Vida, the electric vehicle business of Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, has launched the VX2 electric scooter at prices starting INR 59,490 with Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model and INR 99,490 (ex-showroom) for outright purchase for the VX2 Go variant.

The higher VX2 Plus variant gets a 3.4 kWh battery and is priced at INR 109,990 (ex-showroom) for outright purchase and INR 64,990 for BaaS model. While the VX2 Go variant comes with a claimed range of 92km with 2.2 kWh battery. Under BaaS, the user will pay approximately INR 0.96 per kilometre of usage. Customers will also get access to over 3,600 charging points and more than 500 sales and service centres.

To provide peace of mind to customers, Vida is offering complimentary battery replacement if the performance falls below 70 percent.

In terms of tech, the VX2 gets seamless smartphone integration for real-time ride statistics, telemetry, and Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) updates. The VX2 Plus gets 4.3-inch TFT screen, while VX2 Go gets 4.3-inch LCD both offering turn-by-turn navigation.

The company claims that the e-scooters can be charged to 80 percent in just 60 minutes.

The e-scooters sport 12-inch wheels and 33.2-litre boot space (with removable battery) for VX2 Go variant.

With this, the company aims to make the e-scooters one of the most affordable electric vehicle offerings in the country.

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp

INR 99,490 (ex-showroom price) and 59,490 with BaaS and INR 0.96 per km

Vida VX2 E-Scooter Launched At INR 99,490 And INR 59,490 With BaaS

Dr Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Vida was born from a vision far greater than building electric vehicles—we set out to spark a movement. A movement that puts people and planet first, that redefines mobility as a force for good, and that gives every individual—not just the few—the opportunity to thrive, grow, and live better. Vida means ‘life’—and that is exactly what we aim to bring: cleaner air, better choices, and smarter journeys. A name that reflects our purpose—to drive meaningful progress and create a positive impact, not just in cities, but across every corner of Bharat and the world. On the birth anniversary of our Founder Chairman, Dr. Brijmohan Lall Munjal, we renew our commitment to build a future that is smart, connected, and conscious. With the Vida VX2 Evooter, we are not simply launching a product—we are delivering an ecosystem that empowers change. This is our promise: to make sustainable mobility widely accessible, to make our products highly affordable, and to always lead with trust, responsibility, and purpose. Backed by Hero MotoCorp’s legacy, Vida will power a better tomorrow – for everyone.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has expanded its Rizta family e-scooter line-up with the introduction of the Rizta S, featuring a 3.7kWh battery pack. The new variant is priced at INR 137,047 (ex-showroom) in Delhi, INR 137,258 (ex-showroom) in Mumbai, INR 137,999 (ex-showroom) in Bangalore and INR 139,312 (ex-showroom) in Chennai.

The Rizta S with the 3.7kWh battery pack offers an IDC range of 159km. Launched in 2024, the Rizta now accounts for over 60 percent of Ather's total sales and has surpassed 100,000 units sold within one year of its release. This new variant expands the Rizta portfolio to four options.

Ravneet S. Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, "The Rizta has resonated strongly with families across the country, and the recent milestone of crossing 1 lakh Rizta scooters is a testament to the strong demand that we are seeing. As an ongoing quest to expand our portfolio addressing different consumer needs, we are excited to introduce the Rizta S with a higher range. With the new variant offering 159 km on a single charge, riders can confidently plan their day, making it ideal for commuters with high daily usage.”

The scooter maintains a 34-litre underseat storage, expandable by 22 litres with a Frunk accessory. It features a large seat and practical floorboard design. The 3.7kWh variant includes a 7-inch DeepView Display with Turn-by-Turn Navigation. Additional features for convenience and safety include AutoHold, Fall Safe, Emergency Stop Signal, Tow & Theft Alerts, Find my scooter and Alexa Skills. The scooter supports over-the-air (OTA) updates. Users can access Ather's fast-charging network, Ather Grid, which has over 3,900 charging points.

The Rizta S with the 3.7kWh battery pack is available with the 'Ather Eight70’ warranty programme, providing 8 years or 80,000 km coverage, guaranteeing a minimum of 70 percent battery health.

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Switch Automotive Mobility (Switch India), the electric vehicle business of commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland, has announced a rejig in its top management.

The company has announced that Mahesh Babu, current CEO of Switch Automotive Mobility, has decided to step down from his position to pursue opportunities outside the Group, effective 31 August 2025.

On the other hand, Ganesh Mani, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Ashok Leyland, will take additional charge as CEO of Switch Automotive Mobility starting 1 September 2025.

The company aims to optimise operational costs by leveraging the strengths of Ashok Leyland and maintain focus on electric buses and light commercial vehicles.

Dheeraj G Hinduja, Chairman, Switch Mobility, said, “We would like to place on record our appreciation to Mahesh for his significant contributions during his tenure with us. Having achieved EBITDA breakeven in FY2025, Switch India is now poised to scale up the business and achieve positive PAT status shortly. Ganesh Mani, with his experience in operational excellence and leading large scale transformation initiatives, will take Switch India to the next phase of profitable growth.”

