MAHLE will present its new range extender system for heavy electric trucks as a world premiere at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, running from 15 to 20 September 2026. The Stuttgart automotive supplier, exhibiting under the motto ‘Electrified. Efficient. Economical’, positions the innovation as a bridge between electric sustainability and internal combustion flexibility. CEO Arnd Franz and Dr Marco Warth, Vice President of Corporate Research, will present the technology as a practical solution for fleet operators constrained by inadequate charging infrastructure and limited vehicle range.

The range extender functions as an intelligent emergency power unit that activates precisely when needed, ensuring battery-electric trucks can cover all daily operational requirements without compromise. For forwarders and fleet operators facing mounting pressure to decarbonise while controlling costs, flexibility and reliability remain paramount. Franz noted that time and energy are scarce resources in road transport, and MAHLE's electrification products aim to enhance efficiency while reducing operating expenses.

The system's core comprises a high-voltage generator with 110 kilowatts continuous output and 130 kilowatts peak, driven by a compact internal combustion engine featuring advanced oil cooling for power density exceeding seven kilowatts per kilogramme. MAHLE has packaged this as an autonomous unit integrating generator, engine, thermal management, fuel and AdBlue tanks, and exhaust treatment into a compact box fitting standard battery installation spaces. This design replaces about one-third of typical battery capacity, reducing rear axle load by 400 kilogrammes and total vehicle weight by 600 kilogrammes, while achieving a total range exceeding 800 kilometres.

Under real-world conditions, the range extender truck emits approximately 80 percent less CO2 than conventional diesel vehicles, with virtually zero emissions when operating on renewable HVO100 biodiesel. The thermal management system provides 48 kilowatts of high-temperature and 15 kilowatts of low-temperature cooling for stable heavy-duty performance. Warth emphasised that the system decouples electric truck adoption from infrastructure development pace, allowing continued operation even when charging stations are unavailable.

MAHLE will also premiere its Contactless Transmitter electric motor for heavy commercial vehicles, eliminating permanent magnets and rare earth elements while saving three kilogrammes of materials per vehicle. The motor is 10 percent lighter and more efficient than conventional alternatives, delivering 370 kilowatts peak output and over 900 Nm torque at 3,900 rpm, achieving approximately 95 percent efficiency in VECTO simulation cycles.

Franz acknowledged structural challenges including poor European economic prospects, unpredictable tariffs, weak North American demand and growing competition from Chinese battery-electric imports. Despite headwinds, MAHLE leads the European market for electric climate compressors and ranks among the top three for electric pumps and fans, with first-half 2026 orders significantly surpassing previous year levels. The group collaborates with over 120 commercial vehicle customers worldwide and identifies Asia as the primary growth region.

Franz stressed that internal combustion engines will remain dominant, declining only from 83 to approximately 73 percent by 2035, necessitating expanded sustainable fuel supplies alongside electrification. He called for objective review of European CO2 fleet regulations, urging policymakers to pragmatically recognise range extender systems as electrification facilitators. The CEO concluded that successful transformation requires coordinated action between industry, government and customers, with reliable charging, hydrogen refuelling and storage infrastructure as essential prerequisites.

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Flying Flea, the electric mobility brand from Royal Enfield, has expanded its retail network in India by launching operations in Hyderabad. Following its initial rollout in Bengaluru, where registered vehicles have accumulated over 100,000 kilometres, Hyderabad becomes the second Indian market for the brand.

The expansion includes four touchpoints across Hyderabad, comprising one company-owned store in Erragadda and three dealer partner locations operated by Taurus Motors in Vanasthalipuram, Bolt Motorcycles in Hi-Tech City and SVR Motors in Kondapur. The network utilises a hub-and-spoke operational structure, designating the Erragadda facility for technical support while the partner locations handle routine service and sales operations.

The brand's initial offering, the Flying Flea C6 electric motorcycle, is priced at INR 279,000 ex-showroom or INR 199,000 under a Battery-as-a-Service model. The vehicle is offered in three colour options: Storm Black, Flea Green, and Parachute White, with roadside assistance provided across retail channels.

The retail launch in Hyderabad follows Flying Flea's international expansion into European and UK markets, including retail locations in Paris, Barcelona, Berlin, Rome and London.

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Zomato and Blinkit, operating under parent company Eternal, hosted the third edition of EV Bazaar at the KD Jadhav Stadium in New Delhi to promote electric two-wheeler adoption among delivery partners.

The event drew participation from 2,500 delivery gig workers and over 20 original equipment manufacturers and ecosystem partners, showcasing more than 30 electric two-wheeler models alongside vehicle rental, financing and charging solutions.

The event included addresses by Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Jitender Patil, Head of the EV Cell at the Transport Department of Maharashtra.

