Lubricant and petrochemicals major, Shell, and Chinese commercial vehicle maker, FAW Jiefang have teamed up to launch the ‘Ace’ of green commercial vehicle called as the Starship 3.0 hybrid conceptual truck.

The truck – showcased at the recent IAA Transportation show in Germany – is currently on the tour of Europe. Combining the expertise of the two partners in terms of technology and innovation, the truck goes beyond ‘carbon reduction’ to set a new benchmark for the commercial vehicle industry by boosting energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and by transformation the description of a truck in China’s road transport sector.

As a powerful business tool, the conceptual vehicle achieved a fuel consumption figure of 23.3-litre per 100 km using Shell FuelSave Diesel and 22.7-litre per 100 km with Shell Diesel Renewable Blend.

It clocked these figures whilst fully laden and travelling on two expressways. Doing stints of up to 230 km on either expressway, the vehicle – highlighting significant fuel consumption savings over the fully laden truck in China of similar size and specs at 32.5-litre per 100 km on an average – the Starship 3.0 Hybrid achieved 140.3 tonne-km per litre with Shell FuelSave Diesel and 144.1 tonne-km per litre with Shell Diesel Renewable Blend.

This marked a 39 percent improvement over the fully laden Chinese truck of similar size and spec that does an average of 103.4 tonne-km per litre.

Achieving lower coefficient of drag through vehicle design, power systems and energy consumption, the Starship ensures that every drop of fuel is used to its fullest potential.

Reflecting the partnership between Shell and FAW Jiefang that dates back 10 years, the conceptual truck is the result of a joint research centre of the two that has to its credit initiatives like the ‘Rainbow Bridge’, a mechanism that is aimed at fostering innovation through regular talent exchanges and joint training programmes between them both.

Shell and FAW Jiefang have been jointly researching and developing long-life engine, transmission and axle oils. Their efforts until now have resulted in a new benchmark in China with a 100,000-kilometer oil change cycle for these key components.

In 2018, the two partners facilitated the introduction of a 200,000-kilometre extended oil change technology. Deepening their strategic cooperation, the two in 2023 expanded their focus beyond traditional sectors to include new energy and international markets.

Other than to highlight the nature of collaboration between Shell and GAW Jiefang, the conceptual truck, through its European tour, is highlighting China's industrial strength and commitment to environmental sustainability as well.

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Chennai-headquartered commercial vehicle major Ashok Leyland has bagged a order to deliver 250 trucks to Patanjali Parivahan, a key logistics player in North India.

At present, Patanjali Parivahan has a fleet of around 1,000 trucks and has placed a significant order to Ashok Leyland. The CV maker has initially supplied the first batch of 25 units of 1916 haulage trucks to the company.

The first batch of deliveries was done by Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, who handed over the keys to Ram Bharat, Founder, Patanjali Parivahan, in the presence of senior executives from both organisations.

Sanjeev Kumar, President – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “We are thrilled to deliver the first batch of 1916 haulage trucks to Patanjali Parivahan. This partnership reflects their trust in our brand and products, reinforcing our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers in the dynamic commercial vehicle sector. Our relationship with Patanjali began in 2014 with the addition of 20 trucks, marking the foundation of a strong and growing collaboration. As Ashok Leyland continues to expand and lead in the commercial vehicle industry, collaborations like these pave the way for a more efficient and progressive logistics sector. The company remains committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation and offering cutting-edge technologies and outstanding customer experience.”

Ram Bharat, said, “We have complete trust in the quality and performance of Ashok Leyland trucks. Their outstanding after-sales support ensures seamless operations for us, while their growing service network further enhances our capabilities. This delivery represents more than just new trucks—it signifies a deepening partnership aimed at advancing logistics efficiency. With Ashok Leyland’s dedication to innovation and our forward-thinking approach to transportation, we look forward to continued success on the road.”

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Mumbai-based electric commercial vehicle start-up Astro Motors has launched marked its entry in the L5 cargo and passenger segment with Navya and Nova e-three-wheelers respectively.

The company claims it is India's first company to introduce a geared electric commercial three-wheeler. While the technical specifications has not yet been revealed, the company said its electric three-wheeler offerings are currently undergoing homologation with a launched plan for July 2025. Going forward, it also has outlined an ambition to unveil a four-wheeler modular skateboard chassis by early FY2026. The plan is to license the platform and powertrain to other OEMs.

