Polestar’s all-electric SUV, the Polestar 3, has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest distance travelled by an electric SUV on a single charge. The Long Range Single Motor model covered an impressive 581.3 miles (935.44 km), significantly surpassing its official WLTP range of 438 miles (706 km). Professional drivers Sam Clarke, Kevin Booker and Richard Parker meticulously optimised efficiency during the 22-hour, 57-minute test, achieving an energy consumption rate of 19.5 kWh per 100 miles (12.1 kWh/100 km).

Conducted under mixed weather conditions, including rain, the challenge followed strict protocols. Guinness World Records judge Paulina Sapinska oversaw the attempt, with Webfleet providing verified telematics data, including GPS tracking, battery levels and odometer readings. The unmodified Polestar 3 rode on standard 20-inch wheels with factory-fitted Michelin Pilot Sport 4 EV tyres.

Remarkably, the SUV still had 20 percent battery remaining when it reached its WLTP range and continued for an additional eight miles (12.87 km) after displaying zero percent charge. The drivers rotated every three hours to maintain focus, with the AA on standby for safety. The achievement highlights the Polestar 3’s real-world efficiency and endurance beyond laboratory estimates.

Matt Galvin, Polestar UK Managing Director, said, “While Kevin, Sam and Richard pushed the Polestar 3 to the boundaries of its range capability, it goes to show how battery range has improved exponentially over the past few years. For a large luxury SUV to go way beyond a London to Edinburgh distance is truly impressive. When this achievement is coupled together with real world independent tests such as Norway’s El Prix winter range test earlier in the year where the Polestar 3 Long Range Dual Motor won against 23 other electric vehicles, it goes to show: long distances are perfectly achievable with minimal fuss. Add to this rapid charging with up to 250 kW allowing a 10–80 percent charge in 30 minutes, the adage that ‘EVs can’t go far’ has been very much consigned to the history books.”

Driver Sam Clarke said: “Since we first started setting records, we have noticed how much more driving it is taking to achieve them! While we aim to push the car to the limits, the car is also pushing us to our limits. I am pleased to be setting the first electric SUV journey record, and to do it in such a capable EV like the Polestar 3 has been a real pleasure.”

Driver Kevin Booker said: “Setting this record alongside Sam and Richard is a great achievement – especially in a large SUV such as the Polestar 3. There’s always jeopardy, and our attempt could have been hampered by the adverse weather conditions and traffic we experienced – there was a lot of standing water during part of the day, meaning more resistance from the tyres and lower efficiency. But, finishing up on zero percent at nearly one o’clock in the morning knowing we’d beaten previous records was a fantastic feeling!”

Driver Richard Parker said: “After the rain subsided, we had a few more challenges on our hands including some interest from the local constabulary! When they realised our official attempt was ultra-efficiency, and they had wished us good luck – we were back on track and getting into our routine of driving shifts until a last-minute road closure near Melton Mowbray was an additional test for us to face. It was another proof point that the record isn’t just down to the driver but also the passenger – quick-thinking co-pilot navigation was just as vital as battery management for this attempt.”

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Bajaj Auto, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers, has launched the Chetak C25 at INR 91,399, a new model joining its electric scooter range. The C25 is designed for urban mobility, focusing on a lighter frame and manoeuvrability to navigate city traffic. It retains the metal body and mono-body construction characteristic of the Chetak brand.

The e-scooter is powered by a 2.5 kWh battery, providing a claimed range of 113 km and a top speed of 55 kmph. The system supports fast charging, reaching 80 percent capacity in 2.25 hours. Practical features include a 25-litre boot for storage, alongside safety technologies such as hill hold assist, disc brakes and a ‘guide me home’ light function.

The C25 adopts a design language featuring a signature DRL headlamp and a jointless body. It is available in six colours with graphics inspired by street art. The model sits alongside the existing 30 and 35 Series in the Chetak portfolio, aiming to capture demand from first-time electric vehicle buyers and households requiring a secondary scooter for short-distance travel.

Eric Vas, President – Urbanite Business, Bajaj Auto, said, “The Chetak C25 reflects a clear shift in how urban mobility is being used today – shorter trips, tighter streets and a growing need for independent movement. While its form is compact and contemporary, the fundamentals remain unmistakably Chetak: solidity, sturdiness and reliability. The C25 allows us to extend the Chetak portfolio to a younger, more agile use case, while continuing to deliver the trust and confidence that the brand has stood for over generations.”

The introduction of the C25 follows a trend of increasing multi-scooter ownership within Indian households. Bajaj aims to leverage its service network to support the rollout of this model across urban markets.

