Axis Bank, one of the largest private sector banks in India, in partnership with GuarantCo, part of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has extended an INR 1 billion (around USD 12 million) guarantee to Muthoot Capital, one of India's fastest-growing NBFCs in India. This will empower the NBFC to lend to on-lend customers in rural and non-metro regions in India, for purchasing electric two-wheelers.

GuarantCo has provided a 65 percent on-demand credit guarantee to Axis Bank for this transaction, which is part of a broader USD 200 million electric vehicle (EV) framework agreement signed by GuarantCo and Axis Bank. This framework was established to enable mobilisation of funds between USD 300 and 400 million for financing the e-mobility ecosystem in India.

This collaboration with Muthoot Capital will focus specifically on providing transport solutions to rural and non-metro regions that predominantly consist of lower-income populations that have historically been underserved. The transaction will benefit Indian companies operating within the EV ecosystem with over INR 800 million (around USD 10 million) and is expected to impact local businesses in the supply chain, such as equipment manufacturers, vehicle dealers and insurers.

The INR 1 billion EV transaction will increase electric two- and three-wheeler vehicle provision, contributing to SDG 9.4 (Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies) and SDG 11.2 (Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all).

This is GuarantCo and Axis Bank’s third transaction under the EV framework agreement. In December 2023, it had first enabled an INR 2.5 billion (around USD 30 million) loan to Vivriti Capital for supporting the company’s expansion strategy in the e-mobility ecosystem of India, and subsequently extended INR 1 billion (around USD 12 million) loan to Everest Fleet for the purchase of electric cars to be deployed as low pollution emitting taxis in India.

Rajiv Anand, Deputy MD, Axis Bank said: “Axis Bank stands committed to support and accelerate the growth of e-mobility industry in India. As one of the leading banks in the country, we are dedicated to driving initiatives that create positive environmental and social impact. By promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, we are working to reduce emissions, enhance air quality and provide affordable and accessible transport solutions nationwide. We have proactively scaled up our partnerships and engagements with EV dealers, manufacturers, and other players and will continue to do so. This collaboration not only supports the development of green infrastructure in India but also aligns with our broader vision of fostering an inclusive future where sustainable practices benefit all segments of society.’’

Mathews Markose, CEO, Muthoot Capital said: “Partnering with GuarantCo marks a significant step forward in accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and advancing sustainable transport solutions in our country especially in the rural and semi-urban markets. This funding will enable MCSL to provide innovative and tailor-made financing options aimed at making electric vehicles more accessible and affordable to a wide range of consumers and businesses. We look forward to enabling the common man to own their own two-wheeler ensuring affordability and convenience. This will lend wings to our slated objective of growing our EV by 200 crores during FY2025.”

Layth Al-Falaki, CEO, GuarantCo said: “We are delighted to have closed the transaction with Muthoot Capital under the Electric Vehicle framework guarantee agreement that we signed with Axis Bank in May 2022.  This is the third transaction that we have closed under the agreement which after the ones that we closed with Vivriti Capital and Everest Fleet now total INR 4.5 billion (c. USD 54 million). This is also the first transaction under the framework which will cover the demand side of the EV business through the provision of credit so that customers can purchase electric vehicles.  In addition, the transaction is expected to have a market transformation effect that we hope that it will help catalyse deployment of more electric vehicles in India. GuarantCo, through the Private Infrastructure Development Group, will continue to utilise the climate mitigation guarantee with Axis Bank to further the e-mobility ecosystem in India and to deliver against our climate action aims aligned with the PIDG 2030 strategy.”

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Chennai-based electric motorcycle start-up Raptee.HV has received strategic funding from the Technology Development Board (TDB), a government body under the Department of Science & Technology.

The company claims it is the first electric motorcycle manufacturer in India to receive this support, which will be used to develop its high-voltage technology further.

Raptee.HV specialises in adapting high-voltage technology from electric cars for use in two-wheelers. The company has spent over six years developing its own technology from the ground up, aiming to create electric motorcycles that offer car-level performance, reliability and charging convenience.

Dinesh Arjun, CEO and Co-Founder of Raptee.HV, said, “This support from the Technology Development Board is a strong endorsement of Raptee.HV’s mission to redefine performance electric mobility, from India, for the world. In the absence of an ecosystem for high-voltage motorcycle architecture, we built our own through uncompromising engineering. Earlier, we also received a grant from the Ministry of Heavy Industries through ARAI-AMTIF and now from TDB, both clear signals of the Government of India’s focus on supporting indigenous technological innovation. The trust placed in us by TDB and ARAI-AMTIF strengthens our resolve to push the boundaries of performance-driven motorcycle electrification in India.” 

By investing in Raptee.HV, the TDB is making its first-ever investment in the electric motorcycle sector. This places the startup in a select group of companies, including Tata Motors and Bharat Biotech, that have historically received TDB support for groundbreaking technological innovations.

