Electric Vehicles or EVs are an important resource for battling pollution and improving the lives and lifescapes of citizens, said Amit Kumar, ED and CEO, Benling India. It is, therefore, good to see the strong and visible focus the Union Budget 2022 puts on enhancing the use and operational availability of EVs in the country, he pointed out.  

Kumar said, “While India’s electric vehicle market is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 90 percent to touch USD 150 billion by 2030, it may be safe to say that this market is still in its infancy. With EV sales accounting for barely 1.3 per cent of total vehicle sales in India during last year, the positive policy inputs such as those in the present budget and the shift to shared, electric, and connected mobility could help the country immensely in reducing harmful polluting emissions.” 

He added, “The Union budget 2022 has proposed some very assertive measures which will promote the market for EVs across small towns and cities. There is an impactful thrust towards renewable energy incentives with an increased focus on reducing infrastructural waste for a greener tomorrow. This shall happen on the back of measures designed to overcome the hesitancy most buyers have when it comes to EVs. For instance, proposals for the furtherance of clean energy and the ‘Gati Shakti’ initiatives are important areas for the commercial EV segment. In fact, the demand incentives provided under FAME II, the launch of various state policies, the incidence of runaway and consistently rising fuel prices, tightening emissions laws, and increasing awareness about environment and its sustainability are few factors making the EV sector attractive to larger automobile players and financial investors. 

“The sector is also witnessing some clear tech-led trends which will define its contours in the coming years. Smart charging where the infrastructure can manage need based charging and also charge itself will be a boon for countries such as India. Autonomy and self-driving cars have seen some big changes over the past couple of years and some movement can be expected in India as well. Increased bets on heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles should see this tech adoption take off soon too. Another trend is the introduction of EVs in different segments to accommodate consumer lifestyles. Alongside the EV trend is the growing dependence on using technology to enhance user experience and drivability. The movement away from analog indicators, switches and dials has been gradual: flat panel displays replace the variety of analog indicators, and touch screens replace the knobs, switches, dials and buttons. There is now a desire to integrate all these individual displays and touch panels as a contiguous surface. Solutions from innovative companies that do things in a different and better way will be the key to forging ahead. Customers want better, and there is a strong motivation in the industry to meet these expectations.” 

He said, “Following the launch of the FAME India plan, which aims to transition toward e-mobility in the light of expanding international policy commitments and environmental difficulties, the EV market in India has gained substantial momentum. Additionally, India has the world's largest untapped market, particularly for electric two-wheelers. The automatic route market is likely to gain traction in the next few years due to the fact that 100 percent foreign direct investment is permitted in this sector.” 

He also exuded confidence that with increasing demand and investments, the requirements for a skilled workforce in the EV sector can only be expected to grow. “An early identification and investment from government can ensure timely readiness and help capture the opportunity of green jobs that come along with the EV transition. Facilitating public and private investments into skilling, re-skilling, upskilling; research and development, especially for batteries; and innovation hubs at this stage will help reach the desired levels of preparedness for a just EV transition while ensuring local innovation and technology development,” he pointed out. (MT)  

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Ampere, the two-wheeler brand from Greaves Electric Mobility, has rolled out a 5-year / 75,000km battery warranty on its flagship electric scooter – the Ampere Nexus.

The Ampere Nexus utilises a Lithium Ferro Phosphate (LFP) battery, which is claimed to have around 110km of real-world range, top speed of 93 kmph.

It features best-in-class suspension, aerodynamics and an industry-fastest charging time of just 3 hours 22 minutes. The Ampere Nexus had undertaken a endurance run of plying over 10,000km from Kashmir to Kanyakumari ride, setting four national records.

The e-scooter is priced at INR 114,900 (ex-showroom) and also comes with lowest down payment and interest rate starting 6.99 percent.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has introduced a new variant of its flagship electric scooter the TVS iQube with 3.1 kWh battery that comes with an IDC range of 123 km, hill hold and dual tone design with prices starting INR 103,727 (Delhi). 

Till date, the TVS iQube has gone home to over 600,000 customers and is available across 1,900 touchpoints. With the latest addition, the TVS iQube family now consists of six variants.

