JBM Electric Vehicles showcased four new electric buses at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. These include the all-new electric luxury coach named Galaxy, the intercity bus called Xpress, a low-floor electric medical mobile unit called e-MediLife and the 9-metre electric tarmac coach called e-SkyLife. The buses were unveiled by Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways Nitin Jairam Gadkari alongside JBM Group Chairman S.K. Arya and others.

The company also showcased JBM E-Verse, an indigenously designed EV ecosystem. It encompasses in-house capabilities in fast charging infrastructure, efficient lithium-ion batteries, power infrastructure and a network that ensures zero downtime. The E-Verse demonstrates the company's commitment to providing end-to-end e-mobility solutions, designed in India for the world. The newly launched electric buses showcase cutting-edge technology, unmatched comfort and safety, and a steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability. In addition, these buses are designed to offer best-in-class total cost of ownership, providing customised solutions to meet diverse needs.

Currently, JBM has deployed over 1,800 electric buses across multiple geographies in India, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The company has a robust order book of over 10,000 electric buses deployed and under execution. JBM has also set up the world’s largest (outside China) dedicated integrated electric bus manufacturing facility, located in the Delhi-NCR region with an annual production capacity of 20,000 electric buses.

The newly launched electric buses are meticulously designed to provide enhanced safety features, meeting the highest standards through rigorous side-impact and rollover testing. Advanced systems like EBS and ABS, combined with disc brakes, deliver exceptional road control and stability. ADAS (optional) offers unparalleled safety. The battery management system is designed to maintain thermal control, while Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), surveillance cameras, and Vehicle Tracking Systems (VTS) provide comprehensive supervision and management of the buses. A high-temperature cut-off mechanism for the battery, along with a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS), adds an additional layer of protection. Emergency exit doors and roof hatches are incorporated for uncompromised safety in critical situations. Features such as hill-hold assist, panic buttons, and larger glass panels eliminating blind zones further enhance driver and passenger security.

Speaking at the occasion, JBM Group Vice Chairman Nishant Arya said, "At JBM Electric Vehicles, we believe that the future of green mobility lies in creating vehicles that seamlessly blend innovation, sustainability and user-centric design. Our electric mobility solutions are not just about reducing carbon footprints— they are about elevating the quality of life for individuals and communities by making transportation smarter, safer, and more accessible. As we showcase our latest electric bus fleet at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, we are excited to present vehicles that address diverse mobility needs, from luxury inter-city travel to doorstep healthcare services and greener tarmac transport services. These innovations underline our unwavering commitment to shaping a cleaner and more connected future for public transportation."

Maruti Suzuki India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has upgraded its popular offering the Super Carry with Electronic Stability Program (ESP) function.

The Super Carry now has seven advanced safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) to prevent wheel lock-up, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to optimise braking across varying loads, Engine Drag Control (EDC) prevents wheel slip during sudden deceleration, Traction Control System (TCS) to provide grip on slippery surfaces, Rollover Prevention steps, Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) and ESP that provides stability around sharp turns.

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “At Maruti Suzuki, we are committed to deliver vehicles that empower businesses with power, efficiency, safety, and reliability. The introduction of the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) in the Super Carry underscores our commitment to innovation and customer safety. Trusted for its power, comfort, low maintenance, and profitability, the Super Carry continues to be the ideal partner for our commercial customers. We thank them for their trust and look forward to driving their success together.”

The Super Carry SCV comes with Maruti Suzuki’s 1.2L K-Series Dual Jet, Dual VVT engine and five-speed manual transmission.

The commercial vehicle industry witnessed a decline of 1 percent in overall sales for February 2025.

A total of 79,883 units were sold last month across segments as compared to 80,954 units for the same period last year.

The country’s largest CV maker Tata Motors reported a 8 percent decline in overall sales, with SCV Cargo and Pickup segment witnessing the sharpest drop (-20 percent YoY). The ILMCV Trucks segment, however, showed growth at 11 percent.

Mahindra & Mahindra reported a 4 percent increase in total sales, driven by a 9 percent rise in LCV (2T-3.5T) and a 23 percent jump in LCV >3.5T & M&HCV. However, the LCV < 2T segment dropped 21 percent.

Ashok Leyland experienced modest growth (2 percent overall), with M&HCV Trucks (+1 percent) and LCV (+5 percent) offsetting the M&HCV Bus decline (-5 percent).

Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicles grew 6 percent YoY, indicating steady demand.

The slight market decline was led by weaker small commercial vehicle (SCV) and passenger carrier demand, affecting Tata Motors significantly. However, medium & heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) trucks and LCVs in the 2T-3.5T range showed resilience, benefiting Mahindra & Mahindra and Ashok Leyland.

While challenges remain in certain segments, sustained growth in the LCV and HCV categories suggests stable demand in core logistics and transportation sectors.

Representational image: IEA

JCBL, a leading bus bodybuilder, has delivered 106 custom-designed staff buses to Mahindra & Mahindra in a record time of three months.

The buses feature 17-inch-wide seats, driver’s cabin partition, digital LED route displays, USB charging points and fans on each seat row. A TV and a six-speaker music system are also incorporated to provide entertainment on the go.

In terms of safety, the buses are equipped with pneumatic passenger door with safety sensor, seatbelts, CCTV cameras with a 30-day recording capacity, panic switches, anti-rust treatment and a Fire Detection and Alarm System (FDAS).

Dinesh Dua, Business Head, JCBL, said, “This project is a testament to our commitment to delivering high-quality, safe, and innovative mobility solutions. Completing one of India’s largest single-customer staff bus orders within just three months reflects our dedication to excellence and customer satisfaction.”

Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Daimler Truck AG, has announced that the company has reached a significant milestone in its sustainability journey by utilising 100 percent renewable power at its Oragadam production facility.

A major component of this strategy is the installation of a renewable power-generation plant with a peak capacity of 4,300 kW, powered by 15,000 solar panels, which offsets approximately 4,000 tonnes of CO₂e emissions annually, contributing to 17 percent of the renewable power generated in-house. This achievement highlights DICV’s commitment to environmental protection and represents a significant step, as the company has successfully reduced its Scope 2 emissions ahead of the original end-2025 target. A total of 22,970 tonnes of CO₂e are offset through the sourcing of renewable power, demonstrating DICV’s decarbonisation efforts.

Satyakam Arya, Managing Director & CEO, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles, said, “We have made significant strides in positioning DICV as a leader in sustainable manufacturing and we are proud to achieve 100 percent renewable power utilisation at our Oragadam facility. This milestone, achieved ahead of target, demonstrates our commitment to decarbonising operations. Since 2018, we have focused on building the infrastructure to increase our reliance on renewable power and now we have reached 100 percent renewable power utilisation under Scope 2 emissions. Supportive state and central policies, such as green power purchases through various energy sources available under regulatory framework, played a vital role in this accomplishment.”