India’s electric mobility transition is entering a decisive phase with public transportation emerging as the flagship for decarbonisation. At the 4th East and Northeast Energy Conclave held in Kolkata, A.K. Saxena, Senior Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), laid out an ambitious yet structured roadmap for how electric vehicles—particularly electric buses—can catalyse a cleaner, more inclusive transport future for India’s eastern and northeastern regions.

The event, organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, brought together policymakers, energy sector leaders and infrastructure experts to deliberate on regional energy transition strategies. Saxena’s keynote address stood out for its clarity on India’s electric mobility outlook, emphasising that public transport electrification must lead the charge.

Data-driven rollout in Kolkata

TERI’s work with the West Bengal Transport Corporation served as a case in point. The state aims to deploy 1,200 electric buses in Kolkata and Saxena revealed how technology and granular data are at the heart of this transformation. “We carried out a comprehensive traffic survey using GIS mapping and drone analytics to understand routes, congestion points and energy demand,” Saxena said. The insights helped identify optimal locations for EV charging infrastructure across the city.

The approach reflects a broader shift in India’s energy planning—from top-down mandates to data-driven micro-planning. Saxena emphasised that charging infrastructure is not just about installation but about siting, access, demand forecasting and grid-readiness. “The efficiency of public EV fleets hinges on planning that is grounded in real-world usage patterns,” he noted.

National push

In tandem with regional projects, the event also marked the launch of a new EV web portal and a short film on decarbonising public transport, both developed by TERI. These tools aim to enhance public awareness, empower local governments and standardise best practices.

Saxena pointed to TERI’s development of the e-Amrit portal for NITI Aayog—a national dashboard for EV adoption—as another example of institutional capacity-building in the e-mobility space. The platform offers guidance on EV incentives, vehicle types, charging options and ecosystem partners. “Digital platforms like e-Amrit can help streamline decision-making for city planners, fleet operators and even individual consumers,” Saxena added.

Broader energy transition

But Saxena was clear that electric mobility cannot be addressed in isolation, it must be integrated into a larger energy transition framework. He pointed out that e-mobility needs to be powered by clean, renewable energy and not simply displace tailpipe emissions with upstream fossil fuel usage.

“India must ensure that new incremental energy demand from EVs is met through renewables plus storage, not coal,” he said. TERI’s own roadmap recommends phasing out inefficient coal plants and meeting new demand growth through clean sources, particularly solar, wind and hydro.

Battery storage and pumped hydro have been prioritised as key enablers, especially for regions with variable renewables and peak demand mismatches. Saxena cited examples such as the Purulia and Turga pumped storage plants in West Bengal and Aparindavati in Odisha as vital to integrating e-mobility sustainably.

Coordinated ecosystem

One of Saxena’s boldest proposals was the formation of an East and Northeast Energy Transition Council. This cross-state platform would allow for better coordination between utilities, transport agencies and regulators. He argued that states like Odisha, Bihar, Assam and West Bengal can benefit from collaborative planning, especially on issues like charging infrastructure interoperability, storage strategy and renewable energy synergies.

He also floated the idea of setting up solar parks and EV charging corridors specifically tailored for intercity public transport routes. “Kolkata to Bhubaneswar or Guwahati to Shillong could become future-ready with fast-charging lanes,” Saxena said.

On the urban distribution front, Saxena advocated for the creation of distribution system operators (DSOs), specialised agencies tasked with managing decentralised energy flows including bi-directional EV charging, rooftop solar integration and grid balancing. “With vehicle-to-grid technologies on the horizon, the distribution system can no longer be passive,” he asserted.

Inclusive transition

Saxena closed his remarks with a reminder that India’s energy transition must be socially just and inclusive. Electrification of transport must not leave behind regions dependent on fossil fuels or traditional automotive sectors.

