The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) hosted a high-level roundtable discussion focused on ‘Building Last Mile Connectivity: Flexible, Affordable, Sustainable Solutions’ to chart a path towards a more inclusive and sustainable mobility ecosystem in India. 

The discussion brought together leaders from various sectors, including policymakers, aggregators and think tanks, and deliberated on the opportunities and problems associated with improving last-mile connectivity, with a focus on smart mobility solutions like bike taxis and the function of public-private partnerships in doing so. During the conversation, participants emphasised how smart mobility solutions may create jobs, lessen traffic and cut down on pollution. The panel also covered the significance of sustainability in the design of future transport networks and underlined the necessity of laws that guarantee the creation of livelihoods while promoting the green transition.

Harsh Malhotra, Minister of State, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest via video conference. The panel featured Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Roads, Transport and Highways; Surendra Ahirwar, Joint Secretary, DPIIT; Sudhendu Sinha, Advisor, Mobility, NITI Ayog; and Mike Orgill, Head of Public Policy, Asia-Pacific, Uber.

Aggregators like Shadowfax, Rapido and Uber discussed the difficulties experienced by bike taxi drivers in the conversation. The main obstacle has been the absence of commercially viable two-wheelers that can offer bike taxi operators a safe and reasonably priced substitute for ICE motorbikes. They also mentioned that one of their main concerns was the difference in the electrification timeframe between delivery service providers and passenger transport.

Malhotra noted that new-age mobility solutions that enable affordable travel, like app-based on-demand bike taxis and auto rides, are emerging as popular choices among commuters today and are increasingly playing a pivotal role in improving first- and last-mile connectivity. He emphasised the importance of government and private sector collaboration in improving last-mile connectivity for passengers and businesses alike. In order to reach India's goal of Net Zero by 2070, he also emphasised the importance of the transport sector in the country's clean energy transformation. "Thoughtful partnerships between the public and private sectors in this space that guarantee smooth last-mile travel can help alleviate traffic congestion and generate employment opportunities for millions of people," stated Malhotra.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in partnership with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), convened a roundtable conference titled ‘Gas se Gati, Bharat ki Pragati’ at the India Habitat Centre, focusing on the role of gas-based fuels in promoting cleaner mobility across India.

Held under SIAM’s ‘Gas Mobility’ initiative, the event brought together government officials, industry leaders and technical experts to discuss the development of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as alternative fuels for urban and long-distance transport.

In his opening address, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “Globally, India is the largest user of gas fuels in mobility. We began with CNG cars and now have the largest gas-based bus and three-wheeler fleet. The launch of the world’s first CNG two-wheeler last year marked another key milestone.”

Dr Hanif Qureshi, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries, highlighted the role of the auto industry in achieving carbon neutrality by 2047. He noted that the government’s production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme supports gas-powered vehicles and localisation of their components.

Additional Secretary from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Sudeep Jain, emphasised the potential of CBG from agricultural waste, stating that converting 10 percent of oil imports to CBG could significantly impact rural development, pollution control and energy self-sufficiency.

Maruti Suzuki’s Rahul Bharti acknowledged the government’s role in expanding CNG infrastructure, with nearly 10,000 stations targeted by 2025. He cited improvements in CNG fuel efficiency and job creation, adding that CBG and LNG also offer promising solutions for the transport sector.

The Commission for Air Quality Management’s Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee called gas-based transport a necessity, not a choice, especially for pollution control in Delhi-NCR. He pointed to efforts such as phasing out older vehicles and reducing stubble burning.

Dr Anil Kumar Jain, Chairperson, PNGRB, said India’s energy transition in transport is well underway and gas fuels are an effective transitional option, supported by existing infrastructure.

The thematic session, chaired by Ved Prakash Mishra of the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, reiterated gas’s relevance until full electrification is achieved. Academic and policy experts, including IIT Kanpur’s Prof Mukesh Sharma and MNRE’s Dr Gaurav Mishra, shared data on emissions reduction and the role of bioenergy.

Presentations covered city gas expansion, vehicle technology innovations, and infrastructure challenges, featuring speakers from Bajaj Auto, Mahanagar Gas and the Association of CGD Entities.

A panel discussion on CBG and LNG adoption, moderated by ICF’s Gurpreet Singh Chugh, included input from NITI Aayog, GAIL Gas, Indraprastha Gas, VE Commercial Vehicles and Tata Motors. Speakers discussed scalability, infrastructure needs, and the role of gas in supporting India’s net-zero goals by 2070.

The event concluded with remarks by Ashish Chutani, Chairman, SIAM Gas-Based Mobility Group and Head – Government & Policy Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered Kinetic India, a legacy name in the scooter segment, has re-entered the two-wheeler segment with the Kinetic DX EV through its EV-focused subsidiary, Kinetic Watts and Volts (KWV).

The DX range, comprising the DX and DX+, is a fully made-in-India electric scooter line designed in collaboration with Italian designers and equipped with a range of segment-first features. The e-scooters are priced at INR 111,499 for the DX and INR 117,499 for the DX+ (ex-showroom, Pune). The DX+ will be offered in Red, Blue, White, Silver, and Black, while the DX is available in Silver and Black. Bookings are open online at INR 1,000.