As of 30 September 2026, over 200,000 delivery partners across the Zomato and Blinkit platforms operate electric two-wheelers. During FY2026, electric vehicles completed 228 million deliveries across both platforms, avoiding an estimated 9,926 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

Mahmood Ahmed said, “The electrification of the transportation section is a critical contributor to India’s energy security and air pollution control. The adoption of EVs by delivery partners is important to accelerating the transition since charging, swapping and servicing networks will expand for the industry and benefit other users as well. I appreciate this proactive initiative by Zomato and Blinkit to further the gig ecosystem’s shift to electric mobility and enabling a better future for India.”

Anjalli Ravi Kumar, Chief Sustainability Officer, Eternal, said, “For our delivery partners, the performance of their bike is critical to their ability to earn efficiently. Delivery may only be one of their many responsibilities on the same day. That makes the move to electric a practical and financial question as much as an environmental one. EV Bazaar gives delivery partners a place to evaluate their EV bike purchase options by directly interacting with companies who build, rent, finance and charge EV bikes. We thank each of them for being part of the third edition.”

To facilitate vehicle access, the companies operate a 'Rent a vehicle' feature within their delivery partner mobile applications, enabling workers to lease electric two-wheelers and locate charging and battery-swapping stations within assigned delivery zones. Over 23,000 delivery partners utilised the rental feature in fiscal year 2026. Additionally, Zomato Local Services launched an owned electric vehicle rental fleet in June 2025, deploying over 1,500 electric two-wheelers across Delhi and Chennai by March 2026.

Sheetanshu Tyagi, Co-Founder and CEO, EMO Energy, said, “EMO Energy brings advanced batteries and 20-minute charging together to keep last-mile vehicles moving. With Zomato and Blinkit, we are enabling riders to charge faster, operate with zero downtime, and have greater vehicle availability.”

During the event, three delivery partners received new electric two-wheelers and one partner was awarded a one-year rental sponsorship from the network in recognition of operational performance and participation in platform electrification initiatives.

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Jio-bp, the operating brand of Reliance BP Mobility, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle leasing platform Vertelo to develop charging infrastructure and financial solutions for electric buses and trucks in India.

The partnership combines Vertelo's commercial vehicle leasing platform with Jio-bp's fast-charging network across urban centres and highway transport corridors.

As per the agreement, both entities will explore providing fleet operators with turnkey charging infrastructure projects, preferential charging rates and location tracking for charging hubs. The initiative aligns with the Government of India's PM E-DRIVE program, which promotes zero-emission commercial transport adoption.

Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, Jio-bp, said, "India's transition to electric mobility is no longer a question, it is happening quickly. At the heart of this transformation are commercial fleets - buses and trucks that keep our people, cargo, and economy moving every day, often covering the longest distances and the toughest routes. At Jio-bp, we believe EV charging infrastructure is a critical part of national infrastructure and our partnership with Vertelo marks an important step towards building the charging backbone needed to cater to the demands of this transition."

Akshay Wadhwa, CEO, Jio-bp, said, "Jio-bp pulse has been built on a simple promise - accessible, reliable, high-uptime EV charging wherever needed. With Vertelo, we are bringing that same reliability to commercial fleets, which have distinct needs shaped by routes, battery capacities and operating patterns. This MoU lets us address those needs directly, while exploring practical charging and financing solutions for fleet operators. Together, we aim to make reliable charging more accessible for electric buses and trucks."

Sandeep Gambhir, CEO, Vertelo, said, "Commercial vehicles cover far more kilometres than passenger cars, which makes them the segment where electrification delivers the greatest environmental return, and where charging access matters most. Jio-bp has built meaningful infrastructure along the major corridors our customers operate on. This collaboration will help connect more cities and communities across the country while reinforcing Vertelo’s status as a trusted enabler of EV adoption through its ecosystem play through leasing and financing solutions along with creating the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the same."

The collaboration addresses charging access, battery performance management, and capital expenditure barriers for commercial fleet operators transitioning from internal combustion engine vehicles.

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Pune-headquartered electric vehicle company Kinetic Watts and Volts, a subsidiary of Kinetic Engineering, has entered into a retail financing partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank to provide credit options across its dealership network.

The arrangement enables customers at Kinetic EV dealerships to access loan options, interest rates and instalment plans, subject to eligibility criteria. Ground teams from IDFC FIRST Bank will collaborate directly with dealership staff to process applications at the point of sale. The initiative coincides with the expansion of Kinetic EV’s retail footprint, which currently comprises over 65 operational sales, service and spare parts facilities in India.

Ajinkya Firodia, MD, Kinetic Watts and Volts, said, "For many customers, choosing an electric two-wheeler is not just about selecting the right product, but also about finding a purchase option that works for them. Our partnership with IDFC FIRST Bank gives customers greater choice at the point of purchase and strengthens the support available across our dealership network. With quick financing options, attractive EMI plans and exciting offers for eligible customers, we want to make the overall purchase journey simpler and more convenient. As we continue to expand our presence across markets, we look forward to making the journey towards electric mobility more accessible for more customers."

The tie-up leverages the bank's branch and operational network to support dealership sales in multiple regional markets. The companies are also developing customer schemes and promotional offers that will be announced at a later date.

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