Kia India, a leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has launched the Carens Clavis EV, its first electric vehicle manufactured in India at INR 1.79 million with the 42kWh battery pack option.

The Carens Clavis EV offers two battery options – 42kWh with a claimed 404km ARAI-certified range and 51.4kWh with a claimed 490km ARAI-certified range. Both batteries pair with 99kW or 126kW motor options, delivering 255Nm torque. The 51.4kWh variant achieves 0-100 kmph in 8.4 seconds.

Fast charging capability allows 10 percent to 80 percent charge in 39 minutes with a 100kW DC charger. The battery pack has IP67 certification for dust and water resistance and a liquid-cooled thermal management system. It also features Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability.

Inside, the Carens Clavis EV includes a 67.62 cm (26.62-inch) Dual Panoramic Display Panel. Other features include one-touch electric tumble for second-row seats, a ‘Boss Mode’ for second-row legroom, a Bose sound system, 64-colour ambient lighting and ventilated front seats.

The vehicle incorporates paddle shifters for four levels of regenerative braking, including an i-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. An ‘Auto Mode’ selects the optimal regeneration level.

The Carens Clavis EV integrates ADAS Level 2 with over 20 autonomous functions, such as Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane Keeping Assist and Front Collision-Avoidance Assist. Additional safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and all-wheel disc brakes.

For connectivity, the vehicle offers 90 connected features, including charging status monitoring, charge limit settings and energy consumption details.

Kia India provides a comprehensive EV ownership ecosystem. The K-Charge platform on the MyKia app accesses over 11,000 charging points nationwide. The company supports ownership with over 250 EV-ready workshops and more than 100 dealerships with DC fast chargers.

The Carens Clavis EV is available in four variants: HTK Plus, HTX, ER HTX and ER HTX Plus and six colours. Digital services like pre-emptive maintenance alerts, live video consultations and an AI-powered digital owner’s manual enhance after-sales experience.

Gwanggu Lee, Managing Director and CEO, of Kia India, said, “We are committed to leading the future of electric mobility through innovation, sustainability and a deep understanding of evolving consumer needs. Over the years, we have built a strong global EV portfolio and are proud to bring that expertise to India. The Carens Clavis EV represents the next step in this journey. It is built on three core pillars ­— our proven global EV technology, advanced features that simplify the driving experience, and our unique RV philosophy that stands for movement, flexibility, and togetherness. The Kia Carens Clavis EV, India’s first Electric RV, has been thoughtfully built for a nation that moves with ambition and togetherness. Inspired by India, our first made-in India electric vehicle carries forward the idea of ‘E-We’ defining a new way to move.”

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VinFast’s strategic progress in India has been further validated through recent accolades from the influential Vikatan Group media network. The company was distinguished with two significant awards: one recognising its substantial investment commitment, and the other honouring its VF 7 model as the premier urban electric vehicle for 2026. These commendations underscore the brand’s deepening integration into the Indian automotive sector, highlighting both its industrial strategy and its product relevance.

The title of Investor of the Year, conferred by Nanayam Vikatan business magazine, specifically acknowledges VinFast’s landmark commitment to establishing an electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. This project is noted not only for its scale and strategic clarity but also for its anticipated role in fostering a new industrial corridor, generating employment and bolstering the local supplier network. It aligns with national initiatives like Make in India and reflects confidence in the region’s manufacturing potential.

Concurrently, the VF 7 electric SUV was named Urban Electric Vehicle of the Year at the Motor Vikatan Awards 2026. This recognition from automotive experts underscores the model’s successful adaptation to India’s urban driving conditions, balancing design, performance, safety and comfort. It serves as a testament to VinFast’s product development focus and its localisation strategy aimed at meeting specific market demands.

As a respected media institution in South India with a legacy dating to 1926, the Vikatan Group’s awards carry considerable weight among businesses and consumers. These latest honours add to a growing list of VinFast’s achievements in the market, illustrating the convergence of its investment, manufacturing, and product efforts. Within a short timeframe, the company has employed a long-term strategy encompassing manufacturing, retail, charging infrastructure and after-sales services. Through this comprehensive approach and a focus on sustainable innovation, VinFast is steadily building its brand presence while contributing to India’s transition towards green mobility.

Pham Sanh Chau, CEO, VinFast Asia, said, “Being recognised in two important award categories demonstrates how VinFast is steadily building its position in India, not only through long term investment commitments but also through products developed to match local conditions and user needs. This recognition provides further momentum for us to accelerate implementation, expand the electric vehicle ecosystem, and maintain a long-term partnership with the Indian market.”

B Srinivasan, CEO, Vikatan Group, said, “VinFast India represents the new-age investor – bold in vision, swift in execution and deeply aligned with India’s growth story. By unravelling the true potential of the port city of Thoothukudi, VinFast India has helped create a conducive industrial ecosystem, played a positive role in employment generation and restored the city’s importance on India’s manufacturing map. Their investment is not just capital at work but confidence in India’s future.”

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Blue Energy Motors and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) have entered a strategic partnership to deploy Battery Swapping Stations for electric commercial trucks at select HPCL fuel outlets nationwide. This initiative leverages HPCL’s extensive network of over 24,400 retail locations to create a widespread and convenient energy infrastructure for freight operators. By situating swap stations within established fuelling hubs, the collaboration seeks to make electric mobility a practical and scalable reality for India’s logistics sector.

