Veera Vahana, a leading player in the bus industry has partnered with Bengaluru-based energy tech company Exponent Energy, to deploy 15-minute rapid charging for its long-haul intercity electric bus. 

The Veera Mahasamrat EV powered by Exponent is claimed to be the world’s first 13.5-metre electric bus on 2-axles. Equipped with Exponent’s 320 kWh battery pack the bus company claims it will allow a virtually unlimited range. The battery pack comes with a warranty of 6,00,000km or 3,000 battery life cycles, which will allow for better financing options and ease of ownership. 

The rapid charge capable e-bus will allow fleet owners to cut their operating expenses by 30 percent compared to an ICE bus. Once commercialised this will allow for easier operations for long-haul intercity e-buses to ply across routes using the 15-minute rapid charging and the Exponent charging network along highways.

At present, the two companies are working on electrifying the Bengaluru - Hyderabad route. To support operations, Exponent Energy will deploy four 1 MW charging stations - two at each endpoints and two along the highway - this they say will ensure bus operators can seamlessly shift from ICE to electric with the same experience of number of stops and downtime per stop.

K. Srinivas Reddy, MD, Veera Vahan said, “Today, electric buses are restricted to short-haul or intracity operations due to limited range and long charging time. It’s difficult to package a single battery to deliver 600km of range and with long charging time – customers are not willing to wait for an hour along the highway. Typically, diesel buses stop every 300km for 15-20 minutes and our unique partnership with Exponent mimics the same experience. Now, bus operators can seamlessly switch to electric with the Veera Mahasamrat EV and save more in their operations!”

Exponent’s technology stack meticulously manages each cell's characteristics through its BMS, charging algorithms, and thermal management using its proprietary off-board thermal management system - where the charging station actively pumps coolant to the battery while charging to maintain optimal temperature and thus delivering consistent performance even at ambient temperatures as high as 50deg Celsius. 

Arun Vinayak, Co-founder & CEO, Exponent Energy said, “We’re excited to partner with Veera Vahana, a seasoned player in the bus industry, to truly electrify the long-haul intercity bus segment. We’re thrilled to have built the world’s third 1 MW charging technology – after Tesla & Siemens – in India, for India. With freedom and accessibility delivered by 15-minute rapid charging and the Exponent network, we’re committed to enabling all of India to go electric.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Montra Electric, the electric medium and heavy commercial vehicle business of the Murugappa Group, has become the first manufacturer in India to receive certification for heavy-duty electric trucks under the government's PM E-Drive Scheme.

To mark the achievement, the company delivered a Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 Tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement. The handover took place in the presence of Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric and Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer of UltraTech Cement.

The PM E-Drive scheme includes a budget of INR 5 billion specifically for electric trucks, providing a benefit of up to INR 960,000 per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This incentive is intended to lower operating costs and reduce exposure to fuel price volatility for fleet operators in the logistics, mining, and manufacturing sectors. The Rhino 5538 EV range is designed for Indian conditions and is available in 6x4 and 4x2 variants.

The Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 variant features a 282 kWh LFP battery that produces 380 HP and 2000 Nm of torque. It offers a range of approximately 198 km under standard test conditions and supports six-minute battery swaps. These specifications suit the vehicle for high-utilisation applications in ports, steel plants, and cement logistics.

H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, said, "The PM E-Drive scheme is a testament to the growing prowess of Indian innovation in the heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to decarbonizing our logistics and making India a global hub for EV manufacturing. Electric trucks are pivotal to our Net Zero goals, and by fostering a self-reliant ecosystem through such certifications, we are driving the spirit of Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat. We are very happy to see our Prime Minister’s vision coming to life with the 1st PM E-Drive certified heavy duty electric truck from 'Montra Electric' getting delivered today."

Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric, said: “Decarbonising freight is one of the most critical challenges in India’s energy transition. We are grateful to the Government of India and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing forward-looking and progressive policy frameworks such as the PM E-Drive Scheme, which represent a welcome and transformative step in accelerating this shift, particularly in heavy commercial vehicles where emissions intensity is high. At Montra Electric, we are proud to contribute to this national mission by delivering technologically advanced, reliable, and scalable electric M&HCV solutions that can drive meaningful and lasting change in India’s mobility ecosystem.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Chartered Speed and EKA Mobility have received a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) to deploy 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru under the PM E-Drive Scheme. This allocation accounts for approximately 39 percent of the city's total planned induction of 4,500 electric buses. The initiative is part of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation effort to expand its network in line with the decarbonisation roadmap of the Government of India.

