TVS Motor Company recently launched its connected passenger electric three-wheeler named King EV Max in Kolkata for the eastern market. Equipped with a high-performance 51.2V lithium-ion LFP battery, the vehicle delivers a top speed of 60 km/h with three driving modes – ECO (40 km/h), City (50 km/h) and Power (60 km/h) to suit varied commuting needs. The vehicle accelerates from 0-30 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and boasts a gradability of 31 percent, ensuring seamless operation on inclined surfaces. Additionally, its water wading depth of 500 mm enhances reliability in challenging weather conditions.

A 179-km range on a single charge makes the King EV MAX an efficient choice for daily transport. The battery supports fast charging, reaching 80 percent in just 2 hours and 15 minutes, while a full charge takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. This ensures minimal downtime for fleet operators and individual users alike.

The L5 segment passenger vehicle comes with LED headlamps and tail lamps for improved visibility and safety. Additionally, the Bluetooth-enabled TVS SmartXonnect system allows users to access real-time navigation, vehicle alerts and diagnostics directly from their smartphones, enhancing operational efficiency and fleet management.

Prioritising passenger comfort, the vehicle features a spacious cabin and ergonomic seating for a smooth and comfortable ride. Its durable construction and well-designed interior make it a standout option for urban commutes.

The company is also set to enter the L5N cargo segment with plans to launch a vehicle within Q4FY25. Commenting on the development, Commercial Mobility Business Head Rajat Gupta told Motoring Trends, “The company is expanding its footprint in the electric three-wheeler space by introducing a cargo variant designed for commercial applications. The L5N classification refers to three-wheeler trucks intended for cargo transportation, whereas the L5M category is designated for passenger vehicles. With this strategic move, TVS aims to strengthen its presence in the electric mobility sector, catering to both passenger and logistics markets.”

Alluding to how TVS leveraged its strong automotive design and manufacturing capabilities in the King EV Max, he noted, “One of the key strengths of TVS is its customer-centric approach, which the company calls ‘Living with Customers’. This methodology involves closely engaging with end users to understand pain points, which are then directly addressed in product development. As a result, the latest TVS three-wheeler EV incorporates industry-first features, making it more advanced, efficient and user-friendly.” 

“A standout feature is the 26 connected functionalities integrated into the vehicle’s digital cluster, setting a new benchmark in the segment. Additionally, TVS has introduced the first Bluetooth-connected three-wheeler, enhancing fleet management and driver convenience. In terms of energy efficiency, TVS leads the category with an optimised 17.4 kWh energy consumption, maximising range while ensuring superior cost savings,” he added.

The vehicle has a localisation level of 65-70 percent and is being manufactured at the company’s Hosur plant, which has an annual production capacity of 250,000 units. While there is no pre-filled order book, demand is driven by daily retail sales, allowing the company to maintain a flexible supply chain. Given the modular nature of its production setup, the manufacturer can quickly scale up output to meet rising market demand, informed Gupta.

Currently, the installed EV production capacity stands at 5,000 units per month, utilising the same manufacturing line for internal combustion engine models.

The vehicle is now available at select dealerships in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jammu and Kashmir, Delhi and West Bengal with an ex-showroom price of INR 295,000. The vehicle is backed by a 6-year/150,000 km warranty, along with round-the-clock roadside assistance for the first three years.

Alluding to efforts in battery recyclability, Gupta noted, “We acknowledge that battery recyclability is a critical aspect of EV adoption, especially as the Indian market has seen significant growth in two-wheeler and three-wheeler electrification over the past five years. While an estimated battery lifespan ranges between of four to five years, real-world performance often exceeds this range. However, with evolving battery chemistries and new advancements, recyclability remains a work in progress.” 

“Currently, we source battery cells from Korea and the company is actively evaluating solutions for recycling and second-life applications, recognising that as EV adoption accelerates, end-of-life battery management will become increasingly important. While a concrete roadmap for battery recycling has yet to be finalised, the company is committed to developing a sustainable approach in the near future,” he added.

TapFin, a tech-enabled sustainability platform, has launched GoGreen Capital, a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) to provide customised lending solutions. The firm will initially focus on clean mobility, solar and battery circulatory sectors.

GoGreen aims to capitalise on TapFin’s deep understanding and partnerships in the sustainability ecosystem. It will use ‘TapFin Hub’ – TapFin’s proprietary platform’s core capabilities - OEM & suppliers whitelisting, real-time asset management & monitoring through advanced AI models, portfolio valuation and disposal monetisation.

Aditya Singh, CEO, TapFin, said, “At TapFin, our mission is to empower businesses with technology and financial solutions that drive meaningful change. With GoGreen Capital, we are expanding this vision by addressing a critical need in India’s green transition – access to financing. By combining data-driven insights with tailored financial products, GoGreen Capital is designed to unlock capital for businesses adopting electric vehicles, solar energy solutions, battery circularity and other sustainability-related objectives. Our goal is to bridge funding gaps, accelerate sustainable growth, and contribute to India’s journey towards a cleaner, more resilient economy.”

