Bengaluru-based full-stack EV ecosystem startup Vidyut has partnered with JSW MG Motor India to finance its newly launched Battery-as-a-service (BaaS) models for the - MG Comet EV, MG Windsor EV, and MG ZS EV.

Under the BaaS program, customers will have to pay a minimum rental fee starting at INR 2.5 per kilometre as per the battery usage. This initiative will enable EV owners to pay for the battery on rent, helping them to reduce the running cost by 40 percent as compared to traditional ICE vehicles.

Unlike ICE vehicles, which incur ongoing fuel costs, Battery-as-a-service (BaaS) model enables customers to pay solely for the vehicle (minus battery), significantly reduces the initial acquisition cost of the EV. Post the completion of the financing tenure of the vehicle (minus battery) after 3-5 years depending on the vehicle model, Vidyut will also offer its customers an option to either continue with the battery rental program or buy it out. The vehicle owners can also opt out of the program at any point of time by paying the residual value of the battery.

Xitij Kothi, Co-Founder, Vidyut shared, “People think of battery as an asset, but we think battery as a fuel. So why should you pay for it when the vehicle is not on the road? This very question inspired us to introduce Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) into the EV ecosystem. Since its inception in 2021, Vidyut has made significant strides in pioneering this financing model for commercial applications. And now we are excited to extend that same level of innovation to personal four-wheeler vehicles with JSW MG Motor India. Our goal is to make EV ownership not just accessible but also cost-efficient for everyone, empowering individuals to embrace sustainable mobility without the financial burden that traditionally accompanies it.”

Gaurav Gupta, Chief Growth Officer, JSW MG Motor India said, “As a young startup, we appreciate Vidyut’s approach towards this unique and industry-first ownership program to make passenger EVs more accessible and further boost EV adoption in India. And we are delighted to partner with Vidyut, as one of our financing partners, to introduce BaaS, to address the barrier of incremental upfront cost of owning an EV and reducing the overall running cost significantly. With this innovative program, we are confident that this model will incentivize more potential EV buyers enabling them to upgrade to an EV lifestyle.

Additionally, MG EV customers can also avail the assured 60 percent buyback value after three years of ownership, reassuring a seamless and confident ownership experience.”

Recently, Vidyut also forayed into sale and financing of pre-owned EVs to support the resale of three-wheeler commercial EVs in Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. The startup currently operates in more than 30 cities in India with OEM partners such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Euler Motors, Piaggio, Greaves Cotton, Murugappa Group's Montra Electric, and Altigreen.

Till now, Vidyut has raised a total of $14 million (INR 1.1 billion) led by 3one4 Capital with participation from new and existing investors namely, Saison Capital, Zephyr Peacock, Force Ventures, a venture debt fund Alteria Capital and Udaan’s co-founder, Sujeet Kumar.

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Chartered Speed has deployed 11 electric buses for staff transportation for DCM Shriram at Jhagadia GIDC, Bharuch. The service was inaugurated by Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-time Director at Chartered Speed and Aditya Shriram, Deputy Managing Director at DCM Shriram.

The deployment is part of an effort to shift employee mobility towards electrification. Chartered Speed operates a fleet of over 2,000 buses across six states, serving 350,000 passengers daily.

The electric buses are equipped with several technologies for fleet management and passenger safety. It comes with real-time GPS tracking and onboard Driver Monitoring Systems (DMS). CCTV cameras, fire protection systems and first-aid kits are installed in every vehicle.

The company currently provides school and staff transportation services to various clients, including GHCL Limited and Apple Global School.

Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-time Director, Chartered Speed, said, “With the recent deployment of electric buses, we are strengthening our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of our operations and supporting the transition to greener transportation solutions. Our vision is of building a large, clean energy-powered fleet that aligns with global trends towards electrification in public transport. We remain focused on integrating technology in our services not only enhances operational efficiency but also fosters a culture of safety that we believe is essential for the future of transportation.”

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Tata Motors, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers in the country, has attained a new milestone in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) market, with cumulative sales of its TATA.ev range exceeding 250,000 units.

Since the launch of the Nexon.ev in 2020, the company has secured a 66 percent market share of all electric passenger vehicles sold in India to date. The Nexon.ev has become the first electric model in the country to surpass 100,000 cumulative sales.

