BLive-India Joins Hands with Elocity-Canada

BLive-India Joins Hands with Elocity-Canada

To advance electric mobility in India, Blive, India’s first multi-brand electric vehicle (EV) selling platform, joins hands with Elocity, a leading Canada-based pioneer EV charging solution. Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner deployment and support of smart EV charging networks in Indian and global markets. 

BLive is currently present in 46 Indian cities and provides an omnichannel experience to its customers, with over 20 companies featured on its platform, including an online E-commerce store and premium experience outlets all over India. BLive is rapidly growing its presence across India, reaching 100 premium Multibrand Stores by 2024, offering E-Scooters, E-Cycles, Delivery Ebikes, and many other distinctive form factors to forward its objective to accelerate the adoption of EVs. 

Elocity operates in nine nations across four continents, with its engineering headquarters in India. Their entire product line is for the Indian market under "Make in India," with technical expertise across the globe. Elocity solves technical and business challenges around interoperability, data privacy, payment processing, and security for better and faster EV adoption. Through the use of its HIEV technology, Elocity connects the EV charging ecosystem digitally to generate value, encourage improved demand management coordination, and improve the EV charging experience for EV drivers.

Samarth Kholkar, CEO and Co-founder of BLive, said, “With Elocity, we are expanding our network and services to more Indian and global markets. We are committed to easing the transition to EVs for everyone involved in the EV ecosystem, including companies and end-users. One of the most crucial ways to encourage EV adoption in India, in our opinion, is to make EV charging easy to reach and use.”

Prity Singh, Elocity’s Managing Director for India, said, “Elocity is laser-focused on innovating to solve the most pressing concerns in the EV charging space”. She went on to add to her point by saying that working with BLive demonstrates our commitment to developing and expanding the EV ecosystem in India. She continued by mentioning that Elocity is currently working with numerous prestigious businesses and governmental institutions in India, North America, as well as other parts of the world. To maximize advantages for all parties, we'll keep working with a vast spectrum of technological specialists, businesses, governmental organizations, and EV users. In order to solve the concerns of knowledge, accessibility, and cost for EV customers, integrating our EV charging solutions with the BLive digital store system is crucial. The entire EV charging ecosystem is already connected owing to our integrated charging hardware and software solutions, and EV drivers will benefit from this cooperation. 

Potential EV buyers currently do not have access to a wide range of brands, finance, insurance, and charging alternatives because there are no walk-in stores for all-inclusive options. The key to enhancing the EV drivers' experience and the feasibility of the EV charging business model is Digital stores and a great EV user charging experience. Blive EV store, an omnichannel store with top EV brands, a community of EV experts, and fantastic offers, solves this issue.

By establishing a strong Elocity-charging powered network in India and the rest of the world to hasten EV adoption, the BLive and Elocity relationship is essential in assuring a sustainable EV future. 

Trinseo Launches Fourth-Generation Binder For The Next Wave Of EV Batteries

Trinseo Launches Fourth-Generation Binder For The Next Wave Of EV Batteries

Trinseo has introduced its latest innovation, the Fourth-Generation SBR Binder Platform, designed to meet the evolving demands of electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems. This development reflects the company's strategic focus on delivering high-performance materials essential for the global shift towards sustainable energy.

The platform results from advanced polymer science and collaboration with battery manufacturers, targeting key industry requirements such as increased energy density, superior durability and more efficient production. It provides a significant improvement in peel strength, enabling stronger electrode bonds, thicker coatings and higher manufacturing speeds. These attributes are vital for developing higher-capacity batteries that can extend driving range and improve storage solutions.

The inaugural product, VOLTABOND 109 Latex Binder, offers this next-generation performance with broad compatibility across various anode materials and manufacturing processes. Its design ensures excellent stability and low resistance, supporting faster charging and long-term reliability. To ensure robust supply, Trinseo will produce the platform locally within major global regions, enhancing responsiveness to battery production hubs.

Rooted in decades of expertise, this new platform establishes a foundation for future innovations tailored to diverse customer needs across the battery value chain.

CATL And Stellantis Begin Work On EUR 4.1 Billion Spanish Battery Plant

CATL

CATL and Stellantis broke ground on a EUR 4.1 billion battery plant in Figueruelas, Spain, on 26 November. The 50:50 joint venture will produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and targets an annual production capacity of 50 GW/h.

The project, which is Spain’s largest battery factory, is backed by over EUR 300 million in EU funds, with production expected to start in late 2026.

According to unions, around 2,000 Chinese workers will help construct the site, a point of contention with local authorities and residents. Also, 3,000 Spanish staff are to be hired and trained later.

Spanish authorities and residents have voiced concerns about job opportunities for local workers and potential strain from the influx of foreign employees. CATL Vice President Meng Xiangfeng said earlier in November the company needed experienced technicians to build and fine-tune production lines, with plans to train local workers to take over operations gradually.

David Romeral, Director General of CAAR Aragon, a network of automotive businesses in the region, said: “We don’t know this technology, these components we’ve never made them before. They’re years ahead of us. All we can do is watch and learn.”

The regional government is organising work permits for arriving workers while seeking to attract battery supply chain companies to Aragon. Some Chinese technicians and managers have already arrived, with several hundred more expected by year-end and nearly 2,000 by the end of next year.

CATL’s approach contrasts with its Hungarian site in Debrecen, where it hired mostly locals to build its European plant. However, a lack of local workers caused production to be delayed from late 2025 into mid-2026. The Figueruelas facility will serve as CATL’s third European manufacturing operation, alongside the Hungarian plant and one in Germany.

