Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy is all set to host its Community Day on 30 August 2025.

This year Ather Energy’s theme, christened ‘Technology that works like magic’, will see the company showcase its new ‘EL’ scooter platform, launch next-generation fast chargers and unveil Ather Stack 7.0 its latest software stack.

The new scooter platform, the EV maker stated, is engineered to be versatile and cost-efficient, which will allow Ather to further expand its product lineup to tap into a wider range of customer base.

It is interesting to note, that the company hosted its last Ather Community Day on 6 April 2024, which saw the launch of the Ather Rizta e-scooter, Halo smart helmet and AtherStack 6.0.

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While the need of the hour for the Government of India was to reduce crude oil import, a whopping 85 percent from other countries, and reduce pollution, does the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) program, having generated tremendous furore, truly augur well for India’s automotive future?

Industry leaders from India’s leading oil companies, automotive industry bodies and OEMs came together on 30 August 2025, to discuss its directives, including the employment of sugarcane farmers.

Setting the tone for the evening, Reji Mathai, Director, ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) spoke about BS6 and BS6 Phase Two as unique current propositions that prepared the ground for ethanol addition into petrol. He mentioned, “While ARAI is responsible for maximum testing, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and oil companies have also played important parts.”  

2001 was the year when ethanol blends were first done in India. The systematic sequence of ethanol-based blend tests after the above was as follows:

• 2010- Multiple studies done over 10 percent blending
• 2016- BS4 testing was done on 7–8-year-old vehicles
• 2021- A detailed study was done on 8–10-year-old vehicles

Fuel efficiency will go down

Industry speakers confirmed that fuel efficiency from E20 will decrease by 2-5 percent. However, Prashant K Bannerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, averred, “Fuel efficiency is determined by terrain and driving habits, leading to different experiences for different customers. Owing to complex and variable factors, it cannot always be pointed towards the fuel.” Though better octane numbers have now been attained, the energy generated is six percent lesser than pure petrol.

As a country that has successfully adopted EBP, Brazil, with E27 and an overall blend of 45 percent, was quoted numerous times. Milind Pagare, VP (R&D), Bajaj Auto, shared his views on the company’s two-wheelers sold in India and abroad. He said, “We will always provide fuel-related help to our customers whenever necessary. However, I’m sure that there will be no catastrophic engine failures due to EBP.”   

Experiments are necessary for progress

“Experiments will keep happening; otherwise, we can’t go ahead. We will always rely on scientific studies for progress,” said Mathai. Although he could not give a figure when asked about the E20-compliant percentage on Indian roads, he stated that the industry has tested two-wheelers which are 10 years old and four-wheelers between 8-10 years of age for the blend in 2016 and 2021, respectively. Mathai said, “We couldn’t say anything for sure when E20 came in 2021.”

Bannerjee assured that, “OEMs will have no warranty-related changes due to EBP. Whatever is committed to the customer at the time of sale will be honoured fully. Neither warranty nor insurance will be impacted by the above.”

Most attendees were of the opinion that OEMs and oil companies were not providing any clarity about E20-related faults. Ascertaining the need for the above, Bannerjee said, “We need to clearly articulate about the fuel to our customers. This can be done through a series of summary statements that could be press releases or FAQs.” He said that the statements will be released on the SIAM, ARAI, or OEM pages at the earliest.

He further added, “Most OEMS have or are in the process of communicating to dealers that E20 can be used in E10 vehicles without any concern.” In other words, E20 will cause no problems on any vehicles, including the ones that are marked E5-E10. Specific models of the two-wheelers and four-wheelers have been tested BS3 onwards and he mentioned that no vehicle has encountered engine failure due to E20 to date, after testing over 100,000 kilometres. The setting up of an arbitrary testing agency across vintages and makes of vehicles was also mentioned.   

India becomes self-sufficient in ethanol distillation

Anurag Saraogi, Chief General Manager, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) expressed contentment at attaining a high level of energy security in India. Backing up the above with figures, he averred, “Eight billion litres of distilleries have come up over the years, and the best part is that these are entirely indigenous.”

Ethanol is prepared from sugarcane, maize and other grains, after which it is mixed with petrol. As UP, Maharashtra and Karnataka are the three major Indian sugarcane states, the oil industry formed long-term agreements with entrepreneurs for country-wide provision. The quantity from sugar molasses has gone up to 3.5-3.7 billion litres today.

Maize is the leading provider of ethanol, contributing 40 percent. Today, maize farming is more viable than ever before, with farmers being recognised as ‘Urjadaatas’ (energy-givers). They’re being offered INR 72 per litre to grow more maize for ethanol and have been paid INR 400 billion in 2025. Payments are being made to the farmers alone.

PS Ravi, Director, Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry (FIPI), said, “In 2014, we achieved a 1.5 percent blend, resulting in 380 million litres of ethanol. While E10 was made available across India in 2019, we have been able to get to 7.5 billion litres by 2025. At this rate, we can safely target procurement and blending of 11-12 billion litres by 2026.” Adding to this, he said, “India is already setting up pilot plants for using high agri residues to prepare the second generation of ethanol.”

Talking about pricing, Ravi said, “The procurement price of ethanol is much more than cost of petrol. Yet, the oil industry is still maintaining a constant price despite Minimum Selling Prices (MSPs) and higher ethanol being derived from feedstock. 

