It’s been sometime that Donut Lab has been working on producing a battery that will address the challenging needs of EVs better than other batteries have been able to do. Claiming to be the world’s first solid-state battery ready for production vehicles measured in independent testing conditions, the company has released its third test result that dispels any suspicions that the battery would be a supercapacitor rather than a battery.
The results measure the properties of its solid-state battery, evaluating its ability to retain charge when not in use. Available for download on its site, the third and most recent test follows two other tests that looked at charging speed (the test was conducted by Technology Re) using two passive cooling configurations and evaluation of capacity performance of the battery cell in hot conditions (by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland). 
The test measuring the battery’s ability to retain charge even when not in use was carried out using a simple research setup. It was connected at room temperature to the research laboratory’s battery tester, which repeatedly measured the cell voltage every 10 seconds. Like the previous test that measured battery performance at very high temperatures, this test also began with a 1C capacity test, demonstrating that the cell was precisely the same as the other test examples.
 
After the capacity test, the battery cell was charged to approximately 50 percent charge and left connected to the battery tester for ten days. The cell was then discharged to measure the remaining energy capacity. The results show that the battery cell voltage stabilises during the first 10 hours after charging. Over the next nine or so days, the voltage curve continues to stabilise. A capacity test at the end of the test period confirmed that the voltage drop corresponds to the amount of energy in watt-hours.
The Donut Battery behaved in the test exactly as a battery should. If the test had been performed with a supercapacitor, the charge would have fallen linearly much faster during the same time period.
“Since we unveiled the Donut Battery, there has been a lot of speculation and theories about whether it is a supercapacitor. In all its simplicity, this test proves that it is a battery. Supercapacitors charge and discharge quickly, but they also lose their charge quickly when not in use. The Donut Battery behaves like a battery and can maintain a charge for significantly longer,” confirmed Ville Piippo, CTO, Donut Lab.
After the third test mentioned above, Donut Lab has carried out a special test to measure battery performance in a battery pack using the Verge TS Pro motorcycle that charges in less than ten minutes, making it the world's fastest-charging electric motorcycle.
 

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Kinetic Watts & Volts Ltd. (KWV) is pivoting towards overseas markets as a core pillar of its next-phase development, even as its domestic electric two-wheeler operations gain steady traction. The company has identified a diverse slate of nations for potential entry, with Turkey representing its European gateway; Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh forming the immediate neighbourhood cluster and Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt making up the African contingent. Each of these regions is being studied for its unique demand dynamics and policy readiness.

The overseas move is not an abrupt shift but a calculated progression from the brand’s current domestic momentum. Preliminary work is underway to map regulatory hurdles, gauge local consumer preferences and identify suitable channel partners who can facilitate a smooth market entry. The objective is not merely to export vehicles but to establish self-sustaining commercial operations tailored to each territory’s specific mobility needs.

Back home, the retail network is expanding at a notable clip, with 45 exclusive showrooms already operational and another 40 slated to go live within the next eight weeks. Additionally, the company has circulated 150 Letters of Intent to prospective dealers, pointing to a high level of trade interest and a strengthening belief in the brand’s long-term viability within the competitive EV space.

To drive this dual-pronged expansion, Kinetic has brought in Makarand Joshi, a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience introducing Indian automotive products across Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. His background covers two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and farm equipment, giving him a broad perspective on distribution challenges and cross-border business scaling. As the domestic network solidifies, Joshi’s expertise will be directed towards converting the assessed international opportunities into tangible operational realities.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Kinetic Watts and Volts Ltd., said, “Kinetic Watts and Volts has always been a brand built around innovation, accessibility and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of mobility. As we enter the next phase of our electric mobility journey, international markets represent an important opportunity for Kinetic Watts & Volts. Our products are built in India for the world, with a strong focus on delivering accessible, reliable and contemporary electric mobility solutions that can cater to diverse markets. We are now focused on identifying the right markets, partnerships and opportunities to take the Kinetic EV proposition global.

“Our domestic expansion provides a strong foundation for this next phase. With 45 exclusive showrooms already operational, another 40 expected to come online in the next two months and 150 Letters of Intent issued, we are seeing encouraging interest in the Kinetic EV proposition. As we scale our presence in India, we are simultaneously building the capabilities, partnerships and market understanding required to establish Kinetic as a global electric mobility brand.”

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OHM Global Mobility, the strategic electric mobility subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, has expanded its electric bus operations in Chennai with the launch of 130 air-conditioned electric buses. The e-buses were introduced under Phase 2 of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) electric bus programme.

The initial batch was flagged off at the Secretariat by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, alongside Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Transport Secretary Nirmal Raj and MTC Managing Director D. Mohan.

