The first day of May 2025 is set to become a landmark in the history of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as the Fastag Authentication System (FASTag) ends.

The FASTag electronic toll collection system in India, which uses Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, was introduced to enable seamless toll payments without stopping at toll plazas. This is set to be replaced with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that will collect toll through a device, possibly fitted in the vehicle number plate. This system will calculate tolls through GPS and GPS-aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) as per the actual distance travelled.

This will eliminate the need to pay tolls for the entire highway if one is getting off earlier. With its introduction, toll transactions are expected to see a reduction in technical glitches, helping clear long queues faster. The government of India has received feedback for a more efficient upgrade to FAStag, the bank-based digital wallet system that has been in use since 2016.

So far, users crossing a single toll plaza multiple times a month are issued monthly passes worth INR 340, which means INR 4,080 a year. On the other hand, a yearly pass for INR 3,000 is being proposed for the whole year, allowing unlimited travel across various national highways of India. As per Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH), GNSS with annual and lifetime passes for private cars is the solution to decongest Indian highways.

Though originally slated for 1 April, the launch of the new toll collection system has now been scheduled for 1 May. As per media reports, a better network of India’s satellites are being activated for it. GNSS will be in operation alongside FAStag during the initial stages, with select lanes receiving technology for the new system.

The trials with the new technology are already underway on Panipat-Hisar and Bengaluru-Mysore national highways.    

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Catena-X Automotive Network, a non-commercial organisation, has identified three shifts in data exchange that are expected to define the global automotive industry in 2026. The association reports that data collaboration is becoming a board-level priority and a prerequisite for trade as eight of the world’s top ten suppliers join the ecosystem.

The association brings together a coalition of OEMs, suppliers, technology providers, and industry bodies, including ADAC, AIAG, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Renault, Volkswagen Group companies, Volvo, VDA, TÜV SÜD, Fraunhofer, Amazon Web Services, Huawei, Microsoft and Magna, among others.

Catena-X suggests that data fragmentation is becoming a trade barrier. Regulations such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the EU Digital Battery Passport increase the requirement for product-level evidence. Failure to produce consistent data can result in market exclusion or increased costs.

The association provides standards designed to make documentation reusable across partners. This approach aims to prevent the need for bespoke integrations for every customer, particularly for Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers where data readiness varies.

Data management is increasingly competing with R&D and intellectual property for budget allocation. Catena-X warns that compliance costs can rise from 0.05 percent to 2 percent of revenue if reporting remains manual and duplicated.

To address this, the network utilises toolkits such as the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) framework. Standardised inputs allow sustainability data to be shared across companies, which the association claims is up to five times more efficient than legacy reporting methods.

Software Traceability and Cybersecurity

In 2026, software risks are expected to become a primary trigger for vehicle recalls. As vehicles become software-defined, the ability to trace code lineage and component provenance is necessary for risk management.

Catena-X highlights the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) as a tool for triage during cyber incidents. Making software versions and dependencies visible across tiers allows for faster responses to security vulnerabilities.

Hanno Focken, Managing Director, Catena-X, said, “We are seeing a major shift in what the industry is being asked to prove. Data is becoming a condition of trade and a real cost-to-serve. At the same time, cyber incidents are increasingly becoming a product recall risk. Work that used to sit in the background is now affecting market access and margins. Catena-X exists to make trusted interoperable exchange practical across every tier of the supply chain, while protecting data sovereignty.”

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Valeo has announced that its extended reality (XR) gaming experience will enter series production on the Renault Filante, the flagship vehicle from Renault Korea. The system, titled ‘R:Racing’, is based on the Valeo Racer concept unveiled at SXSW in 2024.

The technology represents the first XR gaming experience integrated into a production vehicle. It utilises existing sensors, cameras and hardware to blend virtual gameplay with the live environment. By synchronising gameplay with vehicle motion, the system is designed to reduce the sensation of motion sickness often associated with in-car screens.

The integration into the Renault Filante demonstrates how software-defined vehicle architectures can repurpose hardware for digital experiences. The system uses real-time data and sensor fusion to create a motion-synchronised experience for passengers.

The Renault Filante, developed and produced in Korea, is a crossover featuring connectivity and digital interfaces. The vehicle serves as the launch platform for Valeo's shift from automotive engineering into immersive cockpit technologies.

Marc Vrecko, CEO, Valeo Brain division, said, “The transition of the original Valeo Racer concept to series production is a clear illustration of how Valeo turns innovation into concrete customer value within a short period of time. Together with Renault Korea, we are redefining the in-car experience by combining perception technologies, software and creativity to make mobility more engaging, without compromising safety.”

