BYD India, a subsidiary of the China-headquartered world-leading new energy vehicles manufacturer BYD, has launched what it claims is India's first 6- and 7-seater electric MPV – the BYD eMAX 7 at prices starting INR 2.69 million.

The BYD eMAX 7 will succeed the BYD e6, with one of the notable changes over the outgoing model is the integration of the 8-in-1 electric powertrain from BYD's e-platform 3.0 and varied seating options.

The e-MPV comes in two variants – Superior and Premium – with 6- and 7-seater options for both. While the Superior variant comes with a battery pack of 71.8 kWh, the Premium variant packs a 55.4 kWh battery pack, returning a claimed 530km and 420km range NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) tested, respectively.

The Superior variant is capable of reaching 0-100 km/h in just 8.6 seconds and the premium variant does the same in just 10.1 seconds. The vehicle also boasts a wheelbase of 2,800 mm, which is one of the best in the MPV segment.

Rajeev Chauhan, Head of Electric Passenger Vehicles (EPV) Business at BYD India, said: “This electric MPV is not just a vehicle; it's a revolution in how progressive families experience travel. With its cutting-edge technology, exceptional comfort, and eco-friendly performance, the BYD eMAX 7 is set to raise the bar in the Indian electric vehicle market. We are excited to bring this modern, elegant eMPV to our customers and are confident that it will significantly enhance their driving, travel and ownership experience. We will always be committed to bringing the latest global innovation to our discerning Indian consumers.” 

The vehicle offers an immersive and futuristic cabin experience with abundant room, front ventilated seats, a 12.8-Inch (32.5 cm) rotatable infotainment display, a 5-inch (12.7 cm) advanced instrument cluster, a wireless phone charger and an gear lever.

The expansive 1.42 sqm panoramic glass roof creates a sense of roominess in the cabin, further enhancing passenger comfort. The third row of the vehicle can be folded to create 580-litres of boot space, ensuring ample space for cargo needs. The middle seats can also be split into 60:40 to maximise the boot space.

The BYD eMAX 7 is available with 4 exterior colour options – Quartz Blue, Cosmos Black, Crystal White, and Harbour Grey.

The e-MPV uses BYD’s Blade Battery and the 8-in-1 electric powertrain from the globally acclaimed e-platform 3.0. The distinctive feature of the BYD Blade Battery is the arrangement of battery cells in a blade-like formation, which increases the contact area between cells and electrical pathways, resulting in efficient heat transfer. Additionally, this unique design helps reduce the risk in the event of a vehicle collision. 

On the other hand, BYD's 8-in-1 electric powertrain is a system that integrates eight critical components into one, consisting of the motor, motor controller, reducer, on-board charger, DC converter, high-voltage distribution box, vehicle controller, and BMS (Battery Management System). This system is designed to optimise space utilisation and energy efficiency.

The EV packs a range of safety features, including 6 airbags as standard, ABS, EPF, EBD and ADAS to name a few.

The BYD eMAX 7 also takes care of the New Energy needs of its customers with advanced technologies like VTOL and Regenerative braking. Powering a family camping outdoors or using it to power other electric equipment, the VTOL (Vehicle to Load) technology ensures maximum usability of the vehicle. 

On the comfort side, the BYD eMAX 7 sees all the three rows of the vehicle have its separate AC vents and 2 Type A and Type C charging ports for the first two rows each. The 12.8-Inch (32.5 cm) intelligent rotating touch screen hosts Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless connectivity to customers' phones. It gets immersive 6-speaker sound system too. In addition, the vehicle also hosts advanced convenience features like voice assistance, keyless entry, NFC card key, electric trunk opening, PM 2.5 filtration system, one touch up-down with anti-pinch for all 4-door windows and automatic air conditioning.

Montra Electric, a brand owned by Tl Clean Mobility Pvt Ltd, has praised the Government of India for the continuation of subsidy support for the electrification of last-mile mobility under the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme.

Roy Kurian, Business Head, Montra Electric (Last Mile Division), said, “Montra Electric sincerely thanks the Ministry of Heavy Industry, Govt of India for ensuring continuity of the subsidy support to last-mile mobility. This crucial support will help the industry navigate challenges and further speed up the shift to electric last-mile solutions.”

