EKA Mobility gets second tranche of investment from Mitsui & Co
- By MT Bureau
- June 20, 2024
EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions) has announced that Mitsui & Co (Mitsui), a global trading and investment company, has executed a second tranche investment as a part of the initially announced phased investment, further solidifying their commitment to the rapidly growing electric vehicle (EV) company.
The strategic infusion of capital will be directed towards capital expenditures (Capex) and working capital, supporting EKA Mobility’s continued expansion and innovation in the EV sector. This tranche also establishes an attractive valuation benchmark for the company and is testimony to the rapid growth that EKA is witnessing.
In December 2023, EKA, Mitsui & VDL Groep entered into a strategic long-term partnership, that included joint investments of $100 million (INR 8.5 billion) in phases, equity, and technology cooperation to create a leading global OEM in India. This is one of the largest and most significant partnerships in the new mobility segment globally. Under the cooperation, EKA Mobility will receive significant and strategic investments from Mitsui, and technological support & equity partnership from VDL Groep, a leading Dutch technology and manufacturing company. As part of this partnership, VDL Bus & Coach, a subsidiary of VDL Groep and Europe’s frontrunner in electric buses & coaches will support EKA Mobility by transfer-of-technology to produce electric buses in India for the Indian market.
Earlier this year, Mitsui invested its maiden tranche in EKA which propelled the company to establish one of the largest R&D centres in the country for electric commercial vehicles, new product development, and expanding its export footprints. The second tranche will support EKA Mobility's manufacturing capabilities, accelerate new product development, expand market reach, and provide working capital. The investment will strengthen the company’s financial base to support day-to-day operations, supply chain optimisation, and market expansion initiatives.
Hiroshi Takeuchi, Deputy General Manager of Mobility Business Unit 1 of Mitsui said, “We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with EKA Mobility through the investment of this second tranche. EKA Mobility has demonstrated strong growth and innovation in the EV space, and we are excited to support their continued success. We look forward to utilising Mitsui's global network to promote exporting EKA's competitive products to overseas markets. This investment aligns with Mitsui's strategic focus on sustainable and forward-looking industries, and we are confident that EKA Mobility will play a pivotal role in the future of transportation."
Headquartered in Pune, India, Eka has been at the forefront of the commercial electric mobility revolution, developing a range of electric buses in 7-metre, 9-metre and 12-metre categories, intercity coaches, and a range of electric light commercial vehicles. EKA is also one of the commercial vehicle manufacturers approved under the Government of India’s Auto PLI policy.
Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder of EKA (Pinnacle Mobility Solutions) said, "We are immensely grateful to Mitsui & VDL Groep for their unwavering confidence and sustained investment in EKA Mobility. The continued investment support will enable us to accelerate our growth trajectory, bring innovative EV solutions to market faster, and further our mission to create a sustainable and green transportation ecosystem. We look forward to a long and successful partnership with Mitsui & VDL."
At present, the company’s order book has significantly grown to over 1,000 electric buses and more than 5,000 electric light commercial vehicles.
- Prawaas 5.0
- BOCI
- Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India
- Prasanna Patwardhan
- Rotary International District 3080
- BOCI Naari
Prawaas 5.0 Concludes In Gandhinagar
- By MT Bureau
- July 18, 2026
Prawaas 5.0, an event focused on the public transport industry, concluded on 11 July 2026 at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The three-day event marked the 10th anniversary of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI).
The event recorded 20,129 registrations and hosted 227 exhibitors, 20 startups and 120 speakers across 15 sessions. It saw participation from 31 states and union territories, as well as 11 countries.
During the event, two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed. The first, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI Naari, aims to support the skilling and employment of women as drivers. The second, between Rotary International District 3080 and BOCI, addresses the mental well-being of drivers and road safety.
Prasanna Patwardhan, President of the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI), said, "As BOCI completes ten years, Prawaas 5.0 reflects how collaboration, innovation and progressive policymaking are shaping the future of passenger mobility in India. Over the past three days, the exhibition has brought together operators, policymakers, manufacturers, technology providers and entrepreneurs on a common platform to exchange ideas, build partnerships and explore solutions for the sector's evolving needs. The participation and enthusiasm witnessed this year reaffirm our collective commitment to building a safer, smarter and more sustainable passenger transport ecosystem that supports the vision of Viksit Bharat."
The Bharat Prawaas Awards 2026 honoured 72 recipients, including 50 BOCI Excellence Awards and 22 redBus People's Choice Awards. The event was organised by BOCI, hosted by the Akhil Gujarat Pravasi Vahan Sanchalak Mahamandal, and curated by MM Activ Sci-Tech Communications.