With motorcycles making up a significant portion of India's two-wheeler market, Raptee.HV’s focus on performance-driven, high-voltage technology could play a key role in helping India achieve its 2030 target of 30 percent EV penetration in the two-wheeler segment.

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Celebrating a significant five-year milestone in the UK, Polestar recently hosted its largest customer event, the Polestar Festival, at Bicester Motion. The festival served as the dynamic backdrop for the UK premiere of the new Polestar 5, a four-door performance Grand Tourer that embodies the brand's forward-looking vision.

The event attracted around 1,000 guests to the company's headquarters for a weekend highlighting Polestar's remarkable growth, which has seen over 45,000 vehicles sold since its 2020 launch. In a striking display of community, 180 owner vehicles were meticulously arranged on the Bicester airfield to form a record-breaking, 170-metre-wide collage of the Polestar logo.

Attendees experienced the first UK showing of the Polestar 5, a model extensively developed by the brand’s British engineers and evolved from the pioneering Precept concept. The festival also featured an interactive partner zone with leading technology firms like Google, Bowers & Wilkins and Brembo showcasing their contributions.

Further highlights included the exclusive Arctic Circle collection of modified Polestar vehicles, available for virtual driving experiences, and the display of a Guinness World Record-holding Polestar 3 that achieved 581 miles (approximately 935 km) on a single charge. The agenda was packed with live driving demonstrations on and off the track, alongside insightful discussions with Polestar executives on critical topics such as sustainable innovation and automotive design.

Matt Galvin, Managing Director, Polestar UK, said, “It was incredible to see so many customers and friends of the brand on Saturday, and the reception to the new Polestar 5 has been astonishing. Polestar UK is growing fast and has a very exciting future ahead of it, and I would like to thank all our customers for being part of this success story.”

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Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has further strengthened its electric small commercial vehicle offerings.

The company has announced that over 25,000 public charging stations are now installed and accessible to its e-SCV customers across more than 150 cities, including Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

The EV chargers are strategically located across key logistics hubs, empowering last-mile delivery operators with enhanced range confidence, operational efficiency and improved earnings.

Furthermore, Tata Motors has also inked MoU with 13 leading Charging Point Operators (CPOs) – A Plus Charge, Ampvolts, chargeMOD, Charge Zone, Electric Fuel, Envo The Sustainer, EV Spot Charge, Kazam, Nikol EV, Sonik Mobility, Thunderplus Solutions, Volttic and Zeon Electric – to install and operate 25,000 additional public chargers over the next 12 months.

Pinaki Haldar, Vice-President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “Crossing the 25,000 public charging station mark is a pivotal milestone in our commitment to advancing electric cargo mobility and its enabling ecosystem. With over 10,000 Ace EVs already deployed and having collectively covered more than 6 crore km, we’re seeing growing confidence among customers and transporters in the benefits of using four-wheel electric commercial vehicles. Our recently introduced Ace Pro EV is also gaining traction with its advanced capabilities tailored to evolving customer needs in urban and semi-urban cargo applications.”

“While we continue to innovate and deliver reliable, high-performance e-cargo vehicles, we remain equally focused on expanding infrastructure access through strategic collaborations. This partnership with India’s leading Charging Point Operators underscores our dedication to building a robust support network and enabling profitable, zero-emission logistics for entrepreneurs and transporters across the country,” said Haldar.

At present, Tata Motors’ e-SCV lineup includes the Ace Pro EV, Ace EV and Ace EV 1000.

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In a significant move for sustainable aviation infrastructure, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, has supplied its first fleet of all-electric tarmac coaches to IndiGo airlines. The delivery of six Eicher Skyline Pro-E 12-metre buses inaugurates a strategic partnership centred on clean energy and operational efficiency, marking Eicher's inaugural entry into the aviation ground support equipment sector.

Deployed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, these zero-emission buses are engineered for the rigours of airport tarmac operations. With a mission to safely ferry passengers between the terminal and their aircraft in utmost comfort, the buses feature a high-capacity layout with seating for 17 passengers plus a driver, along with ample space for 52 standing occupants.

Its advanced lithium-iron phosphate battery and CCS2 fast-charging system are designed to sustain continuous operation. For a smooth and stable ride, the vehicle is equipped with full air suspension, power-assisted steering, and disc brakes on all axles. This initiative is a key part of IndiGo’s broader strategy to minimise the environmental impact of its operations.

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President – Bus Division, VECV, said, "We are honoured to partner with IndiGo in their journey towards greener and sustainable ground operations at Kempegowda Airport – recognised for its striking aesthetics and sustainable practices. With a broad range of buses optimised for demanding applications and backed by connected 24X7 service, Eicher is already a familiar name for citizens, school children and factory staff in Bengaluru. With these tarmac coaches, Eicher stands committed to sustainably transporting the 42 million passengers that use this gateway to India’s Silicon Valley each year.”

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