Kia Carens Clavis EV Launched At INR 1.79 Million In India

Kia Carens Clavis

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.”

Polestar Festival Celebrates Fifth Anniversary In UK With World’s Largest Polestar Logo

Polestar Festival Celebrates Fifth Anniversary In UK With World’s Largest Polestar Logo

Celebrating a significant five-year milestone in the UK, Polestar recently hosted its largest customer event, the Polestar Festival, at Bicester Motion. The festival served as the dynamic backdrop for the UK premiere of the new Polestar 5, a four-door performance Grand Tourer that embodies the brand's forward-looking vision.

The event attracted around 1,000 guests to the company's headquarters for a weekend highlighting Polestar's remarkable growth, which has seen over 45,000 vehicles sold since its 2020 launch. In a striking display of community, 180 owner vehicles were meticulously arranged on the Bicester airfield to form a record-breaking, 170-metre-wide collage of the Polestar logo.

Attendees experienced the first UK showing of the Polestar 5, a model extensively developed by the brand’s British engineers and evolved from the pioneering Precept concept. The festival also featured an interactive partner zone with leading technology firms like Google, Bowers & Wilkins and Brembo showcasing their contributions.

Further highlights included the exclusive Arctic Circle collection of modified Polestar vehicles, available for virtual driving experiences, and the display of a Guinness World Record-holding Polestar 3 that achieved 581 miles (approximately 935 km) on a single charge. The agenda was packed with live driving demonstrations on and off the track, alongside insightful discussions with Polestar executives on critical topics such as sustainable innovation and automotive design.

Matt Galvin, Managing Director, Polestar UK, said, “It was incredible to see so many customers and friends of the brand on Saturday, and the reception to the new Polestar 5 has been astonishing. Polestar UK is growing fast and has a very exciting future ahead of it, and I would like to thank all our customers for being part of this success story.”

Tata Ace EV

Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has further strengthened its electric small commercial vehicle offerings.

The company has announced that over 25,000 public charging stations are now installed and accessible to its e-SCV customers across more than 150 cities, including Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

The EV chargers are strategically located across key logistics hubs, empowering last-mile delivery operators with enhanced range confidence, operational efficiency and improved earnings.

Furthermore, Tata Motors has also inked MoU with 13 leading Charging Point Operators (CPOs) – A Plus Charge, Ampvolts, chargeMOD, Charge Zone, Electric Fuel, Envo The Sustainer, EV Spot Charge, Kazam, Nikol EV, Sonik Mobility, Thunderplus Solutions, Volttic and Zeon Electric – to install and operate 25,000 additional public chargers over the next 12 months.

Pinaki Haldar, Vice-President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “Crossing the 25,000 public charging station mark is a pivotal milestone in our commitment to advancing electric cargo mobility and its enabling ecosystem. With over 10,000 Ace EVs already deployed and having collectively covered more than 6 crore km, we’re seeing growing confidence among customers and transporters in the benefits of using four-wheel electric commercial vehicles. Our recently introduced Ace Pro EV is also gaining traction with its advanced capabilities tailored to evolving customer needs in urban and semi-urban cargo applications.”

“While we continue to innovate and deliver reliable, high-performance e-cargo vehicles, we remain equally focused on expanding infrastructure access through strategic collaborations. This partnership with India’s leading Charging Point Operators underscores our dedication to building a robust support network and enabling profitable, zero-emission logistics for entrepreneurs and transporters across the country,” said Haldar.

At present, Tata Motors’ e-SCV lineup includes the Ace Pro EV, Ace EV and Ace EV 1000.

Eicher Delivers All-Electric Tarmac Coaches To IndiGo At Bengaluru Airport

In a significant move for sustainable aviation infrastructure, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, has supplied its first fleet of all-electric tarmac coaches to IndiGo airlines. The delivery of six Eicher Skyline Pro-E 12-metre buses inaugurates a strategic partnership centred on clean energy and operational efficiency, marking Eicher's inaugural entry into the aviation ground support equipment sector.

