Continental Intensifies Climate Change Mitigation Move

Scania At MINExpo International

With its Net|Zero|Now immediate action programme to mitigate climate change, Continental said it would offer its customers the opportunity to achieve carbon neutrality for their businesses. The company said in a statement that the aim of the programme is to enable customers with ambitious sustainability goals to neutralise the currently remaining “carbon backpack” of their relevant business with Continental.

This carbon backpack includes all emissions generated by processes at Continental and its suppliers as well as following end of use, but does not include the customer’s use phase and emissions.

The carbon backpack is offset by an equal quantity of so-called negative emissions. Net|Zero|Now complements the reduction measures implemented by the company to date and sustainable innovations such as the Conti GreenConcept tyre, which are designed to achieve carbon neutrality in line with the Paris climate agreement, the release said.

The focus of Net|Zero|Now is on Continental products and systems used in emission-free vehicles – from electric cars to hydrogen-powered buses and streetcars, it said.

Continental generated sales of almost EUR 1 billion with emission-free mobility in the past fiscal year. The company said the 10 highest-volume electric vehicle brands worldwide in 2021 all placed their trust in Continental technology. The programme means that for these vehicles, zero-emission mobility is already possible when it comes to the share of CO2 emissions attributable to Continental. Not only are they emission-free during their use, but the value chain relating to Continental is also carbon-neutral, it pointed out.

Besides, Net|Zero|Now will be immediately available for the combustion-engine-vehicle and industrial business, thus helping companies meet the increasingly ambitious carbon neutrality targets on the market, it said. 

Dr. Ariane Reinhart, Executive Board member for Human Relations and Sustainability at Continental, said, “2021 in particular, with its devastating floods and forest fires, showed that climate change mitigation needs to be accelerated. We must use every means available to implement measures faster. At the same time, we must seize the opportunities associated with this transformation together with our partners.” 

Continental said it sees Net|Zero|Now as an important blueprint for other companies to better achieve the goals of the 2015 Paris climate agreement alongside ambitious reduction efforts and neutralisation measures.

Reinhart added, “Reaching net zero is the benchmark here. And for that, we need appropriate economic incentives as well as more courage. To date, for example, carbon neutrality has not been taken into account in the VAT rate.” 

Continental said its approach with its immediate action programme for climate change mitigation relies on the principle of negative emissions and therefore goes beyond conventional carbon offsetting. In mathematical terms, this means that no more emissions are generated for each product in the supply chain than are removed again from the atmosphere, for example through reforestation. On balance, net zero is thus achieved and there is no longer any burden on the climate. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which focuses on accelerating carbon dioxide reductions, is increasingly recommending negative emissions in order to meet the goals of the Paris climate agreement. 

Continental said it has been working with recognised partners on high-quality and certified ecosystem restoration and reforestation projects to remove the appropriate quantities of CO2 from the atmosphere. Social aspects, the sustainability of reductions, such as safeguards in the event of forest fires, and other quality criteria also play an important role in the selection process, it pointed out.

The company’s sustainability ambition comprises four focus areas: carbon neutrality along Continental’s entire value chain, emission-free mobility and industry, a circular economy and responsible value chains. Continental aims to fulfill its ambition by 2050 at the latest.

Dr. Steffen Schwartz-Höfler, head of Sustainability at Continental, said, “The path to carbon-neutral mobility is both a marathon and numerous sprints. The actual reduction of emissions and our Net|Zero|Now neutralization measures are important complements to our goal of becoming carbon-neutral. Only with this combination can we successfully drive forward the transformation to a sustainable economy with the necessary speed.” (MT)

Roy Kurian

Two-wheeler industry veteran Roy Kurian has joined Revolt Motors as President. This marks the second innings for Kurian at Revolt Motors; he had previously held a brief stint in January 2023, before joining Montra Electric as its Chief Executive Officer.

Kurian is a seasoned C-suite executive known for his deep expertise in the automotive and mobility sectors, specialising in business turn-arounds and scaling operations, particularly within the electric vehicle (EV) landscape.

He spent over a decade at India Yamaha Motor from 2007 to 2019, growing to the ranks of Senior Vice-President Sales Marketing. He had joined Tork Motors in 2019 spending over a year at the electric motorcycle company before joining Ampere Electric Vehicles as COO and Executive Director Electric Mobility.

In his new role, he will lead RattanIndia Enterprises-led Revolt Motors, which has been focussing on expanding its market share in the electric two-wheeler space.

For CY2025, Revolt MotoCorp has sold around 8,164 electric two-wheelers as compared to 9,955 units in CY2024. At present, Revolt MotoCorp’s product portfolio includes – Revolt RV1, Revolt RV1+, Revolt BlazeX, Revolt RV400BRZ and Revolt RV400 in the electric motorcycle segment.

conventional two-wheeler leadership at a major international brand, followed by a concentrated pivot into high-growth, executive roles across the Indian EV ecosystem, culminating in multiple tenures as CEO and President. He possesses proven skills in executive management (CXO), strategic sales, marketing, and operational leadership.

