Mahindra has announced the prices for the top-end (Pack Three) variant of its flagship Electric Origin SUVs, the BE 6 and XEV 9e. The BE 6 Pack Three is priced at INR 2.69 million, whereas the XEV 9e Pack Three is priced at INR 3.05 million.

Mahindra's goal of democratising high-end technology is highlighted by Pack Three, which stands for the pinnacle of luxury, state-of-the-art features and unparalleled performance. In response to consumers' increasing preference for high-end EVs, Mahindra will only introduce Pack Three for the BE 6 and XEV 9e during the first phase. Mahindra has also introduced the ‘Three for Me’ finance programme, which ensures that Pack Three variants can be owned at the same monthly EMI as Pack One, with a balloon payment at the end of six years. With this arrangement, the BE 6 Pack Three will be available at a monthly EMI of INR 39,224 and the XEV 9E Pack Three will be available at a monthly EMI of INR 45,450.

Phased test drives for the SUVs will commence on 14 January 2025 and the bookings will open on 14 February 2025, with deliveries expected to begin in early March 2025.

Veejay Nakra, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Joint Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Limited, said, “The response to our Electric Origin SUVs has been phenomenal, with customers showing a strong inclination towards high-end technology and premium features. In response, we will initiate bookings only for the feature-loaded Pack Three in 79 kWh for both BE 6 and XEV 9e on 14 February 2025, which is Valentine’s Day. With its 79-kWh battery delivering over 500 km of real-world range, customers can be free from range anxiety. Our vision is to make premium EVs mainstream, and with our ‘Three for Me’ finance programme, we ensure these vehicles remain accessible, aiming for a total monthly target of 5,000 units in Phase 1.”

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Greaves Electric Mobility (GEML), the e-mobility division of Greaves Cotton, has appointed Vikas Singh as its new Managing Director, effective 2 June 2025. 

He will be responsible for driving the company’s next phase of growth, with the current management team reporting to him.

Singh is an alumnus of FMS, University of Delhi, and has held leadership positions in various Indian and multinational organisations. The appointment comes at a time when Greaves Electric Mobility is set to go public, along with a product offensive onslaught.

“In line with our long-term strategic vision and continued focus on strengthening leadership for future growth, the Board of Greaves Electric Mobility has approved the appointment of Vikas Singh as Managing Director, effective June 2, 2025,” Greaves Electric Mobility said in a statement.

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A groundbreaking multi-year pilot program is set to launch in Tokyo this September, deploying over 150 battery-swappable commercial electric vehicles (EVs) and 14 modular battery swapping stations across the city. The ambitious initiative marks a collaboration between Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, Ample and Yamato Transport. The aim is to drastically reduce vehicle downtime and accelerate Japan's decarbonisation goals.

The Tokyo project significantly expands on a successful smaller pilot conducted in Kyoto last year. The fleet will include MFTBC's eCanter light-duty trucks and Mitsubishi Motors' Minicab EV, specifically targeting commercial delivery operations. Yamato Transport, Japan's largest shipping and logistics group, will be the first major customer, focusing on last-mile deliveries. Ample, an American battery swapping company, will provide the battery swapping technology and manage the installation and operation of the swapping stations.

This initiative is a direct response to Japan's ambitious climate targets: a 46 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2013 levels by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050. With the transportation sector contributing approximately 19 percent of Japan's total CO2 emissions in 2022, electrifying commercial fleets is a critical strategic priority. The project is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Environment Public Corporation.

A core objective of the program is to achieve battery swapping times of just five minutes, minimising disruption to commercial operations. Unlike traditional charging, Ample's system is fully automated, allowing drivers to remain in their vehicles. These compact, rapidly deployable stations offer a practical solution for high-utilisation fleets in dense urban environments like Tokyo. Future plans also include utilising these stations to provide grid services, such as storing renewable energy, further bolstering their environmental impact.

This collaboration builds on prior successful partnerships, including a 2024 pilot in Kyoto that involved Yamato Transport, MFTBC and Ample. That demonstration validated the operational benefits of battery swapping and its ability to support diverse vehicle types and brands simultaneously. The Tokyo expansion not only scales up operations but also welcomes Mitsubishi Motors, a pioneer in the commercial EV segment, as an additional automotive partner.

The consortium's ultimate goal is to showcase battery swapping as a viable solution for the demanding real-world needs of commercial EV operators and to establish a robust infrastructure for commercial battery swapping across Japan's largest city. The project remains open to welcoming additional automakers, fleets and logistics operators interested in joining this transformative effort.

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Pune-headquartered alternative fuel commercial vehicles manufacturer Blue Energy Motors has delivered LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks to Inland World Logistics.

These LNG-powered trucks are claimed to offer 30 percent lower CO2 emissions and thus not only contribute to lower tailpipe emissions but also lower operational costs.

With this, Blue Energy Motors has over 800 LNG trucks plying on Indian highways, which have enabled over 50 million kilometres. This translates to almost 14,000 tonnes of CO2 reduction.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, CEO, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We are proud to lead India’s clean trucking revolution and partner with visionary companies like Inland who share our commitment to sustainable growth. Our trucks offer a powerful alternative to diesel, with significantly reduced emissions and a lower total cost of ownership. This reflects our commitment to enable cleaner mobility at scale—fleet by fleet, region by region.” 

Praveen Somani, Managing Director, Inland World Logistics, said, “We believe that the future of logistics lies in green mobility, and transitioning to LNG is a crucial step in that direction. Blue Energy Motors stood out for us - not just for their product innovation, but for their clear commitment to making sustainable trucking viable and accessible. These trucks align with our vision of reducing our carbon footprint while ensuring efficiency and performance on long hauls.”

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The Kia EV3 has secured the highest possible ‘Very Good’ grade in Euro NCAP's assisted driving test. The test focused on the model's Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) system, which combines real-time driver monitoring, adaptive cruise control and lane centring.

In the ‘assistance competence’ and ‘safety backup’ categories, the EV3 received scores of 74 and 88 out of 100, respectively. The vehicle achieved the highest rating with a total score of 162 points, making it the first car from both Kia and the Hyundai Motor Group to receive this grade. By aiding the driver in a variety of real-world situations, such as changing lanes, maintaining lane position at different speeds and stopping if the driver becomes unresponsive, the EV3's HDA 2 strikes a balance between a high degree of vehicle assistance and driver involvement, according to Euro NCAP. In addition to providing exceptional safety backup, the model provides ‘very good’ highway assistance.

With the adaptability and affordability to be the primary vehicle in the home, Kia's EV3 is a high-volume electric vehicle designed specifically for the compact SUV market. The 2025 World Car Awards have crowned the vehicle the 2025 World Car of the Year. In the UK, the car has also received other honours, including ‘UK Car of the Year 2025’ at the UK Car of the Year Awards and ‘Best EV Crossover’ at the TopGear.com Electric Awards 2025.

Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President Product and Marketing of Kia Europe and COO of Kia Connect Europe, said, “This excellent outcome reflects Kia’s commitment to delivering advanced technologies that enhance driver convenience and passenger safety. The EV3’s performance in the Euro NCAP assisted driving test draws attention to the capabilities of Highway Driving Assist 2 and serves as a milestone for Hyundai Motor Group.”

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