The partnership combines the operational services of Chartered Speed with the vehicle manufacturing and technology of EKA Mobility. Operational protocols for the fleet include maintenance, battery monitoring, and driver training. Chartered Speed has stated its intention to transition 25 percent of its total fleet to electric power by Fiscal 2027.

The deployment aims to support public transport infrastructure in the region through investments in charging and maintenance facilities. Bengaluru is currently expanding its electric transport capacity to meet state mobility targets. The project focuses on providing urban transport solutions for the city's commuter base while reducing the carbon footprint of the public system.

Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed, said,  “Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are part of the efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system. The PM E-Drive allocation strengthens Chartered Speed Limited’s long-term commitment to sustainable mass mobility. As one of the early adopters of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25% of our fleet to electric by Fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services aimed at lasting socio-economic impact.”

Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer, EKA Mobility, added, “The PM E-Drive initiative is a powerful enabler of India’s electric mobility vision, and Bengaluru’s large-scale adoption of electric buses sets a strong benchmark for urban transport transformation. At EKA Mobility, we are proud to partner with Chartered Speed and contribute to Bengaluru’s journey towards a more sustainable urban future. It is not just about scale, but about creating cleaner mobility solutions, quieter streets, and a better daily commute for millions.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki Motor Corporation and its subsidiary, Suzuki R&D Centre India (SRDI), have inaugurated the Banas Suzuki Biogas Plant in Bhukhala, Gujarat. The facility, which opened on 18 January 2026, is the second such plant following the Agthala site that commenced operations in December 2025.

The plant is designed to process up to 100 tonnes of cow dung per day to produce approximately 1.5 tonnes of biogas. This output is equivalent to the daily fuel requirements of 850 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. In addition to fuel production, the facility will sell organic fertiliser generated as a byproduct of the process.

The project is part of an agreement signed in September 2023 between SRDI, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Banas Dairy. The partners have agreed to construct a total of five biogas plants in the region. The Bhukhala site covers an area of 27,000 square metres and forms a component of Suzuki’s strategy to support carbon neutrality in India.

The use of biogas serves as a carbon-neutral alternative for CNG vehicles, which currently represent 20 percent of the Indian passenger car market. Beyond emission reductions, the initiative is intended to improve energy self-sufficiency and increase rural income through the purchase of cattle waste from local farmers.

The opening ceremony was attended by Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat and Shankar Chaudhary, Chairman of Banas Dairy and Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Representing Suzuki was Kenichiro Toyofuku, Managing Officer and Executive General Manager of Biogas Operations.

The company stated that it will continue to develop its biogas business to contribute to national growth and environmental targets. The operation is expected to create jobs within the district while providing fuel for high-demand vehicle segments.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has started sales of its recently introduced Chetak C25 e-scooter across its showrooms in India. Following the model's unveiling earlier this week, the company has positioned the vehicle to target urban commuters. The scooter is priced at INR 91,399 (ex-showroom Delhi), with an introductory benefit of INR 4,299 available for the first 10,000 customers, bringing the effective price to INR 87,100.

The Chetak C25 features a 2.5 kWh battery providing a certified claimed range of 113 km. It is constructed with a metal body and a mono-body design intended for durability in city environments. Technical specifications include a 25-litre storage compartment, disc brakes, hill hold assist, and guide-me-home lighting. The vehicle’s proportions are designed for agility in dense traffic.

The introduction of the C25 completes the Chetak portfolio, which now includes the 30 and 35 Series. Bajaj is marketing the model to first-time electric vehicle buyers and households requiring a secondary scooter for short trips. Deliveries have commenced alongside the showroom roll-out in major cities.

The C25 is supported by the existing Chetak service network. The company noted that the launch and early-bird offer are intended to address customer interest in accessible electric mobility solutions that focus on reliability and ease of use.

The e-scooter maintains the brand's focus on material quality through its use of metal surfaces rather than plastic panels. It is engineered to align with daily commute patterns and offers various colour options. The mechanical framework is built to provide stability and a refined presence on the road while maintaining a compact footprint.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!