Citroën has joined hands with BluSmart Mobility, a ride-hailing and EV charging service provider, to expand the latter’s all-electric fleet. The two organisations have signed an MoU for the supply of 4,000 ë-C3 units. This follows the initial phase where 125 Citroën ë-C3 were flagged off from BluSmart’s EV charging superhub in Bengaluru.
The new Citroën ë-C3 - all-electric compact SUV will augment BluSmart’s growing fleet of over 7,000 EVs. The Citroën ë-C3 offers a commendable range of 320 kms as per ARAI and features state-of-the-art fast charging technology.
Citroën’s famed Advanced Comfort Program combines intuitive technology and space to offer an elevated ride experience for all passengers. Its spacious interior, coupled with a generous 315-litre boot, caters seamlessly to travellers’ luggage requirements, particularly suiting airport transfers, a significant segment of BluSmart's services.
Shishir Mishra, Brand Director, Citroën India, said, “This collaborative effort between Citroën and BluSmart Mobility signifies a shared vision for a sustainable future in the realm of electric mobility, reaffirming our commitment to shaping a cleaner and greener transportation ecosystem. The ë-C3’s smart design, operational range, fast charging capabilities, and intuitive technology, are both comfortable and practical, making it an attractive proposition for passengers and fleet operators. BluSmart’s foray in the shared electric mobility space is a well applauded initiative that offers convenient and safe urban mobility without any tailpipe emission strengthening our collective mission to decarbonise cities by making EVs mainstream.”
Commenting on the partnership with Citroën, Anmol Jaggi, Co-founder and CEO, BluSmart, mentioned, “Having a shared vision of achieving net-zero mobility, providing premium, reliable and safe ride experience, Citroën is the ideal partner for BluSmart. With the mission to ‘Decarbonise Mobility at Scale’, we are dedicated to constructing a comprehensive EV mobility ecosystem in India, encompassing the nation's largest all-electric ride-hailing service and an extensive network of EV charging superhubs. As more OEMs embrace eMobility, and our fleet size expands, we are poised to address the burgeoning demand for ride-hailing services in Indian megacities while offering riders a diverse range of advanced EVs."
Ohme And Volkswagen Group Info Services AG Deepen EV Charging Integration
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2026
Ohme has announced a new integration with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG, promising easier, smarter and more affordable home charging for electric vehicle drivers across six Volkswagen Group brands. The collaboration extends Ohme’s existing partnership with the Group in UK and Ireland, now offering a dedicated official application programming interface for all Ohme users.
This development allows EV owners to pair their vehicles directly with Ohme home chargers and access near real time readings of the car’s state of charge. Eligible models include those from Volkswagen, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Škoda, SEAT, CUPRA and Audi, ensuring broad coverage across the Group’s portfolio.
Already, more than 100,000 Volkswagen Group customers throughout Europe rely on Ohme to manage home charging. With the new system, these drivers will see their vehicle’s battery status displayed directly in the Ohme app, removing guesswork from the charging process and providing enhanced clarity regarding energy consumption and associated costs.
Lasse Schmidt van Hülst, Lead Sales & Key Account Management, Volkswagen Group Info Services, said, “We’re excited that Ohme is applying Volkswagen Group Charging Data to enhance its charging services. As home electricity tariffs across Europe become smarter and more dynamic, Ohme’s expertise and software means this new integration with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG comes at the perfect time for EV drivers.”
Peter McDonald from Ohme said, “We’re genuinely proud to be extending our partnership with Volkswagen Group Info Services AG in this way. Having direct access to the vehicle state of charge data means our customers get a truly hassle-free charging experience – the app does the hard work, automatically finding the cheapest times to charge. It’s a real statement of where Ohme is heading and underlines its commitment to giving EV drivers the best possible experience.”
ChargeZone And TATA.ev Unveil High-Power Mega Charging Hub At Mumbai-Pune Expressway
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2026
ChargeZone and TATA.ev have launched a co-branded Mega Charging Hub on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, featuring a total capacity of 720 kW. Located at the Khalapur food mall, the facility is designed to support high-speed intercity travel on one of India’s busiest highway corridors.
The hub is the 75th installation under a strategic partnership between ChargeZone and TATA.ev, which aims to deploy over 100 such hubs across the country’s national highways. The Khalapur hub is one of the most powerful public charging installations in India, engineered to minimise wait times during peak travel hours. The facility can charge up to 10 electric vehicles at once. It features five dispensers with 10 charging points. In Boost Mode, it can deliver up to 360 kW for ultra-fast charging.
This launch contributes to ChargeZone’s national footprint of over 15,000 charging points. By positioning the hub at the Khalapur Food Mall, the partners aim to integrate vehicle charging into the existing travel routine.
EV Users will get access to diverse dining options, restrooms and retail facilities while their vehicles charge. TATA.ev customers are eligible for a 25 percent discount on charging tariffs at this station. The hub is open to all EV owners, supporting a wider ecosystem under TATA.ev’s ‘Open Collaboration 2.0’ framework.
Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, ChargeZone, said, “Highway charging is the backbone of intercity electrification, and that backbone needs to be built at scale and built right. The launch of the Mega Charging hub at Khalapur marks a significant milestone in our journey to build a high-power, future-ready EV charging network across India. With a 720 kW capacity, this installation sets a new benchmark for public charging infrastructure in the country. Our focus is on enabling fast, reliable, and seamless intercity EV travel, and this partnership with Tata.ev is a strong step in that direction as we scale across strategic national corridors.”
Vivek Srivatsa, Chief Commercial Officer, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility, added, “As leaders of India’s 4-wheeler electric revolution, at TATA.ev, we are striving to co-create a charging network that is fast, reliable, and accessible. With over 200 active TATA.ev Mega Charging Hubs live across the country, the launch of this new hub with ChargeZone at the Khalapur Food Mall – one of the most frequented pit-stops on the Mumbai–Pune Expressway – marks a key milestone in enabling seamless intercity travel for EV owners. We are confident that collaborations like these will play a defining role in making long-distance EV journeys dependable and convenient.”
The initiative is part of a broader mission by TATA.ev to introduce 500 Mega Charging Hubs and over 400,000 charging points by 2027. By focusing on high-speed corridors like the Mumbai–Pune Expressway, the collaboration seeks to eliminate range anxiety and accelerate the adoption of electric passenger vehicles in India.
Bajaj Auto Rebrands Chetak Portfolio With New C Series And Tech Upgrades
- By MT Bureau
- April 29, 2026
Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has announced a comprehensive overhaul of its Chetak electric scooter lineup, introducing a new ‘C Series’ nomenclature and integrating premium features like Google Maps as standard on its flagship models.
The portfolio is now categorised into three distinct tiers: C 35, C 30 and C 25, with the numbers corresponding to battery capacity (e.g., 3.5 kWh, 3.0 kWh and 2.5 kWh). This strategic move aims to simplify the range while elevating the technological standards of the ‘Fully Lifeproof’ brand.
Bajaj Auto has responded to consumer demand for higher speeds by increasing the top speed across the entire range. The C 35 Series top speed has increased from 73 kmph to 80 kmph, while motor output has also been bumped from 4.5 kW to 4.8 kW.
Similarly, C 30 Series top speed has increased from 63 kmph to 70 kmph. C 25 Series top speed increased from 55 kmph to 60 kmph.
Furthermore, the charging time on the C 30 01 sees a significant reduction in zero to 80 percent, which now takes 2 hours and 55 minutes as compared to approximately 4 hours earlier.
The highlight of the MY 2026 upgrade is the deep integration of navigation and software support. Based on user feedback, Bajaj Auto has integrated Google Maps for a more intuitive navigation experience.
Ride Modes (Sports and Eco) and Hill Hold Assist, which were previously part of the paid ‘TecPac’ add-on, are now standard across the C 35 and C 30 series.
The C 35 models now support Over-the-Air (OTA) updates, allowing for remote performance optimisations and feature additions without visiting a service centre.
Eric Vas, President, Urbanite Business at Bajaj Auto, said, "With the flagship C 35 01, we are delivering the full extent of these advancements — combining stronger performance, more intuitive connectivity through Google Maps, and the added convenience of riding modes and hill-hold now offered as built-in features."
Hyundai Motor India Launches Updated IONIQ 5 With 690km Range At INR 5.57 Million
- By MT Bureau
- April 28, 2026
Hyundai Motor India Limited has introduced the updated IONIQ 5, featuring a larger battery pack and a suite of technological upgrades designed to extend the vehicle's driving range and functional capabilities.
The new Hyundai IONIQ 5 is priced at an ex-showroom rate of INR 5.57 million and is available in four colour options – Gravity Gold Matte, Midnight Black Pearl, Titan Grey and Optic White – all featuring an Obsidian Black interior theme.
The updated model is now equipped with an 84.0 kWh battery, providing an ARAI-certified range of 690 km on a single charge. This update focuses on reducing range anxiety for long-distance travel while maintaining the vehicle's position on the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
The updated IONIQ 5 introduces several first-time features for the model in the Indian market, including a Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) and Controller Over-the-Air (C-OTA) updates, which allow for seamless software improvements. It now supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A new in-car payment system enables users to pay for electric vehicle charging directly through the infotainment screen. The EV receives redesigned front and rear bumpers, a new rear spoiler and updated alloy wheels to enhance its aerodynamic profile.
On the inside, the cabin features a redesigned centre console with physical controls for ventilated seats and a revised wireless charging pad location for improved accessibility.
Hyundai has expanded the vehicle's safety suite with the addition of Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist – Rear (PCA-R) and Side Parking Distance Warning (PDW). These features complement the existing safety architecture to provide better protection during low-speed manoeuvres.
Tarun Garg, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “With the introduction of the new Hyundai IONIQ 5, we are building on this strong foundation by offering meaningful product upgrades that enhance driving range, technology and everyday convenience. These enhancements further strengthen the IONIQ 5’s appeal as a premium, future ready electric SUV.”
The vehicle continues to support ultra-fast charging capabilities, consistent with its E-GMP architecture, aimed at the premium electric SUV segment in India.
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