Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) unveiled the Innova HyCross today. The Innova HyCross is a self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV).

TKM claims that the Innova HyCross is powered by fifth generation self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric system, with a TNGA 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and a monocoque frame with an e-drive sequential shift, delivering a max power output of 137 kW (186 PS). According to TKM, this provides rapid acceleration and best in-segment fuel economy. The TNGA 2.0 litre four-cylinder gasoline engine is also mated to a direct shift CVT in select grades, delivering an output of 128 kW (174 PS).

Present at the launch in Mumbai, Hideki Mizuma, Chief Engineer, Innova, Toyota, said, “Innova has become an iconic vehicle in India’s mobility journey and is a household name. Today, we are happy to launch the all new Innova HyCross for our Indian customers. The self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle, with the spaciousness of an MPV and proportions and poise of an SUV, is loaded with features to meet the aspirations of Indian customers. This feature-packed vehicle is intended for those who seek safety and comfort while travelling and would love to be a part of the new Innova HyCross family. The latest fifth generation self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric system, built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) 2.0-litre gasoline engine provides exceptional fuel efficiency, performance and quick acceleration, and is sure to be a game-changer in this segment.”

Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “It has been an amazing year as we celebrate 25 glorious years of Toyota in India. At TKM, sustainability continues to be at the core of our business and with an unprecedented increase in carbon emissions globally, we firmly believe that its HY time to shift gears for a greener future. In this direction, we have adopted clean and green solutions across all our operations and value chain, so that the green products that we offer to our customers are also manufactured in green factories. Additionally, we are relentlessly working towards creating a local manufacturing eco-system for green technologies, not only for India but also for the world. With the launch of the new Innova HyCross, we are redefining the paradigm and redrawing boundaries of technological and product excellence, while taking customer experience to a new HY like never before.”

Also present at the event, an elated Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Ever since our inception, TKM has focused on complete peace of mind for our customers. One of our biggest success stories here has been the iconic Innova, that keeps finding continued appreciation and love, across the country. Being the undisputed leader of the MPV segment, the Innova has found its home in more than a million households in India, reflecting our core DNA of quality, durability and reliability, made possible through highly skilled global competitive manpower. Our customers’ trust in the brand has motivated us to make ever better ‘fun to drive’ cars and bring in latest global technologies to India, thereby bringing ‘mass happiness to all’. We are confident that the new Innova HyCross will carry forward the brand legacy and take customer delight to a new HY.”

Features of Innova HyCross
Designed for family needs, the Innova HyCross is a vehicle for every occasion delivering glamour, toughness, comfort, safety and advanced technology. Drawing inspiration from Toyota’s global SUV heritage, this latest vehicle features a muscular and tough design, with ample space, states TKM. This ample space provides flexible and comfortable seating for all. As per TKM, the vehicle is aimed at families wanting a vehicle that can handle rough roads, and provide a seamless, fatigue-free drive.

Other key features

Exterior features
- Panoramic sunroof
- Front grille with gun metal finish
- Automatic LED headlamps with auto high beam
- First in segment dual function Daytime Running Light (DRL)

Interior features / comfort and convenience
- The first in-segment features include a paddle shift, powered ottoman second row seats, front ventilated seats, air conditioner (dual zone – front and rear zone), rear retractable sunshade, electrochromic inner rear view mirror (EC IRVM) and power back door.

- Large TFT multi-information display
- Driver seat memory and slide return and away function
- Indirect blue ambient illumination

Infotainment system
- Connected 25.65 cm (10.1”) connected display audio with premium, JBL 9 speaker (including subwoofer)
- Toyota connected car technology - iConnect

Safety features
- TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE (TSS), which includes safety features like a dynamic radar cruise control, lane trace assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, etc.
- 6 SRS airbags
- rear disc brakes
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and hill start assist
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with auto hold
- Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Panoramic view monitor with dynamic back guide

The Innova HyCross features a tough, muscular exterior design. TKM claims that the raised bonnet line, a large hexagonal gunmetal finish grille, automatic LED headlamps, super chrome alloy wheels and a wider bumper further enhance its sophisticated and rugged look. Also complementing the look are the bigger tyres with shorter overhangs, along with a more curved rear to augment the SUV stance. 