At present, Switch currently sells the 1.25 tonner IeV3 and 1.75 tonner IeV4 in the electric LCV segment and 12m buses in standard and low floor segments offering range up to 200 kms without a recharge. The EV maker has a strong order pipeline of over 1,500 e-buses, with target to double its top line in FY2026.

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India is embarking on an ambitious journey to become a dominant force in the global rare earth metals (REMs) market, with a significant seven-year initiative (2025-2032) aimed at bolstering its domestic mining, refining and magnet production capabilities. This strategic pivot comes as the world increasingly relies on these 17 chemical elements, which include the 15 lanthanides along with scandium and yttrium, for cutting-edge technologies that drive electric vehicles (EVs), wind turbines, smartphones and defence systems.

A recent report by Coherent Market Insights stated that despite possessing the world's fifth-largest rare earth element reserves, estimated at an impressive 6.9 million metric tonnes, India has historically been heavily reliant on imports of rare earth magnets. However, the landscape is rapidly changing. The Indian rare earth market, valued at approximately USD 40 million in 2024, is projected to soar to USD 62.0 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 8 percent starting in 2025.

A key aspect of this initiative involves IREL (India) Ltd., a public sector enterprise, which is increasing its neodymium output. Additionally, new magnet manufacturing plants are being established in Visakhapatnam and other industrial centres. To further secure its supply chain, India has temporarily paused some exports to prioritise domestic needs and has announced significant public-private partnerships for advanced processing facilities. The nation is also actively forging international partnerships with countries in Africa and Central Asia to secure upstream supplies.

This move by India is particularly pertinent given the global concentration of rare earth supply. As of 2023, China is the dominant player, responsible for a staggering 65-69% of total rare earth output and nearly 90 percent of the world's rare earth element processing. China's recent export restrictions on gallium and germanium in 2023, in response to chip sanctions, underscored its willingness to leverage critical mineral supply chains for geopolitical influence. Such actions have accelerated efforts by the U.S., EU, and Japan to diversify their sources.

The global market for rare earth metals is projected to be worth nearly USD 6 billion by 2025, with an anticipated CAGR of 6.4 percent from 2025 to 2032, ultimately reaching around USD 9.3 billion. This growth is primarily fuelled by the shift towards clean energy and the surging demand in the electronics and EV sectors. Neodymium, a key component in permanent magnets used for EV motors and wind turbines, stands out as the most commonly used rare earth metal, holding about 38.1 percent of the market share in 2025.

India's strong emphasis on supply chain resilience, innovation, and environmental sustainability aims to position it as a key player in the global rare earth materials value chain over the next decade.

Mohit Shrivastava, AVP Research, Coherent Market Insights, said, “Rare earth metals are quickly becoming the backbone of both the clean tech and defence sectors. While China currently holds a strong grip on the supply, India has a unique opportunity to shake things up with its abundant reserves and fresh strategic plans. Transitioning from being a mere importer to an active player in the value chain will depend on enhancing refining capabilities, fostering public-private partnerships and navigating geopolitical challenges. Over the next ten years, if India invests wisely in rare earth metals infrastructure, it could emerge as a key regional processing hub – boosting domestic manufacturing and strengthening global supply chain resilience."

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Indofast Energy, the joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation and Sun Mobility, has partnered Motovolt Mobility, an electric vehicle start-up to integrate battery swapping tech for the MVS7 e-scooter.

The EV company aims to make MVS7 e-scooter more accessible by decoupling the battery cost from the vehicle purchase through BaaS (Battery As A Service) model. Motovolt Mobility claims that the MVS7 is a multi-utility e-scooter, come with a top speed of 50 kmph, a 2.5kW peak power BLDC motor delivering 120 Nm of torque and a travel range of 80-85 km per charge. Featuring a double-cradle steel frame it has a combined 150 litres of open storage and a 150 kg payload capacity, positions it as an ideal companion for both personal commuting and last-mile logistics. The scooter features five riding modes (Eco, Power, Sport, Reverse, Cruise) and an IP65 display to display all information.

Rajat Malhan, Senior VP, Indofast Energy, said, “This isn't just a partnership; it’s a paradigm shift for Indian e-mobility. We are eliminating the biggest hurdles to EV adoption, offering a solution that is not only economically viable but also incredibly convenient. Our QIS battery swapping network will ensure Motovolt MVS7 users experience uninterrupted journeys and unparalleled vehicle uptime, driving their economic prosperity.”

Tushar Choudhary, Founder & CEO, Motovolt Mobility, said, “As a domestic OEM dedicated to transforming mobility, we are excited to join hands with Indofast as a step towards green mobility. Since our inception, we have focused on developing vehicles that are high on utility and an asset for the consumer. We are unveiling this collaboration with our first multi-utility scooter named MVS7. Overall, this collaboration will not only strengthen EV infrastructure and leverage a pay-per-use model but also help us refine the end consumer experience significantly, as a cost-efficient and more credible alternative to traditional ICE vehicles.”

Motovolt is also expanding its dealership network in key metropolitan areas, including Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai. Over the next 12 months, the partnership aims for significant market penetration, targeting the sale of approximately 20,000 units of the MVS7 in the B2B sector and 5,000 units in the B2C segment.

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