Toyota made a splash in India recently by showcasing a flex-fuel hybrid vehicle. This amounted to a logical step in its efforts to highlight its work in the area of alternative fuel technologies soon after it supplied the Union Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari, with a hydrogen fuel cell car. The year 2022 has been a year of much action and words in the area of alternative fuels in India. The Brazilian Ambassador to India, d. Andre Aranha Correa Do Lago, said in his speech at the recent SIAM Annual Convention that Brazil and India are the two largest sugarcane producers and have the potential to produce enormous amounts of ethanol. “Brazil will work with India on flex-fuel technology, sustainable aviation fuels, second generation ethanol, hybrid flex-fuel vehicles, fuel cells etc.,” he averred. 

At the same event, Gadkari mentioned that through innovation, science, research, technology and entrepreneurship, the auto industry should convert knowledge to fuel and devise alternative fuel technologies. Stating that the petroleum product import is amounting to INR 16 trillion and is a challenge for the country, he averred, “I am happy to see good growth of electric vehicles across segments. Around 1.5 million EVs have been registered and the overall sales figure is up by 162 percent. The sales growth of electric two-wheelers is 425 percent, electric three-wheelers is 75 percent, electric four-wheelers is 230 percent and electric buses is 1,600 percent. The number of new start-ups in the domain is 250.” In October 2022, Chinese electric automaker BYD announced the launch of its second electric vehicle in India in the form of an electric SUV called the Atto 3. It will commence sales starting January 2023. 

As electric vehicles continue to gain strength across segments, it is the two-wheeler segment that seems to gain in sales numbers the most. No surprise then that Taiwanese electric two-wheeler major Gogoro is expected to launch electric scooters in India soon. The company has been having a tie-up with Hero MotoCorp in India for some time now and the two are said to be working on developing a battery swapping technology that is suitable for the local and regional requirements. Hero MotoCorp and Gogoro are not the only ones; there are other companies too – like Sun Mobility – that are already working on battery swapping technology. 

With the need for smart grids and a battery charging infrastructure growing as part of the thrust towards alternative fuel technologies to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, the question being asked is: which alternative fuel technology will finally triumph with efforts being made in various areas and directions? A portion of the auto industry is betting on hydrogen as the ultimate alternative fuel. Another portion of the industry is betting on flex-fuel and other alternative fuel technologies, including various gases like LNG and CNG. 

With countries like Russia banking on gaseous fuel as a means to reduce carbon emissions since they are available in abundance there, it is countries like India, which imports 85 percent of the fuels, that needs to find out what it has in abundance and select as the alternative fuel of choice, mentioned an industry expert from Europe. He added that a unique alternative fuel technology from India could actually lead to a global breakthrough and help mobility advance in a new direction altogether. With the possibility of such a disruption always present, the current situation is looking a bit unorganised with a variety of alternative fuels being taken into consideration. 

On one hand, CNG stations are being increased and commercial vehicle operators are taking to it, while on the two-wheeler level, it is the electric vehicle technology that is gathering pace. The most diverse are the efforts at the passenger car level, where Maruti Suzuki and Toyota seem to look at hybrid and flex-fuel, whereas the ones like BYD, MG and Tata Motors are looking at electric to go net-zero carbon. The investment in BS VI technology, which promised water at the tailpipe through emissions cleaner than the air, is yet to fructify for some or many automakers and the call for rapid development in alternative fuel technologies is being summoned. 

With sustainability being the mantra as the auto industry in India sees good days after a prolonged slowdown, the high inflation and resulting steep increase in vehicle prices is already threatening to spoil the party. A point of worry being that if the work on alternative fuel technologies is affected as inflation is likely to bite harder in 2023, the need to keep global temperatures from rising above the 1.5-degree Celsius mark stays. The auto industry is expected to contribute the most and also ensure sustainable, affordable and desirable mobility at the same time.  A tightrope walk beckons as the mantle of alternative fuel technologies can’t be abandoned. 

One thing is clear that what holds for India is what India has in abundance. Like Russia has gas, India could do well in developing technologies that can create gas from waste and other means available locally in abundance. Rather than politicising city waste that is often dumped just outside the city, it will serve if it could be turned into fuel to power automobiles as well as industrial furnaces and other machines. Afterall, despite all the efforts in electrification and other alternative fuel technologies, roughly 95 percent of the vehicles that continue to sell the world over are still powered by IC engines!

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Statiq, an electric vehicle charging network provider, has partnered with German luxury brand BMW Group India to establish a high-power charging corridor across the country's major driving routes. The initiative aims to install charging stations of a minimum of every 120 kW every 300-350km, facilitating intercity travel for users.

The collaboration has created a robust charging corridor spanning over 4,000 km from Jammu to Madurai. The fast chargers are strategically located on key highways and public spaces, and they are accessible to all EV owners, regardless of brand. BMW customers can locate and access these chargers through the myBMW app.

• The chargers deployed offer capacities ranging from 120 kW to 720 kW.
• Chargers are placed near cafes, restaurants and public spaces to enhance the customer experience.

Statiq's network currently includes more than 8,000 EV chargers in over 70 cities and has integrated its platform with other major charging providers like E-Fill, Sunfuel and GLIDA to expand usability.

