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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Japanese automotive luxury carmaker Lexus has released details of the TZ, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) and three-row SUV. The EV follows the theme ‘Discover Limitless’ and is based on a ‘Driving Lounge’ concept.

The interior features a movable panoramic roof and an audio system. For acoustics, the e-SUV uses sound directivity control to manage the cabin environment. Materials used in the construction include forged bamboo from Shikoku and recycled aluminium. The development of the TZ followed a philosophy focused on the core structure and ride quality.

The design features a spindle body and graphics to manage aerodynamics. According to Lexus, the model achieves aerodynamic performance levels for its SUV category as of May 2026. The vehicle includes a ‘Rear Comfort’ mode and ‘Interactive Manual Drive’ technology. Manufacturing processes for the model incorporate methods intended to manage environmental impact.

Takeshi Miyaura, Chief Engineer, Lexus International, said, “TZ was developed with the 'Driving Lounge' concept: a refined mobile space that brings smiles to the faces of drivers and families. To get there, the development team continually questioned and refined the vehicle's identity. We envisioned Lexus's target brand value – customers who value time and choose authenticity – and aimed to deliver a new Lexus experience through the TZ. Electrification (BEV) emerged as the method to realise these values because BEV it offers an ideal blend of driving enjoyment and driving evolution. In addition to the Lexus experience of ‘seeing,’ ‘riding,’ and ‘driving,’ we now offer the new value of ‘spending time’ inside the vehicle.”

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European commercial vehicle manufacturer DAF has started production of the XG Electric and XG+ Electric trucks.

The e-truck, built in Eindhoven, use powertrain technology and cab designs. The first vehicle, an XG+ tractor with an output of 350 kW, will be delivered to Hellmold & Plank, a logistics provider based in Germany.

DAF's range of electric vehicles extends from the 12-tonne XB Electric for distribution to the XG and XG+ Electric for haulage. These models share technology with the XD and XF Electric trucks, which were named ‘International Truck of the Year 2026’.

Hellmold & Plank has operated for 122 years and is based in Gieben. The company employs DAF electric models for shuttle transport and drugstore supply. The firm also utilises PACCAR charging equipment for its fleet operations.

The XG and XG+ Electric are intended for distance transport. Cabs provide a volume of 12.5 cubic metre for work and sleep. The vehicles use the PACCAR EX-D2 powertrain, which produces between 270 and 350 kW and torque of 2,400 Nm. It is powered by lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs fitted to the chassis. The e-trucks have a claimed range of 500 kilometres depending on the application.

Harald Seidel, President, DAF Trucks, said, “The start of production of the XG Electric and XG+ Electric, underlines our commitment to offering zero-emission solutions across a broad range of applications. Customers such as Hellmold & Plank demonstrate that our electric trucks are delivering strong efficiency and sustainable performances in everyday logistics operations.”

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company (TVSM) has announced the launch of the TVS iQube S 4.7 kWh at INR 137,142 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The e-scooter is equipped with a 4.7 kWh battery that offers a claimed range of 175 km (IDC-certified). The variant introduces new colour options, including Magnificence Purple Beige, Harlequin Blue Beige and Titanium Grey Matte.

The TVS iQube is one of the most popular e-scooters sold in India. The e-scooters are currently available in more than 1,000 cities and 3,300 dealerships across India.

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Yulu has launched its franchisee-led service in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, marking its ninth partner-led rollout under the Yulu Business Partner (YBP) initiative.

The service is operated by Tezz Mobility, led by entrepreneurs Dharamveer Singh Bhadoriya and Siddharth Jain, and expands Yulu’s presence into Central India.

The partnership aims to address the growing demand for last-mile delivery services in Bhopal, which is currently served primarily by petrol vehicles. The ecosystem includes a city-wide network of Yulu Zones, a central operations and service hub and a battery-swapping grid provided by Yuma Energy.

In the first phase, operations are focused on high-density delivery zones such as Shahpura, with plans to expand to Hoshangabad Road, New Market, TT Nagar, Kolar Road and Habibganj.

Tezz Mobility intends to scale its fleet to over 1,000 electric vehicles (EVs) within the next two to three years, covering Bhopal and other high-potential regions in north and west India.

The launch is designed to overcome local barriers to EV adoption, such as limited rental options and a lack of dedicated charging infrastructure. By providing purpose-built delivery EVs and a pay-per-use model, the service allows delivery partners to access sustainable mobility without the need for personal vehicle ownership or fuel reimbursements. The long-term objective of the initiative is to transition 100 percent of Bhopal's delivery traffic to EV-powered mobility.

Amit Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Yulu, said, “Bhopal represents a strong market opportunity characterised by rising delivery demand and a thriving gig economy. With 45+ dark stores and thriving food delivery activity, the Bhopal market has room for ~8,000 delivery riders. Through our partnership with Tezz Mobility, Yulu is delighted to build a scalable, tech-driven logistics backbone to cater to this demand. Yulu’s proven mobility stack and segment expertise, coupled with Dharamveer and Siddharth’s operational prowess, will accelerate Bhopal’s transition toward a more efficient, sustainable and future-ready mobility ecosystem.”  

Dharamveer Singh Bhadoriya, Co-Promoter, Tezz Mobility, added, “Our previous experience as a supplier to leading quick commerce brands has given us a first-hand understanding of the operational challenges delivery ecosystems face every day. With Yulu’s platform, we are bringing a proven, end-to-end solution that allows Bhopal’s delivery partners to access reliable, affordable and sustainable mobility while helping aggregators to meet their EV commitments from day one.”

Siddharth Jain, Co-Promoter, Tezz Mobility, added, “Yulu’s full-stack platform, brand trust and aggregator relationships have enabled Tezz Mobility to reduce our build time from 1.5 years to mere weeks. The Tezz team is excited to transform Bhopal’s mobility landscape. The longer arc is to turn Bhopal into a reference model for every subsequent city.” 

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