BASF And AM Green Join Hands To Evaluate Opportunities In Low-Carbon Chemicals In India
- By MT Bureau
- October 28, 2024
BASF and AM Green B.V. have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaboratively explore and develop commercial prospects in India for low-carbon chemicals manufactured entirely from renewable energy, as well as the accompanying value chains. The agreement was inked at the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business 2024 in New Delhi, India.
As part of the MoU, both the companies intend to conduct feasibility studies on low-carbon chemicals production in India, including a joint evaluation of potential technologies. The collaboration also includes a non-binding letter of intent to purchase 100,000 tonnes of ammonia per year generated entirely using renewable energy, including electricity from pumped storage projects at AM Green's plants in various parts of India. This ammonia will comply with EU criteria for non-biological renewable fuels (RFNBO) outlined in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III).
Dr Markus Kamieth, Chairman – Board of Executive Directors, BASF SE, said, “We are committed to the sustainable transformation of the industries we serve. We are convinced that India is the right place to explore low-carbon chemical production together with our partner AM Green.”
Mahesh Kolli, Group President, AM Green said, “We are delighted to partner with a global chemical leader like BASF to propel the green transformation in the industry. AM Green’s vision of deepening capabilities in downstream value chains of green molecules is core to this partnership with BASF. AM Green and BASF partnership envisages to cater to multiple chemical downstream and associated consumer industries by providing key green molecule feedstocks to produce chemicals, materials and products in the markets served by BASF.”
DRIVN Partners JBM Electric Vehicles To Deploy 500 E-Buses
- By MT Bureau
- July 13, 2026
DRIVN and JBM Electric Vehicles (JBMEV) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deploy 500 electric buses across India over the next year. The initiative aims to support the adoption of electric commercial vehicles by offering integrated leasing, financing, maintenance and charging solutions.
The initial rollout will prioritise luxury intercity coaches, allowing fleet operators to transition to electric vehicles without large upfront capital investment. The partners intend to explore further collaborations in segments such as school transportation, employee mobility and airport transit.
Alpna Jain, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, DRIVN, said, "Commercial fleet electrification requires an ecosystem that makes the transition both operationally seamless and financially viable. Our partnership with JBM Electric Vehicles combines technology leadership, EV ecosystem solutions and manufacturing excellence with an integrated leasing model to help fleet operators adopt electric buses with greater ease and confidence. By bringing together financing, fleet support and charging solutions, we are building a scalable pathway for accelerating commercial EV adoption across India."
Nishant Arya, Chairman, JBM Electric Vehicles, said, “India witnessed a growth of 40 percent in e-bus registrations in H1 CY2026 with 2,944 bus registrations across various states under the PM E-Bus Sewa and PM E-Drive schemes. This partnership with DRIVN comes in at an opportune time aptly complimenting the growing momentum in India’s e-bus deployment. At JBMEV, we believe that the transition to clean mobility must be both scalable and financially viable. By integrating our advanced electric bus technology with DRIVN’s innovative leasing and financing platform, this partnership is designed to unlock scalable adoption of e-mobility by addressing capital barriers and enabling a more sustainable, asset-light transition for fleet operators, corporates amongst others. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to building a future-ready, zero-emission mobility ecosystem while advancing India’s decarbonisation agenda.”
According to industry estimates, the Indian electric bus market is projected to reach USD 2.43 billion by 2030, with electric buses accounting for 4.5 percent of total bus sales in FY2026.
VIDA Launches Long-Range EVOOTER VX2 Plus 4.4 kWh At INR 143,990
- By MT Bureau
- July 11, 2026
VIDA, powered by Hero MotoCorp, has introduced the VIDA EVOOTER VX2 Plus 4.4 kWh at prices starting INR 143,990 (ex-showroom New Delhi).
The new variant features a total battery capacity of 4.4 kWh, delivered through two 2.2 kWh removable units, and provides an IDC-certified range of 187 km. The e-scooter comes with a 1 kW portable charger that can charge the battery from zero to 80 percent in 3 hours and 30 minutes, while DC fast charging provides the same level of charge in 65 minutes. The vehicle reaches a top speed of 90 kmph, supported by 6 kW of peak power and 26 Nm of torque. Features include three riding modes – Eco, Ride and Sports – as well as a 4.3-inch TFT display, smartphone integration, turn-by-turn navigation, OTA updates and 27.2 litres of under-seat storage.
Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer, Emerging Mobility Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Every innovation we drive is a direct reflection of our customers' needs. The demand for longer, uninterrupted journeys and faster charging is a critical requirement for EV adoption. With the VIDA EVOOTER VX2 Plus 4.4 kWh variant, we are offering a longer range that completely fulfills our riders' long-distance aspirations elevated by the first-in-industry 1kW portable charger. By expanding our portfolio to four distinct variants, we are ensuring that ‘GHAR GHAR EVOOTER’ isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but a tailored choice backed by deep consumer trust and proven engineering durability.”
The launch follows an endurance test where the scooter completed a 12,111 km journey over 52 days, from Bengaluru to Delhi, earning the brand a place in the Asia Book of Records for the ‘Longest Journey by an Electric Scooter.’
VIDA is offering Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) plans to support the model, which will be available at dealerships nationwide by the end of July 2026.
Xiaomi EV Announces Sky Nomad SUV Series
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
Chinese technology company Xiaomi EV has introduced the Sky Nomad, a series of reconfigurable SUVs designed to focus on cabin utility and occupant comfort.
While the company’s existing SU7 and YU7 series are designed for the driver, the Sky Nomad series is developed as a living space intended to adapt to different uses throughout the day, such as commuting, working from a parked vehicle or family travel.
The vehicle series is built on Xiaomi’s Kunlun Architecture, which supports a flat floor and a seating system that allows the interior to transition between driving, work and lounge configurations. The design integrates artificial intelligence and Xiaomi’s device ecosystem.
Lei Jun, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Xiaomi, said, "Our answer was to let intelligence define the space, to build a living interior that moves with you."
The Sky Nomad series is aimed at users who require a vehicle for a combination of daily commuting, family transport and work. The series was developed over three and a half years and is scheduled for launch in the Chinese mainland.
EKA Mobility Launches 9M Electric School Bus With 180km Range At Prawaas 5.0
- By MT Bureau
- July 09, 2026
Pune-headquartered alternative energy commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility has unveiled the EKA 9M Electric School Bus at Prawaas 5.0.
The e-bus is built on a monocoque platform and features a steel structure, with a capacity to seat 43 passengers and complies with AIS 052 standards.
EKA 9M school bus features an electronic braking system, electronic stability control and air suspension. It is available with 100 kWh or 200 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs, offering a range of 180 km. The bus supports CCS2 fast charging, with a recharge time of under 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, EKA Mobility, said, "The launch of our EKA 9M Electric School Bus reflects EKA Mobility's commitment to developing purpose-built electric mobility solutions that address the evolving needs of India's transportation ecosystem. As educational institutions increasingly embrace sustainable mobility, we are proud to introduce a next-generation school bus that combines safety, efficiency and innovation. This addition further strengthens our comprehensive commercial EV portfolio and reinforces our vision of enabling a cleaner, smarter and self-reliant future for mobility in India."
In addition to the school bus, EKA Mobility is exhibiting its EKA Coach, 12M low-entry electric bus and 3S & 6S models at Prawaas 5.0.
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