Folks Motor, a start-up focussing on electric powertrain retrofit solution, has announced that it has secured INR 1 billion towards its ‘Folks Funds,’ an alternative investment fund (AIF) category II, which targets to raise INR 5 billion by end-2025.

The fund aims to bolster India's electric vehicle supply chain and local manufacturing capabilities. Folks funds is claimed to be India's first ESG-focused investment fund catering to EV supply chains for its consolidation and to aggregate the demand of EV systems and components.

A portion of the fund will be allocated to developing ‘The Blue IP,’ which the company claims is India's first xEV-focused warehousing and industrial park in Sonipat, Haryana. This initiative is designed to support the EV ecosystem by providing infrastructure for manufacturing and logistics.

The fund's investments will focus on areas such as powertrain systems, energy storage, Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) and system integration. The objective is to achieve a minimum of 50 percent domestic value addition in line with government policies promoting local manufacturing.

Folks Motor is in discussions with state governments in Telangana and Karnataka to expand its investment footprint.

The start-up claims that India's EV market is experiencing growth, with sales surpassing 2 million units in 2024, marking a 25.4 percent year-over-year increase. However, localisation levels for critical components like motors and controllers remain at 30-40 percent, indicating an opportunity for domestic manufacturing.

The EV sector is also a driver of employment, with projections estimating the creation of 5 million direct and 30 million indirect jobs by 2030.

Nikhil Anand Khurana, MD & CEO, Folks Motor, said, “Our vision with Folks Funds is to redefine India’s position in the global EV supply chain. With the Blue IP and our strategic partnerships, we are not just building infrastructure – we are building future-ready ecosystems for sustainable manufacturing. This fund is a step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, enabling domestic innovation and job creation while attracting global interest in Indian-made EV components. Besides this, the fund will also focus on retrofitment technologies, which are critical to extending the lifespan of existing vehicles and reducing operational costs for commercial fleets. This dual approach supports both green mobility and economic efficiency.” 

Image courtesy: Rathaphon Nanthapreecha/Pexels

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Ather Energy, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in India, has announced the Ather Service Carnival, a nationwide service initiative for its customers. The initiative is scheduled from 9^th October to 18^th October.

The carnival includes benefits across all Ather service centres to encourage customers to prepare their scooters for the festive season.

Customers receive a free 15-point vehicle health check-up, which reviews brakes, tyres, suspension and electronics. The company is also offering discounts: 10 percent off on paid labour and brake pads, 15 percent off on painted body parts and 20 percent off on polish services. Ather has over 400 service centres across the country as of 30 September 2025.

The automaker has introduced initiatives to make scooter ownership simple, including Ather Care service plans and Ather ExpressCare. The company also launched Gold Service Centres, which are facilities that provide quicker service at no extra cost to owners.

Ather Energy is also expanding its retail network. Last month, the company exceeded 500 Experience Centres (ECs) nationwide and plans to reach 700 ECs by the end of FY2026.

The company recently produced its 500,000th vehicle from its manufacturing plant. Ather operates two plants in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, for vehicle assembly and battery production, and is setting up a third facility, Factory 3.0, in Bidkin, Maharashtra.

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Indofast Energy, a provider of battery-swapping solutions, has partnered e-Sprinto, an electric two-wheeler brand, to deploy 20,000 electric two-wheelers across India by 2026.

The collaboration will integrate e-Sprinto’s vehicles with Indofast Energy’s battery-swapping network. This synergy offers delivery partners a two-minute battery swap solution, removing charging downtime. The deployment will focus on quick commerce, e-commerce and food delivery sectors by establishing infrastructure along high-demand corridors.

Anant Badjatya, CEO, Indofast Energy, said, "We are thrilled to partner with e-Sprinto, an OEM that shares our vision for a sustainable and accessible electric future. Having established ourselves as the default choice for fleet operators in battery swapping, this collaboration demonstrates our readiness to transition from B2B to B2C segments, showcasing the strength and scalability of our infrastructure. By integrating e-Sprinto's high-quality vehicles with our network, we are expanding our reach across diverse customer segments and accelerating our ambitious EV deployment targets, further solidifying our leadership in India's electric mobility revolution.”

