Renault has showcased the new Megane eVision concept electric car. It foreshadows the latest in the line of electric vehicles from Groupe Renault and is based on the entirely new modular CMF-EV (Common Module Family - Electric Vehicle) platform. 

According to the designers from the Alliance (Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi), this hatchback car features one of the thinnest batteries on the market and a new ultra-compact powertrain offering more roominess. This marks a new era in Renault for electric vehicles that would feature connected services, improved electric ecosystem for more efficient energy transition. This also marks an important step towards the development of smart charging to support the stability of the electrical grid and help users reduce their costs. 

Experts at Renault have revealed that the car’s connectivity allows charging to be triggered at the right time to avoid overloading the grid and promote the use of renewable energy. V2G (vehicle-to-grid) is another technology currently in development that allows any parked car that is charging to transfer part of the electricity from its battery to the grid. Megane eVision comes with a 60 kWh battery and a DC charger support for upto 130 kW. The engine itself is one of the most powerful in the Renault range across all energy sources with 160 kW (217 hp) of power and 300 Nm of torque. Renault claims that it accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in less than eight seconds.

Renault’s future all-electric vehicles will be built on the new modular CMF-EV platform designed by the French and Japanese engineers at Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. According to the latest updates, the platform will have a smaller engine compartment in comparison to the internal-combustion or mixed electric/internal-combustion engine vehicles. The platform will support low saloons and larger SUVs. The platform is also modular in terms of length, to adjust the battery even more to the type of car and driving range required. With extended wheelbase, sophisticated frame and low center of gravity due to the floor-mounted battery, the vehicle will have enhanced responsiveness, performance and aesthetic value. 

Similar to what was observed in the ‘MORPHOZ’ concept, the Megane eVision features large aerodynamic wheels in the shape of propeller blades. The wheels and part of the 245/40 ZR 20 tyres are covered by 21-inch trims finished with aerodynamic flaps, while shaded decorative lines recalls those of the lower grills. 

The graphic finish of the ‘E’ at the end of ‘Mégane’ in the first part of the car’s name is different from the other letters. This symbolic feature of electric engines and the ‘E-TECH’ label boasts the same bold gold colour as the roof and black parallel lines like those found on the 1972 Renault logo designed by Victor Vasarely.

Part of Renault’s Livingtech technological ecosystem, the ‘Livinglights’ lighting technology in the car highlights the car’s identity and accentuates the interior features as well. The vehicle could be remotely customised through FOTA (Firmware Over-the-Air) technology. This update also includes the ‘Livingscreen’ display and infotainment system in the concept car.

Megane eVision and the CMF-EV platform combined carries 300 patent-pending innovations that range from the engine, charging system, battery, thermal management, architecture and acoustics. One such innovation revealed by Groupe Renault is the ERS (Energy Recovery System) that captures the heat of the engine and the battery to heat the passenger compartment without using the battery, ensuring that the car’s driving range is not impacted by the cold.

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Cars24 has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to support India's startup ecosystem through initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, mobility, and road safety.

As per the agreement, Cars24 will establish structured programmes for early-stage founders, granting access to its infrastructure, mentor network, funding sources, market connections and technical resources. In turn, the DPIIT will facilitate national outreach and ecosystem integration via the Startup India platform, supporting knowledge exchange, co-branding and policy engagement.

The partnership encompasses five specific areas of operation: mentorship for early-stage founders via the Cars24 Founders' Fellowship, training through Mobility and Autotech Skilling Programmes, technical support and AI integration via Cars24 Labs, investor connections through Fuel by Cars24 and the organisation of an annual Innovation Challenge and Road Safety Hackathon alongside the DPIIT.

Vikram Chopra, Builder, Cars24, said, “Cars24 is proof that Indian founders can start with a difficult, everyday problem and build something on a national scale. We want to pass that possibility on. Through this partnership with DPIIT, we are backing the next generation of builders with more than advice. We want to give them access, capital, talent and a real platform to test ideas that can make India move smarter and safer.”

A senior DPIIT official commented, “Industry participation is central to strengthening India’s startup ecosystem. Collaborations of this kind, where an established market leader opens up its scale, mentorship and resources to early-stage founders, are exactly the bridge between ambition and execution that young startups need. We welcome Cars24’s commitment to mentoring, skilling and supporting product startups across the country.”

