Chennai-based engineering company focussing on hydrogen solutions BGR Tech has launched its 100 kW Hydrogen Purification System, which it claims enhances electrolysis-based hydrogen purification.

The company claims that its advanced purification modular system deliver 99.99 percent pure, fuel cell grade hydrogen, which can handle high-pressure operations up to 30 bar. The hydrogen can be used in various industries ranging from fuel cell to combustion engines and industrial processes among others.

Launching the solution, Bhupender Bhalla, Former Secretary - Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, said, “Over the next five years, India's green hydrogen manufacturing sector has the potential for significant growth and increased competitiveness. To capitalise on this, I encourage the industry to focus on developing core competencies. I also advise BGR Tech, under the leadership of Managing Director Priya, to broaden its portfolio beyond hydrogen to include other promising gas-based fields like biogas, methanol, and green ammonia, these steps will ensure BGR Tech's future growth and its contribution to India's technological advancement.”

Parthiban S., Head of Business Development, BGR Tech, said: “At BGR Tech, we're focused on reducing the energy our systems use to compete globally. We're also developing a green hydrogen market using mostly Indian-made parts. BGR Tech is committed to helping India reach its 2030 goals of achieving zero-carbon.”

Billion Electric Mobility (BillionE), a leading E-Mobility as a Service (eMaaS) platform, has onboarded Pirojshaw Sarkari as the Lead of its Advisory Council.

Sarkari comes with over three decades of leadership in logistics and supply chain management. In his new role, he will be tasked with developing a strong and efficient network of EV charging stations along highways, facilitating the seamless operation of electric trucks and buses.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & Chief Platform Architect, Billion Electric Mobility, said, “Phil has an exceptional track record of scaling logistics networks from the ground up. His deep understanding of transportation dynamics, combined with his strategic foresight, will be invaluable as we build the backbone of India’s commercial EV ecosystem. With him leading our advisory council, we are confident in our ability to develop a charging infrastructure that not only supports electric fleets but also makes EV adoption a viable reality for logistics operators.”

A Chartered Accountant with an illustrious career spanning over 30 years in logistics, Sarkari has experience working with with startups and high-growth companies alike. He has been instrumental in establishing Aramex and UPS operations in India, as well as launching Mahindra Logistics, where he served as CEO for nearly a decade. 

Pirojshaw Sarkari said, “The future of logistics is electric, but for this transition to be truly effective, a strong charging infrastructure is non-negotiable. Billion Electric is addressing this critical need by focusing on highway charging solutions that cater to long-haul electric trucks and buses. I look forward to leveraging my experience in scaling transportation networks to ensure that India’s commercial EV sector has the infrastructure it needs to thrive.”

Epsilon Group, a leading player in the carbon black and advanced battery materials industry, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka (GoK) to invest INR 15.35 billion towards developing state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility for EV battery testing and advanced materials.

The investment to be undertaken over the next 10 years will not only attract Karnataka’s status as an energy transition hub but also support indigenous manufacturing of battery technology in the country.

The MoU sees, Epsilon Group, along with its subsidiaries Epsilon Advanced Materials and Epsilon CAM focus on manufacturing sustainable and high-performance Graphite Anode and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Cathode battery materials while Inspire Energy Research Center will focus on R&D, testing & training for EV battery materials and battery manufacturers. This will see an investment of INR 90 billion to set up a Graphite Anode manufacturing plant, INR 60 billion for a LFP Cathode manufacturing plant and INR 3.5 billion for battery materials and battery testing R&D and training center.

The state government is expected to facilitate necessary approvals, incentives and infrastructure support for Epsilon Group’s projects, in line with its policies to promote industrial development.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “This association marks a significant milestone in India’s transition towards clean energy and EV revolution. Our investment in Karnataka aligns with our vision of making India self-reliant in advanced battery materials and supporting the country’s EV ambitions. We are committed to creating jobs, fostering technology innovation, and promoting sustainable manufacturing to drive economic growth within the state to strengthen the vision of Viksit Bharat.”

Pune-headquartered leading mobility solutions company KPIT Technologies has announced a collaboration with Trentar Energy Solutions. As per the understanding, KPIT Technologies is set to transfer its sodium-ion battery technology to Trentar Energy Solutions to operationalise and commercialise it further.

It was in December 2023, KPIT unveiled its sodium-ion technology, which it claimed had 80 percent capacity retention for 3000-6000 cycles and offered faster charging capabilities compared to lithium batteries. Furthermore, given the abundance availability of raw materials, the sodium-ion battery technology would make for an ideal energy source for electrifying two-, three-, four-wheelers and public transportation, as well as in the marine and defence sectors.

The technology transfer agreement includes Trentar investing in the manufacturing capacity of 3GWH sodium-ion batteries and KPIT receiving upfront technology transfer fees and additional royalty fees over 8 years.

Ravi Pandit, Chairman, KPIT Technologies, said, “Building sustainable mobility technologies is at the heart of KPITs vision. Sodium-ion battery technology was born from the team's passion, perseverance, and synergetic collaboration with leading research institutes. We are pleased to have this agreement with Trentar, who will further operationalise and commercialise this technology for multiple market opportunities. KPIT will continue to work on several other sustainable technology solutions.”

Subodh Menon, Founder & Vice Chairman, Trentar, said, “With its cost-effectiveness, simplified supply chain, and enhanced safety, sodium-ion technology represents a strategic focus for our organisation. We are committed to developing a robust technological product line in this space, catering to diverse customers across mobility and energy storage verticals. This marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and scalable energy for the future.”

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle start-up Simple Energy has launched the updated Gen 1.5 version of its flagship e-scooter, the Simple One. It claims the new version has an IDC range of 248km compared to the 212km on Gen 1.

Furthermore, the Gen 1.5 Simple One also gets new features thanks to the software capabilities such as – app integration, navigation, updated ride modes, park assist, OTA updates, regenerative braking, trip history & statistics, customisable dash themes, find my vehicle feature, rapid brake, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), USB charging port, auto brightness, and tones/sound.

The updated model will continue to be priced at INR 166,000 (ex-showroom Bengaluru), which also includes a 750W charger. Existing Simple One e-scooter owners will also get the new features via software updates.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, "At Simple Energy, we believe in truly understanding our customers’ needs and constantly refining our products to keep up with them. Our journey started with five years of rigorous R&D before launching our first product, and our passion for innovation has only grown stronger since. We know how important it is for riders to have a mobility solution without the stress of range anxiety. That’s why our team has been hard at work, introducing new updates to the Simple One – enhancing key features and extending the range to make every ride even more efficient. We’re incredibly happy to introduce the Simple One Gen 1.5, a smarter, more efficient ride. With our expansion plans in motion, we can't wait to bring the Simple experience to even more EV enthusiasts across the country.”

At present, the company has 10 stores across Bengaluru, Goa, Pune, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Vizag and Kochi. Going forward, it aims to expand its presence to 23 states with 150 new stores and service centres.