Hyderabad-based electric mobility aggregator platform Hala Mobility has raised INR 300 million in just six months through its flagship Hala+ FOCO (Franchise Owned, Company Operated) business model, which it shared reflects a strong confidence from green investors, HNIs and institutional capital.

The company aims to deploy the funds to power 6,000 electric vehicles across multiple cities, of which 2,400 EVs have already been deployed.

Hala Mobility stated that the aim is to transform Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and micro-entrepreneurs into profitable EV operators. Through Hala+, participants get access to EVs, charging and swap infrastructure, financing, insurance, training and real-time analytics. Each SHG cluster functions as a community-led enterprise, managing vehicles, riders and recurring income, while promoting women-led businesses and strengthening local economies.

Dr. Srikanth Reddy Kalakonda, Founder & CEO, Hala Mobility, said, "Hala+ represents the next evolution of sustainable entrepreneurship in India. We’re not just electrifying fleets, we’re electrifying livelihoods. Every investor who joins us becomes part of a powerful cycle of empowerment and clean mobility. With our integrated ecosystem, we are proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand, creating measurable social impact while delivering strong financial returns. Our FOCO model ensures investors see transparency, utilisation and strong IRR while supporting local communities and the environment."

The company’s FOCO model allows HNIs and Family Offices to invest directly in EV assets managed by Hala’s professional fleet and service network. It claims to have an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 25.1 percent, each INR 10 million invested generates employment for over 200 riders, offsets nearly 400 tonnes of CO2 annually and contributes to Hala’s circular ecosystem, including refurbishment (Leven), recycling (Zyora) and battery remanufacturing (Energix).

What’s more, the company also operates Hala One, a FOFO (Franchise Owned, Franchise Operated) model, which allows potential partners to join the network for INR 999 per vehicle per month and receive business development support, operational training, access to Cercle OS software, IoT dashboards, predictive maintenance, analytics and uptime support. This model enables entrepreneurs to scale quickly while maintaining standardised operations and profitability.

The company is now gearing up to expand its operations to Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Coimbatore, Mumbai and Pune, with plans to deploy an additional 5,000 EVs.

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Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has marked its entry into the e-rickshaw category with the launch of the Bajaj Riki.

The company noted that while demand for last-mile mobility is increasing, the e-rickshaw sector remains unorganised and faces issues with reliability, durability and safety. Bajaj Riki is designed to address these gaps.

The vehicle offers features intended to enhance driver earnings and passenger experience. It comes with a claimed range of 149 km (P4005 model). Monocoque chassis for rigidity and stability, while hydraulic braking offers better safety. It features independent suspension to improve comfort and stability. The e-3W can be fast charged in 4.5 hours and comes with a 3-year battery warranty.

Samardeep Subandh, President, Intra-City Business Unit, Bajaj Auto, said, “Riki brings Bajaj Auto’s trusted 3W engineering and dependability into the electric rickshaw segment at a time when drivers and passengers need dependable solutions. We’ve brought the best for the industry, the longest range, a monocoque chassis, independent suspension, and hydraulic brakes. Riki is engineered to increase driver earnings, enhance passenger safety and comfort and deliver the reliability India’s last-mile ecosystem has waited for.”

The Bajaj Riki is available in both passenger and cargo versions:

Passenger Model (Riki P4005): The first model in the P40 series, featuring a 5.4 kWh battery and is priced at INR 190,890 (ex-showroom). The Cargo Model (Riki C4005) comes with a certified range of 164 km, a larger tray and 28 percent gradability for operation on slopes. It is priced at INR 200,876 (ex-showroom).

Bajaj Auto stated that the Riki has been successfully piloted in Patna, Moradabad, Guwahati and Raipur, and will now expand to over 100 towns across UP, Bihar, MP, Chhattisgarh and Assam in Phase 1.

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Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra has inaugurated its new Charge_IN ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network, which consists solely of 180 kW chargers.

The company aims to set up 1,000 charging points across 250 stations by the end of 2027.

The first two Charge_IN stations have already been opened at Hoskote on the Bengaluru – Chennai highway (NH 75) and Murthal on NH44, near Delhi. Both sites include two ultra-fast chargers, capable of charging four EVs at once.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “Electric mobility is about driving a larger shift towards cleaner, sustainable transportation. XEV 9e and BE 6, with their impressive 500 km real-world range, ensure drivers feel confident on long journeys. Meanwhile, with our ultrafast charging network by Charge_IN we will be creating an open and accessible network for all EV users. Our aim is to make long-distance travel with an electric vehicle effortless and reliable like conventional driving, thereby building customer confidence and accelerating India's transition to electric mobility.”

