Altigreen Inaugurates New Retail Experience Centre In Pune, India

Akron Relives History After Unveiling Rubber Worker Statue

Altigreen, a commercial electric vehicle maker, inaugurated its latest retail experience centre in Hadapsar, Pune on Friday. This is the company’s eighth retail dealership in India in a span of two months. As per the company, the experience centre will allow EV enthusiasts to access Altigreen’s range of electric cargo vehicles. Additionally, the commercial electric vehicle maker claims that its electric 3W offering, neEV recently achieved the feat of completing a 150+ kilometre intercity drive, between two places in Karnataka – Mysore Palace and Bangalore Palace – on a single charge, in about six hours.

For the partnership, Altigreen opted to go with Jubilant MotorWorks, a dealer partner for Audi and MG Motor. The Altigreen-Jubilant MotorWorks showroom in Pune was launched at the hands of Rashmi Urdhwareshe, President at SAEINDIA and Former Director, ARAI.

Speaking on Jubilant Motorworks’ partnership with Altigreen, Amit Jain, CEO, Jubilant Motorworks, said, “It’s a momentous occasion for us to partner with Altigreen in chiselling the future of mobility in the country. We are aligned with the recent e-mobility trends and already see a massive potential driven by the nation’s agenda of electrification. We are extremely happy to be able to introduce eco-friendly mobility and a sustainable future into our business fabric. We introduce the full range of Altigreen’s premium quality vehicles for the first time in Pune at Jubilant Motorworks’ facility in Hadapsar.”

“We were one of the early movers during the onset of EVs in India,” Jain further cited and continued, “The adaptability today is something we saw coming. Altigreen has a value system we believe in, and we create deep and long-lasting relationships.”

According to Altigreen, every element of the dealership has been designed to lend a welcoming feel, especially to all those walking in, including autorickshaw drivers, small business owners and people from all walks of life. The company intends to ensure that the dealership reflects Altigreen’s ethos of respect and empathy, and its endeavour to gain the trust of consumers through transparent dialogue.

At the inauguration, Dr Amitabh Saran, Founder and CEO, Altigreen, said, “With the launch of this new retail experience centre in Pune, we are steadily building a strong nationwide network to cater to the rising demand for commercial EVs in the country. For now, Maharashtra is the only state where we now have two retail experience centres. As a homegrown company, we take great pride in delivering Made-in-India products. We are investing significantly to strengthen our production and R&D capabilities while developing a robust pan India distribution network to offer the best and cleanest last-mile transportation. We are happy to continue our partnership with Jubilant Motorworks, now in Pune as well, and deliver world-class products in multiple vehicle categories.”

Sharing his views more in depth, Dr Saran asserted, “Whenever we do any of our dealerships, it’s not just about the vehicle, but giving respect to the customers / auto drivers as well – which we all usually tend to give only if there’s a strike. When we started looking at this space, we thought that it must be something that can compete with what’s on the roads. In a country like India, where diesel vehicles, ICEs, etc. have been doing a fabulous job, the EVs have to be at least as good as them. The idea is to ensure that no matter in what capacity we are doing this, there should be a pride of ownership.”

Urdhwareshe, who was the chief guest at the event, put across her thoughts, too, in terms of EVs and Altigreen’s journey. She averred that EVs is a different segment and serves a very important purpose in addressing the transportation needs of the urban, rural areas and more.

“I have seen the struggle they have been through, finally arriving at a product that is fit to rock the market,” she went on to say and continued, “I can see that the product is really clean in nature. I am also very happy that Altigreen decided to position in the three-wheeler segment. Moreover, for the three-wheeler segment, the cost of ownership holds the most significance.”

Highlighting her thoughts on the Altigreen-Jubilant MotorWorks partnership, she expounded, “Having three-wheelers and their commitment to green mobility is very unique. Jubilant MotorWorks and Altigreen have excellent commitment to it.” She further addressed the audience saying that she would like to appeal to them to share their experiences with the transport authorities, so that it will encourage other users to shift to electric mobility. 

While at the inauguration, several customers were also invited up on the dais, who were given keys to Altigreen’s electric three-wheeler.

Ola Electric Begins Mass Deliveries Of 4680 Bharat Cell Powered Vehicles

Ola Electric - 4680 Bharat Cell

Ola Electric has announced the commencement of mass deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered vehicles. The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is the first product to be powered by the company’s indigenously manufactured 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, which delivers more range, better performance and enhanced safety.

With its own battery packs in the vehicles, Ola Electric is now India's first company to fully own the battery pack and cell manufacturing process in-house.

The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is powered by a 13 kW motor, offering acceleration of zero to 40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. It comes with an impressive 320 km range (IDC with DIY mode).

The S1 Pro+ features four riding modes (Hyper, Sports, Normal and Eco) and also offers enhanced safety with category-first dual ABS and disk brakes in the front and rear. It also gets enhanced ergonomics and comfort, a two-tone seat with supportive foam, body-coloured mirrors, a die-cast aluminium grab handle, rim decals and an expanded colour palette comprising Passion Red, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Jet Black, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue.