At present, the company’s green vehicle offering includes the Tiago.ev, Punch.ev, Nexon.ev, Curvv.ev and Harrier.ev for personal use, alongside the XPRES-T EV for fleet operations.

To support its EV customers, Tata Motors has established an ecosystem, which includes access to over 200,000 charging points, including home, community and public chargers. A digital platform providing coverage for over 20,000 public chargers. Around 100 mega charging hubs operational across key corridors, offering speeds of more than 120kW. Approximately 1,500 dedicated EV service bays nationwide, staffed by over 5,000 technicians.

The automaker stated that every TATA.ev vehicle is manufactured with more than 50 percent local content. In collaboration with other Tata Group companies, the firm has localised the production of battery packs and battery management systems. The supply chain also includes domestic production of power electronics, wiring harnesses and thermal management systems.

Going forward, Tata Motors has outlined a robust growth strategy through to 2030:

• Upcoming Launches: The Sierra.ev and a new Punch.ev are scheduled for release in CY26, followed by the Avinya luxury range at the end of 2026.
• Portfolio Growth: Five new nameplates are planned by FY2030.
• Infrastructure Targets: The company aims for 400,000 charge points by CY2027 and 1 million by 2030.
• Battery Sourcing: Future models will use battery cells produced at the Agratas gigafactory in Sanand.

Shailesh Chandra, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “Crossing 250,000 EV sales reflects how electric mobility is fast becoming part of everyday Indian life. Our customers are driving more, travelling farther, and increasingly trusting EVs as their only cars. Our EV journey which began in 2018, was never about leading alone but about building the ecosystem to enable India’s transition to clean mobility. This progress is the outcome of the government’s forward-thinking policies, the steadfast support of our supplier partners and charging infrastructure providers and above all, the trust and enthusiasm of TATA.ev customers. As EV adoption accelerates, our commitment remains clear: to mainstream electric mobility by making it accessible across segments, strengthening the ecosystem, and investing in India-first technology and localization. This is how we will continue to lead India’s growing EV market.”

The company also intends to focus on the circular economy by reusing batteries for energy storage and providing battery health checks for second-hand owners.

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French-headquartered battery systems manufacturer Forsee Power has announced that MegaFlux, a Mexico-based powertrain integrator, has selected its ZEN LFP battery system for its heavy vehicle electric powertrains.

MegaFlux develops electric powertrains for trucks and buses, including retrofit solutions that convert diesel vehicles to electric. The company also provides charging infrastructure and energy management services.

The ZEN LFP product line uses lithium-ion LFP chemistry and is designed for buses, trucks and off-highway vehicles. The batteries are available in 36 kWh and 55 kWh formats, allowing for various voltage and energy combinations. The LFP battery has an energy density of 240 Wh/L. Being a modular system, upto to two modules can be stacked to optimise vehicle space. The battery has 6,000 charging lifecycle and is ISO 26262 ASIL-C and industry standards including R100-3 and R10.6 certified.

The use of LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry is intended to provide a lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for operators due to its thermal stability and cycle life, factors that are relevant to the operating conditions in markets such as Mexico.

MegaFlux will integrate the ZEN LFP batteries into powertrains sold to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and into its vehicle conversion projects.

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Chinese automotive major BYD has celebrated the production of its 15 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) at its Jinan Factory. The milestone vehicle is a Denza N8L, which also represents the 15,000th unit of this six-seat SUV model.

The company reported sales of 4.182 million units from January to November 2025, a YoY growth of 11.3 percent. Global markets contributed to this performance, with overseas sales reaching 917,000 units, surpassing the total volume recorded in 2024. BYD now operates in more than 119 countries and regions.

Technological innovation continues to drive the company's operations. In the first three quarters of 2025, R&D expenditure rose to CNY 43.75 billion, a 31 percent increase compared to the previous year. Total cumulative investment in research and development has now exceeded CNY 220 billion.

The Denza brand has entered markets in Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. During the first half of the year, the Denza D9 became the top-selling luxury MPV in Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

The brand has extended its presence into Europe and Latin America. This expansion is part of a strategy to increase the electrification of the global luxury automotive sector. Denza recently showcased the D9 at the São Paulo International Motor Show to support its growth in the region.

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