Q: What is your contribution to testing new energy vehicles – Battery Electric Vehicles and Hybrids? Please elaborate on the testing equipment you have for these vehicles?

Arora: As a B2B startup that enables its customers to maximize the capacity of the battery pack, and improve battery life and safety, we run elaborate tests on Battery Management Systems on all of our BMS designs. These BMSes have been deployed by ION’s customers on a fleet of batteries that go inside two / three-wheelers, passenger and commercial vehicles, and industrial electric vehicles.  Our cloud analytics platform, Edison, helps our customers visualize the data coming out of these tests and generate insights. In a bid to counter the challenge of costly industrial equipment, we have developed battery emulators, end of line testing equipment and HIL (Hardware-in-the-loop) setup, in house at about a minimal 10 percent cost of the commercial market rate. We have also built a gaming engine based simulation engine called the ‘Ghost Rider’ that runs simultaneously with our battery models. The simulation helps us integrate our BMS algorithms to vehicles models and monitor the performance of those models in life like situations.

Q: Can you tell us briefly about your overall portfolio of BMS testing equipment and a bit about your company?

Arora: Quality Assurance (QA) and Testing are the most important phases in the life cycle of BMS since the success of this phase dictates the level of safety and the management of the battery’s life. As a startup, we have adopted a lean and creative approach with our testing methodologies. We have a number of indigenously developed tools and software for testing of our batteries. Once the hardware design of the BMS is finalized, the prototypes are validated for their basic functionalities. The prototypes are further optimized based on the functionality and additional features that develop the hardware. When all the modifications are completed, the BMS is validated for its functionalities at different environmental conditions. Based on the data collected in the previous step an ‘operating range’ is defined.

Similar to the hardware, the software is also tested on the prototype BMS hardware. Based on the outcomes and new requirements, the iterations are made to tailor the firmware for its optimum performance and management of battery life and safety. Once the desired results are obtained, the firmware is finalized and deployed in the BMS. The prototype is then sent to external independent laboratories for EMI / EMC tests, basis whose clearance, the hardware and the firmware are again validated, and the design is finalized. In the manufacturing stage, ION Energy conducts as Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) testing is more reliable than manual visual inspection. In the final stage of the manufacturing process, the Design for Manufacturing (DFM) files are used for the component assembly process. Testing is necessary to avoid any incorrect component placement issues. Testing during this stage is typically more intensive than during the fabrication phase.

End-of-Line Testing measures and checks the functionality of ION’s battery management systems. The key factors taken into consideration at ION are high test quantity, test completion and low system with upgrade costs. At ION, we have built an automated testing platform called the ION Testmaster, built specifically for performing automated Functional Circuit Test (FCT) on ION’s BMSes. In the latest update, the ION Testmaster is interfaced with Edison Analytics for accurate and real-time inventory management using the MNP/serial number of the DUT, in this case, the BMS.

Q: A lot of players claim that they build technologies to enhance the life and performance of lithium-ion batteries. What is the USP of ION Energy?

Arora: It's worth noting that oftentimes when organizations emphasize on enhancing the life and performance of a battery, reliability takes a backseat. In a market like India that is still in a nascent stage, ION Energy is one of the very few players that offers reliable and tested solutions, making it our USP. ION Energy is an advanced battery management and intelligence platform that was born out of the desire to tackle the threat of climate degradation by enabling a much more environment-friendly mobility solution. Founded in 2016, ION’s mission is to accelerate Earth's transition to an all-electric planet. We are doing this with a focus on building technology that improves the life and performance of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

ION’s full-stack solution blends advanced electronics and machine learning with deep domain expertise in energy storage. ION’s disruptive battery intelligence platform - Edison Analytics leverages battery data, software analytics, and ML to significantly improve battery performance and extend battery life by up to 40 percent. Battery Makers & OEMs around the world use ION’s platform to optimize their battery management systems (BMS) and build world-class batteries. ION Energy is leaps ahead when it comes to leveraging data. In a bid to enhance life and performance, ION Energy has a fully integrated stack with Battery Design Engineers, BMS Design Engineers and Software Engineers learning from insights captured by our cloud platform - Edison.

Q: In Evs the packaging is key and anything lighter is the most sought after by the OEMs. What are the contributions from your end on these expectations?

Arora: The battery usually comprises 25-30 percent of the weight of electric vehicles. There is always a tradeoff between the weight and size of the battery, vis-a-vis the range it offers. A bigger battery offers a higher range, but it also adds to the weight of the vehicle - reducing its energy efficiency. It is crucial to achieve the right balance in this trade off - and that needs a deep knowledge and understanding of the application, usage and the environment of the battery packs. At ION Energy, we have tools that can help OEMs find the right size for its battery packs.

Q: How do you see the increasing electronics and vehicles becoming more connected in EV space too? What sort of solutions do you give? Please elaborate.

