The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) and Zynetic Electric Vehicles Charging Private Limited, a key player in the development, operation and management of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to drive forward the innovation and deployment of advanced AC and DC fast chargers for EVs.

This collaboration marks a significant step towards the growth of EV infrastructure in India and falls in line with the commitment of both the parties to shaping India’s vision of a sustainable, EV-ready future.

As per the MoU, Zynetic and IIT Kanpur will pool their resources in research, academic collaboration and consulting to address urgent issues in EV charging technology. They will concentrate on important fields such embedded systems, power electronics and the combination of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive maintenance. The goal of this partnership is to create next-generation EV chargers that satisfy the needs of India's quickly expanding electric vehicle market with unparalleled dependability and efficiency by utilising Zynetic's commercial experience and IIT Kanpur's cutting-edge research capabilities.

Prof Manindra Agrawal, Director, IIT Kanpur, said, “The partnership with Zynetic is an example of how academia and industry can work together to develop EV infrastructure and help India achieve its green goals. The government’s ambitious goal of achieving 30 percent of new private vehicle registrations being EVs by 2030 will require a massive charging ecosystem to cater to 80 million EVs. This collaboration will enable IIT Kanpur to contribute to fulfilling India’s energy goals and support the global movement towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for all.”

Prof Tarun Gupta, Dean, R&D, IIT Kanpur, said, “Our partnership with Zynetic presents a unique opportunity to push the boundaries of innovation in EV charging technology. By leveraging IIT Kanpur’s research expertise and Zynetic’s industry insights, we look forward to developing advanced solutions in power electronics, predictive maintenance and AI integration that will shape the future of electric mobility.”

Harshvardhan Tiwari, Founder & CEO, Zynetic Electric Vehicles Charging, said, "We are excited to partner with IIT Kanpur to advance EV charging technology and infrastructure. This collaboration aligns perfectly with our mission to drive sustainable transportation in India and enables us to push forward innovative solutions for the EV ecosystem.”

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Kia has been crowned ‘Best Manufacturer’ at the TopGear.com EV Awards 2026, a significant honour in UK’s electric vehicle calendar. These annual awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate the top-performing EVs on the British market while recognising the manufacturers that truly drive the industry forward. This latest accolade follows closely on the heels of another triumph for the brand at the BBC TopGear.com awards, where the PV5 Passenger was named ‘Family Car of the Year’.

Kia’s electric journey began in 2014 with the first-generation Soul EV, ending its first full year of EV sales with just 149 registrations. By the close of 2025, however, that figure had surged to over 94,500 fully electric vehicles sold in UK, supported by a diverse lineup including the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9 and PV5. Looking ahead, the EV2 represents the next phase of the brand’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which started with the EV6 in 2021. Designed and manufactured in Europe exclusively for that market, this compact and affordable model packs premium, segment-above technology into a bold, boxy body.

First examples of the Kia EV2 are due to arrive later in 2026, joined by high-performance GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. These launches underscore Kia’s continued commitment to expanding its electric footprint with accessible yet advanced vehicles.

Ollie Kew, Deputy Editor, TopGear.com, said, "Whether you’re in an EV3 or the enormous EV9, the sleek EV6 or the boxy PV5, there’s a familiar sortedness running through the e-Kias like the proverbial stick of rock. Reliable range, unfussy performance, pleasing comfort... and the confidence to bookend its EV ranks with an entry-level EV2 alongside a GBP 83,000, 500-bhp super SUV in the shape of the EV9 GT.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK, said, “We’re honoured to have been named Top Gear’s Best Manufacturer for 2026. This recognition follows a busy year for the Kia brand, with the launch of eight new products in 2025, including EV4, EV5 and PV5. This recognition reflects the strength and breadth of our electric lineup, and our commitment to delivering innovative, desirable and accessible EVs for our customers.”

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VinFast has opened bookings for its new VF MPV 7, a premium 7-seater electric MPV tailored for Indian customers. This third model from the company in India offers a spacious interior, smart technology and strong practicality to meet daily mobility needs. With an outstanding value proposition, the vehicle reinforces VinFast’s long term commitment to building a complete green mobility ecosystem across the country, delivering modern and sustainable transport solutions for Indian households.

Starting 2 April 2026, customers can reserve the VF MPV 7 through the official website or any of VinFast’s 50 authorised dealerships nationwide for a booking amount of INR 21,000, with the official launch and price announcement scheduled for 15 April 2026. Designed with the signature golden ratio proportions of MPVs, the wheels are pushed towards the corners to maximise cabin space.

