An interesting picture is emerging in India as the EV scene heats up. The big players like Bajaj Auto, TVS Motor Company and Hero MotoCorp and Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India have shed any reservation they would have had about India’s EV market to mark their presence. The movement of these big wigs in the 2-wheeler space is taking place amid a certain clout created by new entrants at the organised end of the EV market like Ather Energy and Ola Electric as well as at the unorganised end of the EV market by entrants like E-Ashwa, ADMS e-bikes, Miracle 5, etc.

What is turning the EV scene in India more interesting is how the small EV players that could be described as those belonging to the unorganised part, are organising themselves to take on the big wigs. A recent development in Maharashtra where the transport authorities seized and fined low-speed two-wheelers that could exceed the stipulated maximum speed of 25 kmph and possibly possessed batteries and motors that exceeded the capacity put down in the rules has led to the smaller EV players to organise themselves as an association that would help them deal with any such eventualities in the future. The treatment meted out to them during the event made them think of a strategy that would effectively make them portray themselves as bigger and stronger. Make them possess the ability to represent themselves better and to lobby effectively if the needs arises.  

A similar development is taking place in the three-wheeler category as well. Starting of as small enterprises, electric three-wheeler manufacturers from across the country are beginning to organise themselves as they find that the bigger and better organised players like Piaggio and Ampere are beginning to corner a share of the electric three-wheeler market in the passenger as well as the cargo carrier level.

Moving up the value chain and taking to work closely with Indian suppliers, the smaller three-wheeler manufacturers are investing in better R&D, seeking help from specialised associates at the testing and components supply end to ensure that their vehicles meet the regulatory demand as well as the market expectations.  

Smaller electric three-wheeler manufacturers are also working closely with financiers to drive sales while keeping an eye on the regulatory changes and announcement of incentives by states as they announce EV policies in line with the one that the Union Government has drawn. Drawing attention to the EV policy announced by the State of Haryana, Suman Mishra, CEO, Mahindra Electric Mobility, said that her ompany welcomes the move. Terming it as ground breaking, she averred, “What is encouraging is that there is a comprehensive EV policy backing this move. Slashing emissions from the road transport sector forms a pivotal part of India's efforts to de-carbonise its economy and a well-articulated, incentivised EV policy is crucial to creating a conducive environment for the adoption of EVs.” 

As the bigger players like Mahindra and Piaggio continue to invest in network expansion, technology upgradation and development of products that are more efficient, the smaller players are taking to collaborations. They are working closely with components suppliers – many of whom are common to the bigger players – to ensure reliance on technology and to enhance their ability to sell reliable EVs. An emerging EV supply chain is almost ‘God-sent’ to the smaller Indian EV manufacturers. Also, the emergence of unique solutions providers like those that are supplying battery pack casing to facilitate easy swapping or charging of the battery or those that are making available test and certification facilities that would otherwise need high investments.  

Opinions and feedbacks have been called for by an agency under the aegis of Niti Aayog to prepare a draft for battery swapping policy even as the BIS standard has been made mandatory for EV batteries. There is however a need to reconsider the battery dimension regulation as far as the terminals are concerned, it seems. An industry source mentioned that a new concept of sunken terminals which are safe and efficient rather than the lead-acid battery-like terminals said to be under consideration with appropriate protection show go a long way in revolutioning the use of lithium-ion batteries, he informed.

The battery swapping policy draft is expected to be made public by the end of July 2022 and a policy expected to be announced soon after. At the passenger vehicle level, it is the big wigs like MG Motors and Tata Motors who have been calling the shots. New entrants like BYD are also planting their feet in the market that is growing at a fair pace. As the charging infrastructure grows amid high fossil fuel prices, electric passenger vehicles are growing in the face of attractive incentives, a growing drive range and increase vehicle performance.  

At the CV level too, it is a combination of established players like Tata Motors and new entrants like Olectra-BYD and JBM that have been calling the shots. The EV proliferation is at the bus-end of the market. The buyers are mostly city and state transport organisations. The act of purchasing electric buses is also helped by government initiatives like FAME II, which is claimed to be public transport oriented, are helping their proliferation. Given the complex nature of contracts for the supply of electric buses to government and semi-government organisations, it is the organised players with a deep understanding of the market that are at the forefront. What is surprising is how the new entrants like JBM and Olectra-BYD have succeeded in getting a strong hold. Their e-buses too are found along side the e-buses supplied by Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland in most cities in India.  

