Mercedes-Benz launched its luxury electric vehicle, the EQS 580 4MATIC, on Friday. The vehicle was launched at the hands of the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Nitin Gadkari, at the Mercedes-Benz India plant in Chakan, Pune. India is the first market outside Germany to manufacture the EQS 580 4MATIC, claims Mercedes-Benz.

The luxury carmaker also states that the EQS 580 4MATIC is the company’s first ever locally manufactured EV in India and the 14^th ‘Made-in-India’ Mercedes-Benz model. The local manufacturing underlines Mercedes-Benz India’s global competencies accomplished in flexible production at its manufacturing facility that now produces series, Maybach, AMG and luxury EVs, under one roof.

The EQS 580 4MATIC is launched at a price of INR 15.5 million (all India ex-showroom), according to Mercedes-Benz. The car comes with a vehicle warranty at three years and a battery warranty of eight years/unlimited kms. As per Mercedes, the Service Ease Maintenance package price starts as low as INR 0.1 million. Plus, there will be priority delivery for Mercedes-Benz customers.

Speaking on the occasion, Martin Schwenk, Managing Director and CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The EQS 580 4MATIC is our first locally manufactured EV in India and will play a pivotal role in driving our ambitious EV plans for the market. It is a perfect blend of technology, luxury and safety, pioneering numerous tech features for our customers. India is the first country outside Germany to manufacture the EQS 580 4MATIC, and this unique distinction underpins Mercedes-Benz India’s deep customer commitment and long term vision for developing the luxury EV market here.”

He further added, “The manufacturing of EQS 580 4MATIC in India is a key milestone and a strong testament to our state-of-the-art manufacturing prowess and our commitment to the vision of ‘Make-in-India’. It reiterates our relentless focus on developing the local market, creating value for customers and introducing future-ready products, combining the best of luxury, technology and safety. The ‘Made-in-India’ EQS sets a very high benchmark in the entire Indian automotive market, and combines luxury and technology like no other modern EV in the market.”

Sharing his thoughts, Vyankatesh Kulkarni, Executive Director and Head of Operations at Mercedes-Benz India, said, “The roll-out of the EQS in India as the first market outside Germany is a very proud moment for our plant, and confirms our commitment towards ‘Make-in-India’. It highlights our manufacturing prowess and global competence in handling complex assembly processes for a sophisticated and technologically-advanced product like the EQS.”

Kulkarni further went on, “Today, we achieve a rare distinction in flexible production, as we manufacture series cars, Maybach performance AMGs, and now luxury EVs, all under a single roof. This feat is only possible with the gradual transition of our plant into electrification, smart manufacturing processes and upskilling the workforce towards a transformative future. It has been a great journey to reach a historic moment of a ‘Green plant running on 100 percent green energy and manufacturing green product’. This truly underlines our commitment towards sustainability. With the EQS 580, we have opened avenues for the best of technologies, sustainability and luxury, for our discerning customers to be ‘Made-in-India.’”

Product highlights
According to Mercedes Benz, the EQS 580 4MATIC comes with a drag coefficient from 0.20. This contributes to the luxury saloon being India’s longest-range EV, with an 857 kilometre range (ARAI certified). Additionally, it offers a high-power density of the lithium-ion battery, with a usable energy content of 107.8 kWh, and is equipped with a 400 volt battery, manufactured using the latest lithium-ion technology, as per the luxury carmaker.

Safety features
This latest product also puts significant focus on safety, with a EURO NCAP rating of five stars, states Mercedes Benz. Besides, it comes equipped with nine airbags for customer safety. Moreover, Mercedes claims that like all other Mercedes, the EQS features a rigid passenger cell, special deformation zones and state-of-the-art restraint systems.

Other features
According to the luxury automotive brand, the car also includes rear-axle steering with a 10-degree steering angle adjustment, HEPA Filter, dynamic select and predictive route planning, among other features. The sustainability in the EQS is enhanced through recycled and renewable raw materials as well as the usage of recycled steel.

To further encourage EV adoption, Mercedes-Benz India states that it will set up the largest ‘ultra-fast charging network’ by a luxury carmaker, covering 80 percent of India, by the end of 2022.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company and its partner Exelentia have delivered two TVS iQube electric scooters to the Governorate of Vatican City State. The initiative supports the Vatican’s transition towards zero-emission mobility for its daily operations.

The delivery, completed on 5 February, stems from a collaboration between the Vatican and Exelentia focused on innovation and sustainability. The partnership involves TVS Motor Italia and aims to provide transport solutions that meet the requirements of the Vatican environment.

The TVS iQube was selected for its performance and noise-free operation. It comes with up to 100 km of claimed range in eco mode. Equipped with the SmartXonnect system, the e-scooter offers a connectivity option via a TFT display and a mobile application. Built for urban and short-range travel with a focus on ease of use and functional technology.

Giovanni Notarbartolo di Furnari, General Manager of TVS Motor Italia, stated, “The deployment of TVS iQube electric scooters in a prestigious setting such as the Vatican validates our vision for urban electric mobility—anchored in reliability, intuitive usability, and world class quality.” 

Giovanni Zappia, Founder & Owner, Exelentia, added, “The partnership undertaken with the Governorate of the State of the Vatican City strengthens Exelentia’s commitment to contributing concretely to mature, reliable mobility fully suited to particularly sensitive urban and institutional contexts.”

