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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At the Agrovision 2025 exhibition in Nagpur, Mahindra & Mahindra, the world’s leading tractor manufacturer by volume, presented a series of pioneering alternative fuel technologies, signalling a major shift towards sustainable farm mechanisation. The event was attended by prominent government figures, including Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari and Shivraj Singh Chouhan, underscoring the national importance of these agricultural innovations.

The showcased technologies, developed at the company’s Mahindra Research Valley in Chennai, highlight a strategic commitment to reducing emissions and lowering operating costs for farmers. One prominent innovation is a tractor based on the Yuvo Tech+ platform, engineered to operate on either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or Compressed Biogas (CBG), as well as in a dual-fuel mode combining diesel with CNG. This provides a practical and cleaner alternative to conventional diesel.

Further advancing its portfolio, Mahindra unveiled an Ethanol Flex Fuel engine. This power unit is designed for flexibility, capable of running on ethanol produced from a variety of farm-sourced materials such as sugarcane, maize and crop waste. This not only offers a sustainable fuel alternative but also creates potential new revenue streams for the agricultural community.

Completing the trio of new technologies was an Electric Tractor built upon Mahindra’s global OJA platform. This model promises significantly reduced operating expenses while delivering instant torque and enhanced efficiency. Its design includes the convenience of fast-charging capabilities, addressing the need for practicality in daily farm operations.

Beyond these alternative fuel prototypes, Mahindra also displayed its comprehensive lineup of conventional, fuel-efficient diesel tractors and farm implements from both the Mahindra and Swaraj brands. This collective display positions Mahindra at the forefront of the industry's move towards a net-zero future. By investing in a diverse range of solutions including electric, biogas and ethanol technologies, the company is championing a sustainable and economically viable pathway for Indian agriculture, aiming to make farming both more profitable and environmentally responsible.

Veejay Nakra – President, Farm Equipment Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. said, “Mahindra is committed to leading India’s shift to alternate fuel technologies and driving cleaner, smarter and sustainable farming solutions. Our presence at Agrovision 2025 underscores this commitment as we showcase innovative tractors and technologies that will shape the future of Indian agriculture, aligned with the Government of India’s vision towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has launched the Rizta in Sri Lanka at the Colombo Motor Show 2025. This move, in partnership with Evolution Auto (Ather’s distributor in Sri Lanka), marks a step in Ather’s international growth strategy.

It was in December 2024, Ather Energy began its operations in Sri Lanka in December 2024 with the Ather 450X. The company has established a footprint with 40 Experience Centres run by Evolution Auto. Additionally, the EV maker has installed Ather Grid fast chargers to support EV ownership in the country.

The Rizta has now been introduced following the response to the Ather 450 line-up. The Rizta provides a seat and a 34-litre under-seat storage capacity. It also features a floorboard with leg space. The scooter includes features such as SkidControl for safety, a 7-inch TFT display dashboard, and connected capabilities like Google Maps navigation and music and call control (available with Rizta Z).

Ravneet Singh Phokela, Chief Business Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Since entering Sri Lanka last year, it has quickly become a growing market for us, and expanding our portfolio here with the Rizta felt like the natural next step. The Rizta has seen strong acceptance in India for over a year and more recently in Nepal, and we believe it is well-suited for the needs of Sri Lankan riders as well. Its focus on safety and connected capabilities makes it a practical choice for everyday use. With this launch, we aim to deepen our presence in Sri Lanka and continue strengthening the EV ecosystem there."

Ather entered its first international market, Nepal, in November 2023, where it has expanded to 9 Experience Centres and 7 Service Centres. Sri Lanka became the second international market in December 2024. In India, as of 30th September 2025, Ather's retail network included 524 Experience Centres and 3,643 Ather grid fast-charging stations.

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JSW MG Motor India has announced that its MG Windsor electric SUV has surpassed 50,000-unit sales in just over a year.

The company stated that the Windsor is the first electric passenger vehicle in India to achieve this sales mark in record time, reinforcing its position in the country's EV segment. This sales rate translates to five units of the MG Windsor being sold every hour.

Demand for the EV has been observed across major metropolitan and non-metro markets, indicating customer readiness to adopt electric mobility solutions.

Anurag Mehrotra, Managing Director, JSW MG Motor India, said, “When we launched the Windsor EV, our mission was simple yet ambitious: to offer a mobility solution that is practical, stylish and value-driven – while accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles in India. The Windsor EV’s rapid success, achieving 50,000 sales in record time marks a landmark moment in India’s EV journey and demonstrates that customers are embracing this transition with enthusiasm. This milestone energises us to deepen our commitment to New Energy Vehicles. Our vision is to deliver exciting experiences every time and we will continue raising this benchmark as we shape the future of mobility in India.”

The MG Windsor, which the company markets as a CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle), delivers 100 KW (136ps) of power and 200Nm of torque. It features an ‘AeroGlide’ design and an interior with 'Aero Lounge' seats and a large 15.6-inch Grandview Touch Display.

JSW MG Motor India recently launched the MG Windsor Inspire, a limited-edition series, which was unveiled by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India.

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Mumbai-based startup ACS Energy has successfully secured INR 11 million in a pre-seed funding round. The investment was spearheaded by Inflection Point Ventures (IPV). This financial boost will enable the company to deploy over 5,000 new UPI-enabled EV charging stations across the key states of Maharashtra and Gujarat, enhancing accessibility for residential and commercial users alike.

ACS Energy (Ayka Control Systems Pvt. Ltd.) is tackling a critical gap in India's electric vehicle ecosystem by focusing on complex urban settings. The company specialises in developing charging solutions for high-rise buildings and large residential townships, an often underserved segment despite increasing regulatory mandates for EV infrastructure in new real estate projects.

Since its establishment in 2022, the startup has been a pioneer, introducing India's first UPI-based payment system for EV charging. This innovation eliminates the need for multiple mobile applications or subscriptions, creating a seamless, digital-first experience for users. Their product line includes universally compatible smart AC chargers for various vehicle types, supported by the proprietary ACS pay platform. The technology leverages artificial intelligence to effectively manage power loads and ensure swift, transparent transactions.

The founding team, Jash Sheth and Mihir Bhanushali, brings a strong blend of technical and engineering expertise to the venture. Sheth's background includes experience in India's nuclear power sector and involvement with other successful startup founding teams. Together, they are driving a vision to make sustainable mobility more practical and less cumbersome through intelligent infrastructure.

Beyond expanding its physical charging network, a portion of the new capital will be dedicated to advancing energy management systems. These systems are designed to bring smarter power distribution and sophisticated load balancing to urban buildings, promoting greater overall energy efficiency. Currently operating in cities such as Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad, ACS Energy is rapidly scaling its operations to build a robust network that connects city dwellers and emerging EV hubs.

Mitesh Shah, Co-Founder, IPV, said, “India’s EV revolution is incomplete without a strong support system fuelling its growth. The transition from fuel-based energy to green energy has to be more accessible and seamless. ACS Energy offers more than just a charger – it is a full hardware and software package that makes charging quick, transparent and hassle-free. Their UPI-based system means anyone can pay instantly, which makes EV charging as seamless as buying groceries.”

Jash Sheth, Founder & CEO, ACS Energy, said, “At a petrol pump, you don’t think twice – you just pay and move. EV charging should be just as simple. With India’s first UPI-enabled charging network, we’re bringing that same ease to the EV ecosystem. Alongside, we’re launching our AI-driven Energy Management Systems to help buildings and DISCOMs manage load intelligently. This fundraise will power our mission to simplify charging and optimise energy use across India.”

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