Akshit Bansal, Founder & CEO, Statiq, said, “The partnership with marks a defining moment for India’s ecosystem. By enabling high-power charging every 300-350km, we are addressing the core challenge of range anxiety and providing the confidence needed for long-distance electric mobility. Our core mission at Statiq has always been to make EV charging easy, accessible and reliable for all, and this corridor puts India firmly on the global map of green mobility leaders.”

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is immensely proud to be the first luxury carmaker to surpass the remarkable milestone of 5,000 electric vehicle deliveries. We are pleased to partner with Statiq and an additional charging operator to expand our charging infrastructure. Through this initiative, we are working steadily towards creating a great travel experience for all electric mobility consumers with complete peace of mind.”

Statiq has clear plans to install 20,000 charging points and foster partnerships to create a robust, inclusive EV infrastructure ecosystem.

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JSW MG Motor India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has surpassed the 100,000 electric vehicle sales milestone in India, becoming the second passenger vehicle manufacturer to achieve this feat in the country. The company's diverse EV portfolio now contributes over 70 percent to its overall month-on-month sales.

The brand's EV market share has grown significantly, expanding from 26 percent in CY2024 to 35 percent currently. JSW MG Motor India attributes this milestone to the robust performance of its EV offerings, which cater to varied customer demands for clean and intelligent mobility solutions.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said: “Crossing the 100,000 EV sales milestone reflects the trust Indian customers place in sustainable choices. I thank our customers and the entire JSW MG Motor India team for this momentous milestone. As mobility evolves, we remain committed to driving India’s vision of innovative and clean mobility solutions.”

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Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini (KGTL), the joint venture between Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions and Tonino Lamborghini, has appointed Surge Systems as its authorised dealer for the electric luxury golf and lifestyle cart range in India. This partnership is set to leverage Surge Systems' expertise in professional turf maintenance and aftersales support to establish Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini's presence in the luxury golf cart market.

The golf carts, which the company describes as embodying Italian design and Indian engineering, are marketed as a luxury lifestyle statement under the 'Make In India' initiative.

Kinetic Green Tonino Lamborghini aims to achieve an annual revenue of INR 25 billion over the next five years and capture 10 percent of the global golf car market. The appointment of an authorised dealer in India supports the company's commitment to both building and selling in India, while also contributing to its export ambitions.

Dr. Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder and CEO, Kinetic Green, said, “A symphony of Italian design and Indian engineering, the KGTL’s Golf Carts embody the Make In India initiative and a luxury lifestyle statement. On this journey, we are thrilled to onboard Surge Systems as our official dealer partner and looking forward to their positive contribution. I am confident that the company’s unique credibility, exceptional after-sales service, and extensive network will add value to our presence in India. Our collaboration with Surge Systems allows us to leverage their deep technical expertise, established customer trust and premium market presence while introducing a globally renowned luxury brand into its portfolio.’’

Ferruccio Lamborghini, Vice-President, Tonino Lamborghini, said, "This collaboration with Kinetic Green marks an exciting new chapter in the history of the brand founded by my father over 45-years ago. Together, we have created a project that combines the best of two worlds: the elegance and identity of Italian design with the strength, efficiency and innovation of Indian manufacturing. This is more than an industrial joint venture – it is a bridge between two entrepreneurial cultures, united by a shared vision of the future. We chose India not only as a strategic production base, but also as a symbol of openness, growth and global ambition."

Antony Bijoy, CEO, Surge Systems, said, “At Surge System, our strength lies in engineering excellence and responsive technical support. Representing Tonino Lamborghini and Kinetic Green electric luxury golf carts is a natural extension of our commitment to performance, reliability and service, delivering not just luxury mobility, but a robust, sustainable solution.’’

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Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer NIO has announced that it has achieved its highest-ever monthly sales record in October 2025, delivering 40,397 vehicles, which represents a substantial increase of 92.6 percent YoY. This milestone was announced as the 300,000th NIO ES6 rolled off the production line.

The total October deliveries were distributed across the company’s three electric vehicle brands:

• NIO Premium smart EV brand: 17,143 units.
• ONVO (Family-oriented smart EV brand): 17,342 units.
• FIREFLY (Small smart EV brand): 5,912 units.

Cumulative deliveries for the company reached 913,182 units as of 31 October 2025.

The NIO ES6 has become the best-selling battery EV from a Chinese brand priced above RMB 300,000, and the first in its segment to reach the 300,000-unit production milestone. The new ES6, introduced earlier this year, has strengthened NIO's leadership in the premium EV market.

The NIO ES6 is a 5-seater mid-size SUV with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system. Key specs include a total power output of up to 400 kW (536 hp) and 725 Nm of torque, enabling a zero to 100 kmph of 4.7 seconds for the Performance and Signature models. It features a standard active air suspension and is available with a 75 kWh or 100 kWh battery pack, with the latter offering a claimed range of up to 610 km on the NEDC cycle. 

Furthermore, the ONVO L90, the brand’s smart large-space flagship SUV, achieved monthly deliveries exceeding 10,000 units for the third consecutive month since its official launch in late July 2025. The L90 is positioned to accelerate the transition of large three-row SUVs toward full electrification.

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