BYD Slashes Vehicle Prices; Launches Revolutionary EV Charging System

With Tesla facing some difficulty due to the geopolitical situation concerned US and its owner, Elon Musk as the man close to US President Donald Trump, it is China’s BYD that has announced lowering of prices of its electric performance passenger vehicles. According to a report in Yahoo News, buyers of BYD electric vehicles will have to spend no more than US$ 10,000 to acquire one for themselves. Not only undercutting domestic competitors BYD seems to be gearing up to undercut its global competitors like Tesla as well. 
Besides announcing that its EVs will start at US$13,688 and feature ‘God’s Eye’ advanced driver assistance system as standard, BYD has also announced a revolutionary charging technology that works nearly as fast as a fill up. The ultra-fast EV charging system includes flash-chargers that can provide a full charge for its latest EVs within five to eight minutes. The time taken is similar to the amount of time needed to fill a fuel tank of an ICE vehicle.
Planning to build more than 4,000 new charging stations across China, the electric vehicle maker has been refining its battery and energy storage technology over time. Expanding its auto empire outside China, the company is known to claim that its one-megawatt flash chargers will provide power for up to 400 km in five minutes.
BYD founder Wang Chuanfu is known to have said in a recent statement that ultra-high voltage and a large current are required to maximise charging speeds. To completely solve users' anxiety over charging, our pursuit is to make the charging time for EVs as short as the refueling time for fuel vehicles, he elaborated. 
Its flash-charging system relies on silicon carbide power chips with voltage levels of up to 1,500-volt. Developed in house, the system works to ultra-fast charge the Blade lithium-ion phosphate batteries found in BYD vehicles. The Blade battery technology of the Chinese company is considered to the world's safest and most efficient. Even Tesla is said to have taken to use blade batteries in some of its EVs, acknowledging its benefits over other battery technologies, sources in the EV industry claim. 
BYD reported a sale of over 4.3 million new energy vehicles last year, up 41 percent when compared to the sale of 1.8 million battery electric vehicles and 2.5 million plug-in hybrids in the corresponding period the year prior. 
In India, BYD unveiled the Sealion range of performance electric cars in January 2025 at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. It has been steadily expanding its reach in the country’s growing EV market, which is dominated in the passenger vehicle space by players like Tata Motors, JSW MG Motors and Hyundai Motor India among a few others. 
 

VIDA Launches Long-Range EVOOTER VX2 Plus 4.4 kWh At INR 143,990

VIDA EVOOTER VX2

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

Xiaomi Sky Nomad

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

EKA 9M Electric School Bus

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.

TVS Motor Company Partners IndianOil For Sustainable LPG Distribution

TVS King Kargo HD

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced a partnership with Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) to support LPG cylinder distribution using the TVS King Kargo HD vehicle range.

The initiative aims to provide commercial mobility solutions for IndianOil's network of over 13,000 LPG distributors across India. The partnership intends to improve the efficiency of last-mile deliveries while supporting the transition to sustainable mobility. By using the TVS King Kargo HD, distributors are expected to reduce operating costs and carbon emissions.

Rajat Gupta, Business Head of Commercial Mobility at TVS Motor Company, said, "At TVS Motor Company, we are focused on building mobility solutions that make everyday business more efficient and sustainable. Our partnership with IndianOil Corporation Limited brings together the strength of two trusted organisations to transform last-mile LPG cylinder distribution across the country. Through the TVS King Kargo range, we are enabling distributors with reliable, high-performance vehicles that help reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and support cleaner operations. This collaboration is another step towards making sustainable mobility practical, accessible, and impactful for businesses across India.”

V C Asokan, ED, SR & SH-TNSO, Indian Oil Corporation, said, "Indian Oil has consistently been at the forefront of delivering energy solutions that power the nation's growth while embracing sustainability. This initiative represents an important step towards modernising our LPG distribution ecosystem through sustainable mobility solutions. The induction of electric cargo vehicles will help improve fleet productivity, lower operating costs for our distributors, and contribute towards reducing carbon emissions. We believe this engagement will demonstrate how strategic industry partnerships can accelerate India's transition towards greener and more sustainable logistics."