JBM Group, a leading player in the commercial vehicle and component manufacturing space, has signed a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Keppel for decarbonisation and green mobility.

The partners will focus on decarbonising urban infrastructure, provide unique and customised solutions for electric mobility and electric waste (e-waste) management. As part of the understanding, Keppel will brings its leading-edge capabilities in integrated clean energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging and resource circularity solutions.

On the other hand, JBM Group will leverage its expertise in electric vehicles, EV aggregates and key auto systems. They will joint develop projects focussing on e-mobility, Battery Energy Storage Systems and e-waste solutions. Furthermore, they will also look at setting up EV charging networks, e-mobility hubs and  resource recovery facilities.

The agreement was done at the 29th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2024 in New Delhi, India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India by Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman, JBM Group and Cindy Lim, CEO, Keppel’s Infrastructure Division.

“India and Singapore share a long-standing and robust partnership that was recently elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024. This significant step enhances collaboration in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital technology and green energy,” said Goyal

“At the 29th CII Partnership Summit, I am pleased to witness landmark agreements between Keppel and leading Indian corporations. These collaborations align with India's priorities, including the energy transition and the India Cooling Action Plan, fostering innovation and paving the way for economic growth and a sustainable future for both nations. This augurs well as our countries celebrate the 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025,” he added.

Nishant Arya said, “This strategic partnership with Keppel marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing the global energy transition and decarbonisation goals. The combined synergies of two global leaders joining hands, with JBM’s expertise in e-mobility, renewables and green manufacturing and Keppel’s innovative solutions in infrastructure and sustainability, we aim to deliver transformative outcomes in clean energy and electro-mobility domains. Together, we will pioneer solutions that shall redefine the global sustainability landscape towards creating a zero carbon and resilient future for our communities.”

Cindy Lim added, “India's electricity demand is rapidly rising on the back of its growing economy, urbanisation and electrification. Through forging partnerships with leading partners like JBM Group, Keppel is uniquely positioned to participate in and contribute meaningfully towards India’s sustainable development. We look forward to working with our esteemed partner to deliver differentiated and impactful decarbonisation and sustainability solutions to help meet the net-zero commitments of both India and our customers.”

Nashik-based electric two-wheeler manufacturer Jitendra New EV Tech has inked a strategic partnership with Battery Smart, one of India's largest and fastest-growing battery-swapping networks for electric two- and three-wheelers.

As part of the understanding, Jitendra New EV Tech will integrate Battery Smart’s battery-swapping technology in its two-wheelers. This will allow Jitendra New EV Tech customers to access Battery Smart’s network of over 1,400 battery-swapping stations in more than 40 cities in India. In addition, the e-scooters will also become more economically accessible as the upfront cost of batteries will be done away with.

Samkit Shah, Co-Founder and CEO, Jitendra New EV Tech, said, "At Jitendra EV, we continuously strive to enhance the ownership experience for our customers. Our collaboration with Battery Smart aligned perfectly with our vision to offer sustainable, reliable, and future-ready mobility solutions. This partnership will help us accelerate EV adoption in India and make electric vehicles more accessible to a broader audience."

Prateek Joshi, Senior Director – Partnerships, Battery Smart, added, “Our partnership with Jitendra EV is a significant step towards making electric mobility more accessible. By integrating our battery swapping network with their electric two-wheelers, we aim to simplify the EV ownership experience, reduce charging time, and enhance affordability. Together, we are accelerating the electrification of two-wheelers across India, helping more riders seamlessly transition to sustainable electric mobility."

Charge Zone, a leading electric vehicle (EV) charging network company, has announced that it has set up supercharging stations on the Bengaluru-Chennai and Bengaluru-Hyderabad national highways.

The EV charging stations feature 1.2MW capacity with solar microgrid integration and 1MWh usable capacity of battery energy storage systems, which the company said will ensure 24x7 EV charging availability. The DC fast chargers with capacities ranging from 180 kW to 240 kW have been strategically placed every 150-200 kilometres. They will complement the existing regular EV chargers along the route.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, Charge Zone, said, “The launch of these mega supercharging stations represents a transformative step in advancing India's EV ecosystem. By equipping the Bengaluru-Chennai and Bengaluru-Hyderabad highways with state-of-the-art charging technology, we are bridging critical infrastructure gaps and redefining the long-distance EV experience. These stations embody our vision of seamless, sustainable, and efficient electric mobility, empowering drivers to embrace a cleaner future without compromise.”

