Taral Agarwal is helping his father run their ‘chikki’ business at Lonavala besides studying to achieve a BBA degree. Coming from a family that has been into the traditional Indian sweets business for three generations now, Agarwal firmly belongs to Gen Z and has the confidence as well as the exposure to match. His thoughts about how he wants to see their family enterprise grow sustainably and offer hygienic products is interesting, He does not seem to be bothered about how fast a ‘chikki’ brand in his city has grown and branched out. 
What is surprising about the lad who rides to college and runs errands for his family on a fossil fuel powered two-wheeler, is his thoughts about shifting to an electric vehicle to cut down operating costs. Agarwal is clearly not convinced.  He is not convinced about the claim of EVs being ‘green’! What is the point in buying an EV when the fuel or electricity it is going to be powered with, is going to come from burning lignite? he asks. 

Agarwal is not alone among the Gen-Zers. Credit should be given to them for their exposure to the world events and how they think of or are sensitive to the developments taking place around them. They perhaps are more sorted with the idea of environment and sustainability. Paying more for the initial acquisition cost of an EV is a concern to Agarwal, but a bigger concern is whether what is claimed by EVs manufacturers in terms of range and carbon neutrality is true or not. 

The falling prices of batteries or the alternatives to rare earth metals has the attention of Gen-Zers like Agarwal, but a larger and complete picture is what he and other like him want to see. Aware of the fact that their country would benefit from less dependence on fossil fuel, the Gen-Zers seem to want products that truly measure up to their claims. They, it looks like, are keen to see with their eyes, real sustainability plans over claims. They are looking for more than the ESG performance may indicate, though that is one parameter that is assuming importance. 

Events like floods, bush fires and the accelerated melting of glaciers are not beyond the purview of the Gen-Zers. They are in fact making them aware of where the directions of the efforts should be. But they are not the one that will believe in claims. They are therefore keeping a close eye on how the future mobility scene is shaping up in terms of carbon neutrality and sustainability. Something that the tall compounds walls of manufacturing plants and glass facades of various corporate offices of automotive manufacturers may not be able to conceal for long. 

Even governments are not beyond the watchful eye of the Gen-Zers. It is important therefore that it will take much more for them to simply announce regulations and change rules pertaining to mobility. It would not take long to understand for the Gen-Zers if the governments are truly interested in addressing their concerns and needs or simply chalking out short and mid-terms measures. 

The Gen-Zers are at a juncture where they are seriously thinking if fossil fuel vehicle pollute more over their lifetime or the EVs do. They are rather concerned about the ‘cost-to-the-environment’ and recyclability than the claims of zero-pollution. 

Future interest in EV adoption fell most among Gen Z age category (74 percent in 2021 vs 56 percent in 2022), read the intro of an article in theevreport.com dated 1 August 2022. An article dated 8 May 2023 in USA Today mentioned that electrifying the car market may be getting more difficult with the share of Americans who say they’re ‘very unlikely’ to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase. Citing a report by consumer analytics firm JD Power, the article stated that persistent worries about charging infrastructure and vehicle pricing was dampening enthusiasm for EVs among other reasons like the lack of public charging infrastructure, geography and education. 

The rising status of India as the world’s biggest micro-electro mobility market would do good to align with the expectations of the Gen Z. Not just in terms of performance, durability or range, but also in terms of how ‘green’ the entire concept truly is. It is only when they are convinced, would they want to invest.  Mere ESG figures may not even satiate their appetite in terms of their future mobility needs. 

The question that comes to mind therefore is, are hydrogen vehicles really the future? Are governments the world over simply rushing to phase out fossil fuel vehicles? Are government truly aware of the ‘cost-to-the-environment’ about EVs vis-à-vis fossil fuel vehicles or they simply interested in reducing their dependence on imported fuels? What are their plans about producing electricity through greener means to support the kind of EVs envisaged? What about the other infrastructure needs? What about taxation and subsidies? 
Typical answers and corporate keywords may not work in this case. For the Gen-Zers to bet their money on EVs, it will take much more. Incidences like EVs catching fire has already put more questions in the mind of Gen-Zers. Convincing them would not be easy. 

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Epsilon CAM, the cathode materials business of Epsilon Group, has entered customer validation testing for its Gen 3.0 Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) Cathode Active Material with battery cell manufacturers across the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and the United States.

