BYD Sells More Vehicles Than Ford For The First Time

BYD of China has made big gains in sales in the third quarter of 2024 calendar year to overtake Ford Motor Company in vehicle sales for the first time. 
The electric vehicle company has witnessed extraordinary expansion this year as it increased its capacity and hired more manpower. Overtaking Tesla, the electric vehicle automaker made big gains on the back of robust sales in its domestic market by exceeding its annual sales target of four million vehicles. This would be more than the worldwide sale of Honda and Ford in 2024. 
Delivering 3.76 million vehicles in the first 11 months of 2024, according to industry sources, the electric vehicle manufacturer from China reported 506,804 units for November alone. 
Offering BEVs and plug-in hybrids, BYD has clearly achieved a considerable gain in market share in its home market while it pursues a steady growth in exports markets around the world including India. 
Interestingly, 90 percent of all that the company produces is sold in its home market, the export market share being 10 percent unlike some of the other automakers who have a better exports market share in comparison to the vehicles they sell in their home markets. 
According to the October 2024 data by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), BYD garnered a market share of 16.2 percent in its domestic market, up from 12.5 percent in 2023. The Volkswagen and SAIC joint venture along with the other joint venture with FAW Group joint venture garnered a market share of 12.5 percent jointly, in comparison. It registered a decline from last year’s market share of 14.2 percent. 
Given the sales BYD has achieved by the first 11 months of the 2024 calendar year, it is likely to end the year by inching closer to the numbers General Motors and Stellantis does. 
 

Image for representative purpose only.

Vingroup Plots $6.5 Billion Investment In Maharashtra, EV Cab Service Too

VinGroup e-taxi

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to invest USD 6.5 billion in Maharashtra over the next two years said media reports.

The agreement, signed with the state industries department and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), covers sectors including electric mobility, renewable energy, tourism and infrastructure.

The investment is planned across 5,000 acres in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region and other locations. The project is expected to generate approximately 24,700 direct jobs.

Key components of the investment include:

Smart Townships: An integrated, eco-friendly township spanning 2,700 acres designed for a population of two lakh.

Electric Mobility: Launch of electric taxi services and a mobility-as-a-service platform, supported by a statewide EV charging network.

Renewable Energy: Development of a 500 MW solar power project.

Tourism and Entertainment: A theme park, zoo, and safari project set across 865 acres.

Social Infrastructure: Establishment of international schools and multi-speciality hospitals.

The state government highlighted that advanced interconnectivity and scalable bandwidth in data centres will assist in the implementation of government schemes. These technical improvements are intended to prevent system failures during periods of heavy online traffic, particularly for agricultural and public application processes.

Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, said, "It is a matter of pride that Vingroup has chosen Maharashtra at a time when the state is witnessing rapid growth. Mumbai and the Raigad region are poised to emerge among the most dynamic urban clusters globally. The investment by the Vietnamese conglomerate would accelerate sustainable development, green energy adoption, modern infrastructure and dynamic mobility systems in the state."

Renault Group Consolidates EV Services Under New Plug Inn Brand

Plug Inn

French automotive major Renault Group has announced the unification of its electric vehicle charging activities and related services under the single brand name – Plug Inn. Replacing the previous operations managed under Mobilize Beyond Automotive, the new brand is intended to simplify the Group's charging ecosystem as electric mobility scales across Europe.

The consolidation brings three core divisions under the new banner:

  • Plug Inn Fast Charge: An ultra-fast charging network featuring stations with power outputs up to 320 kW.
  • Plug Inn Powerbox: A bidirectional charging solution integrated with vehicle-to-grid (V2G) services.
  • Plug Inn Charge Pass: A payment solution providing access to charging infrastructure throughout Europe.

The name change commences with fast-charging stations in France this April, with other services transitioning by the end of the year.

The network currently allows compatible vehicles to recover 400 km of range in approximately 15 minutes. Renault Group has set a target to operate 93 stations by end-2026. These stations are primarily located at Renault dealerships near major road axes and are accessible to electric vehicles from all manufacturers.

