ThunderPlus, an electric vehicle charging network start-up, has announced that it has launched India’s first Women EV Fast Charger Franchise in Hyderabad. This the company said will encourage women entrepreneurs to join the fast-growing EV charging sector.

As per the company, women entrepreneurs with an investment of INR 600,000 for a franchise will be able to attain revenue of INR 1.2 million over three years. This includes a 30 kW DC charger for passenger vehicle including installation. ThunderPlus stated that these chargers will get free maintenance for three years along with a minimum business guarantee. Furthermore, it will also offer a buyback guarantee at 50 percent of the initial investment after three years.

At present, ThunderBolt is working with municipalities in Delhi, Chennai and Telangana, with over 800 operational EV charging stations. It has raised INR 300 million in FY2025.

Rajeev YSR, CEO, ThunderPlus, said, :"Women are key drivers of change, and their participation in the EV sector is essential for a truly sustainable future. Through this initiative, we aim to break industry barriers and provide women with a viable, high-growth business opportunity. This is more than just economic empowerment – it’s about creating a network of women leaders who will shape India’s clean mobility revolution. By ensuring financial stability, mentorship, and operational support, we want women to see the EV industry as a space where they can thrive and lead."

The company shared that Tarini Pandey has become the first Woman Franchise entrepreneur under the scheme. “This initiative is not just a business venture; it's a step toward a greener and more inclusive future. I look forward to contributing to India’s transition to clean mobility. She thanked her parents for standing by her and ThunderPlus team for supporting her," she added.
 

Ola Electric, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer in the country, expects to become EBITDA breakeven for its automotive business by Q1 FY2026. This the company shared is based on the Network Transformation and OPEX Reduction Program introduced in November 2024.

The initiative has enabled the company to reduce its monthly expenditure by INR 900 million. The program includes rationalisation of its distribution network by shutting all regional warehouses and shipping vehicles, spare parts and accessories from the factory directly to stores, automating registration & other processes, and productivity improvements in the sales and service network.

This has also reduced the average vehicle inventory to 20 days and delivery time to customers to 3-4 days, in comparison to 35 days and 12 days respectively.

Ola Electric also shared that its vehicle registration process transformation is in its final stages.

Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler company Simple Energy has further expanded its product lineup with the launch of Simple OneS e-scooter at INR 139,999 (ex-showroom), which will succeed the Dot One e-scooter.  

The e-scooter comes with an IDC range of 181 km per charge, top speed of 105 kmph, four riding modes – Eco, Ride, Dash and Sonic, a claimed zero to 40 kmph in 2.55 sec in Sonic mode. The Simple OneS uses a 8.5 kW PMSSM motor and a 3.7 kWh fixed battery. It will be available in four colours – Brazen Black, Grace White, Azure Blue and Namma Red, features 35 litres of underseat storage and a 770 mm seat height.

In terms of connectivity, the e-scooter features 5G e-SIM, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The e-scooter features touchscreen dashboard with 16.7 million colours that can be customised, app integration, turn-by-turn navigation and over-the-air (OTA) updates. enhancing rider convenience and connectivity. It also gets Find My Vehicle, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), and regenerative and rapid braking systems.

The new e-scooter will be available across all 15 Simple Energy showrooms in Bengaluru, Goa, Pune, Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Vizag, Kochi and Mangalore.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “At Simple Energy, we believe that innovation is a journey, not a destination. And hence, we are absolutely elated to launch Simple OneS that gives you the best possible range under this price segment. Our focus has always been on pushing the boundaries of technology to create smarter solutions, and the scooter is a testament to that. With enhanced features and improved affordability, we are making premium EV technology within reach for more riders, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. As we move forward, our commitment remains the same— to drive the future of electric mobility and redefine the way India rides.”

With this the company will have two models on sale – Simple One Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS.

Tivolt Electric Vehicles, the electric small commercial vehicles (SCV) division of the Montra Group, has inaugurated its new manufacturing plant in Ponneri, Chennai.

The new facility is spread across 500,000 square feet and can manufacture 50,000 small commercial vehicles and light commercial vehicles annually. The facility was inaugurated by Arun Murugappan, Executive Chairman, Tube Investments of India (TII), in the presence of Jalaj Gupta, Managing Director, TI Clean Mobility (Montra Electric (TICMPL) and Saju Nair, CEO, Tivolt Electric Vehicles.

Arun Murugappan, said, “TICMPL is proud to inaugurate its first dedicated e-SCV plant in Tamil Nadu. We remain committed to innovative and sustainable clean mobility solutions. Montra Electric has been at the forefront of India’s EV transformation, and this plant marks a significant step forward in our journey. As we prepare for the future, we are determined to contribute meaningfully to India’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070.”

Jalaj Gupta, said, “We are thrilled to inaugurate this state-of-the-art plant in Ponneri. This facility is a testament to our vision of delivering cutting-edge, high-performance e-SCV. The launch of this plant not only strengthens our production capabilities but also reinforces our commitment to providing industry-leading EV solutions.”

The company shared that the Chennai facility will primarily manufacture Eviator e-SCV, which comes with a certified range of 245 km and a real-life range of 170 km. It produces 80 kW of power and an 300 Nm of torque. The company is offering a warranty of 7 year or 250,000 km. It comes with advanced telematics and a  claimed 95 percent uptime.

Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), the apex body focussing on promotion of auto LPG as an alternative fuel, has expressed concerns over the lack of auto gas vehicle production in India.

This is in contrast with eight of the world's 10 largest automakers that manufacture auto gas vehicles for various global markets. IAC said that India continues to face severe air pollution in several parts of the country, wherein auto LPG could serve as a cleaner fuel.

Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, "Globally, auto gas is a proven and readily available solution for cleaner transportation. Many countries are using clean fuel to drive sustainable mobility and tackle rising urban pollution. Transitioning to Autogas represents a practical step towards reducing emissions, especially in regions where a sudden shift to electric vehicles (EVs) could strain the energy grid. Converting a vehicle to run on Autogas is significantly more affordable than purchasing a new electric vehicle.”

The apex body estimates that there are approximately 28.3 million LPG vehicles plying globally, which are supported by nearly 82,000 refuelling stations.

The IAC has urged that India should adopt this existing technology (LPG) to combat pressing environmental issues.

“The severity of India's air pollution crisis is underscored by recent events, such as tech millionaire Bryan Johnson reportedly cutting short his appearance on Nikhil Kamath's podcast in Mumbai due to poor air quality. Johnson, known for his health focus, found the indoor AQI of 130 and PM2.5 levels of 75 µg/m³ – equivalent to smoking 3.4 cigarettes in 24 hours – unbearable, even with air purifiers. The average resident of India faces a reduction in life expectancy of 5.3 years due to particulate air pollution,” he added.

He cites the example of countries such as Russia, Turkey, Korea, Poland and Ukraine who have successfully integrated LPG in their transportation systems, which are supported by policies and incentives that have cut down emissions.

Furthermore, IAC has also requested the government to lower Goods and Services Tax (GST) on auto gas conversion kits from 28 percent to 5 percent to make them more attractive.