Neuron Energy Secures INR 310 Million To Expand EV Battery Manufacturing For Four-Wheelers & Buses

Neuron Energy

Neuron Energy, an EV battery manufacturer, has raised INR 310 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Equanimity Ventures, Rajiv Dadlani Group, Thackersay Family Office and Chona Family Office, with participation from Family Offices and HNI investors. With this, Neuron Energy has raised INR 810 million to date.

The funding will be used to expand Neuron Energy’s manufacturing capacity to 3 GWh and to establish a fully automated, large-scale battery facility for electric four-wheelers and buses at Chakan, Pune. The capital will also strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, accelerate domestic growth, and broaden its footprint in international markets.

Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy, said, “This Pre-Series B round is a defining step in our mission to industrialise world-class battery manufacturing in India. As EV adoption accelerates, we are focused on building capacity, embedding automation, and pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. This investment ensures we can deliver at scale, both in India and globally.”

The company said it operates with a low-CapEx and low-OpEx business model. It has been growing profitably year-on-year and is on track to achieve INR 2 billion in revenue this year. The company is also confident of achieving sales of over INR 9 billion, with profitability, over the next few years.

Rajesh Sehgal of Equanimity Ventures, added, "We see immense potential in Neuron Energy’s approach to EV battery innovation and scalability. Their focus on quality, automation, and energy efficiency aligns with the evolving demands of the EV industry in India and beyond. We are proud to support their next phase of growth as they scale into new vehicle categories and manufacturing capacities."

The new facility reinforces the company’s position in two-wheeler EV batteries and signals a strategic entry into heavier vehicle segments. This supports Neuron’s vision to become a comprehensive EV battery solutions provider.

Rajiv Dadlani, from the Family Office of the Rajiv Dadlani Group, said, "Neuron Energy demonstrates remarkable potential to become the market leader, with their renewed focus, in delivering top-quality products. The company and its founders are highly committed to delivering rigorously tested and safe-to-use Li-Ion smart batteries. We are confident that they will continue to thrive and set new standards in the industry."

Mahindra Intros XEV 9S Electric 7-Seater SUV At INR 1.99 Million, Deliveries From 23 January

Mahindra XEV 9S

Mahindra has launched the XEV 9S, an electric 7-seater SUV built on the INGLO platform, with prices starting at INR 1.99 million (ex-showroom).  The XEV 9S is powered by MAIA, described as India’s fastest automotive mind.

The EV comes with a 70 kWh battery, delivering a power of 180 kW and 380 Nm of torque. It offers a claimed real-world range of 500 km from its LFP battery, which comes with a Lifetime Warranty. The SUV is stated to be the fastest 7-seater in its class, reaching zero to 100 kmph in 7.0 seconds, with a 202 kmph top speed.

The fully-loaded Pack Three Above 79 kWh variant is priced at INR 2.94 million ex-showroom with bookings open on 14 January 2026 and deliveries starting on 23 January 2026.

R Velusamy, President - Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra and Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “We have always believed that technology is meaningful only when it expands human possibility. The XEV 9S built on the INGLO electric origin platform does exactly that by creatin space – more than anyone else and gives a smooth and noise free ride. THE MAIA brain enables many of its high-tech features, making it the most advanced offering for its price.”

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “The future of Indian mobility will belong to brands that don’t just electrify vehicles, but reimagine categories. With the XEV 9S, we’re not just playing in the EV segment, we’re expanding it. This SUV signals the start of a BIG new electric era for Mahindra - one built on scale, on purpose, and on a deep understanding of how India moves. The attractive prices starting at ₹ 19.95 Lakh make a very high-tech product accessible, with bookings opening on Jan 14 and deliveries start on Jan 23.”

The XEV 9S is an expression of Mahindra’s Heartcore Design philosophy, featuring a stance, lines, a gloss finish and interiors. The vehicle is designed to be silent on wheels.

Key highlights include:

  • Space: Offers 4,076-litre of cabin space (for front and second row), boot space up to 527-litre and 150-litre of Frunk space. The third-row features 50:50 split seats.
  • Suspension: Features Intelligent Adaptive dampers with i-Link at the front and 5-Link independent suspension at the rear.
  • Driver Aids: Includes L2+ ADAS with five Radars and one Vision Camera, Driver Drowsiness Detection with DOMS (Eyedentity) and Secure360 Pro for live view and recording.
  • Interior Comfort: Features Powered Boss Mode, ventilated second row seats, recline and sliding adjustment, sunshade for second row windows, Acoustic ‘Laminated’ Glass and wireless phone charging.
  • Technology: Equipped with Brake by Wire with IEB, High Power Steering with VGR, VisionX – AR HUD, AutoPark Assist, and 140 features including Digital Key, NFC and Charge Scheduler.
  • Entertainment: Includes a 16-Speaker Harman Kardon Audio system with Dolby Atmos, three 31.24 cm screens, 5G Connectivity and Fun & Work Apps.
  • Efficiency: Running costs are INR 1.2 per km, with maintenance costs of INR 40 paise per kilometre and negligible road tax. Business owners benefit from 40 percent depreciation.

Pratap Bose, Chief Design & Creative Officer - Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Designing the XEV 9S wasn’t about adding lines to a surface, it was about shaping a feeling. We wanted it to feel like stepping into a personal sanctuary, yet one that carries the pulse of modern India. Electric gave us the canvas; INGLO gave us the freedom to sculpt light, space and comfort. The result is an SUV that wears its size with grace and its technology with humility. It’s expressive, it’s calm, and it’s unmistakably Mahindra - built for a nation whose aspirations are only getting bigger.”