Both models feature a strong metal body, a spacious floorboard and the largest-in-segment 37-litre under-seat storage. They are powered by a 2.6 kWh LFP battery developed by Range-X, offering a claimed IDC range of 116 km (on the DX+). The battery promises a lifespan of over 2,500 cycles – up to four times more than standard NMC batteries – and supports a 60V system with K-Coast regenerative braking. The electric motor delivers a claimed top speed of up to 90 kmph and includes three ride modes: Range, Power and Turbo.

The DX EV range features keyless start (Easy Key), a patented retractable charging cable on the DX+ (Easy Charge), and one-touch pillion footrest deployment (Easy Flip). Both variants come with reverse and hill-hold assist, front telescopic and adjustable rear suspension, a 220mm front disc brake, and a 130mm rear drum brake with combi-braking.

The DX+ variant adds app connectivity and Telekinetic features such as real-time ride statistics, vehicle tracking, Geo-fencing and voice alerts. It also includes a Bluetooth-enabled Kinetic Assist switch, in-built speaker for music and voice navigation. Bookings are limited to 35,000 units, with deliveries starting September 2025.

Kinetic Watts & Volts has received INR 720 million in capital from Kinetic Engineering and its promoters, who have also pledged an additional INR 1.7 billion to scale the DX platform.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman, Kinetic India, said, “The legendary Kinetic DX set so many firsts back in the ’90s, that it earned a permanent place in the hearts of millions. Reviving this icon was about more than just launching a scooter, it was about bringing back the reliability, innovation, and robustness that defined Kinetic for decades, giving it a future-ready soul. With the new DX, we’ve introduced multiple segment-first features that we’re confident, will make it a favourite in the new era of electric mobility. This marks the beginning of a bold new chapter for Kinetic and for the evolution of electric mobility in India."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler major Ather Energy has crossed the milestone of having over 400 Ather Grid fast charging points across Maharashtra.

With 64 Experience Centres and 42 Service Centres in Maharashtra, Ather Energy has cemented its position in over 37 cities in the state. Furthermore, to provide its customers access to fast charging, it’s Ather Grid network now extends to 35 cities across Maharashtra including Mumbai, Nashik, Pune and Nagpur. It has also strategically placed the fast chargers to connect significant routes such as Mumbai - Pune, Pune - Satara, Satara - Kolhapur, Sangali - Kolhapur and Pune - Panshet.

What’s interesting to note is that customers also have access to 220 fast charging points built on the LECCS (Light Electric Combined Charging System) standard, which has been developed by Ather and opened for industry-wide adoption.

LECCS allows different brands of light electric vehicles to use the same network. Ather Grid chargers are also visible on Google Maps, making it easy for any customer with a LECCS connector on their scooter to locate, navigate and charge, further enhancing the everyday ownership experience.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Maharashtra has been a strong market for us, and we’ve seen EV adoption here grow steadily over the years. As more people switch to electric, what really builds confidence is knowing that charging won’t be a challenge. However, for many potential buyers, charging continues to be one of the perceived barriers, and that’s something we’ve always worked towards solving. From the beginning, we’ve focused on building infrastructure that keeps pace with growing demand. Crossing 400 fast chargers in the state is a reflection of that effort. It’s about giving riders the assurance that they’ll always find a charger when they need one. As we expand our retail presence, the charging network will continue to grow in tandem to make EV ownership truly seamless.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

eBikeGo, an Acer Official Licensee and one of India’s electric mobility leader, has opened its first Acer Electric Vehicles retail outlet in New Delhi’s Okhla Industrial Area (Phase 2). This marks the beginning of a nationwide expansion, with 15 flagship stores planned to showcase Acer-branded e-vehicles.

The store offers a premium range of e-bicycles, e-scooters and e-bikes, blending global design with rugged Indian road adaptability. Targeting urban commuters and eco-friendly riders, the lineup includes e-cycles starting at an introductory price of INR 35,999, with e-scooters and e-bikes arriving soon.

Hari Kiran, Co-Founder & COO, eBikeGo, said, “We at eBikeGo are elated to announce our significant expansion in 15 cities across PAN-India, which has been made possible within only a few months, based on our strategic approach of setting up Acer Electric Vehicles retail outlets across various states. This rapid expansion underscores our commitment to eco-friendly transportation while positioning eBikeGo as a pivotal player in the Indian EV market and promoting a green and sustainable future for all Indians. It also enables us to put the spotlight on eBikeGo’s brand new e-2Ws products’ lineup, including our e-cycles, e-scooters and e-bikes.

“The overwhelming response we have received for eBikeGo’s store expansion and the feedback we have received for Acer brand serves as a testament to the strong brand appeal and speaks volumes about our credibility. With our wide portfolio of reliable EVs tuned to the Indian roads and consumer requirements yet boasting world-class standards, we shall continue to expand and grow our retail store network furthermore across the nation.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!