In line with the theme, ‘Designed in India, Designed for the World’, Ultraviolette Automotive has unveiled its latest offering – the F99 Factory Racing Platform. It is claimed to be India’s first-ever electric superbike that has been fitted with a liquid-cooled motor that does up to 120 hp. 

Said to be first of its kind in India with a confirmed power output that is more than twice that of any production motorcycle by an Indian company, the F99, in the next 90 days, according to the company, will achieve the highest top speed for an Indian motorcycle. It will also run to achieve the fastest quarter mile for an Indian motorcycle. 

It is a testament to India’s growing prowess as a hub for innovation, design and engineering beyond its widely known credentials as a contract manufacturer for other companies and their value-engineered products, mentioned the company. 

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO, Ultraviolette Automotive, expressed, “We believe Innovation to be a duty & a responsibility to the future of India. For long, we’ve looked to the East & West and used ‘Value Engineering’ as a means to deflect the onus of truly making World class products in India. With the talent available locally and the focus on design & technology cultivated through upskilling & job creation by start ups, there is no reason India can’t dream of having a world-class brand in performance motorcycling – to not dream of it, would be a disservice to our generation.”

Niraj Rajmohan, CTO,  Ultraviolette Automotive, averred, “Disruptive technology like the F99 platform – that is among the fastest & most advanced electric bikes in the World – will help India reinforce its status as a top player in the Automotive sector. Whilst known for contract manufacturing, we believe that with the right focus & application, the time is ripe for India to take its rightful place in the pecking order of design-led, desirable auto brands in the World.”

The F99 Factory Racing Platform brings to fruition, Ultraviolette’s intent to double down on using Racing to push the envelope on Technology-enabled Design. Innovation on the platform would facilitate breakthroughs that would translate on to the F77 platform as well –  now available in 5 cities through UV’s network of ‘Space Stations’ – Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Pune & Bengaluru open now with the cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam & Mangalore joining the ranks in the next month.

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."

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.