Under the Xpres brand that it launched exclusively to cater to the needs of taxi fleets in July 2021, Tata Motors has signed an MoU with Uber to supply 25,000 Xpress-T electric sedans to be operated under the latter’s premium category. The EVs are a close cousin of the Tata Tigor EV which was launched in 2021 and subsequent updated in 2022. 

Supporting Uber in its commitment for cut down carbon emissions, the Tata Xpres-T electric taxis are available in two range options – 315 km and 277 km. They pack a high energy density battery of 26 kWh and 25.5 kWh respectively. The batteries can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 59 mins and 110 mins respectively by using fast charging. They can also be normally charged from any 15 Ampere plug point, which is easily available and convenient. 

Fitted with a single-speed transmission, the electric taxis feature dual airbags, ABS and EBD as standard. Their convenience features include automatic climate control and ‘Electric Blue’ accents across the interior and exterior to differentiate it from the fossil fuel powered Tigor cars. 

Set to add to the rising fleet of electric taxis in India – there are an estimated 8000 of them on the roads – the agreement to supply 25,000 Xpres-T taxis to Uber by Tata Motors indicates how the rising scale could help build an effective local supply chain and infrastructure, both of which will drive the initial acquisition price lower. While concerns regarding the quality of EVs – India has about 13,34,385 of them – is there, a robust local supply chain and skill development at the manufacturing and service levels would help immensely. 

With the Tata Motors and Uber announcement not the first of its kind in the country (Ola announced it will launch 10,000 EV cabs in January 2023), experiments like those in Nagpur to run a fleet of EVs by Ola should be looked upon as a learning tool. With scooters, mopeds and motorbikes dominating the Indian market and seemingly the EV market as well (with the inclusion of electric three-wheelers that are used as commercial vehicles on the whole), the electric taxi category may not be big in numbers but good enough to draw attention on the roads. 

James Hong, Head – Mobility Research, Macquarie Group may opine that EV adoption in cars is low, it is not unusual to stop a battery electric ‘white and green’ taxi in Delhi NCR. Electric cab hailing company BlueSmart began with 70 units in 2019 in Delhi NCR and has come to operate 680 battery electric cabs as of now. In 2022, the company placed an order for 3500 Tigor EVs (read this as Xpres-T EVs) as part of the journey to deploy over 100,000 electric taxis by 2025. 

As the discussion about electricity to power these vehicles would from green or gray sources takes place among various quarters of the society in India, including technical circles, the fact is, Indian taxi operators are watching their market place evolve over time. They are watching how the initial acquisition prices have come down and the range has gone up. They may not be so much bothered about whether their EV has a sunroof or not, they are clearly concerned about costs and quality. 

For me it is the operating costs and ease of maintenance that is important, mentioned a cab driver in Mumbai who first saw the Mahindra e-Verito car a few years ago. Tracking the rise in the number of EVs on the roads in his city from a price point of view since then, he is keen to seek a trade solution that will increase whatever little profit he makes today. The high CNG cost is ensuring that our cabs are no longer very viable as a business case, another cab driver in Mumbai quipped as he overheard the discussion with the earlier cab driver on a busy street in the mega city. If the operating costs are lower than the CNG cabs and the purchase price closer to a CNG cab, then it will be easy for us to shift to an electric taxi, he added. 
 

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JSW MG Motor India is set to expand its EV portfolio with the MG Windsor Pro, which is set to be introduced on 6 May 2025.

The MG Windsor Pro is expected to offer a higher range, more features, improved safety and minor design tweaks. While technical details are yet to be released, it is safe to understand that the company is looking to further drive sales of its popular EV, targeting a new set of customers.

Launched on 11 September 2024, the company positioned the Windsor as a CUV (crossover utility vehicle) and the most comfortable EV in its segment.

The Windsor EV has already surpassed 20,000 units sales since launch, and has been the highest selling electric passenger vehicle for the last several months in a row.

Gujarat-headquartered electric vehicle maker Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, the maker of ‘Joy e-bike’ and ‘Joy e-rik’ brand, has reported a consolidated net profit of INR 63.6 million for FY2025, maintaining profitability for the fifth consecutive year despite industry headwinds and a 5.1 percent drop in annual revenue.