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme was launched on 29 September 2024. The scheme was put into effect on 1 October 2024 and will continue until 31 March 2026. Furthermore, EMPS-2024, the number of vehicles and the spending under EMPS-2024 for e-2w and e-3w being implemented from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024 are being subsumed under the PM E-DRIVE Scheme; hence, the scheme's effective time will be two years.

Pure EV, one of India's leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has entered into a strategic partnership with Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, a subsidiary of Clarion Investment LLC, with an aim to expand its presence across the Middle East and African regions.

Under the terms of the agreement, Pure EV will provide Arva Electric with a first shipment of 50,000 of its flagship models, the eTryst X and ecoDryft, over the next couple of years. Pure EV's position in these developing markets is anticipated to be cemented when the supply rises to 60,000 units per year after this initial phase. Pure EV will be Arva Electric's key technology partner in addition to supplying motorcycles, offering knowledge and assistance all the way through the distribution process. Pure EV will uphold all intellectual property rights pertaining to the bikes in order to safeguard unique technology as they increase their market share.

Dr Nishanth Dongari, Founder and Managing Director, Pure EV, said, “Our commitment to innovation and user experience ensures that we provide market-ready offerings and meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions. This partnership not only aims to enhance sales but also to foster sustainable mobility solutions in regions where electric motorcycles are rapidly gaining traction, marking a significant step towards expanding our footprint in Middle East and African markets. By leveraging our strengths and capabilities together with Arva Electric, we are poised to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle landscape globally.”

Aniyan Kutty, Managing Director, Arva Electric Vehicles Manufacturing LLC, said, “We are pleased to partner with Pure EV, as their expertise in R&D and cutting-edge technology helps in building efficient and reliable 2W products. Both the companies are committed to promoting eco-friendly mobility solutions with an aim to reduce carbon emissions and support environmental sustainability in these regions.”

Atul Greentech Private Limited (AGPL), a subsidiary of Atul Auto Limited, has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a premier Government of India enterprise, to expand the reach of electric mobility in India.

Under this agreement, AGPL will offer its cutting-edge electric three-wheelers, ENERGIE and ENERGIE2, through HPCL's huge HP GAS distribution network, taking a key step towards encouraging sustainable mobility in the country. AGPL's ENERGIE and ENERGIE2 electric three-wheelers are intended to fulfil the rising need for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation options in cities and rural regions. HPCL's support gives AGPL a strong distribution infrastructure, enabling for easy integration into urban and rural markets where cost-effective, sustainable mobility is critical.

Dr Vijay Kedia, Director, Atul Auto, said, “This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a sustainable future. At AGPL, we are deeply committed to driving innovation in electric mobility, and our collaboration with HPCL is a testament to that vision. This partnership not only strengthens our product reach but also aligns with India’s growing emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and fostering clean energy solutions. We are confident that this collaboration will not only deliver exceptional value to our customers but also contribute meaningfully to India’s transition to greener transportation.”

Chinese automotive major BYD, one of the world’s leading new energy vehicles (NEV) manufacturer, has attained a new production milestone.

The company recently rolled out its 10 millionth electric vehicle from its Xiaomo Production Base in the Shenzhen-Shanwei Special Cooperation Zone. The milestone was achieved during its 30^th anniversary celebration.

Wang Chuanfu, Chairman and President, BYD recalled the journey of the company from being a start-up with 20 employees to now having around one million staff worldwide.  The company claims it is now the first automaker in the world to reach the EV sales milestone. What’s interesting to note is that the EV maker had crossed 5 million production milestone in 15 years, with the next 5 million production being attained in just 15 months.

Feng Ji, Founder & CEO of Game Science, the man behind Black Myth: Wukong, a global hit in the gaming industry took possession of Denza Z9, the 10-millionth vehicle produced by BYD.

Going forward, BYD has announced it will invest CNY 100 billion (USD 14 billion) towards developing intelligent technologies that integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) with automotive systems, driving comprehensive upgrades of its entire vehicle lineup.