Tata Motors, one of the leading electric vehicle manufacturers in the country, has announced an ambitious plan to support sthe caling up of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the country under Open Collaboration 2.0.

The EV maker today announced that together with Charge Point Operators (CPOs) it will support scaling up fast public charging network from 18,000 to 30,000 along with 400,000 charging points nationwide by 2027.

Balaje Rajan, Chief Strategy Officer, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, said, “When it comes to the investment in these chargers, what we intend to do is to support the installation of these chargers in a commercial structure. The intent of that investment is to pass on certain benefit to our users directly.”

He added that the automaker was looking to partner with as many CPOs who can meet the stringent standards laid out by the company. “Our focus is on ensuring that these mega chargers serve the need of all EV owners in terms of reliability and speed.”

To put into perspective, between 2019 to 2023, the number of registered electric four-wheelers in India was around 75,000, which was supported by 70,000 total charging points and about 5,500 public charging points.

By 2025, the number has grown to around 240,000 electric passenger vehicles, 200,000 charging points and about 18,000 public charging points.

Tata.ev is leveraging its insights of over 5 billion green kilometers driven nationwide by its EV users to understand where charging infrastructure is precisely needed.

In the first phase, the company has tied up with Tata Power, Charge Zone, Statiq and Zeon, through which around 500 new fast chargers will be installed across key locations in the next 12 months. The fast chargers while being accessible by everyone, will see Tata Motors’ EV customers get priority as well as upto 25 percent preferential tariff.

The company also has announced that it will soon introduce Tata.ev verified chargers that will be rated on the basis of – environment & amenities, accessibility, operability and compatibility score with Tata.ev cars. Each charger will be rated on a five-point scale with 4-star and above to get an ‘.ev Verified’ status to stand out as an attractive EV charging location.

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles (TMPV) and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), explained that the investments from the OEM is in a sense to provide confidence to CPOs to take a ‘leap of faith’ in expanding the charging infrastructure.

Furthermore, the company also launched a dedicated helpline number for its existing as well as potential new customers to get their queries about EVs and the associated charging infrastructure resolved.

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.

Folks Motor, a retrofit start-up, has announced that it will invest INR 5 billion towards capital expenditure over the next five years, it is also targeting to attain revenue of INR 5 billion revenue including INR 2 billion from domestic market and INR 3  billion in exports.

The start-up claimed it is investing towards developing India’s first retrofit warehouse and industrial park – The Blue IP – to strengthen domestic EV supply chain.

Folks Motor claims it has already started exports to Middle East and Africa, with plans to enter Europe, Latin America and Southeast Asia.

The new investment will see the start-up form strategic partnership with powertrain manufacturers, electronic manufacturing services, energy storage and system integrators.

Nikhil Anand Khurana, MD & CEO, Folks Motor, said, "At Folks Motor, we recognise the urgent need to build a robust and integrated EV ecosystem in India. With ‘The Blue IP’, the first-ever xEV-focused warehousing and industrial park, we are taking a big step toward strengthening domestic manufacturing. Our target of INR 6 billion in order book by 2030 reflects our commitment to making India a leader in the global EV supply chain. Our expansion strategy ensures that sustainable mobility is accessible to a broader audience without the financial and environmental costs of scrapping existing vehicles."

The start-up claimed that it has structured a USD 100 million ESG bond for efficient fund utilisation, which it aims to scale up to INR 2.5 billion for working capital and operational expenses.