The Tamil Nadu Technology Development & Promotion Centre of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) organised the EV Summit 2022 with the theme “Indigenization of EV Supply Chain in India”.
Hans Raj Verma, IAS, Chairman & Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation Ltd, Government of Tamil Nadu, said, “The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has a vision to make Tamil Nadu a $1 trillion economy by 2030 and this can be made possible with the much-needed EV push. Tamil Nadu is a very vibrant economy and Chennai is the EV Capital of India apart from being called the Detroit of Asia. The government welcomes EV companies to set shop and we are willing to assist them in every possible way.”
Tamil Nadu has two auto and electronic industrial clusters complimenting and supporting each other, a press release said. One of the clusters – the Sriperumbudur cluster has majors such as
Hyundai and Foxconn while the second being the emerging Hosur-Krishnagiri-Dharmapuri cluster with players like Ola, Ather, and more establishing their presence.
Rajesh Kumar Pathak IP & TAFS, Secretary, Technology Development Board, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, said, “The Technology Development Board is looking to fund and support disruptive technology including the EV Space. We welcome startups including startups in the EV domain to share their proposals as the INR 1000 crore Private-Public Partnership model for funding startups which would be launched shortly.”
He further said that the EV Summit was organised in the backdrop of the Government of India push to enhance national energy security, mitigate adverse environmental impacts from road transport vehicles and boost domestic manufacturing capabilities for electric vehicles.
Additionally, with the Phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme to stimulate the market of EVs in the country, de-licensed the charging infrastructure business and specified guidelines and standards for charging infrastructure for electric vehicle thereby opening up the market of public charging infrastructure & ensuring a roadmap for development of charging infrastructure, and introduced various financial incentives to reduce upfront cost of EVs and charging infrastructure.
Mahesh Babu, Chairman - EV Summit and Director & Chief Executive Officer, Switch Mobility, said, “The Indian EV Industry has seen a fundamental transformation in the past decade and it is very critical for India to further transform in the coming decades. The current outlook for EVs is optimistic as the sector has seen the evolution of several trends that that are defining the growth of EVs.
EV adoption can be seen across different vehicle segments as well as different business segments. The electrification of vehicles has started gaining momentum and has opened new mobility avenues for India to tap into. India is all set to position itself as one of the leading marketplaces for Electric Vehicles (EVS)”.
Dr V Sumantran, Board of Director, Switch Mobility, said, “India is a very different market when compared to other countries. It has been repeatedly seen in many domains and will be seen in the EV space too. The potential for EV in the two-wheeler market should be tapped further as Indians use more of two wheelers compared to other vehicles. To build a stronger ecosystem, companies should talk to each other, resulting in an exchange of ideas. A consortia should be formed to help the domain grow at a faster pace.”
The Indian automobile industry is the fifth largest in the world and is expected to become the third largest by 2030. As per India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA), the Indian EV industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 36 per cent while NITI Aayog aims to achieve EV sales penetration of 70 per cent for all commercial cars, 30 per cent for private cars, 40 per cent for buses and 80 per cent for two and three-wheelers by 2030.
Prideep Kumar, Assistant Vice President, Caresoft Global, said, “The key influencers for the Indian EV market to grow is the Range, Technology, Design Disruptions and Profit.”
P Ravichandran, Former Chairman, CII Tamil Nadu & President, Danfoss Industries, said, “Tamil Nadu should find its own space in the EV space even as the TN Government is keen to strengthen the EV industry while launching major schemes to promote indigenization of supply chain.” (MT)
Olectra Deploys 35 Electric Buses In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
- By MT Bureau
- November 02, 2026
Olectra Greentech has introduced 35 air-conditioned electric buses in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, which was formally inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, on 1 November 2026, at the Divisional Sports Complex.
The e-buses have been deployed to support the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation for modernising public transport network. Operated by Evey Trans, passenger services are scheduled to begin on 2 November 2026, across various urban routes.