The 180 kW dual gun chargers can charge Mahindra's eSUV portfolio (XEV 9e, BE 6, and the upcoming XEV 9S) from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. These charging stations will be positioned along major highway corridors and near customer traffic points, co-located with wayside amenities like restaurants and cafes.

Mahindra EV owners can use the Me4U app to discover, charge and pay. Through this app, customers currently access approximately 34,000 public charging points from various operators.

Non-Mahindra EV users can access the stations via the ‘Charge_IN by Mahindra’ app and through other leading aggregator platforms.

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At the Agrovision 2025 exhibition in Nagpur, Mahindra & Mahindra, the world’s leading tractor manufacturer by volume, presented a series of pioneering alternative fuel technologies, signalling a major shift towards sustainable farm mechanisation. The event was attended by prominent government figures, including Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, underscoring the national importance of these agricultural innovations.

The showcased technologies, developed at the company’s Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai, highlight a strategic commitment to reducing emissions and lowering operating costs for farmers. One prominent innovation is a tractor based on the Yuvo Tech+ platform, engineered to operate on either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Compressed Biogas (CBG), as well as in a dual-fuel mode combining diesel with CNG. This provides a practical and cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.

Further advancing its portfolio, Mahindra unveiled an Ethanol Flex Fuel engine. This power unit is designed for flexibility, capable of running on ethanol produced from a variety of farm-sourced materials such as sugarcane, maize and crop waste. This not only offers a sustainable fuel alternative but also creates potential new revenue streams for the agricultural community.

Completing the trio of new technologies was an Electric Tractor built upon Mahindra’s global OJA platform. This model promises significantly reduced operating expenses while delivering instant torque and enhanced efficiency. Its design includes the convenience of fast-charging capabilities, addressing the need for practicality in daily farm operations.

Beyond these alternative fuel prototypes, Mahindra also displayed its comprehensive lineup of conventional, fuel-efficient diesel tractors and farm implements from both the Mahindra and Swaraj brands. This collective display positions Mahindra at the forefront of the industry's move towards a net-zero future. By investing in a diverse range of solutions including electric, biogas and ethanol technologies, the company is championing a sustainable and economically viable pathway for Indian agriculture, aiming to make farming both more profitable and environmentally responsible.

Veejay Nakra – President, Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Mahindra is committed to leading India’s shift to alternate fuel technologies and driving cleaner, smarter and sustainable farming solutions. Our presence at Agrovision 2025 underscores this commitment as we showcase innovative tractors and technologies that will shape the future of Indian agriculture, aligned with the Government of India’s vision towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has launched the Rizta in Sri Lanka at the Colombo Motor Show 2025. This move, in partnership with Evolution Auto (Ather’s distributor in Sri Lanka), marks a step in Ather’s international growth strategy.

It was in December 2024, Ather Energy began its operations in Sri Lanka in December 2024 with the Ather 450X. The company has established a footprint with 40 Experience Centres run by Evolution Auto. Additionally, the EV maker has installed Ather Grid fast chargers to support EV ownership in the country.

The Rizta has now been introduced following the response to the Ather 450 line-up. The Rizta provides a seat and a 34-litre under-seat storage capacity. It also features a floorboard with leg space. The scooter includes features such as SkidControl for safety, a 7-inch TFT display dashboard, and connected capabilities like Google Maps navigation and music and call control (available with Rizta Z).

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Since entering Sri Lanka last year, it has quickly become a growing market for us, and expanding our portfolio here with the Rizta felt like the natural next step. The Rizta has seen strong acceptance in India for over a year and more recently in Nepal, and we believe it is well-suited for the needs of Sri Lankan riders as well. Its focus on safety and connected capabilities makes it a practical choice for everyday use. With this launch, we aim to deepen our presence in Sri Lanka and continue strengthening the EV ecosystem there."

Ather entered its first international market, Nepal, in November 2023, where it has expanded to 9 Experience Centres and 7 Service Centres. Sri Lanka became the second international market in December 2024. In India, as of 30th September 2025, Ather's retail network included 524 Experience Centres and 3,643 Ather grid fast-charging stations.

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