The company’s total consolidated revenue stood at INR 3.04 billion, down from INR 3.2 billion last year. However, EBITDA rose 13.9 percent YoY to INR 3.6 billion, and EBITDA margins improved by 222 basis points to 12.11 percent, reflecting strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.

Despite a 52.7 percent YoY dip in PAT, largely due to a high base in FY2024, Wardwizard remained in the black – underscoring resilience amid a challenging EV market environment.

Yatin Sanjay Gupte, Chairman & MD, Wardwizard Innovations & Mobility, said, “While annual revenues saw a slight decline, EBITDA rose 14 percent YoY. Our profitable performance, sustained for five consecutive years, sets us apart and reinforces the strength of our strategy.”

In Q4 FY25 (Jan–Mar 2025), the company recorded a 62.2 percent YoY rise in PAT to INR 64.5 million, with EBITDA nearly doubling to INR 1.8 billion. PAT margins for the quarter expanded to 5.91 percent, and EBITDA margins reached 17.26 percent, reflecting improved product mix and cost optimisation.

During the last fiscal, the company deployed over 400 electric two-wheelers across major cities like Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad as well as the launch of L5 electric rickshaws in Maharashtra. Ongoing partnerships and a USD 1.29 billion EV initiative in the Philippines are expected to drive future growth.

“With continued innovation and targeted execution, we are building a stronger foundation for long-term growth,” Gupte added.

OPG Mobility (formerly Okaya EV) has appointed Ajay Dhiman as the new President – Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to lead its electric vehicle and EV components business.

In this strategic leadership role, Dhiman will be responsible for operations and technology functions spanning manufacturing, R&D, product development, quality, sourcing, supply chain and business strategy.

He joins OPG Mobility with over 20 years of experience in the automotive and EV sectors. He previously served as Senior Vice-President at Revolt Motors, where he is said to play a key role across CXO-level functions and was instrumental in accelerating product development and delivering high-quality electric mobility solutions. His career includes leadership stints at Honda, Renault-Nissan, Subros and Sonalika Group, contributing across two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and four-wheeler segments.

Anshul Gupta, Managing Director, OPG Mobility, said, “We are delighted to have Ajay Dhiman join our leadership team at a pivotal moment in OPG Mobility's journey. As we step up our presence in the EV ecosystem, Ajay’s deep experience in product development and operations will be invaluable in scaling our EV and components business. His thorough knowledge of both legacy systems and new mobility technologies will drive value, innovation, and faster execution across our transformation journey.”

Ajay Dhiman, added, “It’s an honour to join OPG Mobility at such a transformative time. The brand’s vision of delivering inclusive and innovative electric mobility solutions aligns strongly with my passion for engineering excellence, innovative products and future-focused manufacturing. I look forward to working closely with the leadership and teams to strengthen our product pipeline, accelerate product innovation, strengthen our technological edge, enhance operational excellence, and scale solutions that support India’s evolving mobility needs. We aim to position OPG Mobility as a frontrunner in shaping India’s electric mobility revolution.”

The Maharashtra government has given rolled out the Electric Vehicle Policy 2025 for a period of five years (till 2030) with an estimated outlay of INR 19.93 billion.

The forward-looking policy aims to not only incentivise purchase of electric vehicles, but also aims to boost adoption and real-world usage.

As per the policy, certain EVs plying on highways will be given a toll waiver, EV charging infrastructure strengthened with an ambition have charging facilities every 25km on the national highways.

Electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, private four-wheelers, state transport corporation buses, private buses and transport undertaking under civic bodies will get concession of 10 percent on purchase of an EV on the original cost. For goods carrying three-wheelers, four-wheelers and electric tractors will be eligible to a concession of 15 percent.

The government has also waived off registration fee on EVs. Lastly, electric four-wheelers and buses will also get toll exemption on Mumbai-Pune Expressway, Atal Setu, Samruddhi Mahamarg, along with 50 percent concession on state and other national highways.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "The state government has approved a new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, under which passenger EVs will be given subsidies. EV manufacturing and their use should increase in the state."