Astro Motors, an emerging electric vehicle (EV) company, announced on Monday that its EV three-wheeler, Astro NAVYA, has set the record of reaching the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La Pass, located in Ladakh, at 19,024 feet. The EV company claims that Astro NAVYA is designed to cater to various geographical needs within India, from cold and steep mountain lands in Ladakh to the extreme heat of Delhi. The EV three-wheeler cargo vehicle is powered by a 10.2 kwh battery, with a payload capacity of 630 kg and a top speed of 50 kmph. Furthermore, according to Astro Motors, Astro NAVYA was driven by India’s first female BEST licensed driver, Pratiksha Das, backed by a team from Astro Motors. 

Sharing his views, Vitan Jagada, Founder, Astro Motors, said, “We are extremely thrilled about achieving this milestone, and are happy to present a product that has demonstrated its capability at the highest level. Even the high altitude of the Ladakh region, with thinner air and temperatures sub-zero at 1 pm, did not impact the performance of the vehicle. So this is very encouraging, as the drive was carried out with a full payload. We are the only company to have successfully mated a manual gearbox to an electric motor, and synchronised the same to maximise the performance and made it available for the public. We are on a mission to create trust in electric vehicles for people to transition from ICE vehicles, with complete peace of mind, and this is the first step in our journey.”

Further sharing his thoughts, Kunal Chandra, Co-founder, Astro Motors, said, “Our first offering falls under the cargo three-wheeler L5 segment, and has been engineered to overcome the challenges being faced by end-users and complete with ICE vehicles. Currently, electric vehicle sales comprise of 2 percent of all automobile sales, up from less than 1 percent last year. The government has set a target to increase this to 30 percent by 2030, opening up a $206 billion opportunity. As per the current data, the adoption of three-wheeler EVs has seen a YOY growth of 101.32 percent. And with the help of the government-backed FAME Policy, there is a lot of incentive for people to switch to electric, as the entire infrastructure required to support the migration to EVs is coming online PAN India. At Astro Motors, we are focused on catering to various segments of the market and also plan to expand our territorial reach globally.”

Adding to this, Hardik Dhanak, Co-founder of Astro Motors and the industrial designer who played a key role in designing Astro NAVYA, said, “We identified the challenges that were being faced by the fleet operators who were deploying electric three-wheelers and worked towards bridging the gap by out-of-the-box thinking, and engineered the product to meet the clients’ need and expectation. A cargo vehicle is constantly on the move in different conditions, like bad roads, uncertain weather etc. So, keeping all factors in mind, we achieved the final design and ran multiple tests for clients across the country. We tested Astro NAVYA on the toughest roads, under harshest weather conditions and roughest driving patterns. So the final frontier of conquering the highest motorable road in the world, without any difficulties or breakdowns, was a milestone achievement for us. Now, we are extremely confident about our upcoming designs for future product launches. We are working towards making these extreme drives possible for individual buyers as well, by providing unique solutions for their unique requirements.”

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VinFast Auto India, a subsidiary of the global electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, has launched the all-new VF MPV 7 specifically for Indian buyers. Priced at INR 2,449,000 ex-showroom, this premium electric seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle is engineered to deliver the space and adaptability that Indian families prioritise. The launch represents VinFast’s third product debut in the country within a single year, highlighting the company’s determination to strengthen its presence in India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.

Understanding that space is the top concern for multi-generational Indian households, the VF MPV 7 features a theatre style seating arrangement that ensures genuine comfort even in the third row. With a wheelbase measuring 2,840 mm, the vehicle comfortably accommodates seven passengers. Storage capacity reaches up to 1,240 litres, allowing ample room for luggage, daily necessities and various family lifestyle needs, making the vehicle practical for both routine commutes and longer journeys.

Powering the VF MPV 7 is a 60.13 kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers an ARAI-certified range of 517 km on a full charge. Fast charging capability can replenish the battery from 10 to 70 percent in just 30 minutes. The front wheel drive system produces 150 kW and 280 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 kmph in under 10 seconds. The exterior is finished with all-LED lighting, giving the vehicle a genuinely premium look inside and out.

A comprehensive ownership package accompanies the VF MPV 7, featuring three years of free maintenance, a 10-year battery warranty, a 7-year vehicle warranty, a 5-year suspension warranty, a 7-year paint warranty and 7-years of roadside assistance. This package offers best in segment assurance for customers. The VF MPV 7 joins the VF 6 and VF 7 in VinFast India’s expanding lineup. All models are locally assembled at the company’s factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, following a production philosophy of building vehicles in India for India.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The all-new VF MPV 7 is VinFast’s third product for India and is most suited for customers with large families. It is designed to offer generous space for every member of the family, comfort that makes even the longest journeys feel effortless and intelligent features that elevate every single drive. With the VF MPV 7, we are entering a new segment, but more importantly, we are expanding our commitment to India.”

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Nissan has introduced the all-electric version of its JUKE model during its Vision event held at its global headquarters in Japan, signalling a decisive move forward in the brand’s electrification push across Europe.