The core advantage of battery swapping lies in its dramatic reduction of energy replenishment time to under five minutes, minimising vehicle downtime compared to conventional charging. For fleet operators, this efficiency translates into higher vehicle utilisation, improved productivity and more predictable scheduling. Furthermore, a growing and accessible network of swap stations alleviates range anxiety, enabling electric heavy-duty trucks to confidently undertake longer routes and multiple shifts.

As India advances its green transportation goals, this alliance holds significant strategic value. HPCL’s vast retail footprint, which already supports over 5,400 EV charging points under its HP e-Charge brand, offers a ready platform for rapid infrastructure deployment across key freight corridors. Blue Energy Motors, a pioneer in zero-emission freight solutions, brings its expertise in electric commercial vehicles, exemplified by its launch of India’s first electric freight corridor. Together, the companies aim to accelerate electric vehicle adoption by directly addressing the operational needs of commercial fleets, thereby strengthening the long-term development of sustainable freight transport in the country.

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Eicher Trucks and Buses, part of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has completed a journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari using its Eicher Pro X EV.

The record verified by the India Book of Records (IBR), saw the electric vehicle cover over 4,000 kilometres in 6 days under loaded conditions. The run commenced in Srinagar on 20 January 2026 and concluded in Kanyakumari on 26 January 2026, traversing the Himalayas, plains and the Deccan Plateau.

Throughout the expedition, the vehicle utilised public chargers located via the MyEicher App. An adjudicator from the India Book of Records accompanied the truck to monitor route compliance, load, distance and charging stops. The mission served as a demonstration of electric vehicle endurance across diverse altitudes and climates to validate the technology for logistics corridors.

The journey was intended to show that electric commercial vehicles can operate beyond short-haul deliveries. By maintaining performance across hilly and coastal routes, the Pro X EV aimed to establish total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits and maintenance predictability for fleet operators. The successful completion of the route suggests that current charging infrastructure can support long-haul electric freight movement.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “For more than four decades, Eicher trucks and Buses have earned customer trust through leadership in fuel efficiency and application-specific engineering. The record-setting performance of the Eicher Pro X reinforces our unwavering focus on application excellence, reliability, and performance, anchored in robust product development and manufacturing capabilities, and enabled by a customer-centric, pan-India commercial and dealer network. I commend the entire Eicher team for achieving these well-deserved records”.

SS Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “By covering the K2K route with a loaded Pro X EV, Eicher Trucks & Buses has proven that electric mobility is no longer restricted to short-haul, ‘last-mile’ deliveries. We are not just setting records, but through the strength of our service network and extensive dealer set-up, we are demonstrating that our EV technology is commercially viable, reliable, and has the range to serve as the backbone of India’s green logistics corridors”.

Abhishek Chaudhary, SVP – SCV Sales & Marketing, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “The Eicher Pro X EV was put to the ultimate test – covering over 4000 kilometres across diverse climates and challenging altitudes. With this recognition from the India Book of Records we’ve moved beyond our own stringent testing benchmarks to real-world validation - Demonstrating that Eicher Pro X EV is a dependable partner for logistics movement across varied operations in India”.

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  - Sohan Sohan Lal January 30, 2026 11:29 AM

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Montra Electric, the electric medium and heavy commercial vehicle business of the Murugappa Group, has become the first manufacturer in India to receive certification for heavy-duty electric trucks under the government's PM E-Drive Scheme.

To mark the achievement, the company delivered a Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 Tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement. The handover took place in the presence of Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric and Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer of UltraTech Cement.

The PM E-Drive scheme includes a budget of INR 5 billion specifically for electric trucks, providing a benefit of up to INR 960,000 per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This incentive is intended to lower operating costs and reduce exposure to fuel price volatility for fleet operators in the logistics, mining, and manufacturing sectors. The Rhino 5538 EV range is designed for Indian conditions and is available in 6x4 and 4x2 variants.

The Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 variant features a 282 kWh LFP battery that produces 380 HP and 2000 Nm of torque. It offers a range of approximately 198 km under standard test conditions and supports six-minute battery swaps. These specifications suit the vehicle for high-utilisation applications in ports, steel plants, and cement logistics.

H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, said, "The PM E-Drive scheme is a testament to the growing prowess of Indian innovation in the heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to decarbonizing our logistics and making India a global hub for EV manufacturing. Electric trucks are pivotal to our Net Zero goals, and by fostering a self-reliant ecosystem through such certifications, we are driving the spirit of Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat. We are very happy to see our Prime Minister’s vision coming to life with the 1st PM E-Drive certified heavy duty electric truck from 'Montra Electric' getting delivered today."

Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric, said: “Decarbonising freight is one of the most critical challenges in India’s energy transition. We are grateful to the Government of India and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing forward-looking and progressive policy frameworks such as the PM E-Drive Scheme, which represent a welcome and transformative step in accelerating this shift, particularly in heavy commercial vehicles where emissions intensity is high. At Montra Electric, we are proud to contribute to this national mission by delivering technologically advanced, reliable, and scalable electric M&HCV solutions that can drive meaningful and lasting change in India’s mobility ecosystem.”

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