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.”

Saudi Arabia-based state-owned petroleum and natural gas company Aramco has announced a new collaboration with Chinese electric vehicle major BYD to explore closer collaboration in new energy vehicle technologies. 

Saudi Aramco Technologies Company (SATC), a subsidiary of Aramco has signed a joint development agreement with BYD to develop innovative technologies that enhance efficiency and environmental performance. The partners research and development teams will join hands with an aim of achieving new energy vehicle breakthroughs.

Ali A. Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice-President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, said, “The collaboration between SATC and BYD aims to support energy efficiency improvements, and it builds on Aramco’s extensive research and development of new energy solutions. Aramco is exploring a number of ways to potentially optimize transport efficiency, from innovative lower-carbon fuels to advanced powertrain concepts. This work stems from our belief that multiple approaches are necessary to support a practical energy transition and we are delighted to collaborate with BYD on this journey.” 

Luo Hongbin, Senior Vice President, BYD, added, “At the crossroads of technological innovation and environmental protection, BYD always believes that true breakthroughs come from openness and collaboration. We expect that SATC and our cutting-edge R&D capabilities in new energy vehicles will break the boundaries of geography and mindset to incubate solutions that combine highly-efficient performance with a lower carbon footprint. We are confident that this will support the world’s efforts to address the climate challenge.”

Digital lending platform Revfin has strengthened its management with the appointment of three senior executives as part of its FY2026 strategy, targeting INR 7.5 billion in disbursements and 5x growth over the past two years. The company also expects to cross INR 20 billion in cumulative disbursements since inception.

The new appointments include Abhinandan Narayan, Chief Business Officer – New Business, Monish Vohra, COO – Operations & Collections and Anirudh Gupta, Chief Finance & Strategy Officer. The appointments the company shared aligns with its focus on ‘People, Process, Profitability.’

Furthermore, Revfin has outlined its ambition to finance 24,000 EVs in FY2026. Till date, it claims to have financed over 85,000 EVs across 25 states, with 75 percent of borrowers from marginalised communities. Cumulatively, its driver partners have covered 1.6 billion electric miles and earned over USD 400 million.

In FY2025, the company grew its L5 EV loan book by 1,700 percent, supported by a partnership with Bajaj Auto and expanded collaborations with logistics firms. The L5 segment remains a key focus as a replacement for ICE vehicles in urban transport.

Sameer Aggarwal, Founder & CEO, Revfin, said, “The last financial year was a volatile one for the EV industry, but the excitement and energy within the sector remain undiminished. At Revfin, we are deeply convinced that intracity and small commercial vehicles must – and will – transition 100 percent to electric within the next three years. The opportunity is here and now. It’s time to set bold targets and pursue hypergrowth over the next two years. At this critical juncture, the right leadership becomes essential to realizing our ambitions. With the strong momentum we’ve already built, we’re confident the journey ahead will be even more rewarding. We’ve entered 2025 with a sharp focus on what truly matters: People, Processes, and Profitability. These latest leadership hires are a natural extension of that focus and our commitment to scale with purpose.”

Ahmedabad-based clean energy company Matter has launched its flagship electric motorcycle – the Aera, in Bengaluru at an introductory price of IRN 179,000 for the first 500 customers, post which it will be available at INR 188,000. The company has started taking pre-registrations for the e-motorcycle at INR 1,999.

Furthermore, the company has also announced that its first Experience Hub will come up at BTM Layout, which will showcase its tech prowess and philosophy firsthand.

The Matter Aera is claimed to be the world's first electric motorcycle with manual gears – 4-speed transmission, 3 ride modes that delivers 12 unique ride combinations. It features a 7-inch Smart Touchscreen Dashboard, onboard charger and liquid cooled powertrain. The e-motorcycle has a claimed IDC range of up to 172km, a zero to 40 kmph in 2.8 seconds, dual disc brakes with ABS, telescopic front fork and dual rear suspension.

Mohal Lalbhai, Founder & Group CEO, Matter Energy, said, “There’s no better city to lead this journey than Bengaluru—where innovation isn’t just an idea, it’s a way of life. Every lane, every rider here resonates with purpose and progress. The Aera isn’t just a bike – it’s the 22nd Century motorbike. It delivers the thrill of a rocket and the practicality your pocket loves. With our in-house developed Hypershift manual gearbox, liquid-cooled powertrain, and connected tech, AERA brings together performance, emotion, and sustainability like never before.”

The Kia EV3 has won the prestigious ‘2025 World Car of the Year’ award at the globally renowned 2025 World Car Awards ceremony, held during the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS).

A jury of 96 distinguished worldwide automotive journalists from 30 nations assessed the 2025 World Car Awards. With the EV3's triumph, Kia has now won six World Car Awards since 2020. The EV3 has a dramatic, forward-thinking design and a creative, useful interior that makes the most of available space, comfort and utility. The EV3 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in 31 minutes and has a segment-leading range of up to 375 miles (around 603 kilometres). While Kia's AI Assistant, advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and Over-the-Air (OTA) upgrades improve the ownership experience with cutting-edge technology, the vehicle's creative interior design maximizes room, comfort and accessibility.

Ho Sung Song, President and CEO, Kia, said, “It is an immense honour for everyone at Kia that the EV3 has been awarded the 2025 World Car of the Year title. This award highlights Kia’s global leadership in providing design-led, technologically advanced, sustainable mobility solutions and how the EV3’s class-leading attributes redefine the user experience for customers worldwide.”