Nicolas Paris, CEO, Renault Korea, added, “The Renault Filante embodies our ambition to deliver vehicles that combine emotional design, advanced technology and meaningful digital experiences for our customers. Working closely with Valeo on this world-first XR gaming production feature demonstrates the strength of our partnership and our ability to bring cutting-edge innovation from concept to reality.”

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Spanish powertrain major Horse Powertrain and Repsol have announced the development of a hybrid powertrain designed to run on 100 percent renewable petrol. The HORSE H12 Concept engine achieves a peak brake thermal efficiency (BTE) of 44.2 percent and is intended to reduce vehicle fuel consumption.

According to WLTP testing, a vehicle equipped with this powertrain consumes less than 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres, representing a 40 percent reduction compared to 2023 European passenger car averages. When operated with Repsol’s renewable fuel, a mid-size car driving 12,500 kilometres annually emits 1.77 tonnes of CO2 less than a vehicle using traditional combustion technology.

The H12 Concept is an evolution of the HR12 engine and incorporates several engineering updates:

• Combustion System: Features a 17:1 compression ratio.
• Exhaust Management: Utilises a next-generation exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and an optimised turbocharger.
• Ignition: Includes a high-energy ignition system.
• Transmission: Features a hybrid gearbox with energy management and lubricants designed by Repsol to reduce internal friction.

Teams from the Horse Technologies Division in Valladolid and the Repsol Technology Lab in Madrid have validated two prototypes. A demonstrator vehicle is scheduled for presentation in early 2026. The companies state that this project is a step towards the industrial production of high-efficiency hybrid engines.

Repsol has commenced industrial-scale production of 100 percent renewable gasoline at its Tarragona facility. This fuel is compatible with existing gasoline engines and is currently distributed at 30 service stations in Spain under the Nexa 95 brand.

Patrice Haettel, COO, Horse Powertrain and CEO at Horse Technologies, said, “The HORSE H12 Concept is an example of how highly efficient engines and renewable fuels can reduce emissions today, without waiting for future solutions. As a company, we believe that relying on a single technology is not the fastest way to cut emissions. This is why we advocate a technology neutral approach that enables innovation across all solutions - electric, hybrid, range extenders and low-carbon fuels.”

Luis Cabra, Deputy CEO, Repsol, added, “This collaboration shows that decarbonisation can be accelerated through innovative and accessible technological solutions. The use of 100 percent renewable fuels is a net zero emission solution, complementary to electric vehicles, for decarbonising the transport sector. Supporting clear and ambitious regulation that drives investment in renewable fuels and highly efficient engines is essential for Europe to reduce transport emissions faster in a more competitive and effective manner.”

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German engineering company FEV recently released analysis on the economic efficiency of electrified commercial vehicles, suggesting that range extender architectures (REEV/Hybrid BEV) can reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to diesel trucks.

According to data from FEV’s research programme, TCO can be reduced by up to 33 percent depending on the driving cycle. In long-haul scenarios, the analysis indicates a cost reduction of approximately 14 percent. These figures are based on European usage profiles involving depot charging at industrial electricity rates of 19 cents (INR 20-21) per kilowatt hour.

The study identifies reduced battery size as a primary factor in cost-effectiveness. A REEV truck operates with approximately 280 kWh of battery capacity, compared to the 560 kWh required by purely battery-electric (BEV) long-haul trucks.

The smaller battery allows for overnight charging via 22 kW AC infrastructure, providing enough energy for daily operations without the immediate requirement for megawatt charging stations. This reduces vehicle weight and increases payload capacity.

FEV reports that REEV trucks can be integrated into existing depot structures, reducing investment risks for operators. Beyond costs, the analysis suggests a reduction in global warming potential of up to 82 percent compared to diesel vehicles, depending on the energy mix used.

The company is currently developing demonstrator vehicles to validate these findings and translate the data into market-ready solutions for the commercial vehicle segment.

Dr. Norbert W. Alt, COO, FEV Group, said, “Our analysis clearly shows that the range extender makes electric trucks immediately economically and ecologically viable – without waiting for the widespread expansion of high-performance charging infrastructure. This is precisely what is crucial in long-distance transport.”

“Range extender-based Hybrid BEV trucks offer an immediately available, economically highly attractive solution for electrified long-distance transport. They combine high electric driving ranges with minimal infrastructure requirements – and deliver measurable added value precisely where cost decisions are particularly sensitive,” Dr Alt concluded.

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