The start-up has a manufacturing unit in Chakan, Pune and recently component supplier Remsons Industries acquired a 51.01 percent stake in Astro Motors.

Vitan Jagada, Founder & CEO, Astro Motors, said, "Targeting both B2B and B2C markets, we envisage rapid domestic scaling via fleet partnerships and a wide distribution network. We are also looking at expansion into emerging global markets like Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, before entering mature economies.”

The start-up recently signed up dealers and financial partners in key markets such as Pune, Bhavnagar and Jammu with 5 more being signed on across key centres in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi NCR and Maharashtra. Its strategic financial partnerships include MUFIN Greenfinance, RiseWise Capital and Perpetuity Capital.

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VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Statiq, a leading EV charging solutions provider, to drive adoption of its electric vehicle offerings, starting with the Eicher Pro X range of Small Commercial Vehicles.

As per the understanding, Statiq is set to become one of VECV’s preferred EV charging network partners, wherein it will provide access to its growing network of over 8,000 charging points on it’s aggregated platform across the country. The partners will also integrate Statiq’s extensive network with My Eicher app, an industry-first connected fleet management solution, to provide real-time visibility of charging stations, intelligent navigation assistance and tariff transparency. VECV customers will also benefit from promotion offers and preferential tariffs.

Abhishek Chaudhary, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Small Commercial Vehicles, VECV, said, “Our partnership with Statiq marks a significant step forward in strengthening the EV ecosystem for commercial transportation in India. By offering an integrated solution to customers through the industry leading MyEicher App, we aim to deliver a hassle-free and reliable experience to our customers. This collaboration will also empower Eicher Pro X electric customers with enhanced convenience, confidence, and operational efficiency, accelerating the shift towards sustainable transportation.”

Akshit Bansal, CEO & Founder, Statiq, said, “Our partnership with VE Commercial Vehicles is a milestone in our journey to create a strong and efficient EV charging ecosystem for commercial vehicles in India. By integrating our expansive charging network with VECV’s MyEicher, we aim to provide users with a seamless, tech-driven charging experience that removes barriers to EV adoption. With this initiative, we are committed to enabling a smoother, faster transition to electric mobility for commercial vehicle operators.”

The partners also to setup a robust support ecosystem, which includes call centre access, service ticket management, troubleshooting, repairs and ongoing maintenance services to ensure uninterrupted vehicle operations. A dedicated Point of Contact (POC) system will also be implemented under shared responsibility.

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Tata Motors, one of the world’s leading automobile manufacturers, has inked a new partnership with along with MM Group for Industry and International Trade (MTI) to introduce its commercial vehicle range in Egypt.

As part of the understanding, Tata Motors will leverage MTI’s strategically located service touchpoints and network to support its CV customers in the region. The CV maker is set to introduce its range of cargo and passenger segments such as – Tata Xenon, Ultra T.7, Ultra T.9, Prima 3328.K, Prima 4438.S, Prima 6038.S and LP 613 bus that it believes will support Egypt’s infrastructure growth, rising urbanisation and expanding logistics sector.

Asif Shamim, Head, International Business, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “Egypt is a pivotal market for Tata Motors, driven by its expanding infrastructure and the growing demand for reliable mobility solutions. With decades of experience in delivering advanced commercial vehicles across diverse geographies, we are confident that our offerings – from pickups, heavy trucks to buses will cater to the varied needs of fleet owners and businesses in the market. Designed for superior performance, fuel efficiency and high uptime, our vehicles enable greater productivity and profitability. We aim to further strengthen the portfolio with new introductions at regular intervals to address evolving customer requirements. Backed by MTI’s strong market insight and nationwide network, we are committed to creating lasting value in the country."

Khaled Mahmoud, CEO, MTI, added, “The introduction of Tata Motors’ world-class commercial vehicles in Egypt marks a key milestone in the country’s transport and logistics sector. With this launch, we are bringing trusted solutions catering to diverse applications and demanding conditions. Our focus will be on ensuring a superior ownership experience through MTI’s robust after-sales network. We value our partnership with Tata Motors and are confident that, together, we will set new benchmarks in efficiency, durability and customer excellence in Egypt’s commercial vehicle market." 

Tata Motors will provide an extended warranty of up to 5 years or 150,000 km on the Xenon and the Ultra range, along with a Scheduled Service Package.

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