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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A groundbreaking multi-year pilot program is set to launch in Tokyo this September, deploying over 150 battery-swappable commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and 14 modular battery swapping stations across the city. The ambitious initiative marks a collaboration between Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Ample and Yamato Transport. The aim is to drastically reduce vehicle downtime and accelerate Japan's decarbonisation goals.

The Tokyo project significantly expands on a successful smaller pilot conducted in Kyoto last year. The fleet will include MFTBC's eCanter light-duty trucks and Mitsubishi Motors' Minicab EV, specifically targeting commercial delivery operations. Yamato Transport, Japan's largest shipping and logistics group, will be the first major customer, focusing on last-mile deliveries. Ample, an American battery swapping company, will provide the battery swapping technology and manage the installation and operation of the swapping stations.

This initiative is a direct response to Japan's ambitious climate targets: a 46 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2013 levels by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050. With the transportation sector contributing approximately 19 percent of Japan's total CO2 emissions in 2022, electrifying commercial fleets is a critical strategic priority. The project is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation.

A core objective of the program is to achieve battery swapping times of just five minutes, minimising disruption to commercial operations. Unlike traditional charging, Ample's system is fully automated, allowing drivers to remain in their vehicles. These compact, rapidly deployable stations offer a practical solution for high-utilisation fleets in dense urban environments like Tokyo. Future plans also include utilising these stations to provide grid services, such as storing renewable energy, further bolstering their environmental impact.

This collaboration builds on prior successful partnerships, including a 2024 pilot in Kyoto that involved Yamato Transport, MFTBC and Ample. That demonstration validated the operational benefits of battery swapping and its ability to support diverse vehicle types and brands simultaneously. The Tokyo expansion not only scales up operations but also welcomes Mitsubishi Motors, a pioneer in the commercial EV segment, as an additional automotive partner.

The consortium's ultimate goal is to showcase battery swapping as a viable solution for the demanding real-world needs of commercial EV operators and to establish a robust infrastructure for commercial battery swapping across Japan's largest city. The project remains open to welcoming additional automakers, fleets and logistics operators interested in joining this transformative effort.

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Pune-headquartered alternative fuel commercial vehicles manufacturer Blue Energy Motors has delivered LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks to Inland World Logistics.

These LNG-powered trucks are claimed to offer 30 percent lower CO2 emissions and thus not only contribute to lower tailpipe emissions but also lower operational costs.

With this, Blue Energy Motors has over 800 LNG trucks plying on Indian highways, which have enabled over 50 million kilometres. This translates to almost 14,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We are proud to lead India’s clean trucking revolution and partner with visionary companies like Inland who share our commitment to sustainable growth. Our trucks offer a powerful alternative to diesel, with significantly reduced emissions and a lower total cost of ownership. This reflects our commitment to enable cleaner mobility at scale—fleet by fleet, region by region.” 

Praveen Somani, Managing Director, Inland World Logistics, said, “We believe that the future of logistics lies in green mobility, and transitioning to LNG is a crucial step in that direction. Blue Energy Motors stood out for us - not just for their product innovation, but for their clear commitment to making sustainable trucking viable and accessible. These trucks align with our vision of reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring efficiency and performance on long hauls.”

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The Kia EV3 has secured the highest possible ‘Very Good’ grade in Euro NCAP's assisted driving test. The test focused on the model's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) system, which combines real-time driver monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane centring.

In the ‘assistance competence’ and ‘safety backup’ categories, the EV3 received scores of 74 and 88 out of 100, respectively. The vehicle achieved the highest rating with a total score of 162 points, making it the first car from both Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group to receive this grade. By aiding the driver in a variety of real-world situations, such as changing lanes, maintaining lane position at different speeds and stopping if the driver becomes unresponsive, the EV3's HDA 2 strikes a balance between a high degree of vehicle assistance and driver involvement, according to Euro NCAP. In addition to providing exceptional safety backup, the model provides ‘very good’ highway assistance.

With the adaptability and affordability to be the primary vehicle in the home, Kia's EV3 is a high-volume electric vehicle designed specifically for the compact SUV market. The 2025 World Car Awards have crowned the vehicle the 2025 World Car of the Year. In the UK, the car has also received other honours, including ‘UK Car of the Year 2025’ at the UK Car of the Year Awards and ‘Best EV Crossover’ at the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2025.

Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President Product and Marketing of Kia Europe and COO of Kia Connect Europe, said, “This excellent outcome reflects Kia’s commitment to delivering advanced technologies that enhance driver convenience and passenger safety. The EV3’s performance in the Euro NCAP assisted driving test draws attention to the capabilities of Highway Driving Assist 2 and serves as a milestone for Hyundai Motor Group.”

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On World Environment Day, CHARGE ZONE, India’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging network, unveiled ‘Shwa’, a groundbreaking public art project that redefines EV Supercharging stations as cultural landmarks. By integrating large-scale murals into charging hubs, Shwa blends sustainability, community engagement and creativity, transforming functional spaces into open-air galleries that inspire climate action.

Each mural, created in partnership with both well-known and up-and-coming Indian artists, offers a distinct perspective on a sustainable India that is firmly anchored in regional aesthetics, local tales and messages of optimism for the environment. The project begins with striking murals painted by renowned artist Rahul Kumawat in Karjan, Gujarat, and Suryapet, Telangana. Meaningful interaction with the art and its underlying environmental issues is made possible by the thoughtful placement of these enormous artworks at CHARGE ZONE's Supercharging stations, where visitors usually spend longer time.

Each artwork has a discrete QR code that connects to the recently built Shwa website (shwa.chargezone.co.in), adding an interactive element. With its high-resolution photos, artist biographies and the backstories of each piece of art, this digital platform functions as a living archive. In order to make the sustainability discussion more widely available, the website also emphasises themes of climate resilience and local history while offering downloadable media materials.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, CHARGE ZONE, said, “EV charging stations are a gateway to the future of mobility and with Shwa, we’re using them to tell stories that matter. We’re starting with just three murals across our Supercharging stations, but in the next six months, we aim to bring this experience to 10–12 more sites. Over the next five to six years, our ambition is to create a few hundred such installations across the country. This is not just about infrastructure, it's about sparking emotional connection and climate consciousness through art that speaks to everyone. I am thankful to our young team of millennials and GenZ for conceptualising and seeding the process from idea to execution.”

Devbrat Hariyani, Project Shwa Head, CHARGE ZONE, said, “Infrastructure should serve more than just function, it should inspire. With Shwa, we’re creating spaces where culture, community and climate intersect. These murals are invitations to slow down, to think and to feel. Over time, as hundreds of these works bloom along our highways, we hope to create an evolving living archive that’s open to everyone.”

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