The material, launched in April 2026, records a discharge capacity of 159 mAh/g and an electrode density of 2.51 g/cc or higher. These metrics match performance benchmarks established by Chinese producers, who have historically supplied the majority of LFP cathode materials to international markets.

Epsilon CAM plans to construct a manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 20,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) by 2028, with targets to expand output to 100,000 TPA. The expansion aims to position the company as an alternative supplier of cathode active materials outside of China.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, "The global battery industry is entering an era where technology leadership must be complemented by resilient and diversified supply chains. The advancement of our Gen III LFP cathode material into customer validation with large global cell makers shows our commitment to providing cell manufacturers with high-performance, globally competitive and supply chain-resilient cathode solutions."

Product engineering for the material is conducted at Epsilon CAM's Cathode Technology Centre in Moosburg, Germany. The research hub operates alongside a 250 TPA pilot manufacturing facility and holds 149 patents in cathode chemistry, materials science and process engineering.

The non-Chinese origin of the technology and its manufacturing processes complies with United States Prohibited Foreign Entity (PFE) regulations regarding battery material provenance. This compliance provides automotive original equipment manufacturers and cell producers with a supply chain option that aligns with North American and European regulatory frameworks for electric mobility and energy storage products.

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E3 Electric.AI, a Bengaluru-based electric mobility startup, has officially entered the passenger scooter segment with the launch of the E3 TRION, a vehicle positioned as India’s first artificially intelligent electric scooter. The company unveiled the model as a new category contender, combining human-centric design with predictive intelligence and a modular architecture that enables continuous learning and adaptation over time.

The E3 TRION is built on the proprietary TRIAXISFRAME modular platform, which supports both portable and fixed battery configurations. This scalable architecture allows for multiple variants, namely the C1 with a removable battery, the C1x offering an IDC range of 165 kilometres from a three-kilowatt-hour pack and the C2 variant that achieves a top speed of 82 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 40 kmph in six seconds in Sport mode.

Central to the scooter’s intelligence is the E3 COMMANDCENTER, which includes the proprietary intelligent IoT core and cloud-based monitoring systems. This setup continuously tracks each connected vehicle, predicts potential failures before they occur, enables proactive servicing and delivers over-the-air software updates. With each ride, the system accumulates data to refine its responses, creating an evolving ownership ecosystem aimed at increasing rider confidence.

The rider interface is managed through the TRIPSENSE Intelligent Cockpit, featuring a five-inch INSIGHT DISPLAY that pairs with a smartphone for a unified experience. The system provides navigation, charging insights and AI-powered alerts, while the broader suite of over 100 intelligent functions includes a 10-second diagnostic health scan, predictive reports, a smart trip planner with charger locator, remote battery monitoring, dashcam capability, SOS assistance and geo-fencing.

Practical usability for Indian families remains a key focus, with the scooter equipped with 14-inch TRAKWHEEL wheels for improved grip and stability across varied terrains. The vehicle also features IP67 weather protection, safeguards against voltage fluctuations and the LIGHTIQ intelligent lighting system with dual projector LED headlamps and signature rear lamps. Ergonomics are addressed through ERGORIDE principles, optimising six contact points for natural visibility and comfort, while combined storage across the boot, floorboard and glove box totals up to 52 litres.

Powertrain options include a 2.3-kilowatt-hour portable VOLTPORT battery and a three-kilowatt-hour fixed battery, both using durable LFP chemistry and engineered for up to eight years of real-world use. The high-efficiency PMSM hub motor incorporates ROTORING and a detachable rim for faster servicing. Available in six colour options with various accessories, the E3 TRION is priced at an introductory ex-showroom Bengaluru rate of INR 109,999 for the C1x and INR 119,999 for the C2 variant.

Sanjeev P, Founder & CEO, E3 Electric.AI, said,"E3 Trion isn't an electric scooter with an app bolted on. It is built with AI at its core, human centric engineering and a modular future-ready platform. Every problem that's held Indian families back from going electric – range anxiety, safety, service, cost – is something we designed around from day one. We didn't want to build just another electric scooter; we set out to build an electric scooter where predictive intelligence is core to the architecture. The E3 Trion has been crafted keeping Indian families in mind, where daily commuting demands reliability, practicality and peace of mind. By making the technology adaptive and the experience intuitive, we want everyday travel to feel smoother and more dependable. This is a meaningful step towards mobility that's not only efficient but genuinely aligned with what modern Indian riders expect."