Tata Motors Partners UCO Bank For Commercial Vehicle Financing
- By MT Bureau
- July 14, 2026
Tata Motors, one of the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UCO Bank for financing solutions.
Through this collaboration, customers will have access to interest rates, loan approvals and processing. The agreement includes loan-to-value funding options and repayment tenures. The partners will coordinate across branches and dealerships to reach customers in urban and rural markets.
Shashikant Kumar, General Manager & Zonal Head – Mumbai, UCO Bank, said, “The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Motors Limited marks another significant milestone in UCO Bank’s commitment to delivering innovative and customer centric financing solutions. Through this strategic partnership, we aim to provide seamless, competitive and timely financing for TATA Motors commercial vehicles, enabling entrepreneurs, fleet operators and businesses to expand with confidence.”
Rajesh Kaul, Vice-President & Business Head – Trucks, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “We are pleased to partner with UCO Bank to further strengthen the financing ecosystem for our commercial vehicle customers. Access to organised and competitive financing is a key enabler for our customers' growth, and UCO Bank's strong nationwide presence makes them an ideal partner in this endeavour. This MoU reinforces our commitment to delivering end-to-end solutions, from world-class vehicles to organised financing that empower our customers to grow their businesses with greater confidence and convenience.”
At present, Tata Motors’ product portfolio ranges from 1-tonne to 55-tonne cargo vehicles and 10-seater to 51-seater mass mobility solutions. The company provides services through its Sampoorna Seva 2.0 initiative, the Fleet Edge platform and a network of over 4,500 sales and service touchpoints.
Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper Coach Launched At Prawaas 5.0
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
Volvo Buses India, a business unit of VE Commercial Vehicles, has unveiled the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper coach at the Prawaas 5.0 exhibition in Gandhinagar. It is designed to combine seating and sleeper configurations in a single platform for intercity, tourism and pilgrimage routes.
The 15-metre coach accommodates 51 passengers, featuring 24 upper-deck sleeper berths and 27 lower-deck seats equipped with calf support. It is powered by the Volvo VEDX8 engine and utilises an I-shift transmission. The interior includes an integrated kitchenette, an onboard toilet, mobile charging points and entertainment systems.
S S Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “India's bus industry is evolving rapidly, with rising passenger expectations for premium travel experiences and operators seeking higher productivity and operational efficiency. At Volvo Buses India, we continue to shape the future of mobility by combining globally proven engineering with innovations that address evolving needs of the Indian market. The Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper expands our premium coach portfolio with a flexible solution that meets customer expectations for safety, comfort and luxury."
Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice-President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, added, "The Volvo 9600 platform has been widely appreciated for setting new standards in luxury, safety and passenger comfort. Building on that success, we are introducing the Volvo 9600 Seater-Sleeper to meet the growing demand for more flexible premium travel solutions. Featuring 24 upper sleeper berths and 27 premium lower-deck seats with calf support, the new coach enables operators to efficiently cater to both short- and long-distance routes while delivering an elevated travel experience for passengers."
The vehicle introduces safety features, including a 360-degree camera system and camera-based electronic rear-view mirrors. It also includes a tyre pressure monitoring system, a driver state monitoring system to detect fatigue and an alcohol interlock system. The coach is equipped with a telematics solution for real-time monitoring of vehicle location, performance and fuel consumption.
- Prawaas 5.0
- Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India
- BOCI
- Tata Motors
- VE Commercial Vehicles
- Daimler
- JBM
- Force Motors
- EKA Mobility
- Switch Mobility
- Sun Mobility
Prawaas 5.0 Exhibition Opens In Gandhinagar
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
The Prawaas 5.0 exhibition, an event focused on the public transport industry, has opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Scheduled from 9–11 July 2026, the exhibition is organised by the Bus & Car Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) to coincide with its 10th anniversary.
The event, held under the theme ‘Towards Safe, Smart & Sustainable Passenger Mobility,’ brings together manufacturers, technology providers, and operators. Exhibitors include companies such as Tata Motors, VE Commercial Vehicles, Daimler, JBM, Force Motors, EKA Mobility, Switch Mobility and Sun Mobility, among others.
The exhibition showcases a range of technologies and solutions across the transport value chain, including electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, fleet management systems and digital platforms. The event aims to serve as a platform for industry stakeholders, including fleet owners, state transport undertakings and policymakers, to discuss developments in the sector.
The inauguration was led by Miraben Patel, Mayor of Gandhinagar and Kaushik Jain, MLA of Dariapur. Over the three-day programme, the exhibition will host product launches, conferences and business meetings intended to facilitate collaboration within the passenger transport sector.

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