Tata Motors has delivered first-of-its-kind Hydrogen Fuel Cell powered (FCEV) buses to Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), the country’s largest petroleum company. Two hydrogen fuel-cell buses were flagged off by Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India, recently in the presence of S M Vaidya, Chairman, IOCL, and senior executives of Tata Motors. 
It was in June 2021 that Tata Motors had won a tender from IOCL to provide 15 FCEV buses to evaluate the potential of hydrogen-based PEM fuel-cell technology in India. These buses are to be assessed as potential mass transport solution for inter and intra-city commute.  

Built at a dedicated lab in Tata Motors’ R&D centre in Pune, the 12-metre long hydrogen fuel-cell buses are designed for easy ingress and egress. They have a low-floor design and can seat 35 passengers. Subjected to strenuous road tests and validations, Tata Motors employed a collaborative approach to develop these buses. It collaborated with renowned industry partners and research institutions to adopt advanced hydrogen-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technology to Indian conditions.  

Girish Wagh, Executive Director, Tata Motors, mentioned, “This is an outcome of the progressive policies of the Government, IOCL’s focus on future readiness and Tata Motors’ R&D prowess, all collaborating to fulfil the common vision of clean mobility in India. The delivery of the FCEV buses to IOCL marks a significant step forward in this journey and we are grateful for the trust and support of our partners. At Tata Motors, we always prioritise nation building and are leading the global megatrend of sustainable, connected, and safer mobility in the country. The delivery of these buses today heralds a new era in inter-city mass public transport and marks another step forward towards fulfilling the aspiration of sustainable mobility. With proactive actions to develop and adapt new age technologies, we are creating future-ready transport solutions for both cargo and people to address the mobility needs of tomorrow’s India, today.”  

Rajendra Petkar, President & Chief Technology Officer, Tata Motors said “Tata Motors is proud to deliver the state-of-the-art, new-generation, technologically-advanced, zero-emission fuel cell powered buses to IOCL. This is an important milestone for green mobility in India, harnessing the strong potential of hydrogen as an energy carrier, ushering in hydrogen economy in the transport sector. This bus features 350-bar hydrogen storage system, 70 Kw fuel cell stack, electronic braking system & stability control for higher safety, intelligent transport system, new-generation telematics for efficient, user-friendly vehicle maintenance and tracking along with roomy interiors. This development is a testimony to Tata Motors’ continued commitment and leadership towards carbon neutrality. As a part of the MoU, Tata Motors and IOCL will continue to make further advances in the core technology related to PEM fuel cells in the times to come.”

Japanese pick-up truck specialists Isuzu Motors India has topped the list for exporting the highest number of made-in-India commercial vehicles for FY2025 as per the latest data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

The company currently manufactures LHD (Left Hand Drive) and RHD (Right Hand Drive) models at its Sri City facility and exported 20,312 units in FY2025, up 24 percent YoY, as against 16,329 units for the same period last year. At present, Isuzu Motors India's made-in-India pick-up trucks are sold in the Middle East and Asia markets.

On the other hand, Tata Motors slipped to the second position with exports of 18,164 units, registering a flat growth, as compared to 17,677 units shipped last year.

Mahindra & Mahindra clocked a 38 percent YoY growth with export of 17,959 units, as against 13,011 units last year.

It is also important to note that FY2025 also marked a record milestone year for Isuzu Motors India, when it rolled out its 100,000^th unit from its Sri City facility.

Interestingly, a closer look at the top five commercial vehicles exporter reveals that cumulatively they sold 76,871 units, up 22.81 percent YoY, as against 62,591 units last year. This translates to an average yearly growth of 26 percent amongst them.

NueGo, a leading intercity electric bus brand by GreenCell Mobility in the country, has announced that it has integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) technology across its entire electric bus fleet consisting of over 275 e-buses.

The company began its operations in 2022 and focusses on providing clean mobility solutions along with integrating various industry-first technology in its fleet.  

