2023 Auto Expo. A second manufacturing facility is planned by the company by 2025, with an estimated annual capacity of 100,000 units. About Matter Aera Matter Aera is an electric motorcycle from Matter, an Ahmedabad-based electric two-wheeler startup. It is the first electric motorcycle in India with a four-speed gearbox. It is available in two variants: 5000 and 5000+, which have a 5kWh, liquid-cooled battery pack that offers a claimed real-world range of 125km. The liquid-cooled motor on the Aera is rated for a claimed peak power output of 10.5kW.  Matter Aera also features a fully digital instrument console with smartphone connectivity, keyless operation, OTA updates, and a small storage space at the front. Matter Aera is priced at Rs. 1,73,999 for the 5000 variant and Rs. 1,83,999 for the 5000+ variant. You can check out more details and images of Matter Aera on their or on other . Matter Aera is a futuristic and stylish bike that offers a thrilling and connected riding experience.  Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

OTO and Ather Join Forces; Boost for 2Wheeler EV Enthusiasts Nationwide Bengaluru, 16 November, 2023: OTO, a pioneering digital commerce platform and a leading player in two-wheeler financing, today announced a strategic digital business partnership with Ather Energy, India’s leading electric scooter manufacturer, to help facilitate convenient and accessible ownership of Ather vehicles among the young and the GenZ demographic across India. This groundbreaking partnership will change the realm of two-wheeler ridership, especially for the generally overlooked premium customer segments. As a result, countless aspiring two-wheeler purchasers across India will now have the opportunity to access seamless financing options at their doorstep for acquiring their desired electric vehicle. This alliance will provide Ather customers with the full benefit of OTO’s innovative and appealing finance & commerce options, including Super EMI—an option offering 35 per cent lower EMIs than banks and the advantages of an affordable, flexible, and convenient repayment structure. In addition to offering a broader array of tailored financing choices, this also ensures that buyers enjoy the well-known reliability and trust of transacting on the OTO commerce platform. The collaboration with Ather Energy marks a pivotal milestone in OTO’s trajectory, underscoring its dedication to harnessing cutting-edge technology for delivering seamless financial services. Through this venture, Ather, an in-demand brand for the young, urban consumer, gains entry to OTO’s expansive young, digital-savvy clientele in retail and digital commerce, particularly within the two-wheeler sector. This strategic alliance is poised to unlock new avenues of growth and innovation for both entities, ultimately benefiting a broader spectrum of customers seeking efficient and buying options. Speaking on the alliance, Sumit Chhazed, Co-Founder and CEO of OTO, said, “The OTO-Ather partnership represents a momentous leap forward in our journey to redefine two-wheeler financing and help the EV industry grow and strengthen in India. By collaborating with Ather Energy, a trailblazing name in e-scooters, we are opening doors to a new level of convenience and accessibility for EV Enthusiasts on our platform across India. In addition to this, we are delighted to provide Ather customers with access to our innovative financial solutions, such as the Super EMI, delivering reduced EMIs and a versatile repayment framework. We believe in offering not only a wide range of personalized financing choices but also the unique advantages of our platform.” The benefit of OTO’s unique and industry-leading initiatives in 2-wheeler finance shall be available to Ather customers in all the 22+ cities where OTO is present in India. This collaboration not only reasserts a significant milestone for OTO but is also a step forward in the world of two-wheeler mobility. OTO, together with Ather, is set to chart a course towards growth of the EV segment, ultimately benefiting a wide spectrum of customers. About OTO: OTO is a forward-thinking two-wheeler digital commerce platform specialising in two-wheeler financing. With a customer-centric approach and a relentless focus on innovation, OTO is reshaping the landscape of two-wheeler ownership in India. OTO’s mission is to make the dream of owning a two-wheeler a reality for every “Bharatiya”, regardless of their financial background. About Ather Energy: Ather Energy, India’s first intelligent electric vehicle manufacturer was founded in 2013 by IIT Madras alumni, Tarun Mehta, and Swapnil Jain. Ather is backed by Hero MotoCorp, GIC, NIIF, Sachin Bansal, and Tiger Global. Ather launched India’s first truly intelligent electric scooter – The Ather 450 in 2018, followed by their flagship offering Ather 450X in 2020 and the Gen3 of the 450X in 2022. In August 2023, Ather launched the 450S and 2 variants of the 450X. Ather has also installed a comprehensive public charging network, Ather Grid, designed and built in India. With 1500+ charging points across 100+ cities, Ather Grid is the country’s largest fast-charging network for electric two-wheelers. With 86 Indian and international patent applications, 169 trademarks, and 150+ Indian and International design registrations to its name, Ather aims to provide consumers with the best possible ownership experience. Ather currently operates in 120+ cities including Bengaluru, Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Mysore, and Kolkata.  Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Lohia Auto Aims to Enter India’s Electric Two-Wheeler Segment in 2024 The company expects that selling more products will make them save money on production costs. Ayush Lohia, the boss, wants the Indian government to keep giving money to electric vehicle (EV) makers and buyers after March 2024 and also keep charging more tax on imported vehicles and parts. Lohia Auto wants to make and sell fast and powerful electric bikes next year and is testing a new electric auto-rickshaw that can carry passengers. The company wants to reach more customers from next year, competing with other fast electric bike makers. Lohia Auto’s factory in Uttarakhand, India, can make one lakh electric vehicles in a year, and the company wants to have about 200 shops across the country in the next two years. Lohia said that the government should keep giving money to electric bike makers and buyers to help them switch from petrol and diesel bikes to electric bikes by 2030. He also said that the auto-rickshaw market would completely switch to electric by 2027. Lohia was worried about the effect of the money cut on electric bike sales and asked the government to continue the money scheme until 2024, saying that it would help sell more products, use more local parts, and make India independent in the electric vehicle market. About Lohia Auto Lohia Auto is a company that manufactures electric vehicles in India, such as e-rickshaws, e-scooters, and e-autos. It was founded in 2008 and is part of the Lohia Global business conglomerate. Lohia Auto aims to provide efficient, reliable, clean, and affordable transportation solutions that are environment-friendly and energy-saving.  Some of its products include Fame, Oma Star, Narain, Comfort Plus, and Humsafar. Lohia Auto has a plant in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, that can produce 100,000 units per year of electric vehicles.  Lohia Auto is also one of the founder members of the Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

