Electric Mobility Needs More Than E-Buses: Kolkata Conclave
- By Gaurav Nandi
- May 23, 2025
India’s electric mobility transition is entering a decisive phase with public transportation emerging as the flagship for decarbonisation. At the 4th East and Northeast Energy Conclave held in Kolkata, A.K. Saxena, Senior Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), laid out an ambitious yet structured roadmap for how electric vehicles—particularly electric buses—can catalyse a cleaner, more inclusive transport future for India’s eastern and northeastern regions.
The event, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, brought together policymakers, energy sector leaders and infrastructure experts to deliberate on regional energy transition strategies. Saxena’s keynote address stood out for its clarity on India’s electric mobility outlook, emphasising that public transport electrification must lead the charge.
Data-driven rollout in Kolkata
TERI’s work with the West Bengal Transport Corporation served as a case in point. The state aims to deploy 1,200 electric buses in Kolkata and Saxena revealed how technology and granular data are at the heart of this transformation. “We carried out a comprehensive traffic survey using GIS mapping and drone analytics to understand routes, congestion points and energy demand,” Saxena said. The insights helped identify optimal locations for EV charging infrastructure across the city.
The approach reflects a broader shift in India’s energy planning—from top-down mandates to data-driven micro-planning. Saxena emphasised that charging infrastructure is not just about installation but about siting, access, demand forecasting and grid-readiness. “The efficiency of public EV fleets hinges on planning that is grounded in real-world usage patterns,” he noted.
National push
In tandem with regional projects, the event also marked the launch of a new EV web portal and a short film on decarbonising public transport, both developed by TERI. These tools aim to enhance public awareness, empower local governments and standardise best practices.
Saxena pointed to TERI’s development of the e-Amrit portal for NITI Aayog—a national dashboard for EV adoption—as another example of institutional capacity-building in the e-mobility space. The platform offers guidance on EV incentives, vehicle types, charging options and ecosystem partners. “Digital platforms like e-Amrit can help streamline decision-making for city planners, fleet operators and even individual consumers,” Saxena added.
Broader energy transition
But Saxena was clear that electric mobility cannot be addressed in isolation, it must be integrated into a larger energy transition framework. He pointed out that e-mobility needs to be powered by clean, renewable energy and not simply displace tailpipe emissions with upstream fossil fuel usage.
“India must ensure that new incremental energy demand from EVs is met through renewables plus storage, not coal,” he said. TERI’s own roadmap recommends phasing out inefficient coal plants and meeting new demand growth through clean sources, particularly solar, wind and hydro.
Battery storage and pumped hydro have been prioritised as key enablers, especially for regions with variable renewables and peak demand mismatches. Saxena cited examples such as the Purulia and Turga pumped storage plants in West Bengal and Aparindavati in Odisha as vital to integrating e-mobility sustainably.
Coordinated ecosystem
One of Saxena’s boldest proposals was the formation of an East and Northeast Energy Transition Council. This cross-state platform would allow for better coordination between utilities, transport agencies and regulators. He argued that states like Odisha, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal can benefit from collaborative planning, especially on issues like charging infrastructure interoperability, storage strategy and renewable energy synergies.
He also floated the idea of setting up solar parks and EV charging corridors specifically tailored for intercity public transport routes. “Kolkata to Bhubaneswar or Guwahati to Shillong could become future-ready with fast-charging lanes,” Saxena said.
On the urban distribution front, Saxena advocated for the creation of distribution system operators (DSOs), specialised agencies tasked with managing decentralised energy flows including bi-directional EV charging, rooftop solar integration and grid balancing. “With vehicle-to-grid technologies on the horizon, the distribution system can no longer be passive,” he asserted.
Inclusive transition
Saxena closed his remarks with a reminder that India’s energy transition must be socially just and inclusive. Electrification of transport must not leave behind regions dependent on fossil fuels or traditional automotive sectors.
“Coal mining communities and internal combustion engine industries must be given retraining opportunities, livelihood alternatives and transition finance,” he said. Public transport electrification, he argued, presents an opportunity not only to cut emissions but to create green jobs, especially in battery servicing, EV manufacturing and smart infrastructure installation.
He acknowledged that the economics of EVs, especially in public fleets, may not yet be universally favourable. “But if we keep waiting for perfect conditions, the transition will remain academic,” Saxena said. “At some point, bold decisions have to be made.”
As India eyes near-universal e-mobility by 2040, Saxena’s remarks offered a realistic yet optimistic roadmap. The push to decarbonise public transport backed by smart tools, local data and clean energy is not just about vehicles. It is about shaping cities that are cleaner, healthier and more equitable for the future.
And in the alleys and arteries of Kolkata, India’s next mobility revolution may already be taking shape.
Ather Energy Installs Over 400 Ather Grid Fast Charging Points In Maharashtra
- By MT Bureau
- July 24, 2025
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.”
eBikeGo Opens Acer Electric Vehicles Outlet In New Delhi
- By MT Bureau
- July 23, 2025
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.”
BYD Celebrates Production Of 13 Millionth NEV With YANGWANG U7
- By MT Bureau
- July 23, 2025
BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), celebrated the production of its 13-millionth NEV on 21 July 2025 at the company's Xiaomo Production Base in Shenzhen-Shanwei. The milestone vehicle, a YANGWANG U7, underscores BYD’s industry dominance.
The company maintained strong growth in the first half of 2025, with domestic sales surpassing 2.113 million units (up 31.5 percent year-on-year) and overseas deliveries reaching 472,000 units (a 128.5 percent surge). This performance solidified BYD’s position as the world’s top-selling NEV automaker and the first to achieve 13 million NEV productions.
The achievement reflects global consumer trust in BYD’s technology and quality. The success of its premium YANGWANG brand highlights Chinese automakers’ rising influence in the high-end EV market, showcasing China’s competitive edge in the new energy era.
Bike Bazaar Partners E-Sprinto To Deploy 10,000 E-Scooters
- By MT Bureau
- July 21, 2025
Bike Bazaar, a non-banking finance company focussing on new and used two-wheelers, has announced that it has inked a strategic partnership with E-Sprinto, an electric two-wheeler company.
Under the strategic partnership, Bike Bazaar aims to deploy 10,000 electric scooters from E-Sprinto for last-mile delivery segment in India.
Atul Gupta, Director, E-Sprinto, said, “This collaboration with Bike Bazaar is a strategic leap towards transforming last-mile delivery in India. At E-Sprinto, we are committed to building not just electric vehicles, but ecosystems that empower riders with dependable technology, minimal downtime, and sustainable performance. Our scooters are engineered to serve the real needs of India’s delivery economy – high mileage, robust build quality and low maintenance. Bike Bazaar shares our vision of creating value beyond just mobility—this event proves their commitment to rider safety and long-term engagement. We are proud to be partnering with a company that prioritizes its customers so holistically.”
Satbir Singh, Business Head – EV & New Business Initiatives, Bike Bazaar, said, “At Bike Bazaar, our riders are not just customers – they are the heart of everything we do. Today’s event is not only a celebration of their continued trust but a reaffirmation of our responsibility toward their safety and livelihood. We believe safety is not an optional feature—it’s a fundamental culture that must be embedded in every touchpoint. Our partnership with E-Sprinto is a step in this direction—together, we aim to deliver smarter, safer, and more reliable EV solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gig economy. This is more than a fleet expansion—it’s a shared mission to lead the charge in responsible electric mobility.”
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