The strategic move will see NueGo e-buses come with Automated Emergency Braking (AEB), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Driver Drowsiness Detection.

In addition, the company has already mandated driver breath analyser test, reserved ‘PINK’ seats for women, real-time GPS tracking, AI-powered driver monitoring system, rigorous safety & service training, 24x7 dedicated women’s helpline, high-definition CCTV surveillance, clean & hygienic mid-point stops and 24x7 command control centre to ensure a safer experience for its users.  

Devndra Chawla, MD & CEO, GreenCell Mobility, said, “At NueGo, guest safety is deeply embedded in our DNA. We were among the first in the industry to integrate Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) across our entire fleet –setting a new benchmark for intercity travel. Our unwavering commitment is to deliver a journey that is comfortable, sustainable, and above all, exceptionally safe”

Ashok Leyland, the Indian flagship of Hinduja Group and the country’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indian Bank to provide finance facilities for its M&HCV dealers.

Through the cooperation, Ashok Leyland's M&HCV dealers will have easier access to finance solutions, enabling them to improve company operations and effectively manage their working capital. Dealers may grow their operations with ease thanks to Indian Bank's customised financing alternatives, which offer better liquidity, quicker loan approvals and competitive interest rates. This partnership underscores Ashok Leyland's dedication to empowering its dealer network and promoting sustainable growth in the commercial vehicle sector by guaranteeing increased financial flexibility.

C Neelakantan, Head of Treasury and Direct Taxation at Ashok Leyland, and Saurabh Dalmia, Head of Cash Management at Indian Bank, signed the MoU in the presence of Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head of MHCV at Ashok Leyland, Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Roopali Singh, DGM-CMS Vertical, and Munash Dalal, AGM-CMS Vertical, who were representatives from Indian Bank.

Balaji K M, CFO, Ashok Leyland, said, “Ashok Leyland is delighted to partner with Indian Bank to offer customised finance solutions to our valued M&HCV dealers. With Indian Bank’s expansive network of 5,880 branches across India, we can cater to our dealers in every region. This strategic partnership will strengthen Ashok Leyland's market position. We remain committed to delivering exceptional experiences to our customers.”

Madhavi Deshmukh, National Sales Head – MHCV, Ashok Leyland, said, “The strategic collaboration with Indian Bank will deliver exceptional financing solutions to our valued dealers, extending our market reach and reinforcing our commitment to innovation and partner success. This partnership will provide tailored financing solutions designed to meet the unique requirements of our dealers. We remain dedicated to fostering long-lasting relationship with our dealer network.”

Ashutosh Choudhury, Executive Director, Indian Bank, said, “Indian Bank is pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to provide their dealers seamless and tailored financing solutions. This collaboration reaffirms our commitment to supporting the diverse financial requirements of businesses in the commercial vehicle sector. With Indian Bank’s best-in-class processes, we are confident that more dealers will benefit from this partnership, enabling them to scale their operations and drive business growth.”

Ashok Leyland, a leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has inaugurated its 22nd Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) dealership in Uttar Pradesh. The new 3S facility located in Chunar, Mirzapur will further strengthen the company’s presence in North India.

The company’s LCV portfolio includes Saathi, Dost, Bada Dost, Partner and MiTR targeted for a wide range of customers and applications.

Viplav Shah, Head – LCV Business, Ashok Leyland, said, “Recognising immense potential of Uttar Pradesh as a key market for us, we are thrilled to strengthen our presence in the region. Our new dealership in Chunar (Mirzapur) would go a long way in reinforcing our presence in the state. The phenomenal success of our ‘Dost’, ‘Bada Dost,’ and the new ‘Saathi’ range underscores the robustness of our products - thanks to their best-in-class mileage, superior performance, and higher payloads. We take immense pride in our exceptional service retention levels, with nearly 70% of our customers returning to our dealer workshops even beyond the warranty period. This new dealership marks yet another milestone in our journey to provide the best possible experience to our valued customers.”