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VinFast Auto India has inaugurated its 60th retail outlet, a new 3S dealership in Patna, Bihar, marking the company’s first foray into the eastern state. The facility, established by Patliputra Motors Private Limited and led by Harsh Raj, is strategically positioned on NH-30, Bypass Road, to serve as a key access point for regional customers. This milestone comes just one year after the automaker opened its first Indian showroom, underscoring the rapid scaling of its commercial footprint.

Spanning 11,500 square feet, the Patna facility adheres to VinFast’s global retail standards and integrates vehicle sales, after-sales services and customer support within a single premises. A 3,000-square-foot modern showroom allows visitors to interact with the electric vehicle lineup, while dedicated professional teams manage the entire ownership journey. The one-stop destination is designed to handle everything from initial discovery and purchase to ongoing maintenance and care.

The expansion into Bihar reflects VinFast’s deliberate strategy to penetrate tier 2 and tier 3 markets alongside major metropolitan hubs, with Patna serving as a critical gateway to eastern India. The company remains on track to reach 75 dealerships across more than 60 cities by the end of 2026. Beyond retail growth, VinFast is concurrently bolstering its domestic ecosystem through local manufacturing, charging infrastructure and strategic partnerships to support India’s sustainable mobility transition.

The company’s premium electric SUVs, the VF 6 and VF 7, have achieved 5-star Bharat NCAP safety ratings and come with comprehensive benefits, including roadside assistance, three years of complimentary maintenance, and warranties up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometres. The seven-seater VF MPV 7 offers a 517-kilometre ARAI-certified range and fast-charging capability. Customer incentives include the Value Assured Programme for buyback guarantees, complimentary charging on the V-Green network until 2029 and a ‘Trade Gas for Electric’ initiative to facilitate the switch from internal combustion engine vehicles.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “We are delighted to mark the milestone of 60 dealerships in India while establishing VinFast’s presence in Bihar for the first time. This marks an important step in our growth journey and opens up new opportunities in a promising market in eastern India. VinFast remains committed to building a strong retail and after-sales network and accelerating the adoption of green mobility across the country.”

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer River Mobility has closed a USD 120 million Series C funding round comprising equity and venture debt.

The funding round was led by Elev8 Venture Partners and Claypond Capital, with equity participation from Singularity AMC, Anicut Capital, 360 ONE Asset, JIF Capital and HDFC AMC. Existing investors including Yamaha Motor Corporation, Al Futtaim Group, Mitsui & Co., Alteria Capital, Innoven Capital and Stride Ventures also participated in the round.

The company plans to utilise the capital to expand manufacturing capacity at its factory, construct a greenfield production facility, introduce products in the utility vehicle segment and support margin expansion and EBITDA targets.

River Mobility launched its Indie model in 2023 and operates over 75 retail locations across India, with plans to expand to 350 stores by March 2028.

At present, the company says its monthly EV sales have reached 5,000 units.

Aravind Mani, Co-Founder & CEO, River Mobility, said, "This funding marks an important milestone in River's journey. The confidence shown by both our existing and new investors reinforces our belief that there is tremendous opportunity to build India's first utility and design based mobility brand. This capital gives us the ability to accelerate our product roadmap, expand our manufacturing footprint and presence across the country."

Navin Honagudi, Managing Partner, Elev8 Venture Partners, said, “The electric two-wheeler market in India is entering a defining growth phase, driven by strong consumer adoption, improving economics, and increasing demand for differentiated products. River stands out for its sharp product thinking, exceptional execution capability, and a highly differentiated positioning in the market. Aravind, Vipin and the team have built a brand that resonates deeply with consumers looking for brilliant design, utility and durability. We believe River is well-positioned to emerge as one of the defining EV companies from India.”

Sekhar Garisa, Managing Director, Claypond Capital, said, “River has combined disciplined execution and thoughtful product differentiation to rapidly grow and garner customer love in a competitive market. We are excited to support the team as they scale further while contributing to the country’s energy transition and domestic manufacturing ambitions.”

Hajime Jim Aota, Chairman of Yamaha India Group, said, “River’s focus on building vertically integrated electric vehicle technology platform has been a key driver of its success. Yamaha are proud to see the progress made by River so far and are excited about being part of the next phase of growth.”

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