In a significant stride towards enhancing road safety across Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister of the state, Pushkar Singh Dhami, inaugurated two new Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) in Haridwar and Rishikesh. These facilities are established by Maruti Suzuki India as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

The newly launched ADTTs are equipped with high-definition cameras and integrated IT systems, enabling them to conduct driving license evaluations with minimal human intervention. This ensures a more comprehensive, efficient and transparent testing process for aspiring drivers. All evaluations at the ADTTs strictly adhere to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR).

These new tracks will facilitate driving license testing for both Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) and two-wheelers. Maruti Suzuki has been a key partner in this endeavour, having also operated an ADTT in Dehradun since 2019. The Dehradun facility previously received accolades from the Chief Minister for Excellence and Good Governance in 2019-2020.

Brijesh Kumar Sant (IAS), Secretary Transport, Uttarakhand Government, said, "We are committed to making Uttarakhand's roads safer, and Maruti Suzuki's ADTTs are an important enabler in this direction. Our association with Maruti Suzuki goes back to 2009, when the Institute of Driving and Traffic Research was established in Dehradun. With the comprehensive evaluation at ADTTs, we can ensure that only skilled drivers get a driving license."

Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India, said, "Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Dev Bhoomi Uttarakhand is rapidly progressing. One of the key growth drivers for the state is tourism. Efficient and skilled drivers are needed to boost tourism and contribute to safer roads. Our Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) can play a vital role to achieve this goal by ensuring that only skilled and competent drivers receive a license through a 100 percent computerised, transparent and efficient testing process."

"Every year, just before the onset of Char Dham yatra, we undertake a refresher training for commercial drivers in Uttarakhand. This prepares the drivers for hilly terrains on the yatra route. This training is one of the qualifiers for mandatory Green Card required for all commercial drivers during the yatra. This year, we plan to cover about 11,000 drivers in the refresher driving training at IDTRs," added Bharti.

The carmaker stated that the automated testing process at ADTTs have shown a tangible impact on driver preparedness. Initially, a decline in the pass percentage for driving license seekers is often observed, which then gradually increases as applicants arrive better prepared. For instance, at the Dehradun ADTT, the pass percentage initially dropped to 60 percent in FY 2019-20 but has since progressively improved to 69 percent, indicating that only truly skilled drivers are receiving licenses.

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The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy to accelerate growth of India’s clean mobility and advanced manufacturing sectors. The collaboration is part of the Build in Bharat initiative led by the Startup Policy Forum (SPF), a coalition of over 50 innovation-focused startups.

As per the understanding, the partners will focus on strategic mentorship for deep-tech startups, infrastructure support for startups in the EV value chain, joint innovation programs such as the Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, co-hosted talent and skill development initiatives and participation in events like Startup Mahakumbh along with on-ground exposure visits.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Sanjiv Singh, Joint Secretary, DPIIT and Tarun Mehta, Co-founder and CEO, Ather Energy.

Sanjiv Singh, said, “The electric mobility sector in India is entering a transformative phase. Through this partnership with Ather Energy, we aim to catalyse the development of an enabling environment where startups can contribute meaningfully to EV manufacturing, battery innovation, and clean energy solutions.”

Tarun Mehta, said, “We are happy to collaborate with DPIIT to strengthen support systems for hardware and deep-tech startups. With policy support and stronger industry participation, this initiative can help founders tackle core technology challenges and scale high-quality products from India.”

Shweta Rajpal Kohli, President and CEO, Startup Policy Forum, added, “This partnership between DPIIT and Ather Energy brings to life the Startup Policy Forum’s Build in Bharat initiative. Unlocking the potential of India's manufacturing sector through collaboration is key to building a globally competitive innovation ecosystem.”

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Singapore-headquartered engineering solutions company Quest Global has signed a multi-year partnership with Andretti Formula E as the team’s official Engineering Technology Partner. This collaboration officially launched at the 2025 London E-Prix, will see the partners closely work towards elevating the performance of Andretti Formula E cars and drivers.

With more than 25 years of experience, Quest Global will utilise key learnings from its talented team of over 21,000 engineers spread across 17 countries.

Quest Global has partnered with Andretti Formula E, starting with support for their remote operations room in Banbury, UK. This facility is central to race strategy and performance analysis during E-Prix weekends. The collaboration aims to improve data analysis, decision-making and performance tracking for Andretti Formula E team, enhancing their competitive position in Formula E. The partnership will also include the development of Andretti's GEN4 car, scheduled to debut in Season 13, highlighting Quest Global's involvement in the future of electric motorsport.