EVs have been big levelling act in India, mentioned an industry source. He drew attention to how the smaller and bigger players are jostling for the same market space almost. A right thrust on infrastructure creation and an emphasis on generation of electricity from greener sources should help EVs to prove to an extent that their cost to the environment is lower than that of the fossil-fuel vehicles, he added. For EVs to be truly environmentally friendly, efforts are being for scientific recycling and processing of vehicles and their components. The small and big players are expected to work together to achieve this goal, making the EV ecosystem in India are ‘true levelling’ ground. Something, which the fossil-fuel intensive auto sector has so far been unsuccessful to create.  

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Yulu, an Indian shared electric mobility platform, has announced that its vehicle fleet has completed a cumulative 2 billion kilometres of green travel.

The company claims it reached the first billion kilometres over six years, while the subsequent billion was achieved within the last 14 months.

The acceleration in mileage is attributed to demand from the hyperlocal delivery and quick-commerce sectors. Yulu operates a fleet of 45,000 electric vehicles (EVs) supported by the Yuma Energy ecosystem.

Interestingly, it has completed 400 million deliveries via partnerships with platforms such as Zomato, Swiggy, Big Basket, Blinkit, Flipkart Minutes, Instamart and Zepto.

The Yulu fleet supports over 500,000 gig workers, including more than 1,000 women riders. This has led to an estimated reduction of 54 million kilogrammes of urban CO2 emissions over seven years.

The platform also services on-demand household service providers including Urban Company, Pronto and Snabbit. According to company data, the use of these EVs allows gig workers to reduce operational costs by 30-40 percent compared to petrol-powered vehicles.

For FY2027, Yulu intends to double its fleet size. The growth strategy includes entering new municipal markets through both company-owned and partner-led launch models to maintain its position in the hyperlocal goods and people mobility segment.

Amit Gupta, CEO & Co-Founder, Yulu, said, “The 2-billion-kilometre milestone reflects not only Yulu’s market leadership, but also the deep impact we are creating across India’s urban mobility landscape. What started as a bold vision to build a sustainable and accessible solution has today become a critical enabler for millions of users and citizens. As we look ahead, Yulu reaffirms our commitment to helping people, businesses and cities to move better.”

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Bijliride has partnered with Indofast Energy, a joint venture between IndianOil Corporation and SUN Mobility, to expand its business-to-consumer (B2C) electric vehicle (EV) rental operations. The collaboration integrates battery-swapping technology to address charging downtime and vehicle availability in the rental sector.

The partnership utilises Indofast Energy’s network of over 1,484 swap stations across 23 cities. This infrastructure currently facilitates more than 3.5 million monthly swaps. By using battery-swapping, Bijliride users can replace depleted batteries in minutes, intended to ensure ride continuity and higher vehicle uptime.

The partnership will see Bijliride’s fleet with battery swap tech begin operations in Hyderabad, with planned phase-wise expansion in Bengaluru, Pune and Chennai over the next 12–18 months.

The integration aims to improve fleet efficiency and unit economics, particularly during peak periods. Bijliride provides several service tiers through its mobile application: daily and weekly rentals, specific subscriptions for delivery and gig workers with flexible mobility plans without vehicle ownership.

Shivam Sisodiya, CEO and Co-Founder, Bijliride, said, "Our partnership with Indofast Energy is centered on making electric mobility more practical and accessible. By reducing downtime and improving availability, we are delivering a more reliable experience while accelerating our B2C growth."

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Volvo Car UK has broadened its electric vehicle offerings with the launch of the EX30 Cargo, a purpose-built car-derived van tailored specifically for business and fleet operators. Based on the fully electric EX30 compact SUV, this new variant reimagines the passenger model for commercial use, preserving the brand’s signature comfort, advanced technology and high safety standards while introducing enhanced practicality.

