Jupiter Electric Mobility (JEM) launched its first electric light commercial vehicle (eLCV), a one-tonne payload truck called TEZ, at an event in Indore, marking its entry into India’s fast-evolving EV logistics space. 

The company, which has previously worked with Tata Motors and Volvo, aims to capitalise on the country’s push for sustainability, efficiency and self-reliance in transportation.

“Electric mobility is no longer an option but an imperative,” said Jupiter Group Managing Director Vivek Lohia, at the launch event. “With rising fuel costs and environmental concerns, this is the right moment to bring fully indigenous, high-performance eLCVs to market.”

The newly unveiled truck promises industry-leading specifications, including a robust electric drivetrain, extended range and smart connectivity features. 

JEM has also committed to rapid product expansion with two- and three-tonne variants expected by the end of the year.

Besides the eLCV, the company also inaugurated it's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Prithapur that will serve as the backbone of its electric vehicle production strategy, ensuring high localisation and reduced import dependency. 

Currently, the plant is equipped with a capacity of around 10,000 units a year, which the company plans to increase with demand. 

“We have invested around INR 1.5 billion in the manufacturing unit. Our built-to-suit model ensures these eLCVs are tailored for real-world applications. The focus is on engineering solutions that are not just innovative but also practical and commercially viable,” informed Jupiter Group Deputy Managing Director Vikash Lohia. 

“A vehicle alone cannot drive change. We need a complete ecosystem for seamless adoption,” Vikash emphasised.

The new facility spans 2.5 acres and is equipped with an in-house skateboard platform to vehicle assembly unit, reinforcing JEM’s focus on ground-up manufacturing. 

With a keen focus on durability, JEM’s trucks are designed for high-utilisation applications such as e-commerce, grocery and cement transportation. The vehicles also incorporate advanced remote monitoring and predictive analytics, catering to leasing firms and fleet operators seeking better asset management.

Manufacturing journey 

Speaking at the launch, Jupiter Electric Mobility Director Kartik Hajela informed, " Three years ago, the company set its sights on entering the electric truck segment. The challenge was competing with established players in an industry that has operated for decades. But the company saw electrification as a reset, a new starting point for all. Unlike traditional automotive products that move directly from retail to end-use, EVs demand an ecosystem approach spanning financing, insurance, and charging infrastructure."

"With market readiness still evolving, we took a patient approach, iterating vehicle design multiple times to ensure adaptability across applications. The goal was to create a product that isn’t confined to a single use case. Given that commercial vehicles remain in operation for 10 to 15 years, resale value and versatility were key considerations," he added.

Range anxiety was another major concern. The company engineered its trucks to deliver an on-road range exceeding 190 km with heavy payload capabilities. 

The vehicle’s 265 Nm torque and 80 kW motor enabled it to handle high-load applications. Fast-charging capabilities were also built in, allowing for a 100 km top-up in just one hour. Battery longevity was another strategic bet. 

"While some questioned the company's decision to oversize the battery two years ago, falling costs worked in the our favor. The result is a vehicle offering longer life cycles, fewer charge cycles and sustained reliability," added Hajela. 

The company also identified fleet financing and leasing as a growing market segment. 

"Many last-mile operators, influenced by the gig economy, prefer renting over ownership. To address financiers’ concerns about asset risk, the company developed an in-house telematics platform, integrating sensors to track vehicle wear, overload and driver behavior. This proprietary system offers predictive insights, helping leasing firms manage their fleets more efficiently," said Hajela. 

The company's roadmap focuses on continuous range improvement and deeper integration of smart vehicle monitoring. With a blend of hardware innovation and software intelligence, the company seeks to position itself as a key player in India's evolving commercial EV space.

The company is also expanding its footprint through a state-wise rollout, beginning with key markets such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. 

Strategic collaborations with partners like Porter, Pulse Energy, Battwheel and Tapfin will further strengthen JEM’s presence in the EV sector.

The vehicle is priced at INR 1,035,000 (ex-showroom). Deliveries are slated to start in March. 

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Bengaluru-headquartered electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy has announced that its first family electric scooter, the Rizta, has crossed the 300,000-unit sales milestone within just two years of its April 2024 launch.

The e-scooter has become Ather’s primary volume driver, significantly accelerating the company's growth in both its home markets and new regions.

The Rizta reached 200,000 units in December 2025 and added the most recent 100,000 units in just five months, reflecting a rapid surge in demand for family-focused electric mobility.

The Rizta has been instrumental in Ather’s ‘Middle India’ strategy, focusing on states like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha. In these regions, Ather's market share shot up from 4.1 percent (Q1 FY25) to 17.3 percent (Q4 FY26). In Northern states, including Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, market share grew more than threefold during the same period.

In its home base of Southern India, the Rizta helped Ather retain its leadership position, contributing to a regional market share of 23.5 percent in Q4 FY26.

Interestingly, nearly 70 percent of Rizta owners are families with children, moving away from Ather's traditional enthusiast-only demographic. The e-scooter's success is attributed to its 56-litre total storage, spacious seat and safety features like SkidControl. In FY2026, the Rizta accounted for approximately 76 percent of Ather’s total sales volume.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Since its launch, the Rizta was sharply positioned as a family scooter and has resonated extremely well with the family audiences across the country. The Rizta has helped us gain a leadership position in FY2026 in Southern India. Additionally, the Rizta has played a crucial role in expanding our market share in ‘middle India’ by 4X since its launch in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. In FY '26 the Rizta constituted about 76 percent of our portfolio and continues to lead our growth.”