Atul Gupta, Co-Founder and Director, e-Sprinto, said, "Our collaboration with Indofast Energy is nothing short of a game-changer for e-Sprinto and the broader EV market. Indofast Energy's extensive battery-swapping network perfectly complements our vehicles, offering customers the unparalleled convenience and efficiency. By deploying 20,000 vehicles with Indofast Energy in 2026, we are confident this partnership will make electric mobility the preferred choice for both commercial and personal transportation across India, delivering reliable, sustainable, and economically viable solutions for all."

The alliance is a step in Indofast Energy’s plan to deploy 2,750 swap stations and support 1.5 lakh vehicles by March 2026. The company’s mission is to establish 10,000 swapping points across over 40 Indian cities in the next three years. Indofast Energy has over 1,000 battery-swapping stations in 10 states and 22 cities.

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Montra Electric, the clean transport brand from the Murugappa Group, has launched the updated Super Auto electric passenger three-wheeler.

The vehicle features LED headlamps to increase visibility, and radial tubeless tyres to provide better grip, stability and lower maintenance costs. A re-engineered suspension system also aims to ensure a smoother drive.

The Super Auto now comes with Montra Electric’s in-house developed ‘One Montra Electric’ (1M) connected software platform. This provides drivers with access to vehicle performance data, charging station locations and digital features.

The vehicle offers a range of 160 km per charge and is supported by the company’s 3S (Sales, Service, Spares) network across over 120 markets. Till date, the company has sold over 13,000 units of the Super Auto in India.

Deependra Sharma, CEO (Designate), Montra Electric Last Mile (TI Clean Mobility), said, “Every new product at Montra Electric is created with a clear goal, to make electric mobility more efficient, reliable, and valuable for drivers. The all-new Super Auto reflects our engineering focus on comfort, safety, and durability, while keeping affordability intact, making clean mobility both practical and profitable for drivers and fleet operators.”

The Super Auto is available in White, Blue, and Green, and a Black Edition with decals.

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JSW MG Motor India has launched the Windsor Inspire Edition, a limited-run model of its popular e-SUV, marking one year since the car’s launch.

Limited to just 300 units of the edition, the Windsor Inspire Edition celebrates the EV crossing the sales milestone of 40,000 units in under a year. The model was revealed by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, at his residence in Delhi.

Mechanically unchanged, the Inspire Edition features a dual-tone Pearl White with Starry Black theme on the exterior. It has all Black alloy wheels with rose gold claddings, and black ORVMs. It also carries Inspire badging. The interior uses Sangria Red and Black leather upholstery, embroidered Inspire insignia on the headrests, and gold accents.

The edition comes with an accessory pack, featuring Rose Gold styling elements on the front grille, body side mouldings and bumper corner protectors. The pack includes 3D mats, Inspire cushions, rear window sunshades and a leather key cover. An intelligent convenience kit, the Drive Mate Pro+, is also included. Optional accessories such as a Skylight Infinity View glass roof and illuminated sill plates will be available.

Nitin Gadkari, said, “I have always believed that clean mobility is not only essential for our environment, but also an opportunity for India to lead the world in sustainable innovation. It is heartening to see brands like JSW MG Motor India embrace this vision with such commitment. The Windsor Inspire Edition is a symbol of how inspiration can translate into action — and how every step forward in EV adoption brings us closer to a greener tomorrow.”

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “At JSW MG Motor India, we are constantly thinking ahead – creating symbols of aspiration and progress. The Windsor Inspire Edition is a tribute to the incredible journey our customers and India’s EV movement have embarked on with us. Having crossed over 40,000 units in just one year, the love and trust for the Windsor have been the driving force behind this edition. Every line and every detail reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation, design excellence, and a sustainable future. The Inspire Edition is not just a collector’s car — it is a bold statement of ambition, progress, and the limitless possibilities of green mobility in India.”

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