The 9-metre electric buses feature monocoque construction, blade battery technology, front and rear air suspension, disc brakes, an Antilock Braking System and regenerative braking.
Passenger amenities include air curtains at doors, CCTV systems, digital destination boards with integrated announcement announcements, vehicle location tracking, USB charging points and digital instrument clusters.
Olectra Greentech operates over 4,500 electric buses across more than 55 cities, accumulating over 750 million green kilometres.
Mahesh Babu, MD, Olectra Greentech, said, "India is making remarkable progress in its transition towards cleaner and more sustainable public transportation. The introduction of 35 Olectra electric buses in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar is another important step in making clean, reliable and efficient mobility a reality for more people. With 4,500+ Olectra electric buses on the road across more than 55 cities, covering over 750 million green kilometres, we believe the true measure of progress is not just the number of buses deployed, but the positive impact they create on everyday mobility, passenger experience and the environment. We thank the Government of Maharashtra and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation for their continued trust and support. Olectra remains committed to shaping the future of sustainable public transportation through innovation and reliable electric mobility solutions."
- EKA Mobility
- Pinnacle Industries
- VDL Pinnacle Engineering
- Instor India
- Pinnacle Seatings and Interiors
- Sudhir Mehta
- VDL Groep
- Mitsui & Co
EKA Mobility Inaugurates 6 Manufacturing Facilities Supported By INR 35 Billion Investment
- By MT Bureau
- October 31, 2026
Pune-headquartered EKA Mobility and Pinnacle Industries have inaugurated six manufacturing facilities across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh as part of the EKA 'Avirbhava' event in Pune.
The group has invested over INR 35 billion in its manufacturing platform, alongside an R&D investment exceeding INR 6 billion. The expansion brings the group's total footprint to 11 manufacturing units across 120 acres, with an annual production capacity of over 40,000 electric commercial vehicles.
The newly opened sites include an SCV plant and a Bus & Trucks plant in Pune, the VDL Pinnacle Engineering plant, the Instor India facility for EV bus body structures and battery enclosures, a Pinnacle Seating and Interiors unit in Pune and Pinnacle's bus and rail seating plant in Pithampur. EKA Mobility reported a YoY sales growth of 1,243 percent in H1 FY27 and holds an order book of over 11,000 buses valued at USD 1.7 billion.
The company operates as a Champion OEM under the Indian Government's Automotive PLI Scheme, backed by 300 intellectual properties and a workforce of 6,000 employees, including 1,000 R&D engineers. Operations are supported by telemetry software EKA Connect, which tracks 1,500 vehicle parameters every half-second while retaining data within domestic servers. Internationally, the firm has deployed electric buses in Zanzibar and small commercial vehicles in Nepal, with assembly plants being established in South Africa and Australia.
Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, EKA Mobility and Group Companies, said, "EKA Avirbhava marks a defining milestone in our journey of building a future-ready, globally competitive manufacturing ecosystem rooted in India. The inauguration of six manufacturing facilities across our group reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, indigenous engineering, sustainable mobility, and manufacturing excellence. These facilities are more than infrastructure; they represent our vision of creating world-class capabilities, generating meaningful employment, nurturing talent, and contributing to India’s emergence as a global manufacturing powerhouse. As we take this significant step forward, we remain focused on delivering transformative mobility solutions that create lasting value for our customers, our nation, and future generations."
"We have always believed that commercial EVs are about more than vehicles. The diversity of our product portfolio is not an accident. It is a conscious idea, because to make a real difference, we must impact every Indian and every traveller. That means looking at mobility holistically: goods and passengers, from the first mile to the last mile. Public transport is the backbone of India. Until we make it accessible and affordable for all, we will not have achieved our vision, and no amount of technology matters if it does not reach the people who depend on it every day. Our products, their performance and their profitability are an example of how sustainability can be profitable for all: for the operator, for the passenger and for the country. That is why we have built all this, the plants, the engineering and the technology, in India, for India," added Mehta.