“Coal mining communities and internal combustion engine industries must be given retraining opportunities, livelihood alternatives and transition finance,” he said. Public transport electrification, he argued, presents an opportunity not only to cut emissions but to create green jobs, especially in battery servicing, EV manufacturing and smart infrastructure installation.

He acknowledged that the economics of EVs, especially in public fleets, may not yet be universally favourable. “But if we keep waiting for perfect conditions, the transition will remain academic,” Saxena said. “At some point, bold decisions have to be made.”

As India eyes near-universal e-mobility by 2040, Saxena’s remarks offered a realistic yet optimistic roadmap. The push to decarbonise public transport backed by smart tools, local data and clean energy is not just about vehicles. It is about shaping cities that are cleaner, healthier and more equitable for the future.

And in the alleys and arteries of Kolkata, India’s next mobility revolution may already be taking shape.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), the two-wheeler subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan, has begun the production of its first electric scooter, the Suzuki e-Access at its Gurgaon plant, India.

Showcased at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, the Suzuki e-Access marks the company’s debut in the electric two-wheeler segment in the country.

The Suzuki e-Access features a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, regenerative braking, belt drive system and the Suzuki Drive Mode Selector-e (SDMS-e) for different riding modes (Eco mode, Ride mode A, Ride mode B) along with reverse function. The company stated to ensure reliability it has undertaken various tests such as submersion, temperature extremes, drops, vibrations, motor bench, puncture and crush tests.

The Japanese automaker is also actively engaging with its existing dealership network to be fully EV-ready across the country. It has begun supporting dealerships with trained technical personnel and dedicated service infrastructure to meet the unique requirements of electric two-wheeler customers.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Ola Electric has announced that it has commenced deliveries for its Roadster X portfolio of motorcycles.

The Roadster X series was introduced in February 2025 and features mid-drive motor, chain drive, integrated MCU and flat cables in the motorcycles, which the company stated is an industry-first innovation. These cables improve packaging efficiency, reduce weight, and enhance thermal performance, improving overall durability and reliability.

The e-motorcycle features first-in-segment patented brake-by-wire technology with single ABS and smart MoveOS 5 features such as advanced regeneration, cruise control and reverse mode. The battery system is IP67 waterproof and dust-proof certified, features advanced wire bonding technology and has a serviceable Battery Management System (BMS) enabling easy maintenance.

The Roadster X series can be had with prices starting INR 99,999, INR 1,09,999 and INR 124,999 for the Roadster X 2.5kWh, 3.5kWh and 4.5 kWh, respectively. Roadster X+ 4.5kWh is priced at INR 129,999, while the Roadster X+ 9.1kWh (with 4680 Bharat Cell) that comes with a claimed range of 501 km/charge, is priced at INR 199,999.

The first 5,000 customers will get an extended warranty, MoveOS+ and an essential Care Free Plan benefit worth INR 10,000 as part of its Ride the Future Campaign.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman and MD, Ola Electric, said, "Scooters were just the beginning. The Roadster X is a bold leap marking our entry into the motorcycling segment. The Roadster X is designed, engineered and built in India, for a generation that wants to ride the bike of the future. With deliveries starting today, the Roadster X would unlock the true potential of EVs in two-wheeler category, accelerating EV adoption and penetration to #EndICEAge.”

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Chinese technology company Xiaomi has officially launched its first electric SUV, the YU7, a high-performance luxury model built entirely from the ground up. Positioned as a premium mid-to-large-size SUV, the YU7 sports a distinctive silhouette with dimensions of 4,999 mm (L) x 1,996 mm (W) x 1,600 mm (H) and a 3,000 mm wheelbase.

It features a 3:1 wheel-to-body ratio and a 0.245 drag coefficient, which it claims is class-leading among sports SUVs. The vehicle is marked by an expansive 3.11 metre aluminium clamshell bonnet, 141-litre front trunk, and optional 275 mm rear tyres.