Apart from the above, the industry experts expects India to save INR 1,440 billion in terms of FOREX. As a low-carbon intensity fuel, it will easily achieve net-zero emissions, resulting in a cost-effective pathway for energy transition.

Vikram Gulati, Executive Vice-President, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), said, “Through its 2070 emission plan and circular economy, India will become the global reference model. Farmers will spend more, contributing to the economy.”

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Chennai-based two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has upped its game in the Indian electric vehicle space by launching the Orbiter e-scooter at prices starting INR 99,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru and Delhi).

Rahul Irlapale, Senior Manager – Design, TVS Motor Co, shared that the TVS Orbiter showcases a bold intersection of modern technology, innovative design and sustainability.

From the front, the TVS Orbiter looks attractive with a visor, edge-to-edge combination lights that feature integrated indicators and front LED lamps. A coloured digital LCD cluster helps view different vehicle parameters, such as distance to empty (TVS calls it Reliable distance to empty), battery charge, drive mode and more. Customers can charge their mobile phones using a USB 2.0 port at the front.

Modern safety features such as hill hold assist and cruise control are available, along with other useful updates, such as geo-fencing alert, crash & fall SOS call, vehicle health status and time fencing alert using the TVS Connect app.

The TVS Orbiter is capable of delivering an IDC-certified range of 158 kilometres using a 3.1 kWh battery. A 34-litre boot space ensures that two helmets, along with a few other items, can be kept in the boot space. The 14-inch front wheel, installed for better stability and comfort on rough roads, is an industry-first move. Along with the wheel, a 290 mm straight-line footboard, a 165 mm ground clearance and an 845 mm long seat also enhance comfort.  

Gaurav Gupta, President, India 2W Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “Leveraging our engineering expertise and advanced capabilities, we are building products that set global benchmarks in quality, performance and safety. With TVS Orbiter, we are expanding our EV ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of electric mobility in India.”

TVS Orbiter is available in a palette of colours – Neon Sunburst, Stratos Blue, Lunar Grey, Stellar Silver, Cosmic Titanium and Martian Copper.

Aniruddha Haldar, Senior Vice-President – Head Commuter & EV Business and Head Corporate Brand & Media, TVS Motor Company, said, “We are committed to consolidating our leadership in the EV space, driving India’s electric mobility journey with a strong foundation of trust and innovation. Guided by the evolving needs of our customers, the TVS Orbiter represents our next step in redefining urban commuting.”

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Delhi-NCR-based electric vehicle maker Euler Motors has entered the electric three-wheeler passenger category with the 'Neo by Euler' brand.

The company introduced the first vehicle under this brand, the Neo HiRANGE electric three-wheeler, with an introductory price of INR 309,999. The vehicle is designed for last-mile passenger transport in cities.

The vehicles under the 'Neo by Euler' brand will serve a range of customers, including new EV buyers, drivers for ride-hailing services, fleet operators and self-employed owners. Euler Motors plans to roll out these vehicles across 50 Indian cities over the next three to four months.

Euler Motors states that autorickshaws are a vital part of urban transport in India. Its new EV, the Neo HiRANGE, addresses the need for reliable, long-range and durable vehicles in this sector. The company's two years of research and development, which included conversations with over 10,000 auto-rickshaw drivers, shaped the vehicle's design. The Neo HiRANGE is built for Indian roads, with a rugged chassis and real-time diagnostics.

The vehicle comes in three variants: Neo HiRANGE Maxx, HiRANGE Plus and HiRANGE. The top variant offers a range of over 200 km on a single charge and can be charged in 3.25 hours. It has a skateboard chassis, 65 Nm of torque and hill-assist for stable performance. The vehicle includes a warranty of up to six years or 175,000 km and an anti-theft GPS system.

Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO, Euler Motors, said, "We are excited to enter the commercial passenger EV segment. 'NEO by Euler' reflects our proven leadership in the commercial EV market. It is the result of deep product learning and on ground engagement with auto drivers across Indian cities. We heard firsthand challenges faced by drivers every day, from long fuel queues and unreliable maintenance to passenger discomfort, and low savings. These insights have shaped every aspect of the brand. Drivers want a solution that offers the highest range in a single charge, supports their livelihood, and gives them the confidence to keep moving. 'Neo by Euler' is our response to those needs; a no-compromise brand built for the realities of commercial passenger mobility in India offering best in class passenger comfort, consistent earning to drivers and overall safe solution."

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Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle company Ola Electric has announced that it’s Gen 3 e-scooter portfolio has received Certification for Compliance under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the automobile and auto components sector.

The certification granted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) will allow Ola Electric to receive incentives from 13 percent to 18 percent of the determined sales value (DSV) until 2028.

At present, the company’s Gen 3 portfolio comprises of S1 Pro 3 kWh, S1 Pro 4 kWh, S1 Pro+ 4 kWh, S1 X 2 kWh, S1 X 3 kWh, S1 X 4 kWh and S1 X+ 4 kWh.

 “Securing PLI certification for our Gen 3 scooters, which form the bulk of our sales, is a critical step towards profitability. This will directly strengthen our cost structure and margins, enabling us to deliver sustainable growth. With our auto business targeted to turn EBITDA positive, the certification acts as a strong catalyst to achieve that goal while ensuring our customers continue to get the best-in-class EVs at highly competitive prices,” said a Ola Electric spokesperson.

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