Facilities at these sites include 24x7 maintenance, Plug & Charge compatibility and selected premium lounges equipped with Wi-Fi and workspaces. The Group reports a network reliability rate exceeding 99 percent.

Jerome Faton, VP Customer Experience & Energy, Renault Group, said, “Our priority is to simplify every step of the electric experience for our customers by offering them a reliable, clear and scalable charging ecosystem. With Plug Inn, we are setting a structuring milestone: an infrastructure designed to support, on a large scale, the ramp-up of zero-emission mobility in Europe. Beyond a change of name, Plug Inn embodies a strong industrial and technological ambition: to create a reference standard, harmonise the charging experience, and support the acceleration of electric vehicles by focusing on service quality, transparency and trust. This is how we will help make the transition to all-electric mobility a simple, seamless and accessible reality for everyone.”

Trev Mobility Secures INR 36.5 Million In Angel Funding For NCR Expansion

Trev

Trev Mobility, an electric vehicle (EV) mobility platform, has raised INR 36.5 million in an angel funding round from its existing user base. The company intends to utilise the capital to increase its vehicle fleet and scale operations across the Delhi-NCR region, including Gurgaon, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad.

Launched in January 2024, the platform operates a fleet of 100 EVs featuring models from BYD and MG Motor. The company provides services for airport transfers, rentals and outstation travel, reporting that 75 percent of bookings are processed through its mobile application.

It has completed over 45,000 trips, with a claimed 55-60 percent repeat user rate. Its all-electric vehicle fleet focusses on premium chauffeur services.

The start-up has also integrated AI-powered dashcams for in-ride security and driver accountability.

The funding follows a period of growth in India's electric mobility sector. Trev Mobility positions itself at the intersection of luxury and accessibility, focusing on vehicle maintenance and hospitality standards. The company's strategy involves expanding into urban use cases as national EV adoption increases.

Naveen Gupta, Founder, Trev Mobility, said, “Seeing our own customers invest in Trev is a powerful validation of the trust we’ve built and the experience we deliver every day. This funding allows us to double down on our core strengths – immaculately maintained vehicles, high standards of hospitality, and a reliable, premium ride experience. Our goal is to build a service that feels less like a cab and more like your own personal car. With 100 EVs now on the road, 4 cities covered, and 40,000 rides delivered, we are just getting started on our mission to make premium electric mobility accessible to every Indian commuter.”

PeakAmp, Pacto Power Join Forces For Battery Waste Management

PeakAmp - Pactor Power

PeakAmp, a battery circularity and resource recovery firm, has entered into a partnership with Pacto Power to manage battery waste across its operations. The agreement focuses on the collection, logistics and recycling of units, alongside ensuring Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) compliance.

Under the terms of the partnership, PeakAmp serves as the exclusive partner for end-to-end battery waste movement. The collaboration aims to transition battery waste through authorised channels to improve material recovery and reduce leakage into informal networks.

The key areas of collaboration include establishing systems for the documented movement and disposal of battery waste for traceability. Second-life applications by developing uses for batteries beyond their initial vehicular or industrial lifespan. Research into new lithium-ion battery production.

The partnership reflects a shift in the sector towards integrating traceability into waste management systems as battery volumes increase.

Aditya Sudhanshu, Co-Founder & COO, PeakAmp, said, “As battery usage continues to grow, it becomes important to manage battery waste in a responsible and compliant way. Our partnership with Pacto Power helps us ensure smooth collection, recycling, and compliance management across the entire battery lifecycle. We look forward to building a more transparent and efficient battery waste ecosystem together.”

Manoj Kushwaha, Director, Pacto Power, added, “Partnering with PeakAmp marks an important step in strengthening our commitment to responsible and compliant battery lifecycle management. As we continue to scale our operations, ensuring proper handling of battery waste and meeting EPR obligations becomes critical. PeakAmp’s structured approach to collection, recycling, and compliance will help us build a more transparent, efficient, and sustainable system. We also see strong potential in collaborating on second-life applications and advancing lithium-ion battery innovation together.”