Moreover, according to TKM, the car provides unmatched comfort and convenience through a raised eye point and the newly-introduced Ventilated Front Seats that take care of the hot Indian summers. For the second row, the 25.65 cm (10.1″) connected display audio with JBL premium nine speaker system (including subwoofer), segment-first powered Ottoman second row seats and multi-zone A/C combine, offer a luxurious experience. TKM states that the flat floor design, wheelbase of 285 cm (longest in the segment) and platform width enhancement further ensure a spaciousness for extended family and friends to travel together. Additionally, the power back door and tilt-down seats ensure maximum space utilisation and enhanced luggage space.

As per TKM, the Innova HyCross is available in super white, platinum white pearl, silver metallic, attitude black mica, sparkling black pearl crystal shine, avant grade bronze metallic and a new colour – blackish ageha glass flake. The Interiors in black and with two new colours – chestnut and black and dark chestnut – reflect a premium impression.

TKM states that the car offers a warranty of three years/100,000 kilometres and an option of extended warranty of up to five years/220,000 kilometres, three years free roadside assistance, attractive financial schemes and eight years/160,000 kilometres warranty on the hybrid battery.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has placed an extra order for 148 electric buses from Tata Motors, the biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in India. This purchase comes after BMTC placed an earlier order for 921 electric buses, the majority of which have been delivered and are operating effectively with an uptime of more than 95 percent.

The Tata Starbus EV 12-metre low-floor electric buses will be supplied, operated and maintained for a term of 12 years by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Ltd, a completely owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. With its best-in-class features and outstanding design, the Tata Starbus EV offers a pleasant and environmentally friendly commute. These zero-emission electric buses are built on cutting-edge battery technologies and next-generation design to provide a convenient, safe and comfortable intra-city journey around Bengaluru.

Ramachandran R, IAS, MD, BMTC, said, "We are happy to further strengthen our partnership with Tata Motors with these additional 148 electric buses for our fleet modernisation. The performance of the existing Tata electric buses has been exceptional, aligning perfectly with our commitment to sustainable and efficient public transportation. The larger e-bus fleet will significantly enhance our capacity to provide eco-friendly, comfortable and reliable services to the citizens of Bengaluru."

Asim Kumar Mukhopadhyay, CEO and MD, TML Smart City Mobility Solutions Limited, said, "We are honoured by BMTC's continued trust in our e-mobility solutions. This additional order of 148 buses is a testament to the proven success of our Starbus EVs and the operational excellence delivered in Bengaluru's urban environment. We remain committed to delivering innovative solutions that benefit both the community and the environment."

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL), the country's largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has shared the teaser image for its first electric vehicle product - the e Vitara.

Set to be unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the e Vitara will be made in India for the world. It was recently unveiled by Suzuki Motor Corporation at Milan, Italy.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “The e Vitara is a testament of our unwavering commitment to sustainable mobility and technological innovation. With decades of automotive expertise, we have combined advanced electric technology with a customer-first approach to deliver something truly transformative. At Maruti Suzuki, we have always believed that to promote EV adoption, we need to create a holistic ecosystem that simplifies customers' battery electric vehicle ownership journey.”

“A critical barrier to the adoption of EVs is the lack of accessible charging. To tackle this issue, we are committed to introduce a reliable and comprehensive EV ecosystem alongside the e Vitara. This will include home charging solutions as well as a nationwide network of fast chargers available at Maruti Suzuki dealerships and service touchpoints. Our goal is to make EVs accessible, convenient, and appealing to a broader set of customers, and this is exactly what we have set out to achieve with the e Vitara,” he added.

​​Vadodara-headquartered electric vehicle company WardWizard Innovations & Mobility recently launched its new range of EV offerings, which it expects to give a new charge to its retail sales.