This first ever battery-powered JUKE brings the model’s signature agility and bold personality into the zero-emission era, reinterpreting a favourite compact crossover for European roads. Since its original debut in 2010, the JUKE has won over 1.5 million customers in Europe by challenging conventional design norms. The new EV retains that distinctive character while supporting Nissan’s broader commitment to offer an electrified powertrain for every type of buyer.

The all-electric JUKE will join an expanding European EV family that includes the new MICRA, the third generation LEAF, the Ariya crossover, the Townstar light commercial vehicle and a future A segment EV. It will also share with the LEAF the ability to use Vehicle to Grid technology, helping integrate EVs into the wider energy system. Alongside these models, Nissan continues to offer e‑POWER hybrid technology for an EV like driving experience without plugging in, with hybrids such as the Qashqai e‑POWER and JUKE HEV remaining key options for customers.

Production of the all new all electric JUKE will take place at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in UK, reinforcing that site’s importance to the company’s global EV strategy. The first trial production phase for the JUKE will begin in the coming weeks. This effort is backed by Nissan’s design, engineering and development network across UK, Spain and Germany, highlighting long-term investment in Europe as both a manufacturing and innovation hub. The new JUKE EV is scheduled for launch in spring 2027.

Massimiliano Messina, Chairman, Nissan AMIEO, said, “Europe is central to Nissan’s electrification strategy, and we remain firmly committed to a fully electric future. With a rapidly expanding EV line-up, we are bringing greater choice and innovation to every segment, powered by our strong design, engineering and manufacturing footprint in the region. Together, this next generation of vehicles will accelerate our transition to zero-emission mobility.”

Clíodhna Lyons, Region Vice President, Product, Brand & Marketing Strategy, Nissan AMIEO, said, “JUKE has always stood for bold design and a willingness to challenge convention. With this third generation, we are bringing that spirit into the electric age. As our first fully electric JUKE, it will help us reach new customers while expanding choice across our electrified range.”

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Jakson Group, a leading diesel genset manufacturer, has announced an expansion of its energy solutions range following a financial year where revenue exceeded INR 90 billion (GBP 850 million).

The Group has expanded its presence across five new categories – Genset Xtra, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Solar Kits, Mobile Light Towers and electric three-wheelers. This move is intended to broaden the company's presence across power generation, storage and sustainable transport.

The entry into electric mobility follows a partnership with a Bengaluru-based firm to develop research-backed three-wheelers. This adds a transport component to Jakson’s existing operations in solar power, green molecules and infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

Established in 1947, the group operates six manufacturing facilities and maintains a workforce of 3,500 employees serving approximately 100,000 customers.

Jakson Group is positioning itself as an integrated provider for the energy transition, moving from its origins in diesel generator manufacturing toward a diversified portfolio that includes alternative fuels and civil EPC services. With 12 international offices, the group is looking to align its domestic manufacturing scale with global energy requirements.

Sameer Gupta, Chairman, Jakson, said, “At Jakson, our mission has always been to power progress through innovation. With FY26 revenue of over INR 90 billion, Jakson today has both the scale and the responsibility to shape future-ready energy solutions. This portfolio expansion reflects our commitment to building an integrated energy ecosystem that is reliable, responsible and aligned with the evolving needs of customers in India and global markets.”

Sundeep Gupta, Vice-Chairman, Jakson, added, “The market today is looking for energy solutions that are efficient, dependable and future-ready. With this expanded portfolio, Jakson is strengthening its position as a diversified player serving evolving customer needs across sectors.”

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Lloyds Metals and Energy (LMEL) has completed the diesel-to-electric conversion of a Liebherr R996 excavator, marking the first time a mining machine in this category has been retrofitted for fully electric operations.

The project was executed by the company's internal engineering and technology teams and involved a redesign of the vehicle's power architecture and control systems. The shift to electric power is intended to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions associated with the machine's operation while reducing reliance on diesel fuel.

The engineering process included the development of proprietary digital monitoring and safety solutions to manage the high-power requirements of the heavy-duty excavator. By sourcing and engineering major subsystems within India, the project serves as a demonstration of domestic capability in advanced heavy engineering and sustainable industrial innovation.

LMEL expects the conversion to improve operational performance through the use of real-time diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

Established in 1977, LMEL operates iron ore mines in Maharashtra and is expanding its integrated steel operations. The company currently produces 0.7 MTPA of direct reduced iron (DRI) and has commissioned a 4 MTPA pellet plant, with long-term plans to increase iron ore dispatch capacity to 26 MTPA. Its sustainability strategy includes the deployment of electric vehicle fleets and the construction of slurry pipelines to lower transport-related emissions.

B Prabhakaran, Managing Director, Lloyds Metals and Energy, said, “This landmark achievement, is not just about electrifying a machine – it is about reimagining the future of mining. At LMEL, we believe that responsible mining and sustainability must go hand in hand. This achievement demonstrates India’s capability to deliver world-class, zero-emission solutions in even the most complex and heavy-duty environments. We are proud to contribute to a future where mining is both productive and environmentally responsible.”

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