Arora: The global automobile industry is on the brink of a major transformation. The Global Connected Car Market size is projected to reach USD 212.7 billion by 2027, from an estimated value of USD 42.6 billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.3 percent - as predicted by Markets and Markets. Technology is driving this shift, shaped by demographic, regulatory, and environmental pressures. Other factors include - consumer tech companies entering the automotive world, as software and other technologies, are taking a pivotal position in the future of automobiles. These businesses want to focus on design, ease of use, better service and extended battery life to bring new kinds of innovation to the field

Shared Asset Utilization requires companies to leverage advanced IoT, Battery Management & Driver Profiling to improve asset sweating, protect the lifetime of the asset, and ensure financial viability. This will have powerful effects beyond the auto industry. Insurers, for example, will have new ways to monitor driver behavior, reward good drivers, and distribute costs to bad ones. Companies can better connect idle cars with customers that need them. Continuously improving UX is becoming a norm, not only in mobile phones but also EVs. OTA updates that extend range, improve charging time and boost speed are a reality today. Companies with the technical capability to package world-class technology, UX and affordable pricing will win in the future of mobility. The growing battery swapping ecosystem for two / three-wheelers in Asia is one of the best examples of the shift in the transport sector brought about by EVs and connected electronics. It gives end-users the option to lease batteries and pay per km, instead of paying all the battery costs upfront. This is only possible because of connectivity between the batteries, the vehicles, the users and the swapping station.

Shared utilisation of batteries is possible only because of integrated battery management and telematics functions. It is important to track the location, usage and the state of the battery - all at the same time - to be able to charge users accordingly. ION has a lot of experience in building integrated Battery Management and Telematics Units for batteries and swapping stations. Our BMSes have GPS sensors and LTE modems integrated with battery management functions. We are able to send real time data to our cloud that enables monitoring and optimization of asset utilization.

Our BMSes - FS-CT, FS-LT, and FS-XT - are equipped with on-board memory storage to log every data point of the battery pack collected by the BMS, up to 20 years of historical battery data. Normally this would lead to an enormous amount of data, but we've developed compression algorithms tailored for battery data acquisition. The BMS records all physical parameters, events, errors relating to the performance of the battery pack. Our cloud-connected battery intelligence platform, Edison Analytics, allows engineers to access this data and gain insights into the life and performance of the battery. (MT)

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed by Bharat Forge Ltd (BFL), a multinational aerospace and technology company based in India, and VEDA Aeronautics (P) Ltd (VEDA), an Indian aerospace and defence company that develops and supplies unmanned systems, to develop cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and other high-speed aerial weapon systems used in combat.

BFL will provide the micro jet engines utilised in these unmanned systems, while VEDA has been involved in developing the technology for these systems for the defence forces. In order to improve India's defence capabilities and promote national self-reliance, the MoU is anticipated to be crucial in using each other's strengths.

Guru Biswal, CEO – Aerospace Division, Bharat Forge, said, "This MoU with VEDA is a testimony of our commitment to work for an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and to create niche technologies that shall support Indian and Global requirements in the evolving technological landscape of warfare. BFL will focus on indigenous development of jet engines up to 400 Kgf thrust to power the unmanned systems developed for Indian defence forces. The 40 & 45 Kgf engines developed by BFL are under serial production and will be used by VEDA for all defence projects.”

Dipesh Gupta, Managing Director, VEDA Aeronautics, said, "We are thrilled to announce our strategic partnership with BFL aerospace, which will supply small jet engines for all defence and other unmanned system projects of VEDA Aeronautics. This endeavour underscores our unwavering commitment to innovation, heralding a new era of technological advancement and strategic prowess in the aerospace domain specific to Long Range Combat UAV Systems, High Speed Aerial Targets and Multi Barrel Launched Jet Based UAV Systems.”

Honda India Foundation (HIF), the CSR arm of all Honda group of companies in India, and the Government of Uttar Pradesh have signed a memorandum of cooperation (MoC) and marked the commencement of ‘Project Annadata – Sashakt Kisan, Samridh Rashtra’, which aims to support and strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the state.

Prominent dignitaries such as Surya Pratap Shahi, the Uttar Pradesh Minister of Agriculture, and Vinay Dhingra and Katsuyuki Ozawa, trustees of the Honda India Foundation, attended the signing ceremony in New Delhi. Honda's cooperative approach to rural development was highlighted by representatives from Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI), Honda India Power Products (HIPP) and Honda Cars India Ltd. (HCIL).

With an emphasis on systematic reviews, capacity-building efforts, business planning and operational advancements, HIF, through its implementation partner, will onboard and strengthen 10 FPOs in two clusters of five FPOs each as part of this initiative. In order to guarantee efficient FPO operations and the implementation of contemporary agricultural methods, this association seeks to offer technical assistance. In order to promote long-term sustainable practices and protect the resources for future generations, the initiative seeks to involve farmers, young people, environmental campaigners, educational institutions, legislators, non-profit organisations and other stakeholders. Over 100,000 people are anticipated to be reached during the project's initial phase, and over time, it may have an influence on one million persons involved in agriculture.