Refex Mobility Drives Into Delhi NCR To Accelerate Corporate Green Transport

Refex Mobility

Refex Mobility, the clean mobility arm of the Refex Group, has launched its operations in Delhi NCR, committing to fast-track clean corporate transportation in the region. The launch event was attended by the Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Prahlad Joshi, along with other dignitaries.

The company plans to deploy over 400 new four-wheeler clean-fuelled vehicles in Delhi NCR within the next three months, enhancing its presence across India.

Refex Mobility is looking to use its Delhi NCR launch as a springboard to scale into Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities nationwide. The firm currently operates a fleet of over 1,400 all-electric four-wheeler vehicles across Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Mumbai, serving more than 70 leading corporates from sectors including BFSI, IT/ITES, e-commerce and telecom. The company, supported by over 200 employees, has already abated 3.5 million kilograms of tailpipe CO2 emissions since its inception.

Union Minister Prahlad Joshi commended the company's initiative, emphasising the need for solar-powered EV fleets: “Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is advancing rapidly towards clean energy and sustainable mobility. To truly unlock the promise of electric vehicles and smart energy-efficient transportation, we must ensure they are powered by the sun. I urge corporates to lead the way by adopting solar-based charging for their EV fleets, thereby reducing oil imports, cutting emissions, and building greener, healthier cities in line with their ESG commitment.”

Anil Jain, Chairman & Managing Director, Refex Group, said, "Delhi NCR is not just an expansion for us but it is a commitment to scale. Within a couple of quarters, we will create one of the largest corporate clean-mobility fleets in the region. At Refex, we believe in diversification with responsibility, and Green Mobility is one of the most critical pillars of our sustainability journey."

Anirudh Arun, CEO, Refex Mobility, added, “At Refex Mobility, we are reimagining what reliable and responsible mobility means for India. Our promise is built on three pillars - dependable fleets that corporates can count on, exceptional experiences for every rider, and a deep commitment to sustainability and our driver partners. With our entry into Delhi NCR, we are proud to bring this ethos to the capital, as we continue shaping a cleaner and more trusted future for urban mobility.”

Yuma Energy Partners HPCL To Expand EV Battery Swapping Network

Yuma Energy - HPCL

Yuma Energy, one of India's fastest-growing Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) providers, has announced a major partnership with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) to rapidly scale its battery swapping network across the country. HPCL is one of India's largest energy companies, boasting a vast network of over 24,000 retail outlets.

By leveraging HPCL's extensive footprint, Yuma Energy aims to gain a strategic advantage, allowing it to deploy its AI-driven battery swapping stations in high-demand locations – from major metro areas to Tier-2 towns.

This move aims to give riders, delivery fleets and businesses instant and reliable energy access that is as quick as traditional refuelling.

Yuma Energy will use HPCL's retail network to deploy its ‘Yuma Stations’ strategically based on real-time demand. This demand-responsive model ensures that EV users – including e-rickshaw drivers, gig-economy partners, and commuters – are always close to a fully charged battery.

The partnership directly addresses the key challenge of energy network infrastructure that needs to keep pace with India's accelerating EV adoption, particularly in the two- and three-wheeler segments. For HPCL, the alliance allows the company to diversify its business into future-ready energy solutions.

Kinetic Green Launches E-Luna Prime, Targeting India's Commuter Segment

Kinetic E-Luna Prime

Kinetic Green Energy and Power Solutions has introduced the E-Luna Prime, an electric two-wheeler designed for India's commuter motorcycle market. The new model builds on the success of the E-Luna, which has sold over 25,000 units since its launch.

The E-Luna Prime, the company shared, is engineered to meet the needs of millions of commuters, offering an affordable and practical solution for both urban and rural environments. It features rugged 16-inch alloy wheels, a digital cluster and a spacious front-loading area. The electric two-wheeler is available in two variants with ranges of 110 km and 140 km, prices starting at INR 82,490 (ex-showroom).

According to Kinetic Green, the E-Luna Prime offers significant savings compared to conventional petrol-based motorcycles. The total cost of ownership is estimated at just INR 2,500 per month, which includes the EMI and running expenses. This is a fraction of the estimated INR 7,500 monthly cost for a traditional ICE two-wheeler, potentially saving consumers up to INR 60,000 annually.

Dr Sulajja Firodia Motwani, Founder & CEO, Kinetic Green, said, "We are delighted to unveil the E-Luna Prime, that embodies our commitment to transforming the future of personal mobility in India. Building on the resounding success of our E-Luna series, which has garnered widespread acclaim from thousands of satisfied customers, the E-Luna Prime represents a significant leap forward in our pursuit of innovation and customer-centricity."

Dr. Motwani added that extensive consumer research revealed an opportunity to create "India's most affordable yet aspirational mobility solution for the fastest growing commuter motorcycle segment." She stated, "The E-Luna Prime, with its industry-leading features along with the winning proposition of INR 2,500 monthly ownership cost, exemplifies our commitment to address the evolving and unmet customer needs by leveraging cutting-edge electric vehicle innovations."

The E-Luna Prime is available in six colours and will be sold through Kinetic Green's network of over 300 dealerships across the country.