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!
Blue Energy Motors Deliver LNG Trucks To Inland World Logistics
- By MT Bureau
- June 09, 2025
Pune-headquartered alternative fuel commercial vehicles manufacturer Blue Energy Motors has delivered LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks to Inland World Logistics.
These LNG-powered trucks are claimed to offer 30 percent lower CO2 emissions and thus not only contribute to lower tailpipe emissions but also lower operational costs.
With this, Blue Energy Motors has over 800 LNG trucks plying on Indian highways, which have enabled over 50 million kilometres. This translates to almost 14,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction.
Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We are proud to lead India’s clean trucking revolution and partner with visionary companies like Inland who share our commitment to sustainable growth. Our trucks offer a powerful alternative to diesel, with significantly reduced emissions and a lower total cost of ownership. This reflects our commitment to enable cleaner mobility at scale—fleet by fleet, region by region.”
Praveen Somani, Managing Director, Inland World Logistics, said, “We believe that the future of logistics lies in green mobility, and transitioning to LNG is a crucial step in that direction. Blue Energy Motors stood out for us - not just for their product innovation, but for their clear commitment to making sustainable trucking viable and accessible. These trucks align with our vision of reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring efficiency and performance on long hauls.”
Kia EV3 Excels In Euro NCAP Assisted Driving Test
- By MT Bureau
- June 06, 2025
The Kia EV3 has secured the highest possible ‘Very Good’ grade in Euro NCAP's assisted driving test. The test focused on the model's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) system, which combines real-time driver monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane centring.
In the ‘assistance competence’ and ‘safety backup’ categories, the EV3 received scores of 74 and 88 out of 100, respectively. The vehicle achieved the highest rating with a total score of 162 points, making it the first car from both Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group to receive this grade. By aiding the driver in a variety of real-world situations, such as changing lanes, maintaining lane position at different speeds and stopping if the driver becomes unresponsive, the EV3's HDA 2 strikes a balance between a high degree of vehicle assistance and driver involvement, according to Euro NCAP. In addition to providing exceptional safety backup, the model provides ‘very good’ highway assistance.
With the adaptability and affordability to be the primary vehicle in the home, Kia's EV3 is a high-volume electric vehicle designed specifically for the compact SUV market. The 2025 World Car Awards have crowned the vehicle the 2025 World Car of the Year. In the UK, the car has also received other honours, including ‘UK Car of the Year 2025’ at the UK Car of the Year Awards and ‘Best EV Crossover’ at the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2025.
Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President Product and Marketing of Kia Europe and COO of Kia Connect Europe, said, “This excellent outcome reflects Kia’s commitment to delivering advanced technologies that enhance driver convenience and passenger safety. The EV3’s performance in the Euro NCAP assisted driving test draws attention to the capabilities of Highway Driving Assist 2 and serves as a milestone for Hyundai Motor Group.”
CHARGE ZONE Celebrates World Environment Day With Project Shwa
- By MT Bureau
- June 06, 2025
On World Environment Day, CHARGE ZONE, India’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network, unveiled ‘Shwa’, a groundbreaking public art project that redefines EV Supercharging stations as cultural landmarks. By integrating large-scale murals into charging hubs, Shwa blends sustainability, community engagement and creativity, transforming functional spaces into open-air galleries that inspire climate action.
Each mural, created in partnership with both well-known and up-and-coming Indian artists, offers a distinct perspective on a sustainable India that is firmly anchored in regional aesthetics, local tales and messages of optimism for the environment. The project begins with striking murals painted by renowned artist Rahul Kumawat in Karjan, Gujarat, and Suryapet, Telangana. Meaningful interaction with the art and its underlying environmental issues is made possible by the thoughtful placement of these enormous artworks at CHARGE ZONE's Supercharging stations, where visitors usually spend longer time.
Each artwork has a discrete QR code that connects to the recently built Shwa website (shwa.chargezone.co.in), adding an interactive element. With its high-resolution photos, artist biographies and the backstories of each piece of art, this digital platform functions as a living archive. In order to make the sustainability discussion more widely available, the website also emphasises themes of climate resilience and local history while offering downloadable media materials.
Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, CHARGE ZONE, said, “EV charging stations are a gateway to the future of mobility and with Shwa, we’re using them to tell stories that matter. We’re starting with just three murals across our Supercharging stations, but in the next six months, we aim to bring this experience to 10–12 more sites. Over the next five to six years, our ambition is to create a few hundred such installations across the country. This is not just about infrastructure, it's about sparking emotional connection and climate consciousness through art that speaks to everyone. I am thankful to our young team of millennials and GenZ for conceptualising and seeding the process from idea to execution.”
Devbrat Hariyani, Project Shwa Head, CHARGE ZONE, said, “Infrastructure should serve more than just function, it should inspire. With Shwa, we’re creating spaces where culture, community and climate intersect. These murals are invitations to slow down, to think and to feel. Over time, as hundreds of these works bloom along our highways, we hope to create an evolving living archive that’s open to everyone.”
Terra Charge, AAI Inaugurate EV Charging Station At Agartala Airport
- By MT Bureau
- June 03, 2025
Terra Charge, India’s leading EV charging infrastructure provider, has taken a significant step towards enhancing electric vehicle adoption in Northeast India by inaugurating a new charging station at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), marks a crucial development in Tripura’s evolving EV ecosystem.
The charging station, strategically located near the airport’s VIP car parking area, is equipped with both 7.4 kW and 10 kW chargers, catering to a variety of electric vehicles. EV drivers can easily locate the station via the Terra Charge Mobile App and initiate charging sessions with digital payments, offering a fully contactless and user-friendly experience. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of key officials, including State Transport Department Secretary C K Jamatia and Airport Director K C Mina, underscoring the government’s support for sustainable mobility solutions.
This project is part of a long-term partnership between Terra Charge and AAI to modernise India’s airports with future-ready EV charging solutions. By leveraging Japanese technology, the station ensures high efficiency and reliability, aligning with India’s broader goal of achieving 30 percent EV penetration by 2030. The move not only supports Tripura’s green mobility ambitions but also sets a precedent for further EV infrastructure expansion across the Northeast.
Go Suzuki, Managing Director, Terra Charge, said, “This launch marks another milestone in our mission to make EV charging accessible, reliable and convenient for all. Airport locations are critical transit hubs, and by enabling EV users to recharge effortlessly here, we are eliminating a key barrier to EV adoption. In addition, our partnership with AAI reflects a shared commitment to accelerating India’s green mobility transition. With this new charging station at MBB Airport, we are one step closer to a future where range anxiety is a thing of the past.”
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