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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Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has begun delivering the first batch of Prima E.55S electric prime movers to BillionE Mobility, as part of an order for 250 units of the EV.

The fleet is scheduled for phased deployment across freight corridors in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and the Delhi NCR region to transport industrial goods including steel and cement.

The Prima E.55S is constructed on the i-MoEV architecture and utilises a 450 kWh battery pack, which is claimed to be the largest in its category. The e-truck comes with a claimed range of up to 350 km on a single charge and features an integrated e-axle, a three-speed automatic transmission and dual-gun fast-charging capabilities.

In terms of safety it get a driver monitoring system, lane departure warning and an electronic braking system.

BillionE Mobility intends to scale its heavy-duty logistics operations to 1,500 units over the next 18 months through this strategic partnership. Tata Motors supports its alternative fuel portfolio through the Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative and a service network comprising 3,200 touchpoints across India.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder of BillionE & ChargeZone, and Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO of BillionE Mobility, said, “Our focus at Billion Electric Mobility is on building electric commercial vehicle solutions that can be deployed reliably, and at scale across real freight operations for inter-city routes. We are entering into a strategic partnership with Tata Motors as we aim to accelerate our commitment for systematic large-scale acquisition and month on month planned pipeline for deployment 6 to 18 months targeting 1,500 units of heavy‑duty logistics in India. The Tata Prima E.55S delivers the performance, reliability and operational efficiency required for intensive logistics solutions across various applications. We are pleased to induct Prima E.55S 450kWh, India’s largest in-class battery capacity of 450 kWh to enhance our long-haul logistics capabilities.”

Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President and Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors, said, “Electric trucking scales when vehicles are built for real operating conditions – duty cycles, uptime, energy efficiency and total cost of ownership. Developed with this application‑led approach, the Prima E.55S brings together India’s first high‑performance e‑axle, an advanced battery management system and dual charging ports, supported by a segment‑leading 450 kWh battery pack designed for extended range and demanding duty cycles. These technologies translate into strong performance, higher uptime and lower operating costs, enabling customers to achieve faster payback. Our close collaboration with BillionE Mobility has ensured alignment across the vehicle and the supporting ecosystem, enabling dependable electric operations across key freight corridors.”

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Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle division of the Hinduja Group, has delivered the first 10 units of its EiV12mt intercity electric coaches to Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions.

The e-buses were inaugurated in Pune and will operate on the Mumbai–Pune corridor. This deployment represents the manufacturer's first supply of intercity coaches to a private sector operator and facilitates the entry of Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions into the electric intercity segment.

The delivery is part of a larger order for 25 electric buses being deployed in partnership with Vertelo. The remaining units are scheduled for delivery throughout the year. The EiV12mt coach is designed for long-distance operations, featuring 45 pushback seats and a range exceeding 300 km per charge. The vehicle incorporates fast-charging technology and the Switch iON connected system for real-time fleet monitoring and data analysis.

Till date, Switch Mobility has deployed over 2,500 electric buses in India to date and has previously supplied intercity vehicles to state transport undertakings such as UPSRTC. The company intends to scale its presence in the intercity segment as operators transition from internal combustion engines to electric propulsion for high-frequency travel corridors.

Ganesh Mani, CEO, Switch Mobility, said, “The flag-off marks another important step in expanding electric mobility beyond cities and strengthening our presence in the intercity segment. This partnership reflects the growing confidence in electric buses for high-frequency routes like Mumbai–Pune, where performance, reliability, and efficiency are critical. As we commence deliveries, with the first set of buses now deployed, we look forward to progressively scaling this engagement with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions in the period ahead. At Switch Mobility, we are focused on delivering solutions through the EiV12 platform that are not only sustainable but also commercially viable for operators, while ensuring a superior passenger experience. With intercity mobility continuing to evolve, we are building on our experience in the segment and remain committed to accelerating the adoption of reliable, efficient, and future-ready electric mobility solutions.”

