Ola Electric unveils the company’s first residential battery energy storage system designed and manufactured in India called Ola Shakti.

Ola Electric has moved beyond the automotive space with the launch of Ola Shakti, its first residential Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). The new product marks a major shift for the company as it aims to make electricity a portable, on-demand resource for Indian homes, farms and businesses.

With its entry into the BESS segment, Ola expects its annual battery consumption for energy storage to scale up to 5 GWh over the next few years. The launch marks the first step in Ola’s long-term energy storage vision from residential applications to grid-scale solutions, all built on the company’s 4680 Bharat Cell technology platform and produced at its Ola Gigafactory.

“India doesn't face energy shortage; it faces an energy storage opportunity. With Ola Shakti, we are turning that opportunity into energy independence. We have built world-class battery and cell technology for electric mobility. Ola Shakti extends that innovation to homes, helping them store and use clean energy intelligently. Ola Shakti is a natural next step for us as we leverage our existing 4680 cell technology, Gigafactory production capabilities and nationwide Ola network as a ready sales and distribution backbone, ensuring rapid scale without any incremental investment,” said Managing Director Bhavish Aggarwal. 

Ola Shakti is India’s first fully indigenously designed, engineered and manufactured residential BESS built with advanced 4680 Bharat Cells and high-performance automotive battery packs. Its modular architecture allows flexible stacking and scalability, while a compact design supports quick home installation and easy servicing with accessible air filters.

The system offers automotive-grade safety, industry-leading efficiency of up to 98 percent and zero running or maintenance costs. Unlike traditional lead-acid inverters or diesel generators, Ola Shakti delivers instant 0-millisecond changeover, works across a 120V–290V input range to protect appliances from voltage fluctuations and features IP67-certified weather-proofing to withstand dust, water and monsoon conditions.

Powered by Ola’s in-house technology ecosystem, Shakti integrates intelligent energy management features that allow users to monitor battery performance and energy flow in real time. The system can learn consumption patterns to optimise usage, provide actionable insights to cut costs and enable features such as Time-of-Day (ToD) charge/discharge scheduling, smart back-up prioritisation, remote diagnostics, over-the-air software updates, modular expansion and online mode for continuous energy supply.The system can power air conditioners, refrigerators, induction cookers, farm pumps, and communication devices, with charging times as short as two hours and backup capacity of up to 1.5 hours at full load.

Ola Shakti will be introduced in four configurations at attractive introductory prices, catering to a wide range of household and small business needs. The entry-level model offering 1kW power with a 1.5kWh capacity is priced at INR 29,999, making it suitable for smaller homes or basic back-up requirements.

For users seeking higher capacity, Ola will offer a 1kW/3kWh version at INR 55,999, providing extended back-up and faster energy delivery. The mid-range 3kW/5.2kWh model, priced at INR 119,999, is designed for larger households and small commercial applications that demand sustained power for multiple appliances.

At the top end, the 6kW/9.1kWh configuration, priced at INR 159,999, offers robust performance capable of powering energy-intensive set-ups such as air conditioners, induction cookers, farm pumps and communication systems. Together, the four models position Ola Shakti as a versatile and scalable solution for India’s growing demand for reliable, clean home energy storage.

Ola Shakti will be available for purchase via the Ola Electric website and Ola stores nationwide with deliveries beginning on Makar Sankranti 2026. Reservations open today at INR 999, marking Ola’s first step toward making energy storage a mainstream consumer product in India.

cellcentric, the joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, has officially launched its next-generation fuel cell system, the BZA375. Unveiled at Hannover Messe 2026, the system (previously known as NextGen) is designed as a direct competitor to modern diesel engines in terms of performance, durability and total cost of ownership (TCO).

The BZA375 represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the BZA150, by moving from a ‘twin-system’ to a powerful single-system design. This evolution has resulted in a 40 percent increase in power density, allowing the unit to fit within engine compartments originally designed for standard 13-litre diesel engines. Despite this compact footprint, the system delivers up to 375 kW of continuous net power – equivalent to more than 500 horsepower – while weighing less than 500 kg. This lightweight construction is critical for heavy-duty operators, as it ensures payload capacities remain comparable to those of traditional diesel-powered trucks.

Efficiency and durability are central to the system's value proposition. The BZA375 achieves a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the BZA150, enabling a fully loaded 40-tonne truck to operate on less than 6 kg of hydrogen per 100 kilometres. Engineering refinements have also led to a 40 percent reduction in waste heat (at 300 kW net power) and a 40 percent reduction in overall system complexity by minimising components and interfaces. These improvements do not come at the cost of longevity, as the system is rated for a 25,000-hour service life, matching the 10-year operational expectations of modern diesel engines in long-haul transport.

While the BZA375 is primarily optimised for heavy-duty long-haul trucks, cellcentric is pursuing a ‘one-product strategy’ to apply the system across several demanding sectors to create economies of scale:

• Coaches: Offering long-range zero-emission travel with fast refuelling.
• Stationary Power: Serving as a clean energy source for data centres and industrial sites.
• Rail: Providing an alternative for non-electrified tracks or topographically demanding routes.
• Mining: Delivering high reliability and diesel-equivalent payload capacity for 24x7 operations.

