Inaugurating its first vehicle showroom at Kochi in Kerala, BYD India Private Limited (BYD India) is slowly and surely entrenching itself into the Indian electric passenger vehicle space. As it does so, it is eying a big chunk of the growing electric passenger vehicle market. In what is expected as a market place that will spearhead a shift to alternate fuel vehicles in the mid- to long-term, BYD India, a subsidiary of China-based BYD company that specialises in the manufacture of electric buses and passenger vehicles, is looking at getting closer to its target customers by offering the BYD electric MPV and e6. 

Managed by EVM Southcoast in Kochi, the BYD India dealership will facilitate automotive consumers and buyers to seek one of the best electric vehicles available in the market, according to Sanjay Gopalakrishnan, Senior Vice President – Electric Passenger Vehicle Business, BYD India. “Starting from Kochi, we are getting closer to our target customers and are delighted to inaugurate our first showroom in the country with EVM Southcoast. We hope that our customised products and service will spur and accelerate green initiatives in the region,” he added. 

Of the opinion that Kochi is the most densely populated city of Kerala and is also known as the financial, commercial and industrial capital of the state, Shrirang Joshi, National Sales Head – Electric Passenger Vehicles Business, BYD India, mentioned, “Kochi has immense potential for premium passenger cars and we strongly believe that BYD will be the main contributor to EV adoption in the EPV segments in Kerala.” Spreading its wings in the Indian market with a careful study of which products will appeal and which markets are likely to accept them sooner than later, BYD India as the subsidiary of Warren Buffet-backed Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer that overtook Tesla this year is confident that it will find a way to be among the leading electric vehicle manufacturers in the country. 

It is no secret that BYD as a brand is already gathered an amount of visibility in India. The electric buses it produces in India in collaboration with Olectra are a common sight on Indian roads – in cities especially where they form a part of the fleet of STUs. Electric buses made by Olectra-BYD (this company is surprisingly claimed to have connection whatsoever with BYD India) are also found with some inter-city operators – public and private. These e-buses also reflect the fact that BYD is not new to this market as has already done its homework. 

The Chinese company has already gained a good insight into the factors that are driving the shift to electric vehicles. Claimed to be working on a plan to build its own manufacturing facility at Sriperambudur near Chennai, BYD, it is certain has done its calculation. It has learnt from the competition it has in the electric bus space in the country. With years of experience and knowledge in the manufacture of electric vehicles as diverse as buses and passenger vehicles, it is slowly and surely moving forward in a market place that saw the homegrown Mahindra & Mahindra unveiled an electric version of its XUV700 SUV among a few other exciting electric passenger vehicles recently. Currently, it is MG Motors and Tata Motors that are having a good hold in the electric passenger market in India. 

Expected to participate in the upcoming Auto Expo to highlight its commitment towards the Indian market, BYD India plans to sell about 1000 electric vehicles. These, it is said, will be assembled locally in line with the government policies in place for EVs and to take advantage of the PLI scheme, which provides a distinct advantage to those who manufacture locally and leverage the local supply chain. 

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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.

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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."

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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.”

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