Ravindra Mohan, Director, Charge Zone, added, “But, it is battery energy storage with renewable energy integration that makes the Indian e-mobility ecosystem go further in terms of achieving net-zero emissions."

As per the company, the charging time at these stations will be optimised, with vehicles achieving 80 percent charge in as little as 30 minutes. Going forward, Charge Zone has a target to establish 100 supercharging stations with a combined 240 kW capacity.

PURE EV, one of India’s leading electric two-wheeler manufacturers, has launched the X Platform 3.0. powered by advanced AI technology, upgrading its existing platform and delivering advanced features aimed at improving vehicle performance, connectivity and overall rider convenience.

With real-time updates on important vehicle parameters like battery health and range, the platform empowers passengers with information for a hassle-free journey, all while improving consumer convenience. With all of these characteristics combined, the X Platform 3.0 represents a major breakthrough in electric vehicle (EV) technology and a new benchmark for industry innovation. With a 25 percent increase in torque and overall performance, Thrill Mode is one of the most notable additions to the X Platform 3.0, providing customers with an even more thrilling riding experience. This function is intended for people who want a strong, dynamic driving that raises the bar for electric car performance.

Advanced Predictive AI, a technology that learns from rider behaviour and adjusts to different riding situations, is also included into the platform. Based on the idea that ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’, this feature prioritises dependability and guarantees 100 percent vehicle uptime by spotting and fixing possible problems before they become serious. When used in conjunction with Cloud AI, the platform offers over-the-air updates and enhancements, maintaining the software of the vehicle current and performance-optimised. The Next-Generation TFT Dashboard, which effortlessly integrates with iOS and Android devices, is another feature that sets the X Platform 3.0 apart. A variety of clever features, such as range predictions, battery health updates and real-time navigation maps, are available on this contemporary dashboard to provide riders access to all the information they need.

New Gen Smart AI Based Vehicle Control Unit, regenerative braking, coasting regen, improved electric breaking system, quick throttle response and a highly efficient powertrain are just a few of the features that will be added to this advancement, which builds on the success of its predecessor platform and is expected to completely change the electric two-wheeler industry's customer experience. PURE EV's premium models, the ePluto 7G Max and eTryst X, will be the first to provide the X Platform 3.0. By the end of CY 2025, all other models are expected to follow. The launch of the X Platform 3.0 is in line with PURE EV's mission to set the standard for intelligent and sustainable mobility solutions, therefore establishing EVs as a necessary component of daily life.

Dr Nishanth Dongari, Founder and MD, PURE EV, said, "With the introduction of X Platform 3.0, we are stepping into the next phase of the electric mobility revolution by seamlessly integrating advanced AI technologies. This platform is unique to PURE EV and represents our ambition to take Indian innovation to a global stage. We envision our vehicles not just as modes of transport but as intelligent, connected devices that redefine the very concept of mobility, providing an exceptional driving experience for our customers."

Ather Energy, a leading electric two-wheeler manufacturer in the country, has introduced multi-language dashboard interface for its family e-scooter the Rizta.

With this, the EV maker becomes the first two-wheeler maker to provide 8 regional language support - Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada - on an electric two-wheeler.

With this the company will expand its EV userbase to interact with the Rizta in a language convenient for the customers.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Since the beginning we have designed and built our technology and products from the ground up, keeping the needs of Indian consumers in mind. Our aim has always been to deliver quality user experiences that make our scooters more engaging. Given India’s rich diversity, and the pride that people take in their regional languages, our intent was to make our scooters more user friendly. We believe the multi-language dashboard would allow the riders to personalise their scooters in the language of their preference.”

The company will introduce the multi-language dashboard as an over-the-air (OTA) software update to the AtherStack for existing and new Rizta Z owners.