Vinay Dhingra, Trustee, Honda India Foundation, said, “At Honda India Foundation, we are dedicated to empowering rural communities and enhancing agricultural productivity, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision as also reflected in the 2025 Union Budget. Initiatives such as the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, the mission for Atmanirbharta in Pulses and ensuring fair prices for farmers resonate with our objectives. Our efforts to strengthen FPOs through Project Annadata are in harmony with these priorities as we work towards improving resource access and create a resilient agricultural ecosystem that will benefit farmers at scale. This collaboration will enable us to create a meaningful impact at the grassroot. We will continue to contribute towards the development of a more resilient and prosperous agricultural ecosystem.”

The automotive retail sales in January 2025 grew by 6.63 percent YoY, a growth much better than previously anticipated by most industry observers. A total of 22,91,621 vehicles were sold across segments, which includes 15,21,862 two-wheelers (+4.15 percent YoY), 1,07,033 three-wheelers (+6.86 percent YoY), 4,65,920 passenger vehicles (+15.53 percent YoY), 93,381 tractors (+5.23% YoY) and 99,425 commercial vehicles (+8.22% YoY) according to the latest data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA).

“The auto retail sector kicked off 2025 on a promising note, aligning with FADA’s earlier survey projections that expected January to range from flat to moderately positive. Indeed, overall retail sales posted a robust 6.6 percent YoY growth, reinforcing the industry’s optimistic start. Our observations indicate that each vehicle category – two-wheeler, three-wheeler, passenger vehicle, tractor and commercial vehicle – witnessed positive momentum, pointing toward sustained consumer confidence and steady market recovery,” said C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA.

In the two-wheeler segment, urban sales outpaced rural sales on the back of new model launches, marriage season demand and improved financing as key growth drivers. However, concerns about rising interest rates, rural liquidity challenges and market uncertainty still linger.

The passenger vehicle segment saw some spike on the back of ‘2025 model year’ sales, as the previous year models do see significant discounting.

“Commercial Vehicle sales increased by 8.22 percent YoY and surged 38.04 percent MoM, with urban markets climbing from 50.1 percent to 51.2 percent share and outpacing rural growth (9.51 percent vs 6.89 percent). While higher freight rates and passenger carrier demand provided a boost, many dealers cited low cash flow, strict financing policies and sluggish industries (like cement and coal) as major hurdles. Sentiments in rural regions remained notably subdued, compounded by limited new products. Overall, the sector shows cautious optimism but faces persistent headwinds,” added Vigneshwar.

Going forward, FADA maintains a cautious optimism for February, with dealers having a mixed sentiment ranging from an uptick, flat to even a drop in sales.

The tailwinds include continuing marriage season, fresh product launches and strategic promotional activities to sustain customer footfalls. This will be aided by improved inventory management, better financing options from select lenders and backlogged orders in certain segments (such as commercial vehicles) add to the sense of guarded confidence. With supportive policies and a post-budget lift in consumer sentiment, many believe February could see a stable or slightly elevated sales curve.

On the other hand, the headwinds expected include shorter working days, pockets of weak rural liquidity and inflationary pressures. Then there is the strict lending criteria, costlier vehicles and subdued demand in certain industrial sectors to further weigh on overall performance.

Arranged in one corner of Hall 6 of Pragati Maidan in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was an air-taxi called Shunya. Developed by Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, the air-taxi attracted a good deal of crowd, reflecting a new and future mode of transport or mobility.

The Shunya air-taxi prototype could facilitate a new mode of mobility much like a radio-taxi does to travel between Mumbai and Pune; between Mumbai and Kalyan; between Delhi and Jaipur or between Delhi and Meerut, for example.

Intending to launch the electric air-taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India, Sarla Aviation (the company’s name is inspired by Sarla Thakral, India’s first female pilot) is steadfastly focusing on an indigenous design and manufacture since the beginning of the operations.

A testament to Sarla Aviation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the Shunya air-taxi proto has been designed to execute short trips of 20 to 30 kms with speeds of up to 250 kmph with up to six passengers onboard. As the first eVTOL of its kind in the country, it marks a pivotal moment in the history of Indian civil aviation, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in cutting-edge aerospace technologies.

Capable of carrying a maximum load of 680 kg, according to a source aware of the development, the air-taxi offers a market-leading payload capacity such that every passenger can bring his or her luggage. The luggage is conveniently stored in the rear of Shunya with exterior access for ease.

Prioritising safety, purpose-driven performance and accessibility, Shunya – poised to redefine mass transportation – can take off from any flat surface, whether on top of a building or in a rural area, making it the most infrastructure-efficient mode of mass mobility ever, according to the company.

Working on a strategy that will see Shunya facilitate efficient commuting in megacities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, Sarla Aviation is also looking at how its offering could facilitate social commitments in the form of an air ambulance that reaches where no vehicle or other means of mobility is able to reach. An air ambulance could also be used in urban and semi-urban areas to beat the road congestion.