A global movement to celebrate e-mobility and a day to shift the transition to sustainable transport with consumer, business and policy outcomes, World EV day is a social media-led campaign to engage consumers around the sustainability benefits of EVs. In its inaugural year, World EV day is an initiative created by the media company, Green TV.

In an exclusive interaction with Jeetender Sharma, MD and Founder, Okinawa Motors, Motoring Trends correspondent learned that the Indian EV diaspora is going stronger than ever before. On the occasion of World EV day, Jeetender Sharma shares his views: “World EV day marks our greater ambition to make the challenging but much-needed shift from ICE to EVs. Seeing the clean blue-sky during lockdown was not just a matter of awe, but an alarm for us. Now we all have seen very clearly what we have lost and only our wiser choices can return our healthy environment back to us.  The auto industry was already going through a slow down before COVID 19 hit the markets and now it has taken a turn for even worse. Every industry, including the automobile industry had to suffer the blow. However, due to the outbreak people are now opting for their own vehicles. Post lockdown lift, we observed the trend wherein people wanted to own their vehicles that would ensure their safety. And for those who are now buying new vehicles, the fact that in long term EVs prove economically viable has caught their attention. This would lead the EVs to share a major slice in the overall revival of the auto industry. Technology and innovation only make sense when it follows environmental sustainability. Today, I urge every person to pledge to make the shift from conventional fuel run vehicle to electric vehicle.”

Every automobile manufacturer is putting in efforts to make their vehicle the smartest and the most sustainable in their respective segments and electric powertrain seems to be the ‘in-demand’ factor for the ‘smart vehicle’ buyers. Manufacturers are also expanding their portfolio to include electric motorcycles. Okinawa is aggressively pushing for its much-hyped Oki100 motorcycle to go on sale in this fiscal year. The motorcycle is targeted towards riders who prefer long journeys and powerful accelerations.

Right policies, Right regulations, Right Timeline
The Government plays a very crucial role in setting the path for expansion for the EV industry in India. The import and export are not in a very healthy state right now due to the pandemic. Post this, EV manufacturers are looking for support from the government in terms of tax rebates and financial support to businessmen who are into exports business. Consideration on import duty on certain components used in EVs would boost the EV market in India. Even though a lot has already been done by the government it needs to be further expanded and communicated in the Indian manufacturing sector to boost the morales and sentiments of the consumers during this pandemic.

Jeetender Sharma, as an EV manufacturer and having been active in the automotive industry for the past two decades, opines, “Earlier in 2015-2017 most of the electric vehicle industry players were importing CKD (Completely Knocked Down) units only. However, with strict norms and FAME 2 in place, things improved and industry players started localising to a certain extent. To become Atmanirbhar (self reliant) there needs to be a two-way strategy- strictness on localisation and boosting the local manufacturers. Only when strict norms are brought EV players will be pushed towards localizing across the segments. Once taxes and rebates motivate the local manufacturers and suppliers, they will be lured to innovate further. In terms of battery, currently battery cells are not available in India. These are mostly imported from Japan, China, and few other countries. Though there is rigorous research going on in India to manufacture the battery cells locally, once the research is supported by government authorities and provided with the right economic influx, we will be able to avail faster results. Localisation of Okinawa is already more than 92 percent and with Oki 100,  it will be 100 percent. We are increasing our supplier base in India and within a couple of years we will have the full ecosystem within India only.”

With Indigenous products like the Ridge, the Praise, iPraise+, R30, Lite series, Praise PRO, Ridge+ in the market, Okinawa has introduced detachable lithium-ion batteries and its own patented permanent magnetic BLDC motor and microprocessor controller for electric two-wheelers. Okinawa aims to expand its dealership network to 500 from the current 350. Okinawa has revealed that it retailed 1,000 units in just 30 days post the lockdown lift and is very aspirational for the upcoming festive seasons.

Okinawa claims that it has collectively reduced around 90 million kgs of CO2 through the 84,000 electric scooters it has sold in India since its inception. This would be equivalent to over 3 million full grown plants.

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Hero MotoCorp, the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has announced its official entry into France in partnership with GD France. This move expands the company’s presence to 52 international markets and deepens its European footprint following successful expansions in Italy, Spain and the UK.

The French debut was marked by the launch of the company’s Euro 5+ range, led by the Hunk 440 motorcycle, at the UTAC Mortefontaine proving ground near Paris.

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice President, Hero MotoCorp, said: "Building on our presence in Italy, Spain, and the UK, Hero MotoCorp’s entry into the France market marks another milestone in our journey of global expansion. Our partnership with GD France, further strengthens our European footprint. The launch of the Hunk 440 reflects our deep understanding of French riders and their expectations for reliability, superior-quality and performance-driven machine. The new Hunk 440 not only delivers on these expectations but also offers an ownership experience that is both accessible and aspirational. This unique combination of superior engineering, refined design and long-lasting performance is set to disrupt the current segment and offers the first-time owners as well as seasoned enthusiasts alike the opportunity to begin their motorcycling journey with a true sense of limitless freedom.”

