Tata Power EV Charging Solutions, one of India's largest EV Charging solutions providers and a subsidiary of Tata Power Renewable Energy (a subsidiary of Tata Power) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Motors, one of India's largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, to set up 200 fast-charging stations for electric commercial vehicles.

The partnership will see establishment of fast-charging EV stations in all metros cities –Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata. This strategic move the partners state expands their ongoing collaboration, in providing sustainable mobility solutions, with a focus on easy charging solutions for small electric commercial vehicles.

As part of this initiative, Tata Motors and Tata Power will provide exclusive charging tariffs for Tata Motors' electric CV owners, resulting in lower operating costs and increased profitability for its customers. 

This will benefit e-CV users across the country by providing access to almost 1,000 strategically located fast chargers, with the planned expansion of the charging network. 

Vinay Pathak, Vice President & Business Head – SCV&PU, Tata Motors said, "We’re pleased to strengthen our partnership with Tata Power to transform the electric commercial vehicle landscape by ensuring ease of access of fast chargers at convenient locations across the country. It has been our endeavour to not only engineer and manufacture world class electric vehicles, but also help develop the necessary ecosystem to democratize the use of these eco-friendly and emission-free vehicles. This partnership will also explore avenues to maximise the use of renewable energy to make electric vehicle operations greener.” 

Deepesh Nanda, CEO & MD, Tata Power Renewable Energy said, "With one of the largest EV Charging networks across the country, Tata Power has been enabling electric vehicle owners through its reliable and accessible charging solutions across the country. Already present across diverse segments such as public, semi-public, bus/fleet, and home chargers, we are expanding to the commercial vehicle charging segment, delivering integrated EV charging solutions. This collaboration underlines our commitment to accelerating e-mobility by providing an expansive and reliable EV Charging network across India." 

Tata Power has expanded its network under the brand name of EZ Charge to over 100,000 home chargers, more than 5,500 public, semi-public, and fleet charging points, along with over 1,100 bus charging stations across 530 cities and towns. 

These chargers have been strategically deployed at diverse and accessible locations such as highways, hotels, malls, hospitals, offices and residential complexes among others. 

At present, Tata Motors offers the Ace EV SCV, which is supported by over 150 electric vehicle service centres nationwide. The Ace EV features an advanced battery management system and 'Fleet Edge' telematics, utilising smart technologies to improve vehicle uptime and road safety with real-time insights into vehicle status, health, location, and driver behaviour.

CUPRA has announced that its latest electrified SUV, the CUPRA Terramar, has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The sporty SUV secured maximum score and joins the CUPRA Tavascan, CUPRA Born, CUPRA Formentor and CUPRA Leon.

The CUPRA Terramar achieved outstanding scores in all three of the Euro NCAP test areas – Vulnerable Road User (82 percent), Adult Occupant (89 percent) and Child Occupant (87 percent), thanks to its suite of advanced safety system. The CUPRA Terramar received a score of 76 percent in the Safety Assist category, which is the last component of Euro NCAP's evaluation.

To ensure that cars are as safe as possible for all users of the road, especially the most vulnerable, Euro NCAP's test procedures are revised on a regular basis. More stringent requirements will be enforced by Euro NCAP in 2025, including biomechanical values of the occupants, rescue sheets in all EU languages, vehicle immersion tests to guarantee the exit of occupants by ensuring the operation of relevant electrical systems for a specific period of time, new leg impactors in pedestrian protection tests that evaluate the femur and tibia more realistically and new active safety scenarios to enhance and lessen damage to other road users.

Dr Werner Tietz, Executive Vice-President – Research and Development, CUPRA, said, “The CUPRA Terramar’s 5-star Euro NCAP rating is a reflection of the importance we place on safety, not only for the vehicle’s occupants but every road user. CUPRA’s new sporty and electrified SUV embraced the challenge, and thanks to its suite of advanced safety system, was able to join the CUPRA Tavascan, Born, Formentor and Leon with the maximum score possible.”

IKEA Supply, part of Inter IKEA Group, has deployed the first electric heavy-duty truck to run on the public road network in India in collaboration with its carrier BLR Logistiks, as well as other partners.

The truck just finished its 100th trip carrying IKEA goods between the port of Mumbai, the distribution centre (DC) in Pune and the IKEA store in Mumbai. The deployment phase began in October 2024. In addition to lowering transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, it has produced notable efficiency improvements, such as a turnaround time reduction of two to one day, an annual cost reduction of 16 percent, a yearly reduction of 30 percent in greenhouse gas emissions for the particular route, and an annual reduction in empty runs of about 160,000 kilometres.

In order to expedite container processing and establish new agreements between the land carrier running the route and the ocean service provider delivering the containers to the port, IKEA has shortened procedures with Indian customs. In order to facilitate the rollout, the land carrier has made investments in the necessary charging infrastructure. Transportation-related CO2 emissions account for around five percent of the IKEA value chain's overall carbon footprint. By 2030, IKEA wants to cut the carbon footprint of all its transportation by an average of 70 percent. This accomplishment is also a crucial step toward the goal of using exclusively zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles by 2040.

Claes Lindgren, Acting Category Transport Manager, IKEA Supply Chain Operations, said, "Although the purchase price of electric vehicles is higher than diesel trucks, we have achieved higher efficiency and cost reductions in the long term. This is an important step for IKEA and a strong signal to the transport sector in India. Through a joint effort with our partner, we have optimised the route, ensuring the truck is used more on the road and less during idling in loading and unloading processes.”

Abhishek Goyal, Director at BLR Logistiks, said, “We are happy with what we have achieved for this specific route and look forward to applying this way of working in the future. This deployment in India represents an example of how we create efficiency while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

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."