Epsilon Advanced Materials (EAM) and Daejoo Electronic Materials (Daejoo), have announced a joint development program to develop a silicon-graphite composite (graphite-rich) by combining Epsilon’s graphite and Daejoo’s silicon material.

The Mumbai-headquartered Epsilon Advanced Materials is a leading global manufacturer of environmentally conscious lithium-ion battery (LiB) anode and cathode materials. While South Korea-based Daejoo is one of the leading global producers of silicon anode materials for lithium-ion battery (LiB).

The partners plan to develop a product that outperforms current material technology used in LiB, delivering enhanced performance and efficiency. The companies state that Japanese trading company Nagase played a role in enabling the partnership.

The partners have set an ambitious target to develop Gen-1 Graphite rich silicon composite anode materials for LiB with capacity of 450 - 600 mAh/g, which they say will improve discharge capacity by 50 percent and lifespan of the battery by thousands of cycles.

As per the understanding, EAM will supply synthetic graphite, which will be used to create and evaluate SiOx-graphite composites in Daejoo’s laboratories. On the other hand, Daejoo will provide samples for the same purpose, allowing EAM to tailor and test SiOx-graphite composites in its own labs.

They aim to qualify the SiOx-graphite composite materials with their customers to develop innovative products. According to EAM’s current schedule, the first stage development and evaluation of the SiOx-Graphite composite material is expected to be completed by end-2024 and then explore the material qualification with cell manufacturers jointly. 

Vikram Handa, MD, Epsilon Group, said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with one of the world's leading producers of silicon anode materials to develop revolutionary battery material technology. This collaboration shows our dedication to accelerating India's and global transition to clean energy and sustainable mobility. Through continuous R&D efforts like these, we are committed to pioneering advancements in battery innovation. Upon successful completion of our rigorous in-house evaluation processes, we will be well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the mobility industry by providing high-performance, safe battery solutions.”

Dae Woon Park, MD, Daejoo Electronic Materials, said, “This partnership marks a significant step forward in our mission to innovate and enhance battery performance. Collaborating with EAM, not only strengthens our presence in the rapidly growing Indian market but also aligns with our global strategy of developing advanced materials tailored to the diverse needs of customers and the market. With EAM, we aim to develop cutting-edge battery materials that will drive sustainable progress and deliver unparalleled value to our customers and stakeholders.”

It is interesting to note that the silicon-graphite battery materials representing a significant advancement in lithium-ion battery technology. It combines the high capacity of silicon with the stability of graphite, which offers a superior alternative to traditional graphite anodes, meeting the increasing demands for higher performance, longer life, and fast charging in modern battery applications. This makes it well suited for the evolving needs of the automobile industry and other high-power demand sectors.

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Tesla has announced the commissioning of its first in-mall charging location at Nexus Seawoods in Navi Mumbai. This site provides eight chargers, expanding the company’s charging infrastructure to locations where customers spend time, such as retail destinations and highway rest stops.

The new station, located in the B1 parking area of the mall, features a combination of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) charging options:

V4 Superchargers: Four units providing peak charging speeds of 250 kW. A Model Y can add up to 275 km of range in 15 minutes using this technology.

Destination Chargers: Four units providing 11 kW for standard AC charging.

The charging process is integrated with the Tesla app, which allows owners to navigate to stations, precondition vehicle batteries, monitor stall availability, and complete payments. The company reports a claimed global charging uptime of 99.95 percent.

With the addition of the Navi Mumbai site, Tesla now operates five charging locations across India, totalling 20 Superchargers and 14 Destination Chargers.

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Kia has been crowned ‘Best Manufacturer’ at the TopGear.com EV Awards 2026, a significant honour in UK’s electric vehicle calendar. These annual awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate the top-performing EVs on the British market while recognising the manufacturers that truly drive the industry forward. This latest accolade follows closely on the heels of another triumph for the brand at the BBC TopGear.com awards, where the PV5 Passenger was named ‘Family Car of the Year’.

Kia’s electric journey began in 2014 with the first-generation Soul EV, ending its first full year of EV sales with just 149 registrations. By the close of 2025, however, that figure had surged to over 94,500 fully electric vehicles sold in UK, supported by a diverse lineup including the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9 and PV5. Looking ahead, the EV2 represents the next phase of the brand’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which started with the EV6 in 2021. Designed and manufactured in Europe exclusively for that market, this compact and affordable model packs premium, segment-above technology into a bold, boxy body.

First examples of the Kia EV2 are due to arrive later in 2026, joined by high-performance GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. These launches underscore Kia’s continued commitment to expanding its electric footprint with accessible yet advanced vehicles.

