Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers in the country, has commenced its first-ever trials for hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks in India.

The pilot scheduled for 24 months will see 16 hydrogen-powered trucks ply across the country in varying configurations and payload capacities. These HD trucks feature Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) and fuel cell (H2-FCEV) technologies with a claimed range of around 300-500 km. The testing will be conducted on popular freight routes around Mumbai, Pune, Delhi-NCR, Vadodara, Jamshedpur and Kalinganagar. This aligns with the country’s vision of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.

The hydrogen trucks were flagged of by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways and Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy. Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors and other delegates from the Government of India and the company were also present at the event.

Nitin Gadkari said, “Hydrogen is the fuel of the future with immense potential to transform India’s transportation sector by reducing emissions and enhancing energy self-reliance. Such Initiatives will accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility in heavy-duty trucking, and move us closer to an efficient, low-carbon future. I congratulate Tata Motors for taking the lead in this significant step towards enabling hydrogen-powered green and smart transportation."

Pralhad Joshi said, “Hydrogen is an important fuel for India's transition to a sustainable and zero-carbon future. The beginning of this trial is a significant step forward in showcasing the potential of green hydrogen in decarbonizing India’s transportation sector. This initiative, part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, reflects our commitment to driving innovation and achieving India’s energy independence while contributing to global climate goals. I applaud Tata Motors for taking the lead in this pioneering effort.”

Girish Wagh added, “Tata Motors is deeply honoured to be at the forefront of driving India's transformation towards greener, smarter, and sustainable mobility. As a company with a long-standing commitment to nation-building, we have continuously embraced innovation to develop mobility solutions that contribute to India’s growth and development. Today, with the commencement of these hydrogen truck trials, we are proud to further this legacy by pioneering the transition to clean, zero emission energy for long haul transportation. We are grateful to the Government of India for their visionary leadership in making this possible, and we remain committed to playing our part in building sustainable, future ready mobility solutions that will deliver better performance and efficiency." 

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Ola Electric has commenced what could be seen as the next evolution of the automotive purchasing experience. The company has commenced pilot ‘HyperDelivery’ for its range of e-scooters, which will see customers get same-day delivery and registration for their EV.

HyperDelivery is being tested in Bengaluru, which will then be rolled out in a phased manner across India. HyperDelivery is being tested in Bengaluru, which will then be rolled out in a phased manner across India.

“We have significantly cut the processing time of registering the vehicles through AI-led automation and by moving the registration process completely in-house. We are excited to announce #HyperDelivery which has completely transformed the vehicle purchase and delivery experience in the automotive segment. With this we are ensuring a much smoother purchase experience for our customers, eliminating tedious purchase processes and longer delivery timelines,” said the company in a statement.

The EV maker shared that it is leveraging AI to automate the majority of the steps in a registration process, which eliminates the need for additional resources during the typical registration process.

Numeros Motors, a new-age original equipment manufacturer specialising in indigenous electric vehicles (EVs), has launched an NFT-backed loyalty programme in collaboration with Polygon. This first of its-kind initiative in the EV industry, integrating blockchain technology into customer engagement, will reward the first 1,000 buyers of Diplos with a unique digital collectible.

The NFT series ‘The Journey’ consists of 10 original artworks, each with 100 copies, that depict Diplos conquering the essence of India's many landscapes and the spirit of adventure that characterises the brand's motto, ‘Gets It Done’. Customers that own one join a limited group that prioritises performance, resiliency and progressive mobility. These NFTs, which are protected on Polygon's blockchain, provide exclusivity, authenticity and a more in-depth interaction with the brand.

This programme adds value to the Diplos experience by providing holders with access to premium products, invites to special events and priority customer service in addition to the NFT. These NFTs serve as a permanent remembrance of their role in Numeros Motors' history since they are soul-bound, meaning they are always connected to their original owners. In April of this year, Numeros Motors will also open its first store in Bangalore that is owned and run by the firm.

Shreyas Shibulal, Founder and CEO, Numeros Motors, said, "Diplos was built for those who move forward, challenge limits and embrace new possibilities. This NFT initiative is our way of recognising and celebrating our customers who believe in our vision. By integrating blockchain technology into customer engagement, we are creating an ownership experience that extends beyond the ride itself."

Sulajja Firodia Motwani, the Founder & CEO of Kinetic Green, was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Literature by the Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Institute in Pune.

The recognition was conferred to Motwani for her contribution towards driving the adoption of electric vehicles in the country. An MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Pennsylvania, USA, she has also worked towards promoting manufacturing in the country and has held notable positions at the Federation of Indian Chambers Of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Society of Manufacturers of Electric Vehicles (SMEV) and Indian Federation of Green Energy (IFGE).

“I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive this recognition. The Firodia family has always by synonymous with strong values, nation building, self-reliance and a deep-rooted sense of nationalism. This acknowledgement inspires me to further serve for the greater good, a mission that we at Kinetic Green are constantly working towards,” said Motwani.

Škoda Auto has released a teaser clip of the all-new Elroq vRS, offering a first glimpse of both its exterior and interior. The world premiere is scheduled to take place digitally on 3 April 2025 and will be streamed live on Škoda’s official YouTube channel.

Following its digital unveiling, the all-electric compact SUV will make its public debut at Milan Design Week 2025 in the Padiglione d'Arte Contemporanea gallery in the Porta Venezia Design District. In keeping with Škoda's Be More Elroq campaign, the exhibition will showcase the Elroq vRS as the focal point of an experiential journey from 8 to 13 April 2025. The show will also feature the official launch of Botas sneakers, which are based on Škoda Modern Solid design principles, in honour of the company's 130th anniversary. These sneakers were created in collaboration with the Škoda Auto design team. Members of the Škoda team will wear one of the three versions that are planned for the occasion.