GD France will distribute the Hero MotoCorp product range, initially through a network of 30 official sales and service outlets across major French cities, with plans to expand to over 50 dealers by 2026.

Ghislain GUIOT, CEO, GD France, said, “We are proud to partner with Hero MotoCorp for their entry into the French market. Both Hero MotoCorp and GD France share a deep commitment to putting customers first and ensuring a seamless ownership experience, supported by a robust sales and service network across the country. Beginning with the Hunk 440, we aim to offer riders a unique combination of technology and value - a combination that we believe will deeply resonate with consumers in France.”

The flagship Hunk 440 is E5+ and EU-compliant, entering the A2 performance category with a focus on city commuting and motorway acceleration. It delivers 36 Nm of low-end torque at 4000 rpm and a peak power of 27 bhp at 6,000 rpm. The Hunk 440 comes with high tensile steel trellis frame for stability and handling. Equipped with dual-channel ABS on 320 mm front and 240 mm rear discs, USD Cartridge Forks by KYB, a full-digital and connected TFT display and turn-by-turn navigation.

The Hunk 440 is available starting at EUR 3,599 (including VAT) in two colours: Twilight Blue and Phantom Black.

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Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India has attained a new milestone of having surpassed 35 million sales for its popular Activa scooter range across the country. This achievement, which spans 24 years since the scooter’s launch in 2001, includes the Activa 110, Activa 125 and Activa-i models.

The company highlighted that the scooter's journey reflects its connection with customers, providing mobility across the country. The Activa plays a key role in the Japanese major's presence in the Indian two-wheeler market.

Over the year, the Activa has created a strong name for itself, achieving its first 10 million customers by 2015, 20 million by 2018 and now 35 million in 2025.

The success is attributed to the scooter's adaptability, having incorporated updates in technology and user experience while maintaining focus on ease of use, consistency and fuel efficiency.

It was just recently, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India introduced the Activa e:, the popular scooter in an electric avatar. In August 2025, the company launched the Activa and Activa 125 anniversary editions.

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TVS Motor Company has announced its highest-ever operating revenue, sales, and profits for the Q2 FY2026. The performance was supported by growth across its two-wheeler, three-wheeler and exports.

The company's operating revenue grew by 29 percent YoY, reaching INR 119.05 billion, compared to INR 92.28 billion for the same period last year. It reported its best-ever EBITDA of INR 15 billion, up 40 percent as compared to INR 10.8 billion last year. The profit before tax came at INR 12.26 billion, as against INR 8.97 billion a year ago.

It is to be noted that the profit before tax for the quarter includes fair valuation loss on investments held by the company, amounting to INR 310 million, as against fair valuation gain of INR 230 million during Q2 last year.

During the quarter, the company saw scooter sales touch 639,000 units, up 30 percent, motorcycle sales grew 20 percent to 673,000 units, while electric vehicle sales clocked 80,000 units, up 7 percent YoY respectively. The company noted that magnet availability continues to pose short-to-medium term challenges for the segment.

On the exports front, the company reported sales of 363,000 two-wheelers, up 31 percent YoY.

For H1 FY2026, the revenue came at INR 219.86 billion, up 25 percent YoY and profit before tax of INR 22.79 billion, up 36 percent YoY.

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Hero MotoCorp, one of the leading global manufacturers of scooters and motorcycles, has announced its entry into the United Kingdom (UK) market through a partnership with distributor MotoGB. This move makes the UK the company’s 51st international market, building on its recent expansions in Italy and Spain.

The company will introduce its Euro 5+ range, led by the Hunk 440, a motorcycle designed to meet the demand for motorcycles in the region.

Sanjay Bhan, Executive Vice-President, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Hero MotoCorp’s entry into the United Kingdom marks a defining milestone in our global expansion journey. Following our foray into Italy and Spain, our partnership with MotoGB, further strengthens our European footprint. The launch of Hunk 440 reflects our deep understanding UK riders - a motorcycle that stays true to the core of motorcycling while offering style, performance and reliability in accessible package. With this launch, we aim to make premium motorcycles accessible for first-time riders, and enthusiasts alike. With a presence now spanning 51 international markets, we reaffirm our commitment to redefining the future of mobility through our next-gen mobility solutions that deliver Limitless Freedom and Limitless Adventure to riders globally.”

MotoGB, a Lancashire-based distributor, will initially make the Hero MotoCorp product range available through a network of over 25 official sales and service outlets. The partnership plans to expand to over 35 locations by 2026.

Matt Kay, General Manager of MotoGB, said, “We are proud to partner with Hero MotoCorp as they make their debut in the UK market. Both Hero MotoCorp and MotoGB share a deep commitment to putting customers first and ensuring a seamless ownership experience, supported by a robust sales and service network across the country. Beginning with the Hunk 440, we will be able to offer riders a unique combination of technology and value that will resonate deeply with consumers in the United Kingdom.”

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