Ather has maintained strong customer engagement through its AtherStack software. In September 2025, the company released AtherStack 7 via an over-the-air (OTA) update. This update introduced a touchscreen interface for existing Rizta Z models, pothole alerts & voice commands and advanced safety features including crash alerts, ParkSafe tow-zone detection and LockSafe theft prevention.

This milestone comes as Ather prepares to enter the mass-market segment with its upcoming EL platform and expands production capacity through its Factory 3.0 facility at AURIC, Maharashtra.

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Hyroad Energy has entered into an agreement with Toyota Motor North America to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 trucks in Southern California. The announcement took place at the ACT Expo, where the companies outlined a framework covering vehicles, software, and fuel supply.

As per the understanding, Hyroad will provide the trucks along with maintenance and data services for Toyota’s logistics operations. On the other hand, Toyota will supply the hydrogen fuel via its refuelling infrastructure currently being developed in Ontario, California.

The fuel cell trucks offer a claimed driving range of up to 500 miles (804km) and refuelling time of 15-20 minutes, comparable to diesel vehicles. However, the trucks emit only water vapour. Each Class 8 truck carries approximately 70 kg of hydrogen, equivalent to the capacity of 12 Toyota Mirai sedans.

Hyroad operates as an equipment-agnostic provider, bundling vehicle procurement, maintenance and fleet management software. In August 2025, the company acquired 117 hydrogen trucks and intellectual property assets from the Nikola Corporation bankruptcy auction. It now provides parts and support services for existing Nikola truck owners alongside its own fleet operations.

“Accelerating the hydrogen economy requires collaboration, and Toyota is proud to work with Hyroad to move the heavy-duty sector forward,” stated Toyota in a release.

Dmitry Serov, Founder & CEO, Hyroad Energy, said, “Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they've brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions. They're not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They're investing in it directly, and that's what makes this meaningful. When fuelling, vehicles, software and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works."

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BYD has claimed the title of the United Kingdom’s leading electric vehicle brand for 2026, surpassing established rivals including Tesla, BMW, KIA and Volkswagen. Official figures show the Chinese automaker has registered 12,754 battery-electric cars since the start of the year. This achievement is particularly notable as BYD has simultaneously become the top choice among private EV buyers, a feat accomplished despite being excluded from the government’s official Electric Car Grant scheme.

The brand’s broader success extends to its plug‑in hybrid lineup, marketed under the DM‑i dual‑mode intelligent system. Combining fully electric and hybrid sales, BYD has delivered 26,396 new energy vehicles in the UK year‑to‑date, capturing a 9.5 percent share of the national market. Three DM‑i models are currently available – SEAL U, SEAL 6 and SEALION 5 – with the ATTO 2 and additional models scheduled to arrive soon. The overall UK EV market has expanded by 22 percent, reflecting rising consumer appetite for sustainable transport.

BYD DOLPHIN SURF

BYD SEAL

Bono Ge, Country Manager, BYD UK, said, “With fuel prices remaining high, more drivers are turning to electric vehicles as a smarter and more economical choice. We are delighted to see the UK EV market grow by 22 percent year-on-year, and even more proud that BYD has become the UK’s leading EV brand in a little over three years. At BYD, we are committed to delivering outstanding value through high-tech electric vehicles that combine innovation, quality and affordability. But our ambition goes beyond building great cars.

“We are also bringing advanced technologies that unlock the full value of electrification, including Vehicle-to-Grid solutions that can help customers optimise energy use and reduce costs. In parallel, BYD has been deploying home and utility-scale energy storage solutions to support a more efficient and affordable energy ecosystem. Looking ahead, we also plan to introduce our breakthrough FLASH Charging, capable of charging a vehicle from 10 percent to 97 percent in just nine minutes.”

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LICO Materials, a battery circularity company, has received an eligibility grant from the Ministry of Mines under the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Critical Mineral Recycling. The scheme is a component of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM).

The grant, issued via the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), identifies LICO as one of 58 companies selected to develop domestic mining capabilities in India.

LICO has committed an investment of INR 2.40 billion and qualifies for a 20 percent Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) subsidy. Additionally, the company will receive an Operational Expenditure (OPEX) subsidy linked to commercial sales through to FY2030–31. Selection for the scheme required proof of technical capability in chemical extraction; companies involved only in collection or shredding were excluded.

The project involves a brownfield expansion in KIADB, Karnataka. LICO plans to add 10,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of material extraction capacity across two plants. While, one facility will focus on the mechanical shredding of battery packs, the second will handle the chemical extraction of minerals. The company aims to recover lithium, nickel and cobalt at 99 percent purity from end-of-life batteries featuring LFP, LCO and NMC chemistries.

The NCMM scheme has a national outlay of INR 15 billion and aims to increase India’s recycling capacity from 100,000 TPA to 400,000 TPA by 2030. This initiative is intended to reduce reliance on mineral supply chains from East Asia and improve industrial security.

Gaurav Dolwani, CEO, LICO Materials, said, “This recognition by the Ministry of Mines and NCMM is government's validation that what we are building in Karnataka is what India needs. We are not just recycling batteries but are producing battery-grade lithium, nickel & cobalt on Indian soil, from Indian waste batteries, for India's cell and battery manufacturers. This is critical when global mineral supply chains are fracturing along geopolitical lines. We are grateful for this recognition and committed to delivering on every milestone.”

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