Switch Mobility gets INR 1200 Cr from Ashok Leyland for EVs Ashok Leyland is a big company that makes vehicles. They have decided to give Rs 1200 cr to another company called Switch Mobility. Switch Mobility makes electric buses and vans. They will use the money to make better products and grow their business. Ashok Leyland will give the money in parts after getting permission from the authorities. Switch Mobility is a group of two companies, one in the UK and one in India. They are part of Ashok Leyland’s plan to make more electric vehicles. They have sold many electric buses to different states in India. They have also got orders for more than 1200 buses. They made India’s first double-decker electric bus last year. Switch India is a company that makes electric trucks and vans. In September 2023, they showed their new electric trucks and vans to the public. Many people and businesses liked them and wanted to buy them. The company agreed to sell more than 13000 electric trucks and vans to them. They will start giving them to the buyers from January 2024. Mr Dheeraj G Hinduja, Executive Chairman, Ashok Leyland stated, “Electric Vehicles especially in buses and light trucks, have a very bright future as Governments and private customers are driving the green agenda. We are very happy with the progress made by Switch, and we will continue to invest in building its capabilities. We are confident that Switch will grow further in the European markets with the launch in 2024 of our new E1 12m bus developed specifically for the European market. Our portfolio of electric buses will cover value and premium segments meeting all price points for many global markets.” Mr Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland said, “The market for EVs is growing rapidly driven by the trend towards Carbon Neutrality. Government support is further helping the market to expand. We will continue to build capability in this business by investing in product development as well as in expanding operations. Both India and European markets are going to be important growth centres for EV trucks and buses. In the coming year, we are expecting our e-LCVs to drive faster customer adoption. The balance sheet of Ashok Leyland can comfortably fund the initiatives of Switch.” Content Credit: EMobility Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community

India to Solicit Proposals for $960 Million Battery Manufacturing Initiative According to persons acquainted with the situation, India intends to request bids for an incentive program worth 80 billion rupees (about USD 960 million) to promote the development of batteries for electric vehicles.  The program’s successful bidders will have to establish 20 gigawatt-hour advanced chemistry battery factories overall, according to the people who asked not to be identified since the plans are confidential. Next month, they claimed, the government will invite proposals from possible investors.  During a consultation meeting with government officials, companies expressed interest, including Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd., LG Energy Solution Ltd. of Korea, and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., a local heavyweight. Over a five-year period, the government will provide incentives to businesses for the sale of locally made batteries.  Requests for comments from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Exide, LG, Larsen & Toubro, Mahindra, and Amara Raja were not answered. Reliance Industries Ltd., Ola Electric Mobility Pvt., and Rajesh Exports Ltd., owned by billionaire Mukesh Ambani, were chosen last year to create 30 gigawatt hours of battery capacity and get incentives under this government program’s first phase.  In response to the expanding markets for electric vehicles, grid-scale energy storage, and consumer electronics, research center RMI India and government think tank Niti Aayog released a paper predicting that the demand for batteries will reach 260 gigawatt hours by 2030. The battery push coincides with India’s efforts to promote the use of less-polluting modes of transportation.  According to a Sources, the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is thinking about lowering import taxes for battery-powered vehicles in an effort to court Tesla Inc. Additionally, the government plans to increase domestic EV production with a USD 3.1 billion incentive package that will be introduced in 2021. An inquiry for comment was not answered by a Ministry of Heavy Industries spokesperson. Click here for more such informative insights Join the All India EV Community