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.”

Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched the much-anticipated Hyundai CRETA Electric at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at a starting price of INR 1,799,000.

The Hyundai CRETA Electric sports a bold, masculine and sporty upright design and comes in 51.4-kWh (Long Range) and 42-kWh battery pack options, offering driving range of 473 km and 390 km, respectively. The e-SUV features ADAS-linked regenerative braking system for enhanced safety and efficiency and vehicle-to-Load technology that allows passengers access to power while camping or during an emergency. Customers get 75 advanced safety features and 52 safety features as standard across all variants. The e-SUV also boasts advanced EV capabilities, including water soak test, battery drop test and an IP67-rated battery pack.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, HMIL, said, “CRETA Electric marks a defining moment in HMIL’s journey of electrification and reflects our commitment to the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision, as it is our first indigenous EV SUV in India. With over a decade of global expertise in electric mobility, Hyundai Motor Company has established itself as a pioneer in EV innovation. Now, the same innovations and expertise are being brought to India, enhancing our country’s EV landscape. Hyundai CRETA Electric is a testament to our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ and Hyundai’s commitment to making India a global hub for advanced mobility solutions. We are confident that Hyundai CRETA Electric will set new benchmarks in the Indian EV industry, providing the much-needed push for the growth of the segment.”

Numeros Motors, a new-age original equipment manufacturer specialising in indigenous electric vehicles, has launched its multipurpose e-scooter ‘Diplos Max’ at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.

Diplos Max’s features parallel changing capability that provides the least downtime by fully charging the battery in less than 3-4 hours. With a claimed 140 Km IDC range and a 63 Kmph of top speed, the scooter offers a fully connected and seamless user experience. The Diplos platform incorporates dual disc brakes, high-performance LED lighting and advanced smart features like theft alerts, geofencing, and vehicle tracking to ensure top-notch safety. The Diplos platform starts at INR 86,999 including PM e- drive scheme.

Another innovative platform that the company revealed is the first bike-scooter crossover in India, code named Numeros 01. This stylish, sporty e-scooter, which combines the steadiness of a motorbike with the ease of a scooter, is ideal for young, energetic riders. With their big 16-inch tyres, these scooters provide improved rideability on every kind of road. Young cyclists who desire a combination of fashion, connectivity and usefulness in their everyday commute will love the dual-seat model. With a great balance of performance and strength, this newcomer in vivid red, blue and white would make navigating city traffic a breeze.

Shreyas Shibulal, Founder & CEO, Numeros Motors, said: “At Numeros Motors, we envision clean and efficient mobility solutions as the foundation of sustainable urban ecosystems. By delivering a made-in-India vehicle that is safe, reliable and durable, we aim to cater to the diverse needs of our users. The Diplos platform exemplifies our dedication to innovation and safety, while the new platform integrates style with functionality to meet the dynamic needs of modern commuters. By delivering vehicles that are robust, safe and environmentally responsible, we aim to empower users and contribute meaningfully to the green mobility revolution. This launch underscores our commitment to blending advanced technology with practical design to redefine the future of urban transportation.”

Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI) is all prepped up to display its mobility solutions at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

The brand-new ACTIVA e and QC1 electric scooters, whose initial pricing was revealed today, will be the focal point of the Honda booth. Ex-showroom prices for the brand-new ACTIVA e and QC1 are INR 117,000 and INR 90,000, respectively. In order to protect the EVs' total value and prolong their lifespan, the business has also produced Care Packages. Bookings for both EVs are currently available in a few places nationwide. Customers simply need to pay a little sum of INR 1,000 to reserve.

With its 7.0-inch TFT display, the all-new ACTIVA e lets riders stay connected in real time via the Honda RoadSync Duo® app. The ACTIVA e is powered by a state-of-the-art, internally built permanent magnet synchronous electric motor with a maximum power output of 6 kW. Its peak speed is 80 km/h, and it can sprint from 0 to 60 km/h in 7.3 seconds. With two 1.5 kWh interchangeable batteries, the ACTIVA e can travel 102 km on a single charge. HEID offers two options for using BaaS (Battery-as-a-Service) with the cutting-edge ACTIVA e:, with a modest monthly fee of INR 1,999 (for 40 km/day) and INR 3,599 (for 100 km/day).