Ollie Kew, Deputy Editor, TopGear.com, said, "Whether you’re in an EV3 or the enormous EV9, the sleek EV6 or the boxy PV5, there’s a familiar sortedness running through the e-Kias like the proverbial stick of rock. Reliable range, unfussy performance, pleasing comfort... and the confidence to bookend its EV ranks with an entry-level EV2 alongside a GBP 83,000, 500-bhp super SUV in the shape of the EV9 GT.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK, said, “We’re honoured to have been named Top Gear’s Best Manufacturer for 2026. This recognition follows a busy year for the Kia brand, with the launch of eight new products in 2025, including EV4, EV5 and PV5. This recognition reflects the strength and breadth of our electric lineup, and our commitment to delivering innovative, desirable and accessible EVs for our customers.”

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VinFast has opened bookings for its new VF MPV 7, a premium 7-seater electric MPV tailored for Indian customers. This third model from the company in India offers a spacious interior, smart technology and strong practicality to meet daily mobility needs. With an outstanding value proposition, the vehicle reinforces VinFast’s long term commitment to building a complete green mobility ecosystem across the country, delivering modern and sustainable transport solutions for Indian households.

Starting 2 April 2026, customers can reserve the VF MPV 7 through the official website or any of VinFast’s 50 authorised dealerships nationwide for a booking amount of INR 21,000, with the official launch and price announcement scheduled for 15 April 2026. Designed with the signature golden ratio proportions of MPVs, the wheels are pushed towards the corners to maximise cabin space.

Measuring 4,740 mm in length, 1,872 mm in width and 1,734 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,840 mm, the VF MPV 7 offers a roomy cabin across all three rows, ensuring consistent comfort for larger families. Its R19 alloy wheels give the vehicle a strong yet sporty presence. Powered by a 60.13 kWh battery, it delivers over 500 kilometres of driving range per full charge, and fast charging technology can take the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 30 minutes.

Before the VF MPV 7, VinFast launched the VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs in September 2025, both winning multiple industry awards. The company continues to strengthen its EV ecosystem by expanding showroom and aftersales networks, partnering with local financial institutions, and offering an industry best product warranty. Customer centric policies include a value assured programme, trade in support for switching from gasoline to electric vehicles and free charging within the V Green network until 31 March 2029, making the transition to electric mobility easier.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The VF MPV 7 marks another step forward in VinFast’s efforts to win over Indian consumers with modern, practical and accessible electric mobility solutions. We believe this model will help redefine standards in its segment and become an ideal choice for families seeking a clean mobility solution that meets everyday practicality.”

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Pune-headquartered electric vehicle and technology company EKA Mobility has recorded a fivefold year-on-year volume growth for FY2025–26. The company sold 1,143 units and produced 1,344 electric commercial vehicles during this period.

EKA Mobility operates as a Champion OEM under the Automotive Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme. The company has expanded its manufacturing footprint with two operational facilities in Pune and a third plant in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh, scheduled to commence operations shortly.

The company is setting up a planned annual production capacity of 10,000 buses, 6,000 trucks and 24,000 small commercial vehicles (SCVs). Its order book includes over 6,000 confirmed electric buses for delivery within the next two years.

Interestingly, FY2026 marked EKA Mobility’s entry into the medium and heavy commercial vehicle (M&HCV) truck segment. It’s e-buses are currently deployed across more than 15 states under national programmes including PM e-Bus Sewa and PM E-DRIVE. The SCV sales was driven by the demand for 3S and 6S passenger vehicles and 3-wheeler cargo platforms.

The EV maker also deployed a 9-metre hydrogen fuel cell bus at Cochin International Airport in collaboration with KPIT Technologies and BPCL, with 15 additional units planned.

EKA has also commenced e-bus deployments in Africa through a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) assembly agreement with the Kerchanshe Group. It has also signed an agreement with NBFI Capital to manufacture electric buses in Australia. Domestically, the company plans to add 120 dealerships in FY27 to its existing network across Tier 1, 2 and 3 cities.

Dr Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman, EKA Mobility, stated, "FY 2025–26 is a defining year for EKA Mobility. We are not only scaling volumes but also expanding our manufacturing footprint by adding a new plant recently and increasing our planned annual capacity to 10,000 buses, 6,000 trucks and 24,000 SCVs. With the widest range of fully homologated, born-electric platforms – from last-mile to long-haul – we are uniquely positioned as a full-stack EV company. Our growth across electric buses, small commercial vehicles, and now trucks validates both market demand and our execution capability. India’s transition to clean commercial mobility is accelerating, and EKA is at the forefront – driving this shift at scale, with technology, innovation and global ambition."

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