Defying Tariffs, China Extends Lead Over Japan In Vehicle Exports

Defying Tariffs, China Extends Lead Over Japan In Vehicle Exports

The automotive export figures released at the close of October 2024 indicate that China has increased its lead over Japan, defying tariffs. After achieving a lead in 2023, China expanded its export gap throughout 2024 by meeting international standards and by addressing key market opportunities.

Capturing much attention, China’s automotive exports have given the Asian country a significant lead over Japan, which held the title of the world's largest vehicle exporter for nearly five decades until last year.

China exported 5.22 million vehicles in 2023, out numbering Japan’s vehicle exports at 4.42 million units. Between January 2024 and September 2024, China exported 4.7 million units. Japan, on the other hand, shipped 3.06 million units.

While Japan’s vehicle exports declined by four percent in the period between January 2024 and September 2024, China’s vehicle exports grew by a good 26.7 percent year-on-year.

The factors that are said to have contributed to a rise in vehicle exports by China are an outlook for new opportunities the world over against a saturating domestic market. The other reason is the significant uptick in electric vehicle adoption at 38.6 percent.

Chinese companies like BYD have found a strong hold in export markets of Europe despite tariffs. This Chinese electric vehicle company has smartly moved up in valuation as compared to Tesla of USA.

Increasingly aligning with international demand, Chinese vehicular exports have come to include competitively priced SUVs and technologically advanced EVs that rival European and US counterparts in quality and appeal.

What is perhaps very interesting is how China's export reach has shifted in the last few years. From focusing on Africa and less-developed regions, Chinese automakers have come to target higher-income, densely populated countries in other continents to ensure a significant export growth.

EVs clearly remain a stronghold, accounting for a substantial chunk of the export volume. The Asian country exported 1.77 million EVs in 2023. This accounted for over 30 percent of its total vehicle exports.

The first nine months of 2024 saw EV exports from China accounting for 1.524 million units, representing 32.4 percent of all auto exports – a 22 percent increase from the same period last year.

Among the export markets that Chinese vehicle manufacturers have targeted are in Europe, Asia, Central and South America and the Middle East.

To counter tariffs, Chinese vehicle manufacturers are luring buyers in the overseas markets by providing cost-effective, feature-rich vehicles interestingly.

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Euler Motors And Jio-bp Partner To Expand EV Charging Infrastructure

Euler Motors - Jio-bp

Euler Motors and Jio-bp have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across logistics hubs in India. The agreement aims to improve charging accessibility for commercial fleet operators and users.

The partnership was formalised on 6 February 2026 by Rubin Pather, Jio-bp Head of Electric Mobility and Ashish Tandon, Global Head of Customer Excellence at Euler Motors.

The collaboration focuses on supporting Euler Motors’ recently launched models, the Euler TURBO EV 1000 and Euler Storm EV. Jio-bp, which operates nearly 7,000 charge points across 1,000 locations, will work with Euler Motors to:

  • Identify Business Hubs: Use data to locate fleet-heavy areas with high charging demand for infrastructure deployment.
  • Facilitate Site Hosting: Euler Motors will introduce Jio-bp to fleet customers interested in hosting charging stations.
  • Energy Transition: Jio-bp will utilise its Trans-Connect platform to introduce its fleet customer base to Euler Motors’ vehicle offerings.

Jio-bp currently operates 480 kW chargers equipped with liquid-cooled guns. The partnership is designed to align this charging network with cargo mobility solutions to improve vehicle uptime and asset utilisation for operators.

Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, Jio-bp, said, “India’s transition towards sustainable mobility requires strong collaboration between vehicle innovation and energy infrastructure. Our partnership with Euler Motors represents a shared commitment to accelerating the electrification of commercial logistics, a segment that will play a decisive role in reducing urban emissions and improving freight efficiency. By combining Jio-bp’s growing EV charging ecosystem with Euler Motors’ purpose-built electric cargo vehicles, we aim to support India’s evolving mobility needs while contributing meaningfully to the country’s low-carbon future.”

Akshay Wadhwa, CEO, Jio-bp, added, “At Jio-bp, we are focused on building a dependable, high-performance charging network that supports the operational realities of commercial EV fleets. Our collaboration with Euler Motors allows us to align Jio-bp pulse charging infrastructure with specialised electric cargo mobility solutions that are rapidly scaling across urban logistics. Together, we are enabling fleet operators to transition confidently to electric mobility by delivering reliable charging access, optimised uptime, and enhanced operating efficiency, further strengthening India’s EV ecosystem.”

Ashish Tandon, Global Head of Customer Excellence, Euler Motors, added, “This MoU brings together two committed partners focused on addressing key challenges of charging accessibility for commercial EVs. Through shared insights and coordinated efforts, we aim to deliver impactful business solution for our customers and contribute to strengthening EV ecosystem.”

Gaurav Kumar, Director - Board, Euler Motors, said, “Scaling electric mobility in the commercial vehicle segment requires charging infrastructure to grow in step with vehicle deployment. For fleet operators, access to fast, reliable charging at high-demand logistics hubs directly impacts uptime, asset utilisation and operating economics. Our partnership with Jio-bp reflects a shared focus on building this critical infrastructure backbone, enabling fleet operators to transition to electric mobility with greater confidence and efficiency across India.”

