It is early afternoon as the Shatabdi train rolls into Amritsar from Delhi. An army of electric passenger three-wheelers greet the travellers as they come out the station and head to their respective destination. The other choice the travellers who have walked out of the station is the bigger diesel autorickshaws. Ironically, the diesel autorickshaws that can seat more passengers have been slowly making space for the electric three-wheelers because the latter are starting to make a more viable business case.
First is the ability of many to beat the higher entry barrier of diesel autorickshaws in terms of the acquisition price. The second is the running cost of a diesel rickshaws per day, which is more than that of an electric passenger three-wheeler. Third is the lower maintenance of an electric three-wheeler as compared to the that a diesel autorickshaw. Petrol or CNG autorickshaws are still not preferred in many Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities for reasons that are more on the side of perception than actual. The CNG autorickshaws especially have been known for their unreliable operation when the respective technology was just getting off the ground in the country.
Interestingly, the tiny streets and bylanes of Amritsar make a case for the seemingly punny electric passenger three-wheelers over their wider and mightier looking counterparts with IC engines. This is not just the case with Amritsar, which is one of the bigger cities in India, but with many other cities – smaller Tier 3 cities were earning potential and purchasing power is less. The electric passenger three-wheelers and electric cargo three-wheelers finding higher acceptance in smaller cities as they beat the conventional auto rickshaws in operating costs per day and per month, it should not come as a surprise that that electric vehicles have been witnessing a strong growth. The basis of operating costs per day and per month is driving a shift towards electric and hybrid vehicles in both the commercial and personal domain. In the personal vehicle domain, it is the electric two-wheelers that are leading the charge.
In 2022, they witnessed strong growth in India in particular – to the tune of a threefold sales increase almost. The official data for 2022 shows that Indians bought 27.8 billion EVs since January 2023 at an average of more than 90,000 EVs per month. Amit Bhatt, Managing Director for India, International Council of Clean Transportation (ICCT), expressed, “Smaller cities have the potential to become strong drivers of India's clean energy revolution. The adoption of EVs in these cities can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to the ongoing nationwide efforts to combat air pollution and climate change. Transitioning to EVs in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will also help in lessening India’s dependence on fossil fuels, cutting down on import bills, and reducing air pollution. This shift will create a self-reliant and sustainable energy ecosystem that will contribute significantly to the country's economic growth.”
“The adoption of EVs in smaller cities will create new business opportunities and job opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, supply chain, and charging infrastructure. This, in turn, will drive the economic growth and development of these regions. Wide-scale participation of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in India’s EV transition will help greatly in creating a greener nation. To ensure that this happens, it is essential to address challenges such as the lack of charging infrastructure; the need for greater awareness among consumers; and the need to develop local supply chains and manufacturing capabilities for EVs,” he added.
Sharif Qamar, Associate Director and Area Convenor, Transport and Urban Governance Division, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), reckoned, there are seven areas of focus for accelerating adoption of EVs across different geographies – institutional and policy readiness; infrastructure readiness; technology readiness; economic readiness; social readiness; environmental readiness; and innovation readiness.
“It is an incredibly steep technology curve that the industry has traversed in the past 6-7 years. This has enhanced the comfort, trust, and reliability of the EV ecosystem in the eyes of consumers, for all vehicle segments – three-wheelers, four-wheelers, buses, and small commercial vehicles – albeit at different levels. As the penetration of renewable energy in the power grid increases, the efficacy of EV technology in dealing with well-to-wheel emissions will be higher and its contribution to climate goals greater,” he explained.
As per the official estimates by ICCT, an ambitious vehicle electrification pathway – under which EVs could reach 95 percent of all new vehicle sales by 2040 – can help in reducing tailpipe emissions by 18-50 percent, depending on the pollutant. Other than the factor of operating costs, the rise in EVs in India is also influenced by central government incentives and policies, including the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles scheme, state-level EV policies, declining costs of EV batteries, technology advancements and growing investments by domestic and international players in EV manufacturing and charging infrastructure.
Image source: @ImrajAhmed9
Youdha Enters Commercial Cargo Sector With Launch Of ePod G Electric Three-Wheeler
- By MT Bureau
- October 24, 2026
Youdha has expanded its vehicle lineup into the commercial cargo segment with the introduction of the ePod G electric three-wheeler.
Designed for last-mile logistics, e-commerce deliveries and retail distribution, the electric three-wheeler expands Youdha's ePod platform from passenger transport into goods mobility.
The ePod G features an 11.8 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and a 6 kW three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor. The powertrain delivers a claimed range of 170 to 180 km under standard test conditions, a payload capacity of 545 kg and a gross vehicle weight of 1,000 kg. The e3W has a top speed below 50 kmph, 22 percent gradeability and a charging duration of four to five hours.
Ayush Lohia, CEO, Youdha, said, "Our ambition is to build ePod into a trusted name across passenger and goods transportation. The positive response to our passenger vehicle gives us a strong foundation to extend the range into cargo. With ePod G, we aim to address the needs of businesses and individual operators involved in last-mile deliveries while continuing to strengthen Youdha’s product portfolio and market presence."
The ePod G will be available in half-deck and closed box configurations to accommodate varied delivery requirements. Built on a monocoque chassis, the vehicle includes hydraulic brakes, steel rims, 120/80-R12 8PR tyres, LED headlights, and a seven-inch CAN-enabled digital LED instrument cluster. The launch enables Youdha to supply individual owner-operators, commercial businesses, and delivery fleet managers across the Indian market.
Tesla Opens Reservations For New Roadster In India, Upgrades Model Y L
- By MT Bureau
- October 18, 2026
Tesla has opened online reservations for the new Roadster in select global markets, including India, with production scheduled to begin in 2028 for left-hand drive configurations. Alongside the reservation announcement, Tesla India has also introduced a complimentary Acceleration Boost for its Model Y L six-seater SUV.
The new Roadster design incorporates aerospace-inspired elements and SpaceX components. In the domestic product lineup, the Model Y L SUV receives an Acceleration Boost software update, reducing its zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time to 4.5 seconds while offering an operating range of up to 681 kilometres under WLTP testing standards.
Tesla currently offers the Model Y and Model Y L in India. The entry-level Model Y is priced at INR 5.08 million, while the Model Y L starts at INR 6.19 million. The EVs carry safety evaluations from global testing bodies, including NHTSA, Euro NCAP, ANCAP and C-IASI.
To support vehicle ownership, Tesla's domestic charging infrastructure comprises 20 Supercharger stalls and 28 Destination Charger stalls, with three additional sites planned by the end of 2026.
Home charging setup has been established for owners across 23 Indian states. The manufacturer has also introduced its Refer and Earn program in India, offering purchase discounts for buyers and referral credits for existing owners.
- VIDA
- Hero MotoCorp
- DIRT.E K3 6DAYS
- FIM International
- Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme
- Kausalya Nandakumar
- Fabio Muner
VIDA Unveils DIRT.E K3 6DAYS Limited Edition At FIM International Six Days Enduro
- By MT Bureau
- October 16, 2026
VIDA, the electric mobility brand powered by Hero MotoCorp, has unveiled the DIRT.E K3 6DAYS Limited Edition at the 100th FIM International Six Days Enduro in Grândola, Portugal.
The release marks the first collaboration between an Indian electric vehicle manufacturer and the event as an official partner of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme.
The model is limited to 100 units, with each unit assigned a number corresponding to an edition of the event. The electric two-wheeler features Portuguese flag-inspired green and red livery, race competition typography and official 6DAYS branding.
First introduced in December 2025, the DIRT.E K3 is an electric off-road vehicle designed for youth riders. It incorporates a modular frame that adjusts without tools at three points, allowing handlebar height, footrest positioning, and seat height to be adjusted as the rider grows.
The DIRT.E K3 comes with a removable 360 Wh lithium-ion battery with a three-hour full charge cycle, three software-managed speed modes reaching up to 24 kmph via thumb throttle, a magnetic power cut-off kill switch and a 60 mm rear disc brake system.
Kausalya Nandakumar, CBO of the Emerging Mobility Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp, said, "Being part of the historic 100th edition of FIM ISDE is a proud milestone for VIDA and an opportunity to showcase how electric innovation can shape the future of off-road riding. The VIDA DIRT.E K3 brings together the spirit of motorsport with forward-looking technology, building on the recognition it received at CES 2026 and the Red Dot Design Award. With our Portuguese- inspired 6DAYS® Limited Edition, we are celebrating the legacy of this iconic event while bringing a fresh perspective to electric off-road mobility. At VIDA, we believe innovation should go hand in hand with a safe, engaging, and empowering riding experience for young riders."
Fabio Muner, Marketing and Digital Director, FIM, said, "On behalf of the FIM, I would like to sincerely thank Hero MotoCorp for its active participation in the 100th Edition of the FIM 6DAYS®. Thanks to the DIRT.E K3 6DAYS® Limited Edition bike, young riders have the chance to experience first-hand the beauty of motorcycling and enduro, an opportunity that is essential for building the future of our sport. The fact that these vehicles will be available on the market is a further great achievement for the FIM 6DAYS®. It is another