The Honda QC1 is a personal mobility vehicle that blends advanced engineering and fluidic design. It has an 80 km range on a single charge thanks to its 1.5 kWh fixed battery pack. It takes 4 hours 30 minutes to charge the QC1 from zero to 80 percent, and 6 hours 50 minutes to fully charge it. It can reach a high speed of 50 km/h thanks to an in-wheel electric motor with a peak power of 1.8 kW. The QC1 has a 5.0-inch all-info LCD display that provides important vehicle information quickly, and it's perfect for daily commuting thanks to extra features like a 26-litre under-seat storage area and a USB Type-C outlet for charging electronics.

Tsutsumu Otani, Managing Director, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “At Honda, we believe in shaping the future of mobility through continuous innovation and customer-centric approach. The Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 is the perfect platform to showcase our efforts towards carbon neutrality and providing sustainable mobility solutions. With ACTIVA e: and QC1, we are introducing two diverse technologically advanced electric two-wheelers catering to different customer needs. The ACTIVA e:’s swappable battery technology offers a stress-free solution to our customers as Honda takes full responsibility for battery management, eliminating concerns about battery deterioration. HMSI is focused on protecting the asset through best-in-class maintenance ensuring extended vehicle value and the joy of ownership. We aim to achieve this by providing high-quality products and after-sales Care Packages for comprehensive protection and superior ownership experience for EV customers.”

Yogesh Mathur, Director – Sales and Marketing, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, said, “The all-new ACTIVA e: with swappable battery technology and QC1 with fixed battery setup have been designed keeping in mind the diverse needs of Indian consumers, offering the perfect blend of world-class quality, reliability and cutting-edge technology. We are confident that these models will resonate with customers across the nation. With the introduction of Care Packages, which includes benefits like 5-year worry-free service, road-side assistance (RSA) and extended warranty, we aim to inspire trust and demonstrate Honda’s unwavering commitment to a greener tomorrow for customers. At this introductory product price, we are also offering Care Package free for 1-year to enhance customer experience. We are excited to lead the charge towards a sustainable and connected tomorrow, creating a revolution in mobility.”

The Honda CB300F, India's first 300cc flex-fuel motorbike; the Motocompacto, a small, foldable electric scooter designed for first- or last-mile personal mobility and an electric go-kart with a Honda Mobile Power Pack e: swappable batteries will also be on show. Additionally, guests will see Honda's BEx technology, which allows for seamless battery changing for users and can charge several Honda Mobile Power Pack e units at once. Additionally, it features an intelligent autonomous function that only detects and charges completely healthy batteries, guaranteeing that defective ones are kept safe and out of consumers' reach. Along with creating and interacting with futuristic design concepts, guests may participate in live 3D drawing sessions using head-mounted displays at the event.

EV fleet management SaaS startup Pulse Energy has launched the Paybox, an app-less method for turning on EV chargers, making charging easier for consumers worldwide. The 'Paybox' terminals will allow Charge Point Operators to easily implement the technology at their stations, catering to 2W, 3W and 4W electric vehicles. The terminals will be initially deployed with operators in Bangalore and Mumbai, before expanding nationwide.

To authorise a transaction, customers only need to approach these terminals, scan, swipe or enter their cards. They may proceed to the charger and just plug the cable in to begin charging as soon as the payment is accepted. The terminal will notify the user of the status throughout this period using the charging operator's mobile app or WhatsApp. Additionally, these terminals can also be integrated with ‘Fastag’ and ‘NFC tap and pay’.

Akhil Jayaprakash, Founder, Pulse Energy, said, “Our goal with Paybox is financial inclusion. There is an underserved segment of the population that’s not very tech savvy, if we truly need to transition to an EV only world, we need to cater our products to all segments of our population. For network operators, adding a terminal is going to be an additive move over and above their existing efforts.  Our goal is to surpass 5,000 transactions per day through Paybox by the end of H1 2025.”