The non-binding MoU establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration between both entities to foster technology adoption and entrepreneurship within the Indian mobility sector.

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NXP Semiconductors has announced that the BMW Group will deploy its Trimension NCJ29D6 Ultra-Wideband (UWB) family across its vehicle fleet, beginning with selected 2026 production programmes.

The hardware component integrates fine-ranging capabilities with short-range radar functionality on a single chip. This allows vehicle manufacturers to utilise a single system for multiple applications, including hands-free vehicle entry and occupant presence detection.

The integration supports BMW’s Digital Key Plus feature, which enables vehicle owners to substitute key fobs with smartphones or smartwatches. The system manages locking and unlocking functions as the user approaches or moves away from the vehicle. Additionally, the technology includes in-cabin radar monitoring designed to identify motion patterns consistent with occupants or animals left inside a parked vehicle, sending notification alerts to users to align with European and Chinese NCAP assessment protocols.

Markus Staeblein, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, Secure Car Access at NXP Semiconductors, said, “NXP’s proven Trimension UWB platform maximises value for OEMs, using a single system to deliver multiple new and differentiating features for drivers. Digital key and presence detection are just the beginning. OEMs will be able to deliver additional UWB-based features, such as kick sensing, intrusion alert or automatic charging, as they establish the secure hardware platform in their vehicles.”

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Envalior India, an engineering materials company formed through the merger of DSM Engineering Materials and LANXESS High Performance Materials, will inaugurate the Envalior Centre of Excellence in Electric Vehicle Technology on 5 August 2026 as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program.

The CoE located at Marathwada Mitra Mandal's Polytechnic in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Pune, will be implemented by the BroadArks Foundation to provide vocational training in electric vehicle systems.

It plans to train 250 individuals annually through two courses: a Level 4 Certificate in EV Service, Safety & Maintenance and a Level 5 Advanced Certificate in EV Diagnostics & Systems.

The curricula align with the National Skills Qualifications Framework and carry certification support from the Confederation of Indian Industry. The programs target students from Industrial Training Institutes and polytechnics studying mechanical, electrical, electronics, mechatronics and computer science disciplines.

Training instruction covers classroom coursework and laboratory modules focused on vehicle architecture, battery management systems, charging infrastructure, thermal management, power electronics, diagnostics and workshop safety protocols. Practical assessments and industry projects form part of the curriculum structure.

Nileshkumar Kukalyekar, Business Director – South Asia, Middle East & Africa, Envalior, said, "The launch of the Envalior Centre of Excellence reflects our commitment to supporting India's transition towards electric mobility by investing in the people who will power it. Through this Centre, we aim to provide students with industry-aligned, hands-on training that prepares them for the evolving demands of the EV sector while contributing to a stronger and future-ready workforce."

In addition to student instruction, the facility is designed to support laboratory infrastructure and instructor development programs for technical education in the region.

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South Korean auto major Hyundai Motor Group has appointed Junghyun Kwon as Executive Vice-President and Head of the Autonomous Driving Development Center.

Kwon will oversee software engineering, deep learning integration, perception systems and commercialisation pathways for the group's autonomous mobility programs, reporting directly to Minwoo Park, President and Head of the Advanced Vehicle Platform (AVP) Division.

He joins the group following technical management roles in software development and artificial intelligence across international technology firms. Kwon previously managed autonomous driving software development and deployment at NVIDIA before directing intelligent robotics development at Samsung Electronics. His technical background covers machine learning models, computer vision systems and vehicle perception frameworks.

The executive appointment forms part of a broader recruitment sequence targeting software-defined vehicle architectures and autonomous driving systems.

Earlier in July, Hyundai Motor Group appointed Dongwuk Kim as Senior Vice-President and Head of the SDV Platform Development Center, following his work on wireless communication systems for mobile devices, robotics and vehicles at Apple and Tesla. The group also added Jeremy Ma as Senior Vice-President and Head of AVP Silicon Valley, drawing on his experience in robotics and autonomous systems at Apple, Toyota Research Institute and NVIDIA.

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