Cummins Group in India, a power solutions technology provider, unveiled a fuel agnostic platform and its diversified range of hydrogen technologies power solutions at Auto Expo 2023 today, in India Expo Mart, Noida, India.

At the product launch event, the company brought its Destination Zero strategy to life by unveiling low zero emission products focused on decarbonisation. According to Cummins, the launch event was presided by senior officials from Cummins Inc and India where the leadership team reinforced that Cummins is actively working to transition its customers to products that ultimately eliminate carbon emission and will have the right products to serve customers throughout the transition. 

Speaking at the launch event, Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins Group in India, said, “We share India’s vision of ‘Energy for Sustainable Growth’ and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070. With a promising combination of our strong, global technological expertise and our deep understanding of the India market due to our 60+ year legacy, we are well positioned to contribute toward India’s aim of becoming a cleaner and greener ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. We understand that the road transport sector has a major role to play in helping reduce emissions so India can meet its climate goals, and we are deeply committed to play our part in powering the nation’s decarbonisation journey. Our innovation can be seen in action through the range of solutions on display at Auto Expo this week, and it reaffirms our commitment to decarbonisation. We will continue to work together with our stakeholders on low carbon and zero emissions solutions that further our shared goal of reducing our carbon footprint on the planet.”

Srikanth Padmanabhan, President – Engine Business, Cummins Inc, said, “Realising a net-zero future will require a range of technologies, and no one understands that better than Cummins. Our Destination Zero strategy considers the significant diversity of applications in our industry. We power some of the world's most demanding and economically vital applications. There is not a single solution or path to zero that will work for all these applications, considering the variation in duty cycles and operating environments and locations. We must advance solutions in a way that secures a sustainable future for the industries that keep the world running. That's why we have developed the broadest range of ultra-low and zero-emission technologies dedicated to the commercial vehicle industry, which is being showcased at the Auto Expo.”

Destination Zero is part of the framework of Cummins’ broader PLANET 2050 environmental sustainability strategy, which also includes a focus on improving the communities the company operates in, and using natural resources in the most responsible way.

Cummins is showcasing its fuel agnostic platform, demonstrating a practical way to reduce emissions now, using technology that OEMs, fleet managers and operators are familiar with. Cummins claims that the fuel-agnostic architecture utilises a common base engine with cylinder heads and fuel systems, specifically tailored to fuel ranging from diesel to natural gas to renewable to natural gas to hydrogen. The platform offers OEMs common engine architecture across multiple fuel types, resulting to a high degree of parts commonality.

At the Auto Expo 2023, the fuel-agnostic platform concept is demonstrated through – 

Move to zero carbon fuel (Innovation in ICE technology – fuel agnostic platform)

• Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (B6.7H engine)
  Cummins states that part of the fuel agnostic platform is what could become the most practical to reaching zero carbon emissions for medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturers – Cummins’ hydrogen internal combustion B6.7H engine. When paired with green hydrogen, this engine produces zero Well-To-Wheel CO2 emissions. Moreover, it has an industry-leading 700 bar hydrogen tank that enables quick refueling, as per Cummins.
  
  With the B6.7H engine, Cummins has addressed the medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses segment, thus highlighting the technology’s ability to support decarbonisation across multiple duty-cycles.
  
  Immediate shift to low-carbon technology
  
  Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine (CNG/LNG/Bio-CNG) 
  Cummins claims that natural gas engines help lower emissions and reduce a vehicle’s overall environmental impact, without sacrificing the performance needed to get the job done. Natural gas engines are also the most mature, proven and least disruptive alternative power technology available today. According to Cummins, natural gas infrastructure is available and accelerates the government’s vision of increasing natural gas share in energy mix from 6-15 percent by 2030. Significant investments are already planned to build the infrastructure, both on CNG and LNG, and this technology will help achieve the government’s vision.
  
  Cummins states that its B6.7H Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine is the industry’s first big bore natural gas engine, purpose built to support CO2 emissions reduction in long distance trucking, up to 10 percent Co2 reduction achievable for CNG/LNG over a diesel truck and up to 75 percent Co2 reduction achievable when used with bio-gas, thus improving air quality as per BSVI compliance and capability of Euro VII, too. 
  
  Switching to the latest generation diesel technology
  
  Advanced diesel (B6.7 diesel/Bio-diesel) 
  With a foundation of almost 700,000 Euro VI, low emission engines supplied, Cummins showcased its latest generation advanced diesel platform. As per Cummins, its advanced diesel B6.7 engines give customers the opportunity to reduce emissions, alongside significant improvements in power and torque, as they are built on the industry’s first fuel agnostic platform, compliant to BSVI OBDIII emission norms.
  
  Innovative zero emission solutions
  
  Electrolyzer (for green H2 generation)
  Electrolyzer takes the water as input and splits it into hydrogen and oxygen as output. Cummins claims that when supplied with renewable energy, the H2 generated is called green H2, since the process doesn’t have any carbon footprint. Cummins has supplied and commissioned more than 600 electrolyzers worldwide with PEM and alkaline technologies, it states. The company displayed a modular variant of the state-of-the-art electrolyzer-stack technology at the Auto Expo 2023.
  
