“Rural India is the real India,” this statement holds a profound truth. While urban centres may dominate the narrative of progress and development, it is in rural India where the heart and soul of the nation reside. But for any country to progress, connectivity with rural regions, especially the last mile connectivity is an absolute must. And electric vehicles are driving India’s last mile connectivity and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.

There is no debate that EVs offer a viable alternative, bringing numerous benefits such as reduced emissions, lower operational costs, and improved energy efficiency. Through this article I would like to highlight six critical factors which will contribute to EVs becoming the driving force in India’s last mile connectivity. 

Cost of Ownership- a strong ruling factor:

One significant advantage of EVs is their lower cost of ownership compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. While the initial purchase price of EVs may be higher, the operational and maintenance costs are considerably lower. EVs have fewer moving parts and require less frequent servicing, resulting in reduced maintenance expenses. Moreover, the cost of charging an EV is substantially lower than the price of fossil fuels, contributing to long-term savings. As EV technology continues to advance, economies of scale and improved battery technology are expected to further drive down the cost of ownership, making EVs an attractive choice for last mile connectivity in India.

The world of E-commerce- Driving EV adoption in full scale:

It is estimated that the B2C e-commerce market in India is expected to reach $ 107.3 billion in 2023.  The exponential growth of e-commerce in India has heightened the demand for efficient last mile connectivity solutions. With the surge in online shopping, delivery vehicles have become a ubiquitous presence in urban areas. Recognizing the need for sustainable transportation options, e-commerce companies are increasingly adopting EVs for their logistics operations. This trend not only promotes eco-friendly practices but also contributes to the wider adoption of EVs by raising awareness and creating a market for electric commercial vehicles. The symbiotic relationship between e-commerce and EVs presents a significant opportunity to accelerate the transition to clean and efficient mobility in India.

Government Policies – Creating impactful solutions:

The Indian government has been instrumental in driving the adoption of EVs through various policy measures. Since 2011 when the GOI formed the National Council for Electric Mobility who was tasked to make recommendations to promote e-mobility & manufacturing of EVs, initiatives such as FAMEscheme provide financial incentives and subsidies to both manufacturers and consumers, making EVs more affordable. The government has also implemented ambitious targets for EV adoption and aims to electrify a significant portion of the public transportation system. Additionally, favourable policies, such as exemption from certain taxes and tolls, encourage individuals and organizations to embrace EVs.

OEM Impact on EV ecosystem- a critical role:

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) play a pivotal role in shaping the EV ecosystem in India. Several automotive companies have entered the EV market, offering a diverse range of electric vehicles to cater to different segments and requirements. OEMs are investing in research and development to improve battery technology, enhance vehicle performance, and extend the driving range. Furthermore, collaborations with battery manufacturers and charging infrastructure providers are essential to ensure seamless integration and sustainable growth of the EV ecosystem. The competitive landscape is driving innovation, affordability, and improved consumer choices, further bolstering India's last mile connectivity through EVs.

Public & Private sector collaborations- a symbiotic relationship:

The metro rail connectivity is considered to be one of the finest examples of a healthy PPP project in India. In the same lines, the successful transition to electric mobility requires collaborations between the public and private sectors. Public entities, such as municipal corporations and transportation authorities, can facilitate the deployment of EV charging infrastructure and provide incentives for fleet electrification. Partnerships between EV manufacturers, utility companies, and charging infrastructure providers are vital to establishing a robust charging network across the country. Furthermore, knowledge-sharing platforms, industry associations, and research institutions can foster collaboration and exchange best practices to overcome challenges and expedite EV adoption.

Tracking and Analysis of EV Adoption – the role of data:

To ensure the successful implementation of EVs in India's last mile connectivity, tracking and analysis of EV adoption are crucial. Data-driven insights on charging patterns, driving habits, and infrastructure requirements enable stakeholders to make informed decisions and identify barriers and opportunities, refine policies, and allocate resources effectively. Real-time monitoring of charging stations and vehicle performance ensures reliable operation and user satisfaction. Additionally, comprehensive analysis can facilitate targeted interventions, such as incentives for specific regions or sectors, and inform future infrastructure planning. Continuous tracking and analysis contribute to an efficient and optimized EV ecosystem.

A region's mobility is influenced by three key factors: people, infrastructure, and sustainability. These elements determine how well transportation functions within the city. Understanding the needs and behaviors of residents is crucial in designing effective transportation systems, because this in turn will impact the economic development of the region. Infrastructure, including roads, public transit, and pedestrian walkways, plays a vital role in facilitating smooth movement. Importantly, prioritizing sustainable options like electric vehicles and promoting active transportation helps create a greener and more efficient urban environment, with focus on last mile connectivity. 

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Nawgati has announced the launch of Aaveg Pro, an integrated operations platform for petroleum dealers, at the Petrol Dealers Association Pune (PDAP) Annual General Meeting. The system is designed to digitise fuel station management within the Indian retail ecosystem.

Aaveg Pro serves as a digital operating system to replace manual workflows in fuel retail. The platform consolidates several critical station functions into a single interface:

• Sales and Inventory: Features include shift-level nozzle reconciliation, live inventory tracking and stock variation control.
• Financial Accounting: The system supports VAT, GST, cess and surcharge handling to maintain audit-ready records and real-time balance sheet visibility.
• Fleet and Credit Management: Dealers can manage digital fleet contracts, consolidated invoicing and credit risk monitoring.

The platform is designed to integrate with existing station infrastructure, such as dispensers, CCTV systems, fuel storage compressors and vehicle-tracking systems, to provide operational oversight.

Vaibhav Kaushik, Co-Founder & CEO, Nawgati, said, “The launch of Aaveg Pro reflects our continued commitment to building solutions that solve real operational challenges for fuel dealers. Fuel retail in India still relies heavily on fragmented and manual workflows across accounting, stock monitoring, reconciliation, and customer credit management. With Aaveg Pro, we are bringing these critical functions onto one integrated platform so that dealers can operate with greater visibility, control, and efficiency.”

Aalaap Nair, Co-Founder, Nawgati, said, “Aaveg Pro has been built specifically for the day-to-day realities of fuel retail operations in India. From shift-level reconciliation and stock tracking to consolidated fleet invoicing and live financial reporting, the platform is designed to reduce complexity and improve decision-making at the station level. Our goal is to help dealers move away from manual processes and adopt a smarter, more scalable way of running their businesses.”

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Charge_iN by Mahindra and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) have signed a strategic agreement to develop electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure at HPCL retail outlets across India. The collaboration aims to utilise HPCL’s national fuel station network to increase the availability of public charging points for electric four-wheelers.

HPCL currently operates over 24,400 retail outlets and has installed more than 5,400 charging stations under its HP e-Charge brand. The new stations established through this partnership will exclusively feature 180 kW dual gun chargers, designed for high-speed charging.

The deployment is intended to support the transition to green transportation in India, currently the third-largest automotive market globally. The agreement focuses on building an ultrafast charging network to improve reliability and reduce charging times for EV users.

The partnership aligns with the government's objective of strengthening public EV infrastructure. By integrating chargers into existing fuel stations, the companies aim to provide a platform for nationwide expansion and seamless access for drivers.

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Electric mobility startup Bijliride has detailed plans to expand its franchise network to more than 25 Indian cities. Operating under a Franchise Owned–Franchise Operated (FOFO) model, the company aims to onboard 30 franchise partners by March 2027 and scale its fleet to between 10,000 and 15,000 electric two-wheelers within the next 18 months.

The expansion the startup claims is projected to drive 150 percent growth in fleet operations. Bijliride has identified several urban mobility markets for this phase, including:

• Tier 1 Cities: Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata.
• Emerging Hubs: Hyderabad clusters, Jaipur, Patna, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Kochi.
• Logistics Centres: Nagpur, Indore, Surat, and Visakhapatnam.

The strategy targets demand from logistics operators, gig economy platforms and urban commuters.

Under the FOFO structure, local partners own and manage the fleets while Bijliride provides the technology infrastructure. This includes real-time vehicle tracking, battery management protocols, and rental management systems.

The partners have to commit to a minimum of 50 electric two-wheelers to begin with, an initial investment of around INR 1.4-1.6 million, with a projected breakeven in approximately 15 months under stable fleet utilisation. The startup also assists partners with driver onboarding and connects fleets with demand from local delivery businesses and gig platforms.

Shivam Sisodiya, CEO and Co-Founder, Bijliride, said, “Electric mobility demand in India is growing rapidly, particularly among gig workers and last-mile delivery operators. At this stage, our focus is disciplined scale. The FOFO model allows us to grow responsibly by partnering with local entrepreneurs who understand their markets while leveraging our technology platform and operational systems. This structure enables us to expand faster while ensuring fleets are managed efficiently on the ground.”

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It’s been sometime that Donut Lab has been working on producing a battery that will address the challenging needs of EVs better than other batteries have been able to do. Claiming to be the world’s first solid-state battery ready for production vehicles measured in independent testing conditions, the company has released its third test result that dispels any suspicions that the battery would be a supercapacitor rather than a battery.
The results measure the properties of its solid-state battery, evaluating its ability to retain charge when not in use. Available for download on its site, the third and most recent test follows two other tests that looked at charging speed (the test was conducted by Technology Re) using two passive cooling configurations and evaluation of capacity performance of the battery cell in hot conditions (by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland). 
The test measuring the battery’s ability to retain charge even when not in use was carried out using a simple research setup. It was connected at room temperature to the research laboratory’s battery tester, which repeatedly measured the cell voltage every 10 seconds. Like the previous test that measured battery performance at very high temperatures, this test also began with a 1C capacity test, demonstrating that the cell was precisely the same as the other test examples.
 
After the capacity test, the battery cell was charged to approximately 50 percent charge and left connected to the battery tester for ten days. The cell was then discharged to measure the remaining energy capacity. The results show that the battery cell voltage stabilises during the first 10 hours after charging. Over the next nine or so days, the voltage curve continues to stabilise. A capacity test at the end of the test period confirmed that the voltage drop corresponds to the amount of energy in watt-hours.
The Donut Battery behaved in the test exactly as a battery should. If the test had been performed with a supercapacitor, the charge would have fallen linearly much faster during the same time period.
“Since we unveiled the Donut Battery, there has been a lot of speculation and theories about whether it is a supercapacitor. In all its simplicity, this test proves that it is a battery. Supercapacitors charge and discharge quickly, but they also lose their charge quickly when not in use. The Donut Battery behaves like a battery and can maintain a charge for significantly longer,” confirmed Ville Piippo, CTO, Donut Lab.
After the third test mentioned above, Donut Lab has carried out a special test to measure battery performance in a battery pack using the Verge TS Pro motorcycle that charges in less than ten minutes, making it the world's fastest-charging electric motorcycle.
 

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