Deployed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, these zero-emission buses are engineered for the rigours of airport tarmac operations. With a mission to safely ferry passengers between the terminal and their aircraft in utmost comfort, the buses feature a high-capacity layout with seating for 17 passengers plus a driver, along with ample space for 52 standing occupants.

Its advanced lithium-iron phosphate battery and CCS2 fast-charging system are designed to sustain continuous operation. For a smooth and stable ride, the vehicle is equipped with full air suspension, power-assisted steering, and disc brakes on all axles. This initiative is a key part of IndiGo’s broader strategy to minimise the environmental impact of its operations.

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President – Bus Division, VECV, said, "We are honoured to partner with IndiGo in their journey towards greener and sustainable ground operations at Kempegowda Airport – recognised for its striking aesthetics and sustainable practices. With a broad range of buses optimised for demanding applications and backed by connected 24X7 service, Eicher is already a familiar name for citizens, school children and factory staff in Bengaluru. With these tarmac coaches, Eicher stands committed to sustainably transporting the 42 million passengers that use this gateway to India’s Silicon Valley each year.”

SnapE Cabs Secures $2.5 Million In Bridge Round Led By Inflection Point Ventures

SnapE Cabs Secures $2.5 Million In Bridge Round Led By Inflection Point Ventures

SnapE Cabs, an electric vehicle mobility company, has secured USD 2.5 million in a bridge round led by Inflection Point Ventures. This infusion of capital will be directed towards leasing new EV cabs, covering operational expenses and enhancing the company's technological product development.

The company has reached a significant financial milestone by achieving EBITDA positivity. This success is underpinned by substantial growth, including a fleet that now exceeds 1,000 electric vehicles. SnapE Cabs has garnered over 1.2 million paying users and facilitated more than 3.2 million rides, culminating in gross revenues of INR 1.20 billion. Its recent strategic expansion into the Delhi market, in partnership with Rapido, has already proven profitable with an initial deployment of 200 cars.

A key to SnapE's competitive edge is its unique operational model, which is based on full ownership of its electric fleet and exclusive partnerships with charge point operators. This ‘EV as a Service’ approach ensures high vehicle availability. The company enjoys operating costs 60-70 percent lower than traditional cabs, allowing for competitive pricing without compromising profitability. Furthermore, SnapE demonstrates remarkable efficiency with a customer acquisition cost of just 0.8 percent of revenue and a 90 percent rider retention rate. Future scalability is anchored in ambitious B2B plans, including a collaboration with Rapido to deploy 5,000 cabs across India within two years.

Founded by Mayank Bindal, an industry veteran with over 15 years of telecom experience and a master’s degree in finance, SnapE Cabs currently operates in Kolkata and is expanding into the Delhi-NCR region. The company supports its operations with its own proprietary charging network.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, Inflection Point Ventures, said, “The demand for clean and sustainable vehicles is growing globally. The ride-hailing platforms are no exception. With an increasing number of people using ride-hailing services, this sector urgently needs a greener alternative. SnapE Cabs is addressing this by not only offering EV cab services but by also building a supportive infrastructure. Its model is both environmentally friendly and financially sustainable, achieving growth without burning cash for customer acquisition, discounts and fleet operations. The recent tie up with Rapido further strengthens the company mission for India’s EV adoption and sustainable goal.”

Mayank Bindal, Founder and CEO, SnapE Cabs, said, “We’re not just expanding; we’re delivering profitability at scale. With IPV backing us in this bridge round, SnapE has already deployed 200 electric cabs in Delhi in the last three months, which have been profitable from day one. Over the next 12 months, we’re adding another 1,000 cars, not to chase growth metrics but to meet a very real supply gap left open in the market. Our focus shifts from a demand aggregation to a supply-led infrastructure model empowers other demand aggregators, enhances utilisation and de-risks margins. In a sector built on burns, recent disruptions have created visible white space and squeezed up margins; SnapE is proving that EV fleet economics work today not just on projections. This round accelerates our mission to build the backbone that enables India’s EV mobility vision for 2030 – clean, scalable and built on fundamentals.”