Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy has announced three new initiatives Battery as a Service (BaaS), Assured Buyback programme and launched an Extended Comprehensive Warranty (ECW) to make owning the green vehicles more attractive.

These initiatives address key concerns for potential EV buyers, namely high upfront costs, uncertainty about resale value and warranty issues.

The BaaS model allows customers to purchase an electric scooter without the battery upfront, significantly reducing the initial cost. The price of the scooter is split into a 'shell' and a 'battery' component. Under this model, the Ather Rizta starts at INR 75,999 (ex-showroom Lucknow) and the 450 Series starts at INR 84,341 (ex-showroom Lucknow).

This represents a 30 percent reduction in the upfront cost for the Rizta. Customers then pay for the battery on a monthly usage basis, with plans starting as low as INR 1 per kilometre. The cost of the battery is recovered over three to four years. Additionally, BaaS customers get a year of free fast charging at Ather's network of over 3,300 fast chargers nationwide.

Ravneet S Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, "As the EV segment continues to grow in the country, we see customers with different needs and challenges entering the segment. To unlock the segment's true potential and accelerate growth, we've rolled out a slew of initiatives to cater to the different needs of our potential customers. With BaaS, ECW and Assured Buyback, we aim to address major barriers that exist for customers when purchasing a new EV scooter. As one of the leading players, we stay committed to making it easier for families to experience the benefits of EVs."

Building on a pilot programme, Ather has now extended its Assured Buyback programme to a wider customer base. The programme guarantees up to 60 percent of the scooter's value after three years and up to 50 percent after four years, based on the kilometres travelled. This initiative aims to provide clarity on the future value of the investment, addressing a common concern for buyers in a rapidly changing market.

Ather also launched its ECW, which covers the battery and 11 other critical components, including the motor, motor controller, dashboard and charger. The warranty is valid for up to five years or 60,000 kilometres, whichever comes first. This provides protection against potentially expensive component replacements and offers peace of mind for customers. The ECW is available to all AtherStack Pro customers.

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Pune-headquartered electric vehicle company Kinetic Watts and Volts, a subsidiary of Kinetic Engineering, has entered into a retail financing partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank to provide credit options across its dealership network.

The arrangement enables customers at Kinetic EV dealerships to access loan options, interest rates and instalment plans, subject to eligibility criteria. Ground teams from IDFC FIRST Bank will collaborate directly with dealership staff to process applications at the point of sale. The initiative coincides with the expansion of Kinetic EV’s retail footprint, which currently comprises over 65 operational sales, service and spare parts facilities in India.

Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Watts and Volts, said, "For many customers, choosing an electric two-wheeler is not just about selecting the right product, but also about finding a purchase option that works for them. Our partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank gives customers greater choice at the point of purchase and strengthens the support available across our dealership network. With quick financing options, attractive EMI plans and exciting offers for eligible customers, we want to make the overall purchase journey simpler and more convenient. As we continue to expand our presence across markets, we look forward to making the journey towards electric mobility more accessible for more customers."

The tie-up leverages the bank's branch and operational network to support dealership sales in multiple regional markets. The companies are also developing customer schemes and promotional offers that will be announced at a later date.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler company TVS Motor Company conducted a single-day delivery event in Cuttack, Odisha, handing over more than 100 units of the TVS iQube MillionR Special Edition electric scooter to customers.

The MillionR Special Edition was launched on 25 August 2026 to mark the cumulative sales milestone of one million TVS iQube scooters. Based on the 3.5 kWh battery variant, the edition features an Aurora Green Dual Tone paint finish, custom seat upholstery and specific graphics alongside MillionR badging.

The e-scooter features a front utility storage compartment that expands overall storage capacity from 32 litres to 35.5 litres, an integrated USB Type-C charging port and over 118 connected features. The 3.5 kWh battery setup provides an Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) range of 145 km on a single charge.

In Odisha, the TVS iQube MillionR Special Edition is priced at INR 131,138 (effective ex-showroom). The standard TVS iQube range starts at INR 105,851 (effective ex-showroom), with Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) option pricing starting at INR 59,999.

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More Retail, a leading supermarket and hypermarket chain, has expanded its electric mid-mile logistics operations through the deployment of 110 Montra Electric Eviator electric small commercial vehicles across its distribution network, including 25 units in Bengaluru.

The company shared that electric commercial vehicles now account for 150 of its 600 total mid-mile logistics fleet. The 110 Montra Electric Eviator units operate across daily store replenishment and delivery routes, covering a combined minimum distance of 22,000 kilometres per day. The transition from internal combustion engine vehicles aims to lower operational energy expenses and vehicle maintenance requirements while providing driver ergonomics for city traffic conditions.

Saju Nair, CEO of the e-SCV Division, Montra Electric, said, "Electrification of commercial mobility will accelerate when it delivers measurable business value at scale. More Retail’s journey towards 100 percent electrification with our Eviator, is a strong example of that shift, from evaluating EVs as an alternative to deploying them as a core part of everyday logistics. As More Retail moves towards a fully electric mid-mile fleet, our focus is to enable that transition with vehicles and an ecosystem built around uptime, efficiency and long-term profitability."

Prasanna Hegde, National Transport Manager, More Retail, said, "Our mid-mile fleet keeps our stores stocked every day, so reliability comes first for us. The move from ICE vehicles to Montra Electric's Eviator e-SCVs has been smooth across our distribution network. The vehicles have already covered over 8.8 lakh kilometres on our routes, and our drivers have responded well to their comfort, instant torque and day-to-day dependability. Alongside lower operating costs, we are cutting emissions with every delivery run. With 150 of our 600 mid-mile vehicles now electric, we are well on our way to a fully electric fleet, and Montra Electric has been a trusted partner at every step."

The Montra Electric Eviator features a 10.3-foot loading deck and a payload capacity of up to 1,707 kg. The vehicles are integrated with telematics systems that monitor battery status, driver metrics, and route planning data to maintain fleet uptime between distribution centres and retail outlets.

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South Korean energy major LG Energy Solution has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with United States-based commercial electric vehicle startup indiGOtech to explore battery supply and technological collaboration.

Under the MoU, the companies will work toward a final agreement for LG Energy Solution to supply 46-series NCM cylindrical battery cells from 2027 to 2030 for indiGOtech’s Flow Ride and Flow Cargo vehicles.

The partnership involves vehicle-battery integration, performance verification, driving range extension, and charging time reduction. The agreement expands LG Energy Solution's client base for its 46-series cylindrical batteries, following a reported 1.5-fold YoY increase in cylindrical battery shipments in the second quarter.

Headquartered in Woburn, Massachusetts, indiGOtech specialises in commercial van platforms for the North American market, integrating vehicles, charging infrastructure and digital services.

Will Graylin, Chairman and CEO, indiGOtech, said, "Urban ride hail and delivery must electrify and automate at scale, but today’s electric vehicles are not designed for purpose, and are severely limited by the local charging infrastructure – that’s why vast majority of rides and deliveries are still driven by gas vehicles. Working toward a long-term relationship with LG Energy Solution brings together advanced battery technology for durable economic advantage for vehicles, drivers and fleet operators."

Sunghwan Oh, Mobility & IT Battery Marketing Group Leader, LG Energy Solution, said, "Based on LG Energy Solution’s 46-series NCM cylindrical battery technology that boasts high energy density and rapid charging capabilities, we will closely collaborate with indiGOtech, which is successfully building the Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) ecosystem in the U.S. Leveraging this partnership, we plan to enter the diverse commercial vehicle market in the U.S., including logistics, last-mile delivery, and ride-hailing."

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