Nodal Body Says Govt Overlooking Auto LPG Sector
- By MT Bureau
- January 28, 2022
The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India, has issued a statement, asking why special attention is reserved only for electric vehicles while overlooking auto LPG.
Days ago, the government announced another allocation of INR 1,000 crore for the development and installation of charging infrastructure under the phase II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (FAME) scheme. Sometime in the middle of the year, the government had extended the second phase of FAME by two years until March 2024.
Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, “While we certainly welcome the long-term focus of government to set the ball rolling for a minimally carbon-intensive vehicular fuel policy and of course, the tilt towards electric vehicles would be a part of that vision, it is totally baffling that the government continues to ignore the immediate potential that auto LPG holds out in all respects as compared to electric mobility. Talking of infrastructure, government’s plans to set up 4500 EV charging stations across the country is woefully inadequate since there is a need for at least 4 lakh charging stations, 100-times that target, in order to meet its own target of having 2 million EVs on the roads by 2026. In contrast, auto LPG already has almost 1500 stations for refilling across 600 cities in the country. And that too without almost any government support. Further, India’s import dependence on lithium-ion batteries, without which EVs are an absolute non-starter, is unlikely to ease immediately even with government’s full policy push. With China dominating the world market for the raw material, it becomes even more complicated and unpredictable. On the other hand, thanks to the drive for household consumption of LPG, an extensive infrastructure exists in the country from before. With 2.5 million auto LPG vehicles already running on Indian roads, it makes almost perfect sense to give an instant policy boost to this fuel.”
Gupta added, “Cost-wise, instead of buying expensive EVs, it becomes far easier for a consumer to get their existing vehicles retrofitted with LPG conversion kits. All that the government needs to do is to ease the Type Approval norms governing the retro-fitment of LPG/CNG conversion kits and bring them in line with the European norms. Currently, the Indian rule to renew Type approvals for auto LPG conversion kits every three years is hugely cost-prohibitive as well as a disincentive and a deterrent from both manufacturer and consumer standpoints. The government must also consider shifting the GST slabs of conversion kits from 28 to 18 percent and of auto LPG from 18 percent to 5 percent with a view to stimulate demand on the ground. In fact, even environmentally speaking, electric vehicles are not really as environmentally friendly as they are being made to be especially in the immediate term. Almost 60% of electricity in the country is still produced by carbon-emitting fossil fuel-based sources. On the other hand, auto LPG has a zero global warming potential with negligible emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.” (MT)
Ather Energy Installs Over 400 Ather Grid Fast Charging Points In Maharashtra
- By MT Bureau
- July 24, 2025
Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler major Ather Energy has crossed the milestone of having over 400 Ather Grid fast charging points across Maharashtra.
With 64 Experience Centres and 42 Service Centres in Maharashtra, Ather Energy has cemented its position in over 37 cities in the state. Furthermore, to provide its customers access to fast charging, it’s Ather Grid network now extends to 35 cities across Maharashtra including Mumbai, Nashik, Pune and Nagpur. It has also strategically placed the fast chargers to connect significant routes such as Mumbai - Pune, Pune - Satara, Satara - Kolhapur, Sangali - Kolhapur and Pune - Panshet.
What’s interesting to note is that customers also have access to 220 fast charging points built on the LECCS (Light Electric Combined Charging System) standard, which has been developed by Ather and opened for industry-wide adoption.
LECCS allows different brands of light electric vehicles to use the same network. Ather Grid chargers are also visible on Google Maps, making it easy for any customer with a LECCS connector on their scooter to locate, navigate and charge, further enhancing the everyday ownership experience.
Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Maharashtra has been a strong market for us, and we’ve seen EV adoption here grow steadily over the years. As more people switch to electric, what really builds confidence is knowing that charging won’t be a challenge. However, for many potential buyers, charging continues to be one of the perceived barriers, and that’s something we’ve always worked towards solving. From the beginning, we’ve focused on building infrastructure that keeps pace with growing demand. Crossing 400 fast chargers in the state is a reflection of that effort. It’s about giving riders the assurance that they’ll always find a charger when they need one. As we expand our retail presence, the charging network will continue to grow in tandem to make EV ownership truly seamless.”
eBikeGo Opens Acer Electric Vehicles Outlet In New Delhi
- By MT Bureau
- July 23, 2025
eBikeGo, an Acer Official Licensee and one of India’s electric mobility leader, has opened its first Acer Electric Vehicles retail outlet in New Delhi’s Okhla Industrial Area (Phase 2). This marks the beginning of a nationwide expansion, with 15 flagship stores planned to showcase Acer-branded e-vehicles.
