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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CHARGEZONE has announced an expanded partnership with Ador-Quench to procure and deploy made-in-India DC fast chargers across 1,000 new supercharging locations in India. The deployment supports CHARGEZONE's target of reaching 300 MW in cumulative network capacity.

The rollout will feature Ador-Quench DC fast-charging systems ranging from 120 kW chargers to 480 kW dispenser systems. Built on a modular 30 kW AC-DC converter architecture, the equipment caters to passenger cars, electric buses and commercial trucks.

The 360 kW and 480 kW units are targeted at commercial fleet operations to support high energy throughput, while the 120 kW chargers will be installed along intercity routes and highways.

The infrastructure features an energy efficiency rating exceeding 96 per cent, forced-air cooling, and a digital CAN interface for monitoring system diagnostics. The units will integrate into ChargeCloud, CHARGEZONE's proprietary network management platform, to enable dynamic load management and predictive maintenance.

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder and CEO, CHARGEZONE, said, "India’s EV transition has reached a tipping point where charging infrastructure must perform for every vehicle type, from a family car on a weekend road trip to a 55-ton electric truck running 24/7. As EV adoption grows across both passenger and commercial segments, the next phase of infrastructure development has to address very different charging requirements. By partnering with Ador-Quench for Made-in-India superchargers, we are strengthening our ability to deploy high-power charging infrastructure suited to these needs, while supporting the expansion of our national network."

Ravin Mirchandani, Chairperson, Ador Powertron and Quench Chargers, said, "CHARGEZONE was our first-ever customer for fast chargers, and we are delighted to be supporting the growth of one of the most dynamic companies in this sector. We are particularly proud that these chargers are 100% Made in India, including the Rectifier and controller modules, reflecting our commitment to world-class indigenous technology and manufacturing."

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Rincell has announced that it expects to ship over 500,000 battery cells across its product portfolio by the end of 2026, driven by commercial adoption of its RC50 21700 cell. The company is actively supplying battery cells to customers across the US, Europe and India.

The RC50 cell combines a 5Ah energy capacity with a 25A continuous and 50A burst output, retaining 80 per cent of its capacity after 1,200 full charge cycles. The cell has achieved UN 38.3 certification for international transport, IEC 62133 compliance for European markets, and BIS certification for India.

Applications for the RC50 encompass medical X-ray equipment, industrial machinery, commercial drones, and electric two-wheelers. In India, battery pack manufacturer Autorev is integrating the RC50 into its battery packs for electric scooters and motorcycles.

Founded in January 2023, Rincell operates a 6,500 sqft pilot manufacturing facility in Fremont, California, while carrying out volume production primarily in India. The company is currently constructing a production facility in the US, which is scheduled to become operational in late 2027.

Jignesh Parikh, Co-Founder and CEO, Rincell, said, "The RC50 is our all-rounder. It combines high energy, high power and long life in one cell, driving adoption across a wide spectrum of demanding commercial markets and building major order traction. Delivering that level of performance consistently and at scale is where so much of the battery industry has struggled, and it is what Rincell was built to do."

Mohammad Ubeduddin, CTO, Autorev, said, "Electric two-wheelers are one of the toughest jobs a battery can do. Riders in India push their scooters and motorcycles hard every day, through heat and stop-start traffic, so our packs need range, punch and a long working life all at once. The RC50 gives us all three in a single cell, and it has performed consistently in our own testing. That is what lets us build packs our customers can rely on as India’s electric two-wheeler market scales."

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Epsilon Advanced Materials has announced the launch of EpSil, a silicon-graphite composite anode material developed for electric vehicle battery cell manufacturing. The material is designed to increase battery energy density and enable driving range extensions of up to 30 percent without altering existing battery pack dimensions, or allow vehicle manufacturers to reduce pack size while maintaining current range metrics.

EpSil delivers a claimed reversible capacity of 600–650 mAh/g, compared to 340–360 mAh/g for conventional graphite anodes. The composite addresses structural cycle-life challenges associated with silicon expansion and contraction during charge cycles while supporting 1C–5C charge rates.

The material engineered by Epsilon aims to limit lithium plating risk and dendrite formation during high-rate charging protocols, and is compatible with existing battery cell production lines. The launch occurs against an expansion in global battery demand, with International Energy Agency data recording 1.2 TWh of electric vehicle battery deployment in 2025 and projecting demand to approach 3 TWh by 2030.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Advanced Materials, said, "Battery manufacturers are being asked to deliver more range and faster charging without making battery packs larger. With Epsil, we are delivering higher anode capacity, stable fast charging and compatibility with existing manufacturing lines. Our aim is to give customers more flexibility in how they design for vehicle range and pack size, through a resilient & secure anode material supply option from India."

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Revolt Motors, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RattanIndia Enterprises, has secured an order to supply 1,100 BlazeX electric motorcycles to the Bihar Police for patrolling operations. The contract represents an expansion of the company's institutional business into law enforcement mobility.

The BlazeX model features a claimed range of up to 150 km per charge and can be recharged using a standard 10A power socket. The vehicle is equipped with a removable battery, under-seat storage for the charger and built-in GPS for fleet location tracking and monitoring.

Delivery of the vehicles is contracted for completion by January 2027, with Revolt Motors targeting completion of deliveries by November 2026. The deployment expands Revolt Motors' operational footprint, which currently includes a network of over 182 dealerships across India.

Anjali Rattan, Chairperson of RattanIndia Enterprises, said, "Securing an order for 1,100 electric bikes from Bihar Police is a significant step for Revolt. Institutional mobility presents a different set of requirements from individual ownership, and engagements of this scale give us an opportunity to take our products into real-world operating environments. We see institutional adoption as an important avenue for expanding the role of electric bikes in India."

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