To create a dedicated cargo space, the rear seats are removed and replaced with a flat floor and an underfloor access panel, yielding a payload of 390 kg and a load capacity of 1,000 litres. A reinforced bulkhead separates the cargo area from the cabin, while redesigned rear side panels and doors help maximise usable volume. Further aiding functionality are wider-opening rear doors, an additional work light in the load bay and an underfloor subframe with extra mounting points to accommodate various business needs.

Achieved through a second-stage conversion process performed by Volvo Car UK, the EX30 Cargo is offered in two forms: the standard model and the Cross Country version, which provides increased ground clearance. This conversion can be applied to both new factory orders and existing stock, covering Model Year 2026 and 2027 vehicles. For Model Year 2027, a new P3 Extended Range powertrain delivering 150 horsepower will join the lineup, offering a lower power option alongside the more potent P5 and P8 units, with electric range reaching up to 300 miles (approximately 482 km).

Despite its commercial adaptation, the vehicle upholds Volvo’s rigorous safety standards through extensive testing to ensure all protection systems remain fully effective. The range is structured across Core and Plus trims, alongside the Cross Country Plus, with the Core model featuring Safe Space Technology, Google Automotive Services, adaptive cruise control, park assist with a rear camera and a 3-phase 11 kW onboard charger with a heat pump. The Plus trim adds Pilot Assist, Digital Key Plus, a Harman Kardon sound system, heated front seats and steering wheel, two‑zone climate control and wireless phone charging. Now on sale exclusively through Volvo Car UK’s fleet sales channels, pricing for the EX30 Cargo starts at GBP 36,010 (approximately USD 48,126).

Jack Munford, Head of Fleet at Volvo Car UK, said, “While we are best known for our passenger vehicles, we recognise that business owners and fleets also want the quality, safety and technology that Volvo is renowned for in a compact commercial vehicle too, which is why we created the extremely practical EX30 Cargo.”

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VIDA, Powered by Hero MotoCorp, has introduced the VIDA VX2 Plus KKR Limited Edition, a special retail offering unveiled at Knights Unplugged 3.0. Drawing inspiration from the Kolkata Knight Riders’ fierce identity and decorated legacy, this electric scooter incorporates the franchise’s signature Knight Purple and Gold into the VX2’s modern aesthetic. A golden halftone gradient featuring micro-dotted patterns transitions subtly across a pearl black body, while three distinctive accent marks pay tribute to the team’s three championship victories.

The vehicle made its public debut with the full KKR squad in attendance and is now available for purchase through select VIDA outlets. Its design stays true to the VX2 Plus’s youthful appeal, characterised by clean surfaces and a sleek profile. A standout LED headlamp with integrated turn signals, complemented by unique daytime running lights at both ends, creates a bold lighting signature that captures the energy where speed meets stadium excitement.

Alongside this limited run, fans can also acquire a matching KKR-themed helmet in the team’s official colours. Adding to the collaboration, VIDA has launched the ‘VIDA Electrifying Player of the Match’ initiative: for every KKR win, a player chosen by the team management will receive a personalised VX2 Plus KKR Limited Edition bearing their name and jersey number during a post-match ceremony.

Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer, VIDA, powered by Hero MotoCorp, said, “The launch of KKR Limited Edition VX2 Plus reflects Hero MotoCorp’s approach of blending distinctive design with culturally relevant collaborations. By bringing together the bold identity of the Kolkata Knight Riders and VIDA’s electric mobility platform, the initiative adds a unique dimension to the brand’s engagement in the T20 season through meaningful cultural and sporting association. The special Edition VX2 Plus further strengthens our commitment to sustainable mobility with the electrifying energy of one of the most celebrated teams in the league.”

Venky Mysore, Chief Executive Officer, Kolkata Knight Riders, said, "At Kolkata Knight Riders, we have always believed in building partnerships that go beyond visibility and create genuine value for our fans and partners alike. Our collaboration with VIDA reflects that philosophy, bringing together innovation in electric mobility with the spirit and identity of the KKR brand. The VX2 Plus KKR Limited Edition is a unique way to extend the Knight Riders experience beyond the field, offering fans a product that embodies performance, sustainability and the distinctive ethos of our franchise."

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