The store offers a premium range of e-bicycles, e-scooters and e-bikes, blending global design with rugged Indian road adaptability. Targeting urban commuters and eco-friendly riders, the lineup includes e-cycles starting at an introductory price of INR 35,999, with e-scooters and e-bikes arriving soon.
Hari Kiran, Co-Founder & COO, eBikeGo, said, “We at eBikeGo are elated to announce our significant expansion in 15 cities across PAN-India, which has been made possible within only a few months, based on our strategic approach of setting up Acer Electric Vehicles retail outlets across various states. This rapid expansion underscores our commitment to eco-friendly transportation while positioning eBikeGo as a pivotal player in the Indian EV market and promoting a green and sustainable future for all Indians. It also enables us to put the spotlight on eBikeGo’s brand new e-2Ws products’ lineup, including our e-cycles, e-scooters and e-bikes.
“The overwhelming response we have received for eBikeGo’s store expansion and the feedback we have received for Acer brand serves as a testament to the strong brand appeal and speaks volumes about our credibility. With our wide portfolio of reliable EVs tuned to the Indian roads and consumer requirements yet boasting world-class standards, we shall continue to expand and grow our retail store network furthermore across the nation.”
BYD Celebrates Production Of 13 Millionth NEV With YANGWANG U7
- By MT Bureau
- July 23, 2025
BYD, a global leader in new energy vehicles (NEVs), celebrated the production of its 13-millionth NEV on 21 July 2025 at the company's Xiaomo Production Base in Shenzhen-Shanwei. The milestone vehicle, a YANGWANG U7, underscores BYD’s industry dominance.
The company maintained strong growth in the first half of 2025, with domestic sales surpassing 2.113 million units (up 31.5 percent year-on-year) and overseas deliveries reaching 472,000 units (a 128.5 percent surge). This performance solidified BYD’s position as the world’s top-selling NEV automaker and the first to achieve 13 million NEV productions.
The achievement reflects global consumer trust in BYD’s technology and quality. The success of its premium YANGWANG brand highlights Chinese automakers’ rising influence in the high-end EV market, showcasing China’s competitive edge in the new energy era.
Bike Bazaar Partners E-Sprinto To Deploy 10,000 E-Scooters
- By MT Bureau
- July 21, 2025
Bike Bazaar, a non-banking finance company focussing on new and used two-wheelers, has announced that it has inked a strategic partnership with E-Sprinto, an electric two-wheeler company.
Under the strategic partnership, Bike Bazaar aims to deploy 10,000 electric scooters from E-Sprinto for last-mile delivery segment in India.
Atul Gupta, Director, E-Sprinto, said, “This collaboration with Bike Bazaar is a strategic leap towards transforming last-mile delivery in India. At E-Sprinto, we are committed to building not just electric vehicles, but ecosystems that empower riders with dependable technology, minimal downtime, and sustainable performance. Our scooters are engineered to serve the real needs of India’s delivery economy – high mileage, robust build quality and low maintenance. Bike Bazaar shares our vision of creating value beyond just mobility—this event proves their commitment to rider safety and long-term engagement. We are proud to be partnering with a company that prioritizes its customers so holistically.”
Satbir Singh, Business Head – EV & New Business Initiatives, Bike Bazaar, said, “At Bike Bazaar, our riders are not just customers – they are the heart of everything we do. Today’s event is not only a celebration of their continued trust but a reaffirmation of our responsibility toward their safety and livelihood. We believe safety is not an optional feature—it’s a fundamental culture that must be embedded in every touchpoint. Our partnership with E-Sprinto is a step in this direction—together, we aim to deliver smarter, safer, and more reliable EV solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the gig economy. This is more than a fleet expansion—it’s a shared mission to lead the charge in responsible electric mobility.”
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