Andrew Lewis, Global Business Head – Automotive & Rail, Quest Global, said, “This collaboration with Andretti Formula E is a thrilling opportunity for us to demonstrate how cutting-edge engineering solutions can drive innovation and performance. Together, we will push the boundaries of what’s possible, combining our technical strength with Andretti’s competitive spirit. From race weekends to the GEN4 car development, this partnership highlights the transformative potential of engineering to inspire progress far beyond the racetrack.”

Roger Griffiths, Team Principal of Andretti Formula E, said, “We are excited to welcome Quest Global as a key part of our team. Their experience and expertise in leveraging engineering to solve complex challenges make them a perfect fit for us as we aim to continuously raise the bar in a championship built on innovation and agility. With Quest Global by our side, we are looking forward to enhancing our engineering operations and performance on and off the track.”

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Helios Climate (HC), an investment platform, has partnered with the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) to invest in Bengaluru-headquartered battery swapping solutions provider for electric vehicles – Sun Mobility.

This investment contributes to the approximately USD 135 million raised by Sun Mobility over the past year and will support the launch towards establishing battery swapping network in Africa along with contributing to Sun Mobility's growth in India.

Established in 2017 by Sun Group and the Maini Group, Sun Mobility operates over 900 battery swapping stations, powering a fleet of over 50,000 vehicles. Its battery technology, developed and produced in India, works across two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers and heavy electric vehicles through various global OEM partners. Indian Oil Corporation, Vitol (parent of Vivo Energy) and Bosch are among Sun Mobility’s early investors.

Tavraj Banga, Partner & Co-Head, Helios Climate, said, “Sun Mobility is a global category leader with a differentiated and proven solution for the e-mobility space. Their platform’s interoperability spans multiple OEMs and vehicle types, allowing electrification at scale. Coupled with the economic and decarbonisation benefits, it is an ideal solution for emerging markets. We’re proud to support their entry into Africa and work alongside their key partners to deliver scalable, affordable and climate-resilient mobility solutions on the continent. We look forward to working alongside the company and its shareholders, including Vitol, Indian Oil and Bosch, to realise this potential.”

Chetan Maini, Co-Founder & Chairman, SUN Mobility, said, “We’ve built a modular, fast, and scalable battery swapping ecosystem that adapts to real-world mobility needs. With over 1.4 million monthly swaps in India and growing global interest, we’re excited to extend our proven model to emerging markets like Africa. The region’s rapid urbanisation, reliance on two and three-wheelers and need for robust HEV solutions position it perfectly to leapfrog into clean mobility.”

As per estimates, two-wheelers and three-wheelers contribute a significant portion of CO2 emissions in Africa, with the market forecasted to exceed 1.9 million vehicles annually by 2030. This presents a significant growth opportunity for clean, cost-effective electrification. This investment will support the growth of the e-mobility supply chain in Africa and South-East Asia (batteries and quick interchange stations).

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Musashi India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Musashi Seimitsu Industries, Japan, has announced its plans to setup a new R&D and prototyping facility – Musashi Technology Excellence Centre (MTEC) at the Atria University Campus in Bengaluru. The company a leading supplier for precision automotive systems in India is commemorating 23 years of operations in the country.

Interestingly, the company’s new R&D facility for new energy storage systems and e-mobility will focus on testing and validation of new technologies developed by Musashi Global, in collaboration with its international partners and vendors. It aims to invest around INR 100 million towards the new facility in the first year. The R&D facility will not only focus on developing advanced energy storage solutions for the Indian market, but also serve as a rapid prototyping and localisation hub for the Japanese company.

Naoya Nishimura, CEO, Musashi India and Africa Region, said, “Musashi India’s journey began in 2002 with a single customer, and we have since grown steadily, expanding our presence and partnerships with the top automotive OEMs in the country. Our progress has been driven by the strong foundation laid by our predecessors. As we look ahead, it is time to evolve into a truly Indian operation, grounded in our core values of customer-first and ownership. Musashi India is proudly Indian, and its future depends on the leadership and initiative of each member of our team. The establishment of MTEC is a step towards building the number one operation in India, and I believe we will achieve it together.”

Masaru Maeda, Chief E-Mobility Officer, Musashi Seimitsu Industries, added, “The launch of the Musashi Technology Excellence Centre marks a pivotal moment in our global e-mobility journey. India is a key market for next-generation energy solutions, and with MTEC, we are strengthening our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and localized product development. We look forward to accelerating new breakthroughs that serve both Indian and global needs.”

The phased development of the centre will leverage Musashi’s longstanding automotive manufacturing experience in India, Musashi Energy Solutions’ hybrid supercapacitor production capabilities and strategic guidance from Musashi Seimitsu Industries in Japan.

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