Prasanna Patwardhan, CMD, Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, added, “Entering the intercity segment with electric mobility is a significant milestone for us. Through this collaboration, we are introducing a cleaner and more efficient travel option on the Mumbai–Pune route. We remain focused on enhancing the overall journey experience while moving towards more sustainable operations. With Switch Mobility we value our partnership for long term E Mobility Solutions.”

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German luxury automotive brand BMW Group has introduced a new hydrogen tank architecture for the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, extending the vehicle's range to 750 km. The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage system integrates with the vehicle structure to maintain cabin space and compatibility with the company's Gen6 high-voltage battery.

The storage unit consists of 7 high-pressure tanks constructed from carbon-fibre reinforced composite. These tanks are connected in parallel within a metal frame and operate as a single unit controlled by a central valve.

Key performance data:

• Capacity: Stores at least seven kilograms of hydrogen.
• Refuelling: Pressure levels of 700 bar allow for a full refill in under five minutes.
• Propulsion: Utilises Gen3 fuel cell technology combined with the "Heart of Joy" drivetrain and chassis control software.
• Integration: The flat design allows hydrogen models to be manufactured on the same production lines as petrol, diesel and battery-electric variants.

The development of the powertrain and tank system is part of the ‘HyPowerDrive’ project. The initiative has received EUR 191 million from the German Federal Ministry of Transport and EUR 82 million from the state of Bavaria.

BMW intends to integrate the iX5 Hydrogen into its standard production network in 2028. The flexible architecture of the new X5 allows for five different drive system variants, including plug-in hybrid and battery-electric, to be built on a single platform to reduce technical complexity and manufacturing costs.

Dr Joachim Post, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for Development, said, “Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space. Think of it as installation Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!”

The hydrogen programme is part of BMW’s ‘technology-open’ strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on specific raw material chains. By offering hydrogen fuel cell technology alongside conventional and battery-electric systems, the company aims to provide long-range electric driving with refuelling times comparable to internal combustion engines.

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CUPRA has introduced the all new Raval, a compact electric vehicle that boldly rejects ordinary design and driving expectations. As the latest addition to the brand’s expanding electric lineup, this model is built to form a genuine emotional bond with the person behind the wheel while actively pushing against conventional automotive norms.

Arriving in UK this summer, the Raval combines striking city car style with genuine performance credentials. Its starting price is set at GBP 23,785 (approximately USD 31,976), and buyers can choose from four trims: Origin, V1, V2 and VZ. Every version sits on the advanced MEB+ platform, ensuring a modern foundation for both efficiency and driving dynamics.

The entry level Origin uses a 37-kWh battery producing 115 PS. The V1 and V2 trims offer a choice between the same sized battery with 135 PS or a larger 52 kWh unit delivering 210 PS, the latter providing roughly 280 miles (approximately 450 km) of range and a fast charge time of just 23 minutes from 10 to 80 percent. The sporty VZ trim comes exclusively with the 52-kWh battery, offering around 250 miles (approximately 402 km) of range and 225 PS, plus performance upgrades like an electronic limited slip differential and Dynamic Chassis Control.

At the heart of the Raval lies a driver focused interior featuring an integrated digital instrument setup with a 10.25-inch cockpit display and a 12.9-inch infotainment screen. All vehicle parameters are controlled from this central hub. The redesigned steering wheel includes physical buttons, plus dedicated satellite controls for driving modes and regenerative braking paddles, ensuring every journey delivers the emotional engagement CUPRA promises.

Marcus Gossen, Managing Director of SEAT and CUPRA UK, said, “The CUPRA Raval is the culmination of an immense amount of hard work, dedication and effort on all fronts. Raval is the pinnacle of all things CUPRA – advanced, forward thinking, dynamic. It pushes the boundaries in automotive and encourages drivers to form a real emotional connection to the drive itself. The combination of striking design, electrifying performance and unconventional features reimagines what an urban EV can be for a new generation of drivers. This is a fully electric car designed to redefine urban mobility with CUPRA’s emotional and challenger DNA.”

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