  Hydrogen fuel cell
  Cummins’ latest generation fuel cell engine will showcase the rapid evolution of zero emissions technologies. For customers that need and want to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions today, hydrogen fuel cells would be an apt solution when supplied with green H2 as fuel, according to Cummins. Building on the deployments of more than 2,000 fuel cells globally for various applications, including buses, trucks, stationery power and railways, this next generation product provides improved power density, efficiency and durability, and is available in single (rated power - 125kW) and dual module (rated power - 240kW) engines for both medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that can work in diverse working environments from -30 °C to 45 °C, with 60 percent peak efficiency.
  
  Battery-electric technology (Battery-LFP and NMC)
  Drawing on deep duty cycle and application experience, Cummins has developed the new generation battery pack solutions. The company is showcasing multiple batteries that help customers to reach zero emissions today, Cummins claims. These lithium-ion batteries are with distinct chemistries, like lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) that optimise to serve diverse needs of charging time, weight, range and cost economics of a variety of applications in the market. According to Cummins, the batteries are equipped with advanced Battery Management System (BMS) for monitoring various critical battery parameters, diagnostics and improve the battery life and performance.
  
  Electric powertrain technology (14Xe ePowertrain)
  Cummins recently announced its acquisition of Meritor, a global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and electric powertrain technologies. The addition of Meritor strengthens Cummins’ industry-leading range of powertrain components and will enable accelerated development of electrified power solutions. As per Cummins, together with Meritor, they will move further and faster in developing economically viable decarbonised powertrain solutions that advance the company’s Destination Zero strategy.
  
  The 14Xe ePowertrain is designed for scalability and can be adapted to fit various electric powertrain needs based on the vehicle application and duty cycle. Cummins claims that its design provides high-efficiency, lower weight and better turning radius. Thus, it enables longer vehicle range by integrating the motor and transmission into the axle, thereby freeing up space for more batteries.

Greenway Mobility, an Indian EV manufacturing company, has launched two electric three-wheelers, Chhota Otto and Chhota Bull, under its flagship E-Vi brand.

The Chhota Otto has folding seats to free up passenger room for freight transportation and separate suspensions on all three wheels for improved comfort and stability. The Chhota Bull, on the other hand, is built for last-mile delivery in difficult terrain. It has a huge 400-kilogramme payload capacity, hydraulic brakes and IoT-enabled fleet management for efficiency and real-time tracking. Both the Chhota Otto and Chhota Bull are priced at INR 200,000 and will be available in the market by the 4th quarter of FY24.

In keeping with its core objective of dominating the electric three-wheeler market by December 2025, Greenway Mobility has embarked on an ambitious expansion project with the launch of E-Vi, aiming to open more than 100 dealerships in key Indian markets by the end of this year. Additionally, the company is getting ready to introduce Rydan, a fast passenger electric rickshaw designed to offer affordable green mobility options in both urban and rural regions of the nation. In addition to making considerable R&D efforts to add electric bikes, trikes and tiny electric automobiles to its lineup, the firm is open to forming strategic alliances with distributors and partners.

Siddharth Patel, Founder, Greenway Mobility and an IIT Bombay and Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management alumnus, said, “India needs mobility solutions that are not only sustainable but also robust and reliable enough to meet the demands of both bustling cities and rural landscapes. Through E-Vi, our aim extends beyond electrifying India’s three-wheeler mobility, creating a robust distribution channel with strategic partners to ensure unprecedented growth, driven by quality and excellence. We are establishing strategic industry collaboration to supplement this entire ecosystem to benefit the end use – addressing concerns like accessibility, nationwide service network, affordable financing options, swappable batteries and charging networks.”

Asserting that the E-Vi will transform how three-wheeler mobility is perceived in India, Harsh Raval, Founder, Greenway Mobility, said, “At Greenway Mobility, we have engineered every aspect of E-Vi vehicles to ensure they excel where others falter. Our goal is to provide vehicles that drivers can trust – vehicles that empower them to do more, go farther and achieve greater success. Maintaining quality is of utmost importance to us and we are sourcing components from only the top Indian suppliers. With our growing portfolio of electric vehicles, we are shaping the future of mobility.”

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has placed an extra order for 148 electric buses from Tata Motors, the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India. This purchase comes after BMTC placed an earlier order for 921 electric buses, the majority of which have been delivered and are operating effectively with an uptime of more than 95 percent.

The Tata Starbus EV 12-metre low-floor electric buses will be supplied, operated and maintained for a term of 12 years by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd, a completely owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. With its best-in-class features and outstanding design, the Tata Starbus EV offers a pleasant and environmentally friendly commute. These zero-emission electric buses are built on cutting-edge battery technologies and next-generation design to provide a convenient, safe and comfortable intra-city journey around Bengaluru.