Greaves Electric Mobility Sets Record With Kolli Hills Ascent

Greaves Electric

Greaves Electric Mobility (GEML) has been recognised by the Asia Book of Records as the first electric two-wheeler brand to ascend Kolli Hills in Tamil Nadu. The route consists of 70 hairpin bends and is utilised as a testing ground for vehicle endurance and gradient performance.

The record attempt took place on 7 January 2026 with the Ampere Nexus e-scooter completing the ascent from Belukurichi to the summit in 22 minutes and 10 seconds. Asia Book of Records officials validated the achievement on the same day.

The ascent was used to validate the company's engineering for diverse riding conditions, including steep gradients and sustained load cycles.

  • Battery Technology: Utilises LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry, designed to operate in temperatures ranging from –40deg C to 60deg C.
  • Chassis: Constructed from high-tensile steel with a dual-frame design for balance during continuous cornering.
  • Powertrain: Features a motor tuned for instant torque on climbs and regenerative braking for descents.
  • Software: Includes traction control systems to manage slippery surfaces.

Greaves Electric Mobility currently operates in India and Nepal, with an emerging presence in Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Africa. The company stated that the Kolli Hills milestone demonstrates the capability of electric two-wheelers to perform beyond urban environments.

Vikas Singh, Managing Director, Greaves Electric Mobility, said, “India’s riding conditions are among the most demanding in the world, and our approach has always been to engineer electric vehicles that are built for Bharat, not just for ideal test environments. The Kolli Hills ascent is a real-world validation of that philosophy. The Ampere Nexus combines safe and durable LFP battery technology with a robust dual-frame chassis that is designed to handle steep gradients, repeated cornering, and sustained load conditions. Achievements like this reaffirm our focus on building electric mobility solutions that can perform reliably across tough terrains.”

Omega Seiki Mobility Enters Electric Two-Wheeler Segment With OSM Vextra At INR 99,900

OSM Vextra

Omega Seiki Mobility (OSM) has launched its first high-speed electric two-wheeler, the OSM Vextra, at INR 99,900. The e-scooter marks the company’s transition from commercial electric vehicles into the personal urban mobility sector.

The company stated that Vextra is designed for daily commuting and professional use, featuring a top speed of 70 kmph and a claimed real-world range of over 110 km. OSM will utilise its network of more than 200 dealerships to distribute the vehicle across Tier I, II and III cities in India.

The e-scooter is powered by a 3 kW BLDC hub motor and a 3.45 kWh IP67-rated LMFP battery. It offers a gradeability of 12 degrees, allowing for performance on inclines and flyovers. The company claims a zero to 80 percent charge in 4 hours and a full-charge in 5 hours. It features a 3.5-inch colour LCD instrument cluster that displays battery charge and distance to empty data.

The OSM Vextra is manufactured at the company’s facility in Faridabad, which has an annual production capacity of 25,000 units. In addition to domestic sales, OSM plans to export the model to African markets. The company has also indicated plans to develop an electric motorcycle specifically for the Middle East and Africa.

Dr Uday Narang, Founder & Chairman, Omega Seiki Mobility, said, “At Omega Seiki Mobility, our goal has always been to democratise clean mobility with products that are practical, reliable and future-ready. With the launch of OSM Vextra, we are entering the fast-speed two-wheeler segment with a vehicle that balances performance, range, and affordability. Vextra reflects our commitment to build technology-led electric vehicles for everyday India – not just for metros, but for Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities where efficient mobility can truly transform lives and livelihoods.”

Gaurav Kumar, Vice-President of Strategy and Operations (2 Wheeler Business), Omega Seiki Mobility, added, “OSM Vextra represents our vision for the future of everyday mobility in India. It has been designed around how people really live, work, and move in our cities. By blending intelligent technology, refined comfort, and sustainable efficiency into one platform, we want to create an electric riding experience that feels effortless, dependable, and inspiring for the next generation of urban commuters and professionals.”

Polestar Upgrades Public Charging Offer Across Europe

Polestar Upgrades Public Charging Offer Across Europe

Swedish electric performance car brand Polestar is significantly enhancing the public charging experience for its European drivers through a series of integrated services. Central to this effort is the Polestar Charge app, which now provides streamlined access to an extensive network of more than one million charging points, positioning it as one of the continent's most comprehensive systems. A key feature simplifying this process is Plug & Charge technology, which automates authentication and payment when connecting to compatible stations, offering a seamless experience at nearly a thousand locations in the UK alone.

Further expanding convenience, Polestar has become an early adopter in fully incorporating Tesla Superchargers directly into its own app and vehicle systems. This integration allows drivers to locate, access and utilise over 20,000 Superchargers across Europe without needing separate applications. Real-time availability for these stations is displayed within the car’s native Google Maps navigation, aiding in efficient route and charging stop planning.

The network itself combines major cross-border operators like IONITY, Fastned and Total with regional providers, ensuring wide coverage. For users seeking added value, a subscription option offers reduced rates at more than 80,000 fast-charging points from dozens of operators. The service's popularity is reflected in its rapidly growing user base, which saw a 30 percent rise to over 45,000 users by 2025. Together, these developments create a cohesive and user-focused charging ecosystem for Polestar owners.

Olivier Loedel, Head – Product Software Management, Polestar, said, “With Polestar Charge, we give our customers access to one of the biggest charging networks in Europe. By expanding Plug & Charge and fully integrating Tesla Superchargers, we’re improving our premium seamless charging experience even further. Our strong charging offer, integrated with the in-car navigation in Google Maps, sets us apart from many competitors.”