Hindustan Zinc, the world’s largest integrated zinc producer, has reported significant early-stage breakthroughs in the development of next-generation zinc-based battery technologies. These efforts aim to deliver higher energy efficiency, improved safety and longer battery life, supporting India's transition to clean, sustainable energy.

As lithium-ion battery supply chains face growing constraints and rising costs, zinc is emerging as a viable and strategic alternative. The company shared that zinc-based batteries offer several advantages, including superior safety (non-flammable), long cycle life, recyclability and operation across a wide range of temperatures. Additionally, they leave a greenhouse gas footprint nearly six times lower than conventional technologies.

Arun Misra, CEO, Hindustan Zinc, said, “Batteries are pivotal in the global shift toward clean energy. We are committed to driving innovation through our collaborations with premier Indian research institutions and by leveraging our metallurgical expertise. Our goal is to responsibly accelerate the battery revolution and contribute meaningfully to India’s energy independence.”

In partnership with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) in Bengaluru, Hindustan Zinc is exploring sustainable zinc-based storage technologies.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding signed in August 2024, researchers at JNCASR are advancing zinc-ion battery technology, with a focus on novel zinc anode formulations and advanced electrolytes.

“Our work on electrode/electrolyte interface engineering has yielded promising results,” said Professor Prem Senguttuvan from JNCASR.

In a parallel initiative, IIT Madras is working on the development of a 1 kWh rechargeable zinc-air battery module, structured as a 6/12-cell stack. The project, led by Professor Aravind Kumar Chandiran, emphasises rechargeability, interface durability and battery longevity. “These batteries have enormous potential for electric vehicles, grid-scale storage, and consumer electronics,” said Prof. Chandiran.

Hindustan Zinc quoted a recent BloombergNEF report, which projects the global energy storage market will grow at a 21 percent CAGR, reaching 442 GWh by 2030.

Further expanding its global footprint, the company has also signed an MoU with US-based AEsir Technologies, a leader in nickel-zinc battery innovation. Through this partnership, Hindustan Zinc will provide technical expertise, commercial-grade electrodes and performance additives to help scale battery technologies from lab prototypes to industrial production.

Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company, currently supplies to over 40 countries and commands approximately 75 percent of India’s primary zinc market.

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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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Terra Charge, India’s leading EV charging infrastructure provider, has taken a significant step towards enhancing electric vehicle adoption in Northeast India by inaugurating a new charging station at Maharaja Bir Bikram (MBB) Airport in Agartala. This initiative, launched in collaboration with the Airports Authority of India (AAI), marks a crucial development in Tripura’s evolving EV ecosystem.

The charging station, strategically located near the airport’s VIP car parking area, is equipped with both 7.4 kW and 10 kW chargers, catering to a variety of electric vehicles. EV drivers can easily locate the station via the Terra Charge Mobile App and initiate charging sessions with digital payments, offering a fully contactless and user-friendly experience. The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of key officials, including State Transport Department Secretary C K Jamatia and Airport Director K C Mina, underscoring the government’s support for sustainable mobility solutions.

This project is part of a long-term partnership between Terra Charge and AAI to modernise India’s airports with future-ready EV charging solutions. By leveraging Japanese technology, the station ensures high efficiency and reliability, aligning with India’s broader goal of achieving 30 percent EV penetration by 2030. The move not only supports Tripura’s green mobility ambitions but also sets a precedent for further EV infrastructure expansion across the Northeast.

Go Suzuki, Managing Director, Terra Charge, said, “This launch marks another milestone in our mission to make EV charging accessible, reliable and convenient for all. Airport locations are critical transit hubs, and by enabling EV users to recharge effortlessly here, we are eliminating a key barrier to EV adoption. In addition, our partnership with AAI reflects a shared commitment to accelerating India’s green mobility transition. With this new charging station at MBB Airport, we are one step closer to a future where range anxiety is a thing of the past.”

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Yulu, the Bangalore-based EBITDA-profitable shared electric mobility company, has launched its services in Zirakpur (Punjab), marking its first franchise partner-led foray in North India. The franchise partner, SP NexGen is a venture by mobility entrepreneur Sahil Goyal and will deploy and manage Yulu’s full-stack mobility ecosystem – including its purpose-built DeX goods mobility EVs and technology platform. 
Yulu will fully support SP NexGen in its endeavour that also heralds the expansion of the franchise business model, the Yulu Business Partner (YBP) initiative in the country’s North post a successful rollout over the past year across Central, South, West and East India.
Considered a gateway to Punjab, Zirakpur’s strategic location between Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala makes it a high-potential launchpad for future-ready mobility solutions. The new offering will serve Chandigarh Tricity’s growing demand for grocery and food delivery by unlocking sustainable, eco-friendly and cost-effective EVs for brands and gig workers in the region. SP NexGen’s vast market knowledge, combined with Yulu’s IoT-enabled smart hardware, innovative technology and robust support ecosystem, will provide a compelling alternative to existing mobility options across the Tricity.
 Yulu and SP NexGen will initially deploy DeX GR EVs in Zirakpur, followed by Peer Muchalla and Kharar, with plans to maximise the penetration of rental EVs in and around Chandigarh Tricity.
Speaking on the expansion, Amit Gupta, Co-founder & CEO, Yulu, said, “Chandigarh Tricity is a fast-emerging urban centre and an ideal starting point for our expansion in North India. With Sahil Goyal as our partner, we’re confident in our ability to accelerate EV adoption in the region, starting with Zirakpur. The Tricity’s dynamic growth, demand for green logistics, and policy support for EVs align well with Yulu’s mission to build a cleaner, more efficient urban mobility ecosystem.”
“With this launch, Yulu is present in ten cities, including six through our YBP partners. We remain committed to collaborating with entrepreneurs across India to democratise clean, accessible and sustainable mobility alternatives,” he added. 
Yulu’s comprehensive support to its partner includes training on the operations and growth playbook, unit economics, profitability pathways and enterprise collaboration. Ahead of the launch, pilot deployments were conducted in various brands’ dark stores in Zirakpur to validate product-market fit. Yulu has also facilitated direct business linkages with Swiggy, Zomato, Zepto and Blinkit to ensure early-stage success.
Yuma Energy, which is claimed to be India’s leading battery as a service (BaaS) company, will power the fleet with two swapping stations. Additional Yuma Energy stations and alternative energy solutions will be deployed as demand scales.

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