Ramachandran R, IAS, MD, BMTC, said, "We are happy to further strengthen our partnership with Tata Motors with these additional 148 electric buses for our fleet modernisation. The performance of the existing Tata electric buses has been exceptional, aligning perfectly with our commitment to sustainable and efficient public transportation. The larger e-bus fleet will significantly enhance our capacity to provide eco-friendly, comfortable and reliable services to the citizens of Bengaluru."

Asim Kumar Mukhopadhyay, CEO and MD, TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited, said, "We are honoured by BMTC's continued trust in our e-mobility solutions. This additional order of 148 buses is a testament to the proven success of our Starbus EVs and the operational excellence delivered in Bengaluru's urban environment. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that benefit both the community and the environment."

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has shared the teaser image for its first electric vehicle product - the e Vitara.

Set to be unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the e Vitara will be made in India for the world. It was recently unveiled by Suzuki Motor Corporation at Milan, Italy.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The e Vitara is a testament of our unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility and technological innovation. With decades of automotive expertise, we have combined advanced electric technology with a customer-first approach to deliver something truly transformative. At Maruti Suzuki, we have always believed that to promote EV adoption, we need to create a holistic ecosystem that simplifies customers' battery electric vehicle ownership journey.”

“A critical barrier to the adoption of EVs is the lack of accessible charging. To tackle this issue, we are committed to introduce a reliable and comprehensive EV ecosystem alongside the e Vitara. This will include home charging solutions as well as a nationwide network of fast chargers available at Maruti Suzuki dealerships and service touchpoints. Our goal is to make EVs accessible, convenient, and appealing to a broader set of customers, and this is exactly what we have set out to achieve with the e Vitara,” he added.

​​Vadodara-headquartered electric vehicle company WardWizard Innovations & Mobility recently launched its new range of EV offerings, which it expects to give a new charge to its retail sales.

It was on 13 December 2024 the Joy e-rik V1 (L5) and Joy Bandhu (L3) electric three-wheelers in the passenger category and Joy Sahayak + Cargo (L5) and Joy Eco Loader (L3) in the electric three-wheeler cargo space were launched by the EV maker, thus marking its entry into the fast-growing electric three-wheeler space.

The Joy e-rik V1, priced at INR 385,000 (ex-showroom), comes with 10.24 kW li-ion battery, 50 kmph max speed and 140 km claimed range on a full charge. It can be charged in 4.5-5 hours using the 50 Amp charger.

The Joy Bandhu priced at INR 134,000, uses a 7.2 kW lead-acid battery, has a claimed range of 120 km and top speed limited to 25 kmph.

On the other hand, the Joy Sahayak + Cargo, priced at INR 424,000, is targeted for payload capacity of 650 kg + driver, max speed of 50 kmph, up to 130 km range on a single charge. It uses a 10.2 kW LFP li-ion battery and can be charged in four hours using 50 Amp charger. The Joy Eco Loader, on the other hand, comes with a payload capacity of 310 kg + driver and is priced at INR 130,000.

At present, electric three-wheeler sales in India are averaging 56,674 units a month (CY 2024) as compared to 47,204 units last year. What’s also driving the sales is the government incentives like the Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme that provides demand incentives to support purchase of 316,000 e-three-wheelers including e-rickshaws. They are entitled to a subsidy of INR 25,000 in the first year and INR 12,500 in the second year. For the L5 category (cargo e-three-wheelers), the incentive is INR 50,000 per unit in the first year and INR 25,000 the next.

For the Vadodara-based EV maker, the idea to enter the electric three-wheeler space is on the back of the growing demand for greener last-mile delivery as well as last-mile mobility connectivity options.

Interestingly, it has already onboarded 27 dealerships that will focus on selling electric three-wheelers. Furthermore, it will also provide preference for its around 900 existing dealer and network partners to sell its new offerings.

For FY2025, WardWizard Innovations & Mobility estimates to sell around 50,000 units of electric vehicles across electric two-wheelers (low speed and high speed) and three-wheelers (L3 & L5) in India. It estimates that the sales will grow by 22-24 percent YoY in FY2026.

While it has recently entered the e-three-wheeler space, the company expects the new products to have around 30-35 percent share in its overall sales starting from FY2026.

On the other hand, reducing its reliance on low-speed electric two-wheeler category, the company also introduced a new high-speed e-scooter ‘Nemo’. Priced at INR 99,000 (ex-showroom), it comes with a 40 Ah NMC li-ion battery and a 1,500W DC brushless hub motor that gives it a max speed of 65 kmph. It has a claimed range of 130 km on a single charge in Eco mode. The e-scooter uses a digital speedometer, 5-inch full-colour TF display and projector LED headlight. The company has targeted a modest 2,000 units sales for Nemo in the next three months.

The EV maker currently has an installed capacity to produce 73,000 electric two-wheelers, 7,300 L5 electric three-wheelers and 18,250 L3 electric three-wheelers per annum. The company claims that apart from some plastic components and cells being imported, everything has been localised.

It further aims to start manufacturing its own batteries in the next one year in Vadodara, for which the pilots are underway.