It was on 13 December 2024 the Joy e-rik V1 (L5) and Joy Bandhu (L3) electric three-wheelers in the passenger category and Joy Sahayak + Cargo (L5) and Joy Eco Loader (L3) in the electric three-wheeler cargo space were launched by the EV maker, thus marking its entry into the fast-growing electric three-wheeler space.

The Joy e-rik V1, priced at INR 385,000 (ex-showroom), comes with 10.24 kW li-ion battery, 50 kmph max speed and 140 km claimed range on a full charge. It can be charged in 4.5-5 hours using the 50 Amp charger.

The Joy Bandhu priced at INR 134,000, uses a 7.2 kW lead-acid battery, has a claimed range of 120 km and top speed limited to 25 kmph.

On the other hand, the Joy Sahayak + Cargo, priced at INR 424,000, is targeted for payload capacity of 650 kg + driver, max speed of 50 kmph, up to 130 km range on a single charge. It uses a 10.2 kW LFP li-ion battery and can be charged in four hours using 50 Amp charger. The Joy Eco Loader, on the other hand, comes with a payload capacity of 310 kg + driver and is priced at INR 130,000.

At present, electric three-wheeler sales in India are averaging 56,674 units a month (CY 2024) as compared to 47,204 units last year. What’s also driving the sales is the government incentives like the Centre’s PM E-Drive scheme that provides demand incentives to support purchase of 316,000 e-three-wheelers including e-rickshaws. They are entitled to a subsidy of INR 25,000 in the first year and INR 12,500 in the second year. For the L5 category (cargo e-three-wheelers), the incentive is INR 50,000 per unit in the first year and INR 25,000 the next.

For the Vadodara-based EV maker, the idea to enter the electric three-wheeler space is on the back of the growing demand for greener last-mile delivery as well as last-mile mobility connectivity options.

Interestingly, it has already onboarded 27 dealerships that will focus on selling electric three-wheelers. Furthermore, it will also provide preference for its around 900 existing dealer and network partners to sell its new offerings.

For FY2025, WardWizard Innovations & Mobility estimates to sell around 50,000 units of electric vehicles across electric two-wheelers (low speed and high speed) and three-wheelers (L3 & L5) in India. It estimates that the sales will grow by 22-24 percent YoY in FY2026.

While it has recently entered the e-three-wheeler space, the company expects the new products to have around 30-35 percent share in its overall sales starting from FY2026.

On the other hand, reducing its reliance on low-speed electric two-wheeler category, the company also introduced a new high-speed e-scooter ‘Nemo’. Priced at INR 99,000 (ex-showroom), it comes with a 40 Ah NMC li-ion battery and a 1,500W DC brushless hub motor that gives it a max speed of 65 kmph. It has a claimed range of 130 km on a single charge in Eco mode. The e-scooter uses a digital speedometer, 5-inch full-colour TF display and projector LED headlight. The company has targeted a modest 2,000 units sales for Nemo in the next three months.

The EV maker currently has an installed capacity to produce 73,000 electric two-wheelers, 7,300 L5 electric three-wheelers and 18,250 L3 electric three-wheelers per annum. The company claims that apart from some plastic components and cells being imported, everything has been localised.

It further aims to start manufacturing its own batteries in the next one year in Vadodara, for which the pilots are underway.

Ahmedabad-based electric mobility start-up Matter was recently awarded the 10th CII Industrial IP Award 2024 at the CII Annual Summit on Technology, Intellectual Property, and Industry-Academia Partnership, held on 12th and 13th December in New Delhi.

The recognition was on the back of the company’s robust portfolio of over 300 patent applications and 58 granted patents in areas such as powertrain cooling, gearbox technologies, charging infrastructure, and manufacturing automation.

The EV maker is the first to launch a geared e-motorcycle called ‘Aera’, which it expects will play a key role in driving higher adoption of green vehicles in the motorcycle space.

Kumar Prasad, Founder and CTO, Matter, said, "Innovation has always been at the heart of Matter’s vision. This award reaffirms our commitment to redefining the electric mobility sector with pioneering research and development. We are proud to contribute to India’s vibrant IP ecosystem and continue driving technological advancements for a sustainable future."