Prototype production has commenced, with units currently available to OEM customers for testing and validation. cellcentric anticipates that larger volumes of mature prototypes will be deployed for initial fleet applications ahead of series production scheduled for the turn of the decade.

Karin Radstrom, President and CEO, Daimler Truck, said, “Two key technologies will lead the way on our path to decarbonise transport: battery-electric and hydrogen. We’ve already taken important steps, and cellcentric’s new fuel cell system is the next major milestone. Building on the success of its predecessor, it represents a new level of efficiency and performance.”

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group, said, “With the launch of the BZA375, cellcentric and its partners have created the blueprint for zero-emission long-haul transportation in the heavy-duty segment. This is a game changer for logistics providers and society at large, and it takes us yet another step towards the decarbonization of the industry.”

Youdha, an electric mobility brand specialising in the three-wheeler segment, has announced its expansion strategy to establish over 200 outlets across India within the next year.

The aim is to capture a larger share of the L5 passenger electric vehicle (EV) market, focusing on both metropolitan areas and Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The expansion follows the launch of the company’s flagship model, the EPOD.

The electric three-wheeler uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, designed for urban commuting and fleet operations with an emphasis on durability and low maintenance costs.

The retail rollout expansion will begin in North and East India, specifically targeting Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam, before extending into the southern and western regions.

Each new outlet will offer integrated services including sales, technical support, and financing options. To support this network, Youdha is increasing production capacity at its manufacturing facility and investing in further localisation of components. The strategy aims to address both business-to-business (B2B) fleet requirements and individual ownership.

Ayush Lohia, CEO, Youdha, said, “Our vision is to make Youdha one of the most trusted and accessible EV brands in India. Expanding to 200 outlets is not just about scale – it is about ensuring that customers have reliable access to products, service, and support wherever they are. As demand grows, building a strong on-ground ecosystem becomes critical. This is not just about selling vehicles – it’s about building a complete ecosystem that supports customers throughout their ownership journey.”

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Simple Energy has opened its first Simple Store in Nagpur, marking a further expansion of its retail network in Maharashtra.

Established in partnership with Trinity Automobiles, the facility includes a 700 sqft showroom and a dedicated 1,300 sqft service centre located nearby. The dual launch of retail and service facilities is part of the company's strategy to provide immediate after-sales support to new owners.

The Nagpur outlet displays the manufacturer's full range of electric two-wheelers, including the Simple Ultra, which features an IDC range of 400 km. Also available are the Simple One Gen 2, offering a 265 km range, and the Simple OneS Gen 2, with a 190 km range. Prices in Maharashtra start at INR 164,999 for the OneS Gen 2, reaching INR 234,999 for the flagship Ultra model.

At present, Simple Energy operates approximately 70 outlets across 36 Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. The company intends to continue its national expansion with upcoming locations planned for Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. The Nagpur store is equipped to handle customer test rides, accessory sales, and vehicle bookings.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “We’ve made rapid progress in Maharashtra with recent launches in Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, among others, and our upcoming Nagpur launch is a key step in this expansion. It strengthens our presence in high-potential EV markets and brings the Simple Energy experience closer to customers. With this, we aim to accelerate the shift to electric mobility by offering long-range, dependable and truly worry-free two-wheelers - while moving closer to our goal of making high-performance EVs accessible to more riders.”

Bengaluru-headquartered Ultraviolette Automotive has launched its second UV Space Station in South Delhi, increasing its retail and service network to 35 cities across India.

The experience centre, established in partnership with Moto Power Mobility, facilitates the sale and servicing of the X-47 Crossover and F77s electric motorcycles. This expansion follows the recent introduction of the company’s ‘Battery Flex’ (BaaS) platform and the UV Crossfade carbon-fibre helmet.

The X-47 Crossover and F77s are equipped with a powertrain delivering 40.2 hp and 100 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from 0 to 60 kmph in 2.8 seconds. It features a 10.3 kWh battery, the motorcycles provide an IDC range of 323 km on a single charge. The X-47 Crossover also includes a 77 GHz rear radar as standard, supporting the UV HyperSense Advanced Rider Assistance System, which provides blind-spot monitoring, lane change assist and rear collision warnings.

To increase accessibility, Ultraviolette has implemented the Battery Flex ownership model. This allows customers to purchase the X-47 Crossover chassis for INR 149,000, while subscribing to the battery via a monthly fee starting at INR 2,499. The South Delhi facility is designed to manage the entire customer lifecycle, including personalised test rides, sales and technical service.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO & Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, “Delhi has always been at the forefront of change, and the Government’s active push towards electrification to counter the long-term impact of pollution- highlights the city’s commitment towards a sustainable and clean future. The launch of our second experience centre here is a strong reflection of the city’s growing demand for electric vehicles, as well as our commitment to deepening our presence in key markets. We are seeing a clear shift towards customers who value technology, design and safety, and Delhi embodies this evolution. As we continue to scale across India, our focus remains on building a robust, future-ready ecosystem and delivering a seamless, world-class ownership experience.”