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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Switch Mobility, the e-buses and LCV business of the Hinduja Group, has flagged off the first batch of 10 electric buses (out of 100 e-buses) for the National Transport Corporation (NTC) of Mauritius.

The e-buses are said to be a special gift from the people and Government of India to the people and Government of Mauritius. The ceremonial launch was graced by Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, GCSK, FRCP, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius; Osman Mahomed, Minister of Land Transport; Anurag Srivastava, High Commissioner of India to Mauritius and other eminent dignitaries from India and Mauritius.

The 100 Switch EiV12 buses are purpose-built, developed in Chennai and can seat up to 45 passengers. The buses are delivered through an open tender conducted by Convergence Energy Services (CESL) in India, will be operated by the National Transport Corporation (NTC), Mauritius' state-owned public transport operator.

RG Venkataraman, Chief Commercial Officer, Switch Mobility, said, "We are proud to deliver our Switch EiV 12 electric buses to Mauritius, a key milestone that brings our 'Make in India, for the World' vision to life. The Switch EiV12 buses, which integrate advanced global technology with the strength of Indian manufacturing, support Mauritius’ vision for a sustainable and healthier future. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to clean mobility, enhanced urban transport, environmental preservation, and improved quality of life for Mauritian citizens. Through our intelligent technology we are dedicated to empowering Mauritius with smart, efficient, and eco-friendly transportation solutions that will drive progress towards cleaner, more resilient cities."

The Switch EiV12 efficient rear-end dual-gun charging interface ensures rapid recharging and also optimises depot spaces. It is powered by Switch iON, the proprietary telematics system, that offers real-time vehicle health monitoring, ITMS, and efficient fleet management. The company shared to prioritise passenger safety, the bus is equipped with an advanced Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS). The floor-mounted LFP batteries contribute to a lower centre of gravity, ensuring excellent vehicle stability.

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Ather Energy has expanded its product line-up in Nepal with the introduction with the Ather Rizta e-scooter.

It was in November 2023 that Ather marked its entry in Nepal with the Ather 450 series and most recently introduced the 2025 Ather 450 in the region. Since then, it has established 9 Experience Centres and 6 Service Centres in the region along with 22 Ather Grid fast chargers.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, "Nepal was our first international market, and over the last two years, we have seen strong consumer interest and a very encouraging response to the Ather 450 series. To meet the growing demand, we have also steadily expanded our footprint across the country. With the launch of the Rizta, we are tapping into a new segment of family buyers who prioritise comfort and convenience in their everyday rides. We are hoping to see the same strong response for the Rizta as we’ve seen for the 450 series."

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Swedish electric performance car brand Polestar has earned further acclaim for its innovative design philosophy. The Polestar 4 has secured the coveted Red Dot ‘Best of the Best’ award for 2025 in the Product Design category, celebrating its meticulous craftsmanship and bold design language. Both the Polestar 3 and Polestar 4 also received the Red Dot Label in the same category.

As one of the world's most prestigious design competitions, Red Dot acknowledged the Polestar 4's standout feature – its unconventional rear-windowless design – while praising its seamless fusion of coupe-like dynamism and SUV functionality. Additional design highlights include sleek frameless mirrors, distinctive dual-blade headlights and celestial-inspired ambient lighting, all contributing to its award-winning aesthetic. The ‘Best of the Best’ honour represents the highest Red Dot recognition, awarded only to groundbreaking designs that redefine industry benchmarks. An international jury of design experts rigorously assesses each entry through hands-on evaluation across multiple criteria.

This latest achievement builds on Polestar's strong Red Dot legacy, which includes prior "Best of the Best" wins for the Polestar 2, Brand of the Year distinction, and recognition for brand identity and design literature. These accolades reinforce Polestar's position as a leader in automotive design innovation.

“The Polestar 4 impressively succeeds in harmonising the technical complexity of such an advanced vehicle with design qualities such as simplicity and clarity,” remarked the jury.

Philipp Römers, Global Head of Design, Polestar, said, “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of the Design Team here at Polestar. We are thrilled to see the work and commitment to distinctive design resonate with the jury.”

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Exicom Tele-Systems Limited, a leading Indian manufacturer of EV charging and critical power solutions, has successfully raised around INR 2.59 billion through its recently concluded Rights Issue. The offering, which saw strong oversubscription, highlights sustained investor confidence and robust promoter support.

The Rights Issue, open from 15 to 30 July 2025, allotted 1,814,000 fully paid-up equity shares at INR 143 per share in a 3:20 ratio for eligible shareholders as of the record date 7 July 2025. Promoters demonstrated their commitment by subscribing to approximately INR 1.20 billion, reinforcing their belief in Exicom’s future growth.

Proceeds will primarily strengthen the company’s financial position by reducing debt, with a target debt-to-equity ratio of 1:4 by FY26. The funds will also support global expansion efforts, including enhancing market presence in the US, Europe and Australia through Tritium, alongside covering general corporate expenses. This successful capital raise positions Exicom to accelerate its EV charging and energy solutions business while driving long-term value for stakeholders.

Anant Nahata, Managing Director and CEO, Exicom, said, “We are grateful to our shareholders for their continued trust in Exicom. The capital raised will strengthen our balance sheet and support our expansion, particularly in international markets through Tritium. While Tritium’s turnaround is taking time, we are in advanced discussions for several large global high-power charger deals that we believe can help change the course of the company. We will see this fully play out starting FY27. Back home, we remain strongly optimistic about the India opportunity, driven by the steady growth in EV adoption across the country. Our Harmony Direct 2.0 continues to gain traction, with early momentum translating into a strong sales pipeline. Meanwhile, Spin Air home chargers are securing consistent wins with leading OEMs, reinforcing trust in our technology and execution."

Shiraz Khanna, Chief Financial Officer, Exicom, said, "This Rights Issue marks an important step in enhancing our financial health. The capital raised will enable us to significantly reduce debt and support sustainable growth while maintaining prudent capital discipline."

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