Signature design touches include revamped ‘waterdrop’ LED headlights with integrated air channels and ultra-red rear taillights. Flush-mounted door handles enhance aerodynamic performance and aesthetics.

The YU7 is powered by the upgraded Xiaomi HyperEngine V6s Plus, the dual-motor, all-wheel-drive variant delivers a staggering 690 PS, 0–100 kmph in 3.23 seconds, and a top speed of 253 kmph. The vehicle is supported by an 800V high-voltage architecture enabling rapid charging – 10 percent to 80 percent in just 12 minutes.

The range-topping Max variant comes with a 101.7 kWh battery and a 770 km CLTC range, while the entry-level Standard variant leads its class with 835 km from a 96.3 kWh battery.

The YU7 rides on a high-spec chassis featuring front double wishbones, rear five-link suspension, continuous damping control and dual-chamber air springs with five adjustable ride heights. It achieves a class-competitive 5.7-metre turning radius and a 33.9-metre braking distance from 100 kmph.

On the inside, Xiaomi introduces the industry-first HyperVision Panoramic Display, projecting a 1.1-metre-wide triple Mini LED interface across the windshield. Additional features include dual zero-gravity front seats with massage functions, power-reclining rear seats, OEKO-TEX Class 1-certified soft-touch materials, and a 1.7 metre panoramic sunroof.

Built on the Modena platform, the YU7 features an armour-cage steel-aluminium hybrid body and introduces 2200 MPa ultra-high strength steel – the strongest in mass production – across critical safety zones. Advanced structural enhancements and over 50 crash tests ensure class-leading passive safety.

Xiaomi’s next-gen E/E Architecture integrates four core domain controllers and runs on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and NVIDIA DRIVE AGX Thor platforms. Standard across all variants are LiDAR, 4D millimetre-wave radar, 11 HD cameras and 12 ultrasonic sensors, delivering robust assisted driving capabilities.

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TVS Motor Company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with OOR Cabs Pvt Ltd, a technology-driven mobility platform, for the supply of 500 TVS King EV MAX electric three-wheelers during FY2025-26. 
The e-vehicles will be deployed across the state of Tamil Nadu to aid eco-friendly intra-city passenger travel. Trichy will be the first city in the state to get them. The deployment will be progressively expanded to Madurai and Coimbatore as part of the OOR Cabs fleet. The inclusion of the TVS King EV Max electric three-wheelers underlines the commitment of both the parties towards a cleaner, more efficient transportation. 
Offering a range of 179 km on a singe charge, the electric passenger three-wheeler is laced with a quick charging capability. It is spacious and ergonomically designed. Customised in line with OOR Cab’s vision of delivering an enhanced passenger experience, the TVS electric passenger three-wheelers, as part of OOR’s new EV fleet, will also feature on-board drinking water facilities for passengers, thermal insulation on the vehicle roof for improved in-cabin comfort and mobile charging ports.  
Rajat Gupta, Business Head – Commercial Mobility, TVS Motor Company, said regarding the development: “We are delighted to partner with OOR Cabs in accelerating the shift towards green mobility in India. The TVS King EV MAX has been engineered for high performance, that provides superior rider comfort and makes it an ideal choice for OOR Cabs’ vision of redefining urban transportation. Through this collaboration, we aim to empower driver-partners and provide sustainable, efficient mobility solutions to customers across Tamil Nadu.”
Maria Issac, CEO OOR Cabs, expressed, “OOR Cabs is driven by a mission to provide seamless, sustainable, and customer-centric mobility solutions. Our collaboration with TVS Motor Company, a trusted leader in electric vehicle innovation, enables us to elevate the passenger experience while reducing our carbon footprint. With a vision to expand our fleet to 500 electric vehicles this year, we are proud to kick-start the journey with TVS Motor Company, whose product and engineering capabilities match our high standards. Together, we are enabling more eco-friendly, reliable, and comfortable commuting options for cities like Trichy, Madurai, and Coimbatore.”

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