“The excitement for S1 Pro+ has been phenomenal. Deliveries are now in full swing, and customers are proudly riding India’s first scooters powered by our own 4680 Bharat Cell. This is a big moment, not just for Ola, but for India’s journey towards becoming a global EV hub. With the national rollout starting soon, we are now ready to take this breakthrough product and technology to every corner of the country,” an Ola Electric spokesperson said.

Trinseo Launches Fourth-Generation Binder For The Next Wave Of EV Batteries

Trinseo Launches Fourth-Generation Binder For The Next Wave Of EV Batteries

Trinseo has introduced its latest innovation, the Fourth-Generation SBR Binder Platform, designed to meet the evolving demands of electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems. This development reflects the company's strategic focus on delivering high-performance materials essential for the global shift towards sustainable energy.

The platform results from advanced polymer science and collaboration with battery manufacturers, targeting key industry requirements such as increased energy density, superior durability and more efficient production. It provides a significant improvement in peel strength, enabling stronger electrode bonds, thicker coatings and higher manufacturing speeds. These attributes are vital for developing higher-capacity batteries that can extend driving range and improve storage solutions.

The inaugural product, VOLTABOND 109 Latex Binder, offers this next-generation performance with broad compatibility across various anode materials and manufacturing processes. Its design ensures excellent stability and low resistance, supporting faster charging and long-term reliability. To ensure robust supply, Trinseo will produce the platform locally within major global regions, enhancing responsiveness to battery production hubs.

Rooted in decades of expertise, this new platform establishes a foundation for future innovations tailored to diverse customer needs across the battery value chain.

CATL And Stellantis Begin Work On EUR 4.1 Billion Spanish Battery Plant

CATL

CATL and Stellantis broke ground on a EUR 4.1 billion battery plant in Figueruelas, Spain, on 26 November. The 50:50 joint venture will produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and targets an annual production capacity of 50 GW/h.

The project, which is Spain’s largest battery factory, is backed by over EUR 300 million in EU funds, with production expected to start in late 2026.

According to unions, around 2,000 Chinese workers will help construct the site, a point of contention with local authorities and residents. Also, 3,000 Spanish staff are to be hired and trained later.

Spanish authorities and residents have voiced concerns about job opportunities for local workers and potential strain from the influx of foreign employees. CATL Vice President Meng Xiangfeng said earlier in November the company needed experienced technicians to build and fine-tune production lines, with plans to train local workers to take over operations gradually.

David Romeral, Director General of CAAR Aragon, a network of automotive businesses in the region, said: “We don’t know this technology, these components we’ve never made them before. They’re years ahead of us. All we can do is watch and learn.”

The regional government is organising work permits for arriving workers while seeking to attract battery supply chain companies to Aragon. Some Chinese technicians and managers have already arrived, with several hundred more expected by year-end and nearly 2,000 by the end of next year.

CATL’s approach contrasts with its Hungarian site in Debrecen, where it hired mostly locals to build its European plant. However, a lack of local workers caused production to be delayed from late 2025 into mid-2026. The Figueruelas facility will serve as CATL’s third European manufacturing operation, alongside the Hungarian plant and one in Germany.

Neuron Energy Secures INR 310 Million To Expand EV Battery Manufacturing For Four-Wheelers & Buses

Neuron Energy

Neuron Energy, an EV battery manufacturer, has raised INR 310 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Equanimity Ventures, Rajiv Dadlani Group, Thackersay Family Office and Chona Family Office, with participation from Family Offices and HNI investors. With this, Neuron Energy has raised INR 810 million to date.

The funding will be used to expand Neuron Energy’s manufacturing capacity to 3 GWh and to establish a fully automated, large-scale battery facility for electric four-wheelers and buses at Chakan, Pune. The capital will also strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, accelerate domestic growth, and broaden its footprint in international markets.

Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy, said, “This Pre-Series B round is a defining step in our mission to industrialise world-class battery manufacturing in India. As EV adoption accelerates, we are focused on building capacity, embedding automation, and pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. This investment ensures we can deliver at scale, both in India and globally.”

The company said it operates with a low-CapEx and low-OpEx business model. It has been growing profitably year-on-year and is on track to achieve INR 2 billion in revenue this year. The company is also confident of achieving sales of over INR 9 billion, with profitability, over the next few years.

Rajesh Sehgal of Equanimity Ventures, added, "We see immense potential in Neuron Energy’s approach to EV battery innovation and scalability. Their focus on quality, automation, and energy efficiency aligns with the evolving demands of the EV industry in India and beyond. We are proud to support their next phase of growth as they scale into new vehicle categories and manufacturing capacities."

The new facility reinforces the company’s position in two-wheeler EV batteries and signals a strategic entry into heavier vehicle segments. This supports Neuron’s vision to become a comprehensive EV battery solutions provider.

Rajiv Dadlani, from the Family Office of the Rajiv Dadlani Group, said, "Neuron Energy demonstrates remarkable potential to become the market leader, with their renewed focus, in delivering top-quality products. The company and its founders are highly committed to delivering rigorously tested and safe-to-use Li-Ion smart batteries. We are confident that they will continue to thrive and set new standards in the industry."