Ashok Leyland has announced plans to invest over INR 50 billion in the development and manufacturing of next-generation batteries. The move is part of the company's strategy to become a key player in India's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem and support the government's vision for a sustainable, green economy.

The investment, to be rolled out over the next seven to 10 years, will enable the company to produce batteries for its own electric vehicle portfolio, as well as for the broader automotive and energy storage sectors.

To facilitate this, Ashok Leyland has entered into a long-term, exclusive partnership with CALB Group, a leading Chinese battery technology firm. The agreement was signed by Ashok Leyland’s Managing Director & CEO, Shenu Agarwal, and CALB’s CEO, Jacky Liu.

Dheeraj Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland said, “Ashok Leyland is deeply committed to shaping the future of sustainable mobility in India in full alignment with Government’s vision. Our strategic partnership with CALB is a significant step towards creating a localised battery supply chain in India to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles in India and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.”

Shenu Agarwal, Managing Director & CEO, Ashok Leyland, said, “In the initial phase, the new battery business shall focus on automotive sector, and then move to non-automotive areas as well, including energy storage systems. A Global Centre of Excellence will be created to serve as a hub for research and development, fostering innovation in battery materials, recycling, battery management systems, and advanced manufacturing processes.”

This partnership is the latest in a series of investments by the Hinduja Group in electrification, which also includes electric vehicles, mobility-as-a-service, charging equipment, and vehicle financing.

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Bengaluru-headquartered battery swapping solutions provider Indofast Energy has inked a strategic partnership with Bike Bazaar to deploy 5,000 electric two-wheelers across India over the next 18 months.

As per the understanding, Bike Bazaar will deploy electric two-wheelers powered by Indofast’s battery-swapping network in high-demand corridors and emerging geographies. This will enable delivery operations across key sectors such as quick commerce, e-commerce and food delivery to reduced downtime, lower operating costs and provide uninterrupted operations for fleet operators.

Rajat Malhan, Senior Vice-President, Indofast Energy, said, “Our partnership with Bike Bazaar marks a pivotal moment in accelerating India’s transition to clean mobility. With electric vehicle sales having raced past a million units in the first half of calendar year 2025 alone, the momentum for electrification is undeniable. By deploying 5,000 electric two-wheelers and expanding our battery-swapping infrastructure, we are not only enabling cost-efficient and uninterrupted operations for delivery fleets but also contributing significantly to reducing carbon emissions and fostering a sustainable future”.

Karunakaran Vadakkepat, Co-Founder & Joint Managing Director, Bike Bazaar, said, "We are excited to join hands with Indofast Energy, which will drive electric mobility deeper into India’s last-mile logistics ecosystem. As a leading fleet operator and mobility financier, our focus has always been on empowering gig economy workers with reliable, affordable, and sustainable mobility solutions. This collaboration is a testament to our shared vision of creating a greener, smarter, and more inclusive mobility future for India."

At present, Indofast Energy’s battery swapping tech and network is being used by Zypp Electric, Motovolt, EVeez and Green Tiger Mobility among others.

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Japanese auto major Nissan Motor Corporation has announced a world-first in automotive engineering by adopting cold spray technology to manufacture valve seats for a new turbocharged engine.

This innovation is being introduced in the company's third-generation e-Power hybrid powertrain, which debuted in the new Qashqai compact crossover produced at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in the UK.

The new 1.5-liter turbocharged engine is specifically designed to generate electricity for the e-Power system. By using cold spray technology, Nissan engineers can spray a durable metal coating directly onto the cylinder head, eliminating the need for a separate, traditional valve seat. This allows for an optimised port design that enhances air flow and combustion efficiency, raising the engine's thermal efficiency to 42 percent.

Unlike conventional methods like fusion welding, the cold spray process bonds metal powders at supersonic speeds without melting them. This results in a superior, highly durable coating with excellent adhesion.

The first vehicle to feature this groundbreaking technology is the Nissan Qashqai, which began production in July. Following this, the new e-Power system is slated for future models, including the next-generation Rogue for North America and the all-new Elgrand minivan in Japan.

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Affordable Robotic and Automation (ARAPL) has appointed Meru Cabs Founder Neeraj Gupta as its Strategy and Growth Advisory Director.

Gupta brings over two decades of experience as an entrepreneur and leadership experience. He built Meru Cabs into a mobility brand with a customer base of over 15 million users and a fleet of over 20,000 vehicles. Meru operated at major airports and offered both inter- and intra-city services. He sold his stake in Meru in June 2021 to the Mahindra Group. Before Meru, in 2000, he founded V-Link Tours & Travels, which grew to be one of the largest enterprise mobility companies in India.

Milind Padole, MD, ARAPL, said, "We are delighted to welcome Neeraj on board. I found in Neeraj the same madness and passion to build a robotic company as mine – one that can be scaled on the world map. His proven expertise in building scalable business models and navigating disruptive industries will strengthen our strategic vision. We are undergoing a transformative stage that requires the right partners to take the ARAPL journey to the next level. Having an advisor with such rich experience as Neeraj will further enrich the company’s growth plans ahead."

Gupta's understanding of scaling businesses, customer-centric innovation and partnerships will provide direction as ARAPL accelerates its growth.

"I am excited to join ARAPL at this crucial juncture in its growth journey. With its strong foundation in robotics, proprietary technologies and international presence, led by Milind and team’s vision, ARAPL is well-positioned to capture emerging opportunities in automation across industries. I look forward to working with the leadership team to unlock new growth avenues and create long-term value."

ARAPL has demonstrated innovation in robotic welding, multi-level car parking, warehouse automation and AI-based robots. With Gupta’s insights, the company aims to expand its footprint in Europe, the Middle East and the US. It also plans to increase its presence in sectors like autonomous logistics and port automation.

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Porsche is set to bring a new level of entertainment to its vehicles through a collaboration with AirConsole, a leading in-car gaming platform. The new Porsche Macan, arriving later this year, will be the first model to feature a curated library of multiplayer games, transforming car rides into a shared entertainment experience.

The integration allows passengers to use their smartphones as controllers to play a variety of games on the vehicle’s infotainment screen. When the car is parked, all passengers, including the driver, can participate. While on the move, gaming is restricted to the front passenger display, ensuring the driver remains focused on the road. The system uses Porsche’s integrated screen privacy features to keep the display safe and distraction-free.

Anthony Cliquot, CEO, AirConsole, said, “Our collaboration with Porsche is a powerful signal of how quickly AirConsole is scaling in the automotive industry. In just two years since launching our in-car platform, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s most respected car brands, now including Porsche. This momentum confirms that gaming has a meaningful place in the future of mobility, and we’re proud to be leading that evolution.”

To access AirConsole, users can simply download the app from the Porsche App Centre. Passengers then connect their smartphones by scanning a QR code on the screen, with no need for additional hardware. The platform supports up to five players, allowing for both collaborative and competitive sessions.

AirConsole specialises in casual, short-session games that are optimised for the in-car environment. The growing catalogue includes popular titles like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Overcooked, and UNO Car Party!, ensuring a wide range of options for passengers.

The AirConsole platform will be available in the new Macan starting at the end of this year, rolling out in all markets where Porsche Connect is offered, with the exception of China.

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