Under the Phase 2 contract, OHM will supply and operate a total of 500 electric buses manufactured by Ashok Leyland's electric vehicle subsidiary, Switch. The initial deployment follows the Phase 1 implementation in Chennai, during which OHM buses completed over 30 million kilometres and achieved a schedule adherence rate exceeding 99 percent across operational depots.

Brijesh Gubbi Suresh, CEO, OHM Global Mobility, said, “The launch of the first 130 buses under Phase 2 marks an important milestone in Chennai’s transition towards sustainable public transportation. Our experience in Phase 1, including crossing 30 million green kilometres and achieving 99 percent-plus schedule adherence across our depots, demonstrates that sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand. We are proud to build on this foundation with MTC and contribute to a cleaner, quieter and more comfortable public transport experience for the people of Chennai.”

The expansion will see OHM continue to manage fleet operations, vehicle maintenance, and mobility-as-a-service provisions across the city's transport network as additional units enter service under the Phase 2 agreement.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has launched Konarc e-scooter line built on its EL platform, unveiled during the fourth edition of Ather Community Day 2026. The e-scooter will be available in six variants split between the S and Z product lines.

The Konarc lineup features Indian Driving Cycle range options spanning 100 km, 125 km, 161 km and 200 km across its S line variants, while the Z line includes 125 km and 161 km configurations.

Pricing for the model begins at INR 99,999 for the Konarc S 100 km variant, INR 121,999 for the Konarc S 125 km, and INR 144,999 for the Konarc S 161 km, effective ex-showroom Bengaluru. Bookings and phased deliveries for select variants begin in mid-September 2026.

The EV utilises a steel unibody chassis, metal rear side panels, a sequential gear-drive transmission, a 14-inch front alloy wheel, a 12-inch rear alloy wheel and a 1,352 mm wheelbase.

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Konarc has been designed to make EVs mainstream in India. We have understood the needs of the vast majority of buyers who are still waiting to go electric and have engineered Konarc for them. Be it the metal panels, 200 km range, once-a-year service interval, fast home charging, or the plush and comfortable ride, we have pushed the envelope on every fundamental that matters to this buyer, without compromising on the premium experience and advanced technology that Ather is known for. Konarc has also been designed to scale, and with the vertical integration and manufacturing capacity we are building at AURIC, we can take the Ather experience to many more riders and markets across India.”

Just like its other product line, Ather Energy has ensured Konarc remains a power packed product in terms of both software and hardware features. It gets Advanced Electronic Braking System, which dynamically regulates braking force modulation between front and rear wheels via software. Additional functionalities comprise MagicKey keyless operation with proximity unlocking, AutoPop automated under-seat storage opening and AirWalk motor-assisted manual pushing.

Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Ather has spent over a decade building its technology and engineering capabilities. We started working on software-led braking, fast charging and connected scooter experiences well before they became expected in the market. That head start matters because it gives us the experience to integrate these technologies deeply into the vehicle and bring the engineering depth we have built over the years to a much larger set of riders. AeBS™, MagicKey, AutoPop and AirWalk are examples of that approach, each designed to make everyday riding more effortless.”

The vehicle carries an integrated onboard charger, with an optional 450W offboard unit enabling combined 900W charging. Ather has set the service interval at 10,000 km or one year, alongside introducing a 10-year or 100,000 km warranty for its fifth-generation Bedrock battery pack, guaranteeing a minimum 70 percent battery state of health.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has launched the S1Z e-scooter line, introducing the company's indigenously developed 46 series Bharat Cell lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology to the vehicle market.

The battery cells are developed at Ola’s Battery Innovation Centre and manufactured at the Ola Gigafactory.

The e-scooter is offered in two battery capacity options: a 3.1 kWh variant priced at an introductory INR 79,999 and a 5.1 kWh variant listed at INR 99,999 ex-showroom. The 3.1 kWh model has a claimed certified range of up to 179 kilometres, while the 5.1 kWh configuration provides up to 301 kilometres.

The S1Z runs on 12-inch wheels, operates on the MoveOS 5 software platform and includes features such as cruise control, regenerative braking, reverse mode, GPS tracking and over-the-air (OTA) updates.

It will also serve as the initial vehicle line distributed through Ola Electric's newly established dealer-operated store network alongside its direct-to-consumer locations. Deliveries for the 3.1 kWh model will begin in December 2026, followed by the 5.1 kWh model in March 2027.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Ola Electric, said, "The true measure of innovation of our indigenous Bharat Cell LFP technology is how quickly it reaches everyday Indians. The S1Z delivers on that promise. It is the first scooter range to bring our made-in-India LFP technology to the heart of the market, where millions of customers make their mobility decisions. We believe affordability shouldn’t mean settling for less. As we continue building India's EV ecosystem from cell to vehicle, products like the S1Z will play a critical role in taking our mission of bringing EVs to every Indian household."

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