Montra Electric Partners VFRYT To Supply 50 Electric Commercial Vehicles In Chennai
- By MT Bureau
- October 30, 2026
Montra Electric has partnered with Chennai-based logistics platform VFRYT, supplying 50 electric commercial vehicles to support the launch of VFRYT's on-demand commercial vehicle booking service.
The agreement integrates Montra Electric's Super Cargo eCX d+ vehicles into VFRYT's logistics platform, which connects fleet operators and owner-drivers with businesses requiring intra-city freight transportation.
VFRYT's platform uses GPS, SIM-based and FASTag tracking, alongside artificial intelligence-enabled monitoring to provide real-time shipment visibility. The initial VFRYT fleet comprises approximately 185 electric vehicles alongside diesel and CNG options, with Montra Electric's units deployed across its channel mobility partner network in Chennai prior to planned expansion into other Indian regions.
The Montra Electric Super Cargo eCX d+ features a 13.8 kWh battery delivering a range exceeding 150 kilometres per charge, a cargo capacity of 170 cubic feet and telemetry integration via the One Montra App. The vehicle includes a five-year battery warranty and a chassis designed for commercial freight operations.
Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric, said, "For electric commercial mobility to scale, the business case must be as compelling as the technology itself. The real opportunity lies in integrating electric vehicles into the everyday flow of commerce and ensuring they create tangible value for the businesses that depend on them. By connecting our vehicles with an on-demand platform like VFRYT, we are expanding opportunities for their deployment while bringing electric mobility closer to the daily realities of Indian logistics."
Pradeep Murali, Founder & CEO, VFRYT, said, "Our vision at VFRYT is to make commercial transportation more accessible, transparent and efficient through technology. This collaboration with Montra Electric is an important step towards bringing sustainable mobility into the everyday logistics ecosystem. We aim to give businesses greater access to efficient transportation solutions through our on-demand platform, while accelerating the adoption of electric mobility and supporting cleaner urban logistics. We believe that the convergence of technology and electric mobility will play a key role in shaping the future of goods transportation in India."
Yulu Launches Franchise-Led Electric Mobility Ecosystem In Nashik
- By MT Bureau
- October 30, 2026
Yulu, a micro-mobility solution provider, has launched its electric mobility-as-a-service platform in Nashik through its Yulu Business Partner franchise model, collaborating with Approach Auto Mobility led by entrepreneur Jai Dhanani.
The expansion marks Yulu's second market in Maharashtra following Mumbai and its ninth franchise-led launch across non-metro locations, extending its overall presence to 13 cities. Operations will commence with a fleet of 100 DeX electric two-wheelers operating from a hub in Rajiv Nagar, with plans to scale coverage across the city and surrounding areas.
The platform aims to serve Nashik's delivery sector, which records approximately 25,000 daily orders across 25 dark stores and 1,500 food service outlets. The service includes battery swapping supported by Yuma Energy, maintenance, and insurance, offering commercial users a cost-per-kilometre lower than petrol vehicles.
Amit Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Yulu, said, "India’s next phase of e-mobility adoption will be shaped by non-metro cities where changing consumer expectations and the expansion of quick commerce are reshaping urban logistics. The depth of demand for sustainable, reliable, and accessible solutions from both consumers and delivery partners in Nashik makes it the perfect time for a hyperlocal goods mobility platform like Yulu to launch its service in the city. Through our partnership with Approach Auto Mobility, Yulu aims to create an EV-powered delivery model that adapts to Nashik’s evolving needs."
Jai Dhanani, Founder, Approach Auto Mobility, said, "As an existing battery swapping franchise partner of Yuma Energy, we were already familiar with the Yulu Group’s purpose-built system and technology-driven approach to mobility. The latest partnership gets us closer to our aim of making EV-powered deliveries the default in Nashik — a goal we will achieve by offering delivery partners a lower cost per kilometre and near-zero downtime network, even as we simultaneously help brands unlock a dependable and low-emission fleet that grows with them as a partner."

Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT