Epsilon Group, a leading player in the carbon black and advanced battery materials industry, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Karnataka (GoK) to invest INR 153.5 billion towards developing state-of-the-art manufacturing and research facility for EV battery testing and advanced materials.

The investment to be undertaken over the next 10 years will not only attract Karnataka’s status as an energy transition hub but also support indigenous manufacturing of battery technology in the country.

The MoU sees, Epsilon Group, along with its subsidiaries Epsilon Advanced Materials and Epsilon CAM focus on manufacturing sustainable and high-performance Graphite Anode and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Cathode battery materials while Inspire Energy Research Center will focus on R&D, testing & training for EV battery materials and battery manufacturers. This will see an investment of INR 90 billion to set up a Graphite Anode manufacturing plant, INR 60 billion for a LFP Cathode manufacturing plant and INR 3.5 billion for battery materials and battery testing R&D and training center.

The state government is expected to facilitate necessary approvals, incentives and infrastructure support for Epsilon Group’s projects, in line with its policies to promote industrial development.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “This association marks a significant milestone in India’s transition towards clean energy and EV revolution. Our investment in Karnataka aligns with our vision of making India self-reliant in advanced battery materials and supporting the country’s EV ambitions. We are committed to creating jobs, fostering technology innovation, and promoting sustainable manufacturing to drive economic growth within the state to strengthen the vision of Viksit Bharat.”

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Tata Power and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) have inaugurated a TATA.ev MegaCharger Hub at the iLabs Centre in Hitech City, Hyderabad, which marks the first-of-its-kind in Telangana.

The hub is designed to support the growing number of electric vehicles in the city, including private cars, commercial fleets and ride-hailing services. Key features include a total of 360 kW charging capacity. It has three 120 kW dispensers capable of charging six vehicles simultaneously, which is accessible 24 hours a day.

This hub is part of the TATA.ev MegaCharger network, which comprises over 750 charging points across India. Users can manage charging sessions via the Tata Power EZ Charge App.

Tata Power currently operates a network of over 6,500 public charging points across more than 700 cities and towns. The company has also installed over 230,000 home chargers in collaboration with various automotive manufacturers.

The inauguration event was attended by Jayesh Ranjan, Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana and Gopalakrishnan VC, Director of the Automotive and EV Sector for the Government of Karnataka, alongside representatives from Tata Power and Tata Motors.

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Hindustan Zinc has deployed a 250 Metric Tonne capacity electric crane at its Zinc Smelter in Debari, Rajasthan. The hybrid machine operates on diesel and electricity and is part of a strategy to reduce emissions across the company's industrial infrastructure.

The crane replaces a diesel-operated model that consumed 93,600 litres of fuel per year. The company expects this transition to avoid approximately 250.8 tonnes of CO2 in annual emissions.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “At Hindustan Zinc, sustainability is deeply embedded in how we operate, innovate and grow. The deployment of India’s first 250 MT electric crane is another example of our resolve to adopt clean technology and redefine how core industry transitions to low-carbon solutions. This initiative reflects our efforts to foster a culture of sustainability while laying the foundation for a greener and more resilient industrial ecosystem.”

The deployment follows a series of green initiatives introduced by Hindustan Zinc, which include deploying underground battery electric vehicles (BEVs), inducting a fleet of 250 LNG trucks for concentrate transport, use of 40 electric bulkers & electric passenger buses and launch of four electric loaders at the Rampura Agucha Mine.

Deepak Garg, Managing Director, SANY India, said, “Hindustan Zinc has consistently demonstrated industry leadership in adopting technologies that redefine sustainable mining. At Sany, we are honoured to partner with the company in deploying India’s first 250-tonne diesel-electric hybrid all-terrain crane, a solution designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions and support more responsible industrial operations. This milestone reflects our shared commitment to advancing innovation that delivers both operational excellence and meaningful environmental impact.”

Hindustan Zinc aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The company has increased renewable energy in its power mix to 18 percent and is targeting a 50 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from its 2020 baseline.

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American electric vehicle start-up Slate has announced that its base truck model will be priced at USD 24,950, with deliveries expected to begin in Q4 of CY2026.

The platform allows owners to configure the vehicle as a pickup or an SUV, with options for the Squareback and Fastback models starting at USD 29,950. The EV features a modular design with a reported range of 205 miles (329km). The towing capacity is rated at 2,000 lb (907 kg), with a payload capacity of 1,550 lb (703 kg).

The EV design includes tactile controls and lacks a touchscreen. Owners can personalise their vehicles using over 200 accessories available through the Slate Marketplace.

Slate has engineered the modular EV to facilitate maintenance by the owner, with support provided via the Slate U guide. The vehicle includes a 10-year/110,000-mile (177,027 km) battery and powertrain warranty. Repair services are available through a network of 3,000 RepairPal shops and service centres.

Peter Faricy, CEO, Slate, said, “More than 180,000 reservation holders have told us they’re ready for a vehicle that’s affordable, reliable and built around their lives. Slate gives customers the freedom to buy only what they need today and personalise their vehicle as their needs change tomorrow. We’re excited to start seeing Slates on roads across America later this year.”

Established in 2022, Slate assembles its vehicles in Warsaw, Indiana. The company plans to invest USD 400 million in its factory, with projections to create 2,000 jobs. Customers can preorder the vehicle on the company website for USD 300. The company uses a direct-to-consumer sales model.

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Delhivery and Bajaj Auto have signed an agreement to deploy electric three-wheelers across Delhivery's last-mile delivery network. The partnership begins with the deployment of 200 Bajaj RIKI eCarts (model C4005) in the first phase, with a second phase planned for 2026–2027 that aims to reach a total of approximately 1,500 electric vehicles.

The initiative aims to improve operational efficiency in both metropolitan areas and Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities. The Bajaj RIKI eCart (C4005) offers a claimed range of over 100 km per charge. The vehicle features an electric powertrain and a two-speed automatic transmission. Delhivery plans to pair the vehicles with its automated route optimisation software to increase drop-offs per trip and reduce operating costs per kilometre. The EVs are designed with ergonomic seating to protect riders from weather conditions and reduce physical fatigue.

Prashant Gazipur, Chief Operating Officer, In-City Operations at Delhivery, said, "Our collaboration with Bajaj Auto addresses the economic well-being of our delivery partners while advancing both our environmental goals and those of our clients. By combining our intelligent routing systems with highly efficient cargo EVs, we are creating a more profitable model for our riders and offering our clients a cleaner, lower-carbon supply chain."

Samardeep Subandh, President, Intra-City Business, Bajaj Auto, added, "This partnership with Delhivery has the potential of transforming last-mile cargo transport, with Delhivery’s scale and technology and Bajaj Auto’s expertise in 3-wheeler electric mobility. The Bajaj Riki C4005 offers 100+ kms of range on a single charge, excellent reliability and durability along with better comfort and ergonomics for drivers."

The deployment is part of Delhivery’s broader strategy to reduce its Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and meet its environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets.

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