The new variant also gets Hill Hold assist for added safety and a refreshed UI/UX interface for a more intuitive riding experience and four attractive colours: Pearl White, Titanium Grey, and two dual-tone options—Starlight Blue with Beige and Copper Bronze with Beige.

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Vida, the electric vehicle business of Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the VX2 electric scooter at prices starting INR 59,490 with Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model and INR 99,490 (ex-showroom) for outright purchase for the VX2 Go variant.

The higher VX2 Plus variant gets a 3.4 kWh battery and is priced at INR 109,990 (ex-showroom) for outright purchase and INR 64,990 for BaaS model. While the VX2 Go variant comes with a claimed range of 92km with 2.2 kWh battery. Under BaaS, the user will pay approximately INR 0.96 per kilometre of usage. Customers will also get access to over 3,600 charging points and more than 500 sales and service centres.

To provide peace of mind to customers, Vida is offering complimentary battery replacement if the performance falls below 70 percent.

In terms of tech, the VX2 gets seamless smartphone integration for real-time ride statistics, telemetry, and Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) updates. The VX2 Plus gets 4.3-inch TFT screen, while VX2 Go gets 4.3-inch LCD both offering turn-by-turn navigation.

The company claims that the e-scooters can be charged to 80 percent in just 60 minutes.

The e-scooters sport 12-inch wheels and 33.2-litre boot space (with removable battery) for VX2 Go variant.

With this, the company aims to make the e-scooters one of the most affordable electric vehicle offerings in the country.

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp

INR 99,490 (ex-showroom price) and 59,490 with BaaS and INR 0.96 per km

Vida VX2 E-Scooter Launched At INR 99,490 And INR 59,490 With BaaS

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Vida was born from a vision far greater than building electric vehicles—we set out to spark a movement. A movement that puts people and planet first, that redefines mobility as a force for good, and that gives every individual—not just the few—the opportunity to thrive, grow, and live better. Vida means ‘life’—and that is exactly what we aim to bring: cleaner air, better choices, and smarter journeys. A name that reflects our purpose—to drive meaningful progress and create a positive impact, not just in cities, but across every corner of Bharat and the world. On the birth anniversary of our Founder Chairman, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, we renew our commitment to build a future that is smart, connected, and conscious. With the Vida VX2 Evooter, we are not simply launching a product—we are delivering an ecosystem that empowers change. This is our promise: to make sustainable mobility widely accessible, to make our products highly affordable, and to always lead with trust, responsibility, and purpose. Backed by Hero MotoCorp’s legacy, Vida will power a better tomorrow – for everyone.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has expanded its Rizta family e-scooter line-up with the introduction of the Rizta S, featuring a 3.7kWh battery pack. The new variant is priced at INR 137,047 (ex-showroom) in Delhi, INR 137,258 (ex-showroom) in Mumbai, INR 137,999 (ex-showroom) in Bangalore and INR 139,312 (ex-showroom) in Chennai.

The Rizta S with the 3.7kWh battery pack offers an IDC range of 159km. Launched in 2024, the Rizta now accounts for over 60 percent of Ather's total sales and has surpassed 100,000 units sold within one year of its release. This new variant expands the Rizta portfolio to four options.

Ravneet S. Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, "The Rizta has resonated strongly with families across the country, and the recent milestone of crossing 1 lakh Rizta scooters is a testament to the strong demand that we are seeing. As an ongoing quest to expand our portfolio addressing different consumer needs, we are excited to introduce the Rizta S with a higher range. With the new variant offering 159 km on a single charge, riders can confidently plan their day, making it ideal for commuters with high daily usage.”

The scooter maintains a 34-litre underseat storage, expandable by 22 litres with a Frunk accessory. It features a large seat and practical floorboard design. The 3.7kWh variant includes a 7-inch DeepView Display with Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Additional features for convenience and safety include AutoHold, Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal, Tow & Theft Alerts, Find my scooter and Alexa Skills. The scooter supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. Users can access Ather's fast-charging network, Ather Grid, which has over 3,900 charging points.

The Rizta S with the 3.7kWh battery pack is available with the 'Ather Eight70’ warranty programme, providing 8 years or 80,000 km coverage, guaranteeing a minimum of 70 percent battery health.

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