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Ather Energy has announced the addition of Tamil language support to the dashboard of its Rizta Z electric scooter. The update allows owners to switch the interface to Tamil, with the rollout scheduled as an over-the-air (OTA) update starting in February 2026.

The initiative is part of Ather’s plan to offer a multi-language interface supporting eight regional languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

The Tamil release follows the previous introduction of Hindi and Kannada. The company indicates that this move supports the preference for technology interaction in regional languages.

The Rizta series consists of two models, the Rizta S and Rizta Z, which provide ranges of 123 km and 159 km. The vehicle features a 56-litre storage capacity, comprising a 34-litre under-seat compartment and an optional 22-litre front accessory. Safety systems integrated into the scooter include SkidControl, Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) and Live Location Sharing.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, CBO, Ather Energy, said, “Tamil Nadu has been an important market for Ather from the beginning, both in terms of our manufacturing presence and our growing rider base. As Rizta continues to see strong adoption and has recently crossed the 2 lakh sales milestone, it becomes important for the product to feel familiar and easy to use for riders across regions. Building local language support into the Rizta experience has been a deliberate part of how we think about creating a seamless ownership experience. After the Kannada dashboard rollout, bringing Tamil to the Rizta Z dashboard on the occasion of Pongal felt like a natural next step.”

The company recently reached a sales milestone of 200,000 units for the Rizta. Additionally, a touchscreen upgrade for the Rizta Z was confirmed during Ather Community Day 2025 to further enhance the user interface.

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Montra Electric, the clean mobility division of the Murugappa Group, has opened two new dealerships in the National Capital Region (NCR). The expansion includes an electric small commercial vehicle (e-SCV) outlet in Libaspur, North Delhi and an electric three-wheeler (e-3W) facility in Surajpur, Greater Noida.

The Greater Noida dealership, operated by Vigsons Automobiles, will retail the Super Auto and Super Cargo models. This facility is equipped with service infrastructure and technicians to support owner-operators and fleet customers in the passenger and cargo segments. The North Delhi site, operated by Action Volt Wheels, is intended for businesses involved in e-commerce distribution and FMCG logistics, providing workshop and after-sales support for mid-mile operations.

Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric, said, “The transition to electric commercial mobility is an institutional shift, not merely a product change. As adoption expands across India, its success will depend on the strength and reliability of the supporting ecosystem. Building this foundation, anchored in quality, service, and long-term ownership confidence, is essential for clean mobility to scale in a sustainable manner.”

Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, Montra Electric, added, “Delhi-NCR is one of the most structurally important markets for electric commercial vehicles, where scale is being driven by real operating use-cases rather than experimentation. Our focus is to build a network that is capable of supporting this scale, through dependable retail partners, strong service infrastructure, and consistent customer engagement. The new dealerships in Greater Noida and North Delhi are a step towards ensuring that customers experience electric mobility as a reliable business solution, not just a sustainable alternative.”

The company stated that the NCR is a primary market due to the demand for urban logistics and shared mobility. The new facilities are designed to transition electric vehicles from pilot projects to regular commercial use by focusing on vehicle uptime and service responsiveness.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) participated in the Advantage Maharashtra Expo 2026 to showcase its technology and manufacturing initiatives. The company focused on Flex-fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV SHEV) technology and its ongoing expansion within the state of Maharashtra.

At the Technology Pavilion, the automaker displayed the HyCross FFV SHEV, a vehicle designed to operate on ethanol-blended fuels while utilising a hybrid electric powertrain. This technology is part of Toyota's ‘multi-pathway’ strategy intended to reach carbon neutrality by utilising various energy sources. The expo, organised by the Marathwada Association of Small-Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA) and the Government of Maharashtra, serves as a platform for industry and technology exchange in the Marathwada region.

Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President and Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Maharashtra for its continued support toward our greenfield manufacturing project in the state. Our upcoming facility will further enhance TKM’s operational footprint in the state with localization as a key focus while creating expanded opportunities for local development. Participation in the Advantage Maharashtra Expo underscores our ongoing collaborative initiatives across the region, reflecting our commitment to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and community empowerment in Maharashtra. TKM has consistently focused on building core capabilities and strengthening the educational ecosystem in Maharashtra through its structured skilling & CSR programs. Complementing these efforts, we continue to advance technology initiatives that support cleaner mobility and more efficient powertrain systems.”

Beyond vehicle displays, Toyota Kirloskar Motor held sessions on manufacturing culture and skill development for industry representatives and educational institutions. The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government to develop a skilling ecosystem focused on Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

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