BLive, an Indian multi-brand electric vehicle platform, announced today that it has forayed into Odisha, with its first multi-brand experience store in Rourkela. The store was inaugurated in the presence of MLA Sarada Prasad Nayak and other dignitaries. BLive claims that the rising interest of consumers – owing to growing worldwide awareness toward transitioning to electric mobility, coupled with rising fuel costs – has driven the brand to open its 19^th EV experience store in India in Rourkela, Odisha. The opening of its first-ever EV multi-brand store in Rourkela is in line with Blive’s mission of ‘EV in every home in India’. As per the multi-brand electric vehicle platform, the store will help buyers experience the look and feel of BLive’s inventory of electric vehicles, and is a step toward helping consumers make the transition to electric mobility.

The BLive EV store offers a wide range of electric vehicles, from multiple EV brands to expert support to easy finance to offers. According to BLive, buyers can opt for EVs at EMIs as low as INR 2,000 per month for a range of electric scooters, cycles, motorcycles and delivery vehicles. With a network of over 20 franchisee-owned stores, BLive has assisted over 2,500 families and businesses to switch to electric. The store has on display electric vehicles from renowned brands such as Kinetic Green, Hero lector, LML - Detel, Batt:re, Gemopia, Techo Electra, E-Motorrad and others, BLive states. Customers can experience one of the most awaited high-speed EVs with stylish looks, the Batt:re Story, at the multi-brand store, the multi-brand electric vehicle platform claims.

Sharing his thoughts, Samarth Kholkar, CEO and Co-founder, BLive, said “We are excited to enter Odisha with our first-ever store in Rourkela. The store will provide the masses with the opportunity to ‘try and buy’ EVs for a confident transition to electric mobility. The store will also facilitate home demos and provide the customers with information on exciting offers and easy finance options. In addition to providing a range of environmental and economic benefits over conventional vehicles, electric vehicles are also powerful and reliable. Interested consumers can visit our store to learn more about the benefits of EVs, learn about the various types of EVs available, have the myths surrounding their use debunked and also learn about available financing options. We are committed to helping consumers make the transition towards a cleaner, greener and economical mobility option.”

Commenting on the launch, the proprietor of the Blive store in Rourkela, Akshay Praharaj, said, “We are extremely happy to partner with BLive and do our bit in promoting the use of electric vehicles for mobility purposes to the people of Odisha. We request people from all walks of life to visit the store and explore our range of electric vehicles and learn about why electric mobility is the need of the hour.”

While speaking at the occasion, Sandeep Mukherjee, Co-founder, BLive said, “We are pleased to have the support of Shri Sarada Prasad Nayak and Shri Akshay Praharaj for this store launch in Rourkela. We are happy to note that the state EV policy of Odisha actively encourages and promotes the usage of electric vehicles as a mode of transportation. While EVs are quickly gaining traction among the masses, there is mild apprehension about their performance and reliability among consumers. We aim to debunk these myths by providing the consumers with a holistic ‘touch and try’ experience and negate apprehensions about switching to electric if any.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Ola Electric has announced the commencement of mass deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered vehicles. The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is the first product to be powered by the company’s indigenously manufactured 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, which delivers more range, better performance and enhanced safety.

With its own battery packs in the vehicles, Ola Electric is now India's first company to fully own the battery pack and cell manufacturing process in-house.

The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is powered by a 13 kW motor, offering acceleration of zero to 40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. It comes with an impressive 320 km range (IDC with DIY mode).

The S1 Pro+ features four riding modes (Hyper, Sports, Normal and Eco) and also offers enhanced safety with category-first dual ABS and disk brakes in the front and rear. It also gets enhanced ergonomics and comfort, a two-tone seat with supportive foam, body-coloured mirrors, a die-cast aluminium grab handle, rim decals and an expanded colour palette comprising Passion Red, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Jet Black, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue.

“The excitement for S1 Pro+ has been phenomenal. Deliveries are now in full swing, and customers are proudly riding India’s first scooters powered by our own 4680 Bharat Cell. This is a big moment, not just for Ola, but for India’s journey towards becoming a global EV hub. With the national rollout starting soon, we are now ready to take this breakthrough product and technology to every corner of the country,” an Ola Electric spokesperson said.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

CATL and Stellantis broke ground on a EUR 4.1 billion battery plant in Figueruelas, Spain, on 26 November. The 50:50 joint venture will produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and targets an annual production capacity of 50 GW/h.

The project, which is Spain’s largest battery factory, is backed by over EUR 300 million in EU funds, with production expected to start in late 2026.

According to unions, around 2,000 Chinese workers will help construct the site, a point of contention with local authorities and residents. Also, 3,000 Spanish staff are to be hired and trained later.

Spanish authorities and residents have voiced concerns about job opportunities for local workers and potential strain from the influx of foreign employees. CATL Vice President Meng Xiangfeng said earlier in November the company needed experienced technicians to build and fine-tune production lines, with plans to train local workers to take over operations gradually.

David Romeral, Director General of CAAR Aragon, a network of automotive businesses in the region, said: “We don’t know this technology, these components – we’ve never made them before. They’re years ahead of us. All we can do is watch and learn.”

The regional government is organising work permits for arriving workers while seeking to attract battery supply chain companies to Aragon. Some Chinese technicians and managers have already arrived, with several hundred more expected by year-end and nearly 2,000 by the end of next year.

CATL’s approach contrasts with its Hungarian site in Debrecen, where it hired mostly locals to build its European plant. However, a lack of local workers caused production to be delayed from late 2025 into mid-2026. The Figueruelas facility will serve as CATL’s third European manufacturing operation, alongside the Hungarian plant and one in Germany.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Neuron Energy, an EV battery manufacturer, has raised INR 310 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Equanimity Ventures, Rajiv Dadlani Group, Thackersay Family Office and Chona Family Office, with participation from Family Offices and HNI investors. With this, Neuron Energy has raised INR 810 million to date.

The funding will be used to expand Neuron Energy’s manufacturing capacity to 3 GWh and to establish a fully automated, large-scale battery facility for electric four-wheelers and buses at Chakan, Pune. The capital will also strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, accelerate domestic growth, and broaden its footprint in international markets.

Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy, said, “This Pre-Series B round is a defining step in our mission to industrialise world-class battery manufacturing in India. As EV adoption accelerates, we are focused on building capacity, embedding automation, and pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. This investment ensures we can deliver at scale, both in India and globally.”

The company said it operates with a low-CapEx and low-OpEx business model. It has been growing profitably year-on-year and is on track to achieve INR 2 billion in revenue this year. The company is also confident of achieving sales of over INR 9 billion, with profitability, over the next few years.

Rajesh Sehgal of Equanimity Ventures, added, "We see immense potential in Neuron Energy’s approach to EV battery innovation and scalability. Their focus on quality, automation, and energy efficiency aligns with the evolving demands of the EV industry in India and beyond. We are proud to support their next phase of growth as they scale into new vehicle categories and manufacturing capacities."

The new facility reinforces the company’s position in two-wheeler EV batteries and signals a strategic entry into heavier vehicle segments. This supports Neuron’s vision to become a comprehensive EV battery solutions provider.

Rajiv Dadlani, from the Family Office of the Rajiv Dadlani Group, said, "Neuron Energy demonstrates remarkable potential to become the market leader, with their renewed focus, in delivering top-quality products. The company and its founders are highly committed to delivering rigorously tested and safe-to-use Li-Ion smart batteries. We are confident that they will continue to thrive and set new standards in the industry."

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!