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Mumbai-based green mobility company Odysse Electric Vehicles has announced the appointment of Sudhir Goel as Co-founder, which it aims to enable it to transition as a professional organisation entering its next growth phase in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector.

Goel joins the company with almost three decades of experience in the automotive and engineering industries. His previous roles include leadership positions at Ford Motor Company in Japan, CEO of Jay Ace Technologies and President of Lithium Batteries at Greenfuel Energy Solutions.

In his new role, Goel will oversee two primary areas – streamlining the supply chain and manufacturing processes to address market demand. He will also be responsible for the company’s retail footprint across India.

Nemin Vora, the company’s Founder, will continue as CEO, leading brand vision and product development in partnership with Goel.

Nemin Vora, said, “Odysse Electric is no longer just new startup; we are a significant player in the national mobility conversation. The appointment of Sudhir Goel as Co-Founder is a testament to our evolution. His professional pedigree and track record will provide the structural backbone we need to drive long-term growth."

Sudhir Goel, stated "I am excited to join Odysse at this pivotal stage. The company has built a strong foundation with innovative products and a clear vision. I look forward to leveraging my experience to scale operations, strengthen the EV ecosystem, and drive Odysse towards becoming a significant player in the sustainable mobility revolution."

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A prototype of the upcoming Kia EV2 has demonstrated robust cold-weather performance in one of the world's most demanding real-world evaluations. During the record-breaking cold edition of the Norwegian Automotive Federation's El Prix Winter Test Drive, where temperatures plummeted to -31°C, the EV2 covered 310.6 kilometres before stopping. This event subjects electric vehicles to identical real-world driving and charging conditions on Norwegian roads, and this year's winter test was the coldest in its history.

The tested vehicle was a 'GT-line' variant equipped with a 61.0 kWh long-range battery and 19-inch wheels. Driven for over five hours in the mountainous Jotunheimen region with temperatures around -21°C, its achieved range represented a deviation of -24.81% from its target WLTP figure of 413 kilometres for this configuration. This unofficial result would place it ahead of all officially entered series-production models. While its prototype status excludes it from the NAF's formal report, it completed the route under the same stringent conditions as production vehicles.

The EV2 also showcased resilient charging capability in the extreme cold. Utilising its rapid DC fast-charging function, the prototype recharged from 10 percent to 80 percent state of charge in 36 minutes. This was only six minutes longer than its official target, underscoring the model's practical everyday usability. The car is based on Kia's 400V E-GMP architecture, supporting 11 kW AC, 22 kW AC and DC fast charging.

As Kia's second fully electric model to be manufactured at its European facility in Žilina, Slovakia, the EV2 is currently in production with a 42.2 kWh standard-range battery. The long-range battery version and the 'GT-line' variant are scheduled to follow from June 2026. Final, formal WLTP range figures, determined under standardised laboratory conditions, are anticipated in the third quarter of 2026.

This performance aligns with the proven capability of Kia's European-built EVs. In the same arduous winter test, the EV4 – the first electric model from the Žilina plant – with an 81.4 kWh battery and 19-inch wheels achieved 390 kilometres, ranking among the top overall performers and reinforcing the brand's consistent real-world electric vehicle performance in adverse conditions.

Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President – Product and Marketing, Kia Europe, said, “This result serves as proof that the EV2 will continue to deliver reliable range even in extremely low temperatures. Being the entry point to Kia’s EV lineup does not mean compromising; the EV2 offers customers throughout Europe an affordable yet reliable way to enter electric mobility.”

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Ecofy, a green-focused NBFC backed by Eversource Capital, has entered a strategic partnership with Ather Energy to provide financing for electric two-wheelers. Under the agreement, Ecofy plans to deploy INR 1 billion in capital to support the purchase and ownership of Ather vehicles.

The collaboration is intended to improve access to green financing and address barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as upfront costs and uncertainty regarding asset value.

Ecofy will serve as a preferred financing partner, offering Ather customers a range of options beyond standard vehicle loans:

• Leasing Solutions: Providing alternatives to traditional ownership.
• Assured Buyback: Structures designed to offer certainty on future asset value.
• Battery-as-a-Service: Separating battery costs from the vehicle purchase to reduce initial expenditure.

The partnership combines Ather Energy's manufacturing and technology with Ecofy's retail-focused finance platform. The goal is to stimulate demand across both urban and emerging markets in India by simplifying the purchase journey for first-time EV buyers.

Rajashree Nambiar, Co-Founder, MD & CEO, Ecofy, said, “Clean transportation is critical to India’s green transition, and wider adoption depends on access to the right financing solutions. Our partnership with Ather Energy brings together strong product offerings and specialized green finance, helping customers adopt EVs with greater confidence, affordability, and flexibility.”

Ravneet Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Financing is an important consideration in the two-wheeler purchase journey, particularly for customers exploring EVs for the first time. Over the years, we’ve worked to build a strong financing ecosystem to make Ather accessible across markets. This partnership with Ecofy further broadens the range of financing options available to customers looking to buy an Ather, making the purchase and ownership journey easier to navigate. It helps simplify the decision-making process and supports broader access to electric two-wheelers.”

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