Cummins Group in India, a power solutions technology provider, unveiled a fuel agnostic platform and its diversified range of hydrogen technologies power solutions at Auto Expo 2023 today, in India Expo Mart, Noida, India.

At the product launch event, the company brought its Destination Zero strategy to life by unveiling low zero emission products focused on decarbonisation. According to Cummins, the launch event was presided by senior officials from Cummins Inc and India where the leadership team reinforced that Cummins is actively working to transition its customers to products that ultimately eliminate carbon emission and will have the right products to serve customers throughout the transition. 

Speaking at the launch event, Ashwath Ram, Managing Director, Cummins Group in India, said, “We share India’s vision of ‘Energy for Sustainable Growth’ and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070. With a promising combination of our strong, global technological expertise and our deep understanding of the India market due to our 60+ year legacy, we are well positioned to contribute toward India’s aim of becoming a cleaner and greener ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. We understand that the road transport sector has a major role to play in helping reduce emissions so India can meet its climate goals, and we are deeply committed to play our part in powering the nation’s decarbonisation journey. Our innovation can be seen in action through the range of solutions on display at Auto Expo this week, and it reaffirms our commitment to decarbonisation. We will continue to work together with our stakeholders on low carbon and zero emissions solutions that further our shared goal of reducing our carbon footprint on the planet.”

Srikanth Padmanabhan, President – Engine Business, Cummins Inc, said, “Realising a net-zero future will require a range of technologies, and no one understands that better than Cummins. Our Destination Zero strategy considers the significant diversity of applications in our industry. We power some of the world's most demanding and economically vital applications. There is not a single solution or path to zero that will work for all these applications, considering the variation in duty cycles and operating environments and locations. We must advance solutions in a way that secures a sustainable future for the industries that keep the world running. That's why we have developed the broadest range of ultra-low and zero-emission technologies dedicated to the commercial vehicle industry, which is being showcased at the Auto Expo.”

Destination Zero is part of the framework of Cummins’ broader PLANET 2050 environmental sustainability strategy, which also includes a focus on improving the communities the company operates in, and using natural resources in the most responsible way.

Cummins is showcasing its fuel agnostic platform, demonstrating a practical way to reduce emissions now, using technology that OEMs, fleet managers and operators are familiar with. Cummins claims that the fuel-agnostic architecture utilises a common base engine with cylinder heads and fuel systems, specifically tailored to fuel ranging from diesel to natural gas to renewable to natural gas to hydrogen. The platform offers OEMs common engine architecture across multiple fuel types, resulting to a high degree of parts commonality.

At the Auto Expo 2023, the fuel-agnostic platform concept is demonstrated through – 

Move to zero carbon fuel (Innovation in ICE technology – fuel agnostic platform)

• Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (B6.7H engine)
  Cummins states that part of the fuel agnostic platform is what could become the most practical to reaching zero carbon emissions for medium- and heavy-duty truck manufacturers – Cummins’ hydrogen internal combustion B6.7H engine. When paired with green hydrogen, this engine produces zero Well-To-Wheel CO2 emissions. Moreover, it has an industry-leading 700 bar hydrogen tank that enables quick refueling, as per Cummins.
  
  With the B6.7H engine, Cummins has addressed the medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses segment, thus highlighting the technology’s ability to support decarbonisation across multiple duty-cycles.
  
  Immediate shift to low-carbon technology
  
  Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine (CNG/LNG/Bio-CNG) 
  Cummins claims that natural gas engines help lower emissions and reduce a vehicle’s overall environmental impact, without sacrificing the performance needed to get the job done. Natural gas engines are also the most mature, proven and least disruptive alternative power technology available today. According to Cummins, natural gas infrastructure is available and accelerates the government’s vision of increasing natural gas share in energy mix from 6-15 percent by 2030. Significant investments are already planned to build the infrastructure, both on CNG and LNG, and this technology will help achieve the government’s vision.
  
  Cummins states that its B6.7H Natural Gas Internal Combustion Engine is the industry’s first big bore natural gas engine, purpose built to support CO2 emissions reduction in long distance trucking, up to 10 percent Co2 reduction achievable for CNG/LNG over a diesel truck and up to 75 percent Co2 reduction achievable when used with bio-gas, thus improving air quality as per BSVI compliance and capability of Euro VII, too. 
  
  Switching to the latest generation diesel technology
  
  Advanced diesel (B6.7 diesel/Bio-diesel) 
  With a foundation of almost 700,000 Euro VI, low emission engines supplied, Cummins showcased its latest generation advanced diesel platform. As per Cummins, its advanced diesel B6.7 engines give customers the opportunity to reduce emissions, alongside significant improvements in power and torque, as they are built on the industry’s first fuel agnostic platform, compliant to BSVI OBDIII emission norms.
  
  Innovative zero emission solutions
  
  Electrolyzer (for green H2 generation)
  Electrolyzer takes the water as input and splits it into hydrogen and oxygen as output. Cummins claims that when supplied with renewable energy, the H2 generated is called green H2, since the process doesn’t have any carbon footprint. Cummins has supplied and commissioned more than 600 electrolyzers worldwide with PEM and alkaline technologies, it states. The company displayed a modular variant of the state-of-the-art electrolyzer-stack technology at the Auto Expo 2023.
  
  Hydrogen fuel cell
  Cummins’ latest generation fuel cell engine will showcase the rapid evolution of zero emissions technologies. For customers that need and want to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions today, hydrogen fuel cells would be an apt solution when supplied with green H2 as fuel, according to Cummins. Building on the deployments of more than 2,000 fuel cells globally for various applications, including buses, trucks, stationery power and railways, this next generation product provides improved power density, efficiency and durability, and is available in single (rated power - 125kW) and dual module (rated power - 240kW) engines for both medium- and heavy-duty vehicles that can work in diverse working environments from -30 °C to 45 °C, with 60 percent peak efficiency.
  
  Battery-electric technology (Battery-LFP and NMC)
  Drawing on deep duty cycle and application experience, Cummins has developed the new generation battery pack solutions. The company is showcasing multiple batteries that help customers to reach zero emissions today, Cummins claims. These lithium-ion batteries are with distinct chemistries, like lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) that optimise to serve diverse needs of charging time, weight, range and cost economics of a variety of applications in the market. According to Cummins, the batteries are equipped with advanced Battery Management System (BMS) for monitoring various critical battery parameters, diagnostics and improve the battery life and performance.
  
  Electric powertrain technology (14Xe ePowertrain)
  Cummins recently announced its acquisition of Meritor, a global supplier of drivetrain, mobility, braking and electric powertrain technologies. The addition of Meritor strengthens Cummins’ industry-leading range of powertrain components and will enable accelerated development of electrified power solutions. As per Cummins, together with Meritor, they will move further and faster in developing economically viable decarbonised powertrain solutions that advance the company’s Destination Zero strategy.
  
  The 14Xe ePowertrain is designed for scalability and can be adapted to fit various electric powertrain needs based on the vehicle application and duty cycle. Cummins claims that its design provides high-efficiency, lower weight and better turning radius. Thus, it enables longer vehicle range by integrating the motor and transmission into the axle, thereby freeing up space for more batteries.

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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.”

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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.

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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."

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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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