Pramod Marar, MD & CEO, GoGreen Capital, said, "Access to affordable capital remains a significant challenge for businesses looking to adopt clean technologies. With GoGreen Capital, we aim to fill this crucial gap by providing customised financing solutions that cater to the unique needs of EV fleet operators, MSMEs, OEMs and sustainability-driven enterprises. As an NBFC, GoGreen Capital is equipped to offer flexible lending models that reflect the realities of the clean mobility and renewable energy sectors. By empowering businesses with accessible financial support, we are enabling them to scale effectively while advancing India’s green economy."

GoGreen Capital will provide commercial asset loans, business loans and leasing solutions tailored to the clean mobility, battery and solar ecosystems. By supporting unique business models, cost structures and supply chain dynamics, the company aims to support sustainability-driven enterprises.

Chinese electric vehicle major BYD’s flagship Sealion 7 e-SUV has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating. The electric SUV secured maximum score and joins the DOLPHIN, ATTO 3, SEAL U and SEAL U DM-i, SEAL and TANG.

Launched in Europe in late 2024 with a Blade Battery and BYD’s trademark Cell-to-Body construction, the Sealion 7 scored the top rating in all of the four key areas, namely Adult Occupant protection, Child Occupant protection, Vulnerable Road Users protection and Safety Assist. The car offered good whiplash protection in a crash and also excelled in the side barrier test and severe side pole impact evaluation. In the frontal offset and side barrier tests, the Sealion 7 got maximum points for protection of all critical parts of the body for both the 10-year and six-year dummies. The Adult Occupant protection rating is 87 percent, whereas the Child Occupant protection rating is even more impressive, at 93 percent, which is at par with the highest percentage score in this category over the past nine years.

Additionally, it contains a direct child-presence detection system that sounds an alert upon detecting a kid or newborn left in the car. With a Safety Assist score of 79 percent, the Sealion 7's suite of driver-assistance systems received high marks in the test. The study mentions the existence of lane-support and speed-assistance systems and remarks on how effectively the autonomous emergency braking system works, especially how well it reacts to pedestrians and motorcycles. The Sealion 7 has the fastest electric motor in mass production (23,000 rpm) and comes with a variety of battery capacities and power levels.

Atul Greentech, a subsidiary of Atul Auto, has inked a strategic partnership with Amara Raja Group for collaboration in the development and supply of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery packs and chargers for electric vehicles.

To start with, Amara Raja will supply batteries for Atul Greentech’s three-wheelers from its Giga Corridor in Divitipalli, Telangana. The partners will also collaborate for future battery chemistries.

Vijay Kedia, Director, Atul Auto, said, “Amara Raja and Atul Greentech have long-standing mutually beneficial partnership and I am happy to strengthen it further with the MoU we have signed today. Atul Greentech has always been at the forefront of innovation that benefits and empowers our customers. Together with Amara Raja we are confident of advancing our successful EV journey as India adapts to electric mobility.”

Vijayanand Samudrala, President, New Energy, Amara Raja Energy and Mobility (ARE&M), said, “Amara Raja Group is committed to play the role of a catalyst in India’s energy transition. We believe that a domestic ecosystem of cells, packs, chargers along with research and development is critical as India embraces electric vehicles and are working with likeminded partners to offer them best in class products for their needs. We have immense respect for their contribution to electrify mobility in India and we are hopeful that this new agreement will further enhance their product portfolio.”

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania has acquired the Industrial Division of Northvolt Systems, including production capabilities, a R&D Centre and a team of approximately 260 employees. The acquisition will provide Scania access to Northvolt’s battery manufacturing and designing capabilities especially in the heavy industry and off-highway market segments, material handling, construction equipment and mining.

The operations are based in two locations: a leased production facility in Gdansk, Poland, and an R&D centre in Tomteboda, Stockholm, Sweden.

Sara Hermansson, Head of Scania Power Solutions, said, “Northvolt Systems Industrial Division brings valuable expertise in battery technology and assembly. Their capabilities strengthen our modular approach and support the development of complete electrified solutions for off-road applications. I’m pleased to welcome the team to Scania."

The acquired business will compliment Scania Power Solutions and operate as a stand-alone venture within Scania Ventures and New Business, aligning with its strategy to develop complementary and transformational businesses.

Jonas Hernlund, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Scania Ventures and New Business, said, “By combining Northvolt Systems Industrial Division’s battery expertise with Scania's deep industry knowledge, we are not only driving innovation but also strengthening our ability to serve our customers in their transition journeys. This acquisition demonstrates how Scania Ventures and New Business leverage our capabilities in opportunity identification, M&A and growth-stage company management to enable our core business and enhance our position as a transformation partner for our customers — all in support of a more sustainable transport system.”

Elin Akerstrom, Vice-President, Northvolt Systems Industrial, stated, “Since 2017, Northvolt Systems Industrial has developed advanced battery systems for machines operating in demanding environments such as construction, mining, and material handling. Our flagship solution, Voltpack Core, reflects our ability to meet real-world industrial challenges. Joining Scania marks the next chapter in our journey. This acquisition brings together two strong legacies in electrification and powertrain innovation. I am confident that, together, we will strengthen our capabilities and deliver even greater value to our customers.”