Measuring 4,740 mm in length, 1,872 mm in width and 1,734 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,840 mm, the VF MPV 7 offers a roomy cabin across all three rows, ensuring consistent comfort for larger families. Its R19 alloy wheels give the vehicle a strong yet sporty presence. Powered by a 60.13 kWh battery, it delivers over 500 kilometres of driving range per full charge, and fast charging technology can take the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 30 minutes.

Before the VF MPV 7, VinFast launched the VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs in September 2025, both winning multiple industry awards. The company continues to strengthen its EV ecosystem by expanding showroom and aftersales networks, partnering with local financial institutions, and offering an industry best product warranty. Customer centric policies include a value assured programme, trade in support for switching from gasoline to electric vehicles and free charging within the V Green network until 31 March 2029, making the transition to electric mobility easier.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The VF MPV 7 marks another step forward in VinFast’s efforts to win over Indian consumers with modern, practical and accessible electric mobility solutions. We believe this model will help redefine standards in its segment and become an ideal choice for families seeking a clean mobility solution that meets everyday practicality.”

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Pune-headquartered electric vehicle and technology company EKA Mobility has recorded a fivefold year-on-year volume growth for FY2025–26. The company sold 1,143 units and produced 1,344 electric commercial vehicles during this period.

EKA Mobility operates as a Champion OEM under the Automotive Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. The company has expanded its manufacturing footprint with two operational facilities in Pune and a third plant in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to commence operations shortly.

The company is setting up a planned annual production capacity of 10,000 buses, 6,000 trucks and 24,000 small commercial vehicles (SCVs). Its order book includes over 6,000 confirmed electric buses for delivery within the next two years.

Interestingly, FY2026 marked EKA Mobility’s entry into the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) truck segment. It’s e-buses are currently deployed across more than 15 states under national programmes including PM e-Bus Sewa and PM E-DRIVE. The SCV sales was driven by the demand for 3S and 6S passenger vehicles and 3-wheeler cargo platforms.

The EV maker also deployed a 9-metre hydrogen fuel cell bus at Cochin International Airport in collaboration with KPIT Technologies and BPCL, with 15 additional units planned.

EKA has also commenced e-bus deployments in Africa through a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly agreement with the Kerchanshe Group. It has also signed an agreement with NBFI Capital to manufacture electric buses in Australia. Domestically, the company plans to add 120 dealerships in FY27 to its existing network across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities.

Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, EKA Mobility, stated, "FY 2025–26 is a defining year for EKA Mobility. We are not only scaling volumes but also expanding our manufacturing footprint by adding a new plant recently and increasing our planned annual capacity to 10,000 buses, 6,000 trucks and 24,000 SCVs. With the widest range of fully homologated, born-electric platforms – from last-mile to long-haul – we are uniquely positioned as a full-stack EV company. Our growth across electric buses, small commercial vehicles, and now trucks validates both market demand and our execution capability. India’s transition to clean commercial mobility is accelerating, and EKA is at the forefront – driving this shift at scale, with technology, innovation and global ambition."

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Servotech Renewable Power Systems has announced the elevation of Vipin Kaushik to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP), effective 1 April 2026. The appointment follows recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Audit Committee, with formal approval from the Board of Directors.

Kaushik is a Chartered Accountant and a member of the ICAI with over two decades of experience in corporate finance, strategy, taxation and compliance. He holds a Diploma in International Financial Reporting from ACCA, UK, and has previously served as the Financial Controller at Servotech. He has held leadership roles at ICICI Bank, Delhivery and V2 Retail.

In his new role, Kaushik will oversee financial operations, planning and risk management frameworks. His role is intended to support the company's expansion in the renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) charging sectors.

He will be responsible for optimising investment strategies for global growth, improving financial disciplines across manufacturing units and strengthening compliance and stakeholder confidence.

Vipin Kaushik, said, “I am truly honoured and excited to take on the role of CFO at Servotech Renewable at such a defining moment in the Servotech’s next phase of growth. As the industry continues to evolve rapidly, my focus will be on optimising capital allocation, improving operational efficiencies, and building agile financial strategies that align with the company’s global expansion goals. I am eager to scale new opportunities and reinforce stakeholder confidence as we accelerate towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.”

Raman Bhatia, Managing Director, Servotech Renewable Power Systems, added, “We are pleased to elevate Vipin Kaushik to the role of CFO. His deep financial expertise, strategic mindset, and strong understanding of our business have been instrumental in strengthening Servotech’s financial foundation. As we scale our operations and expand our global footprint, his leadership will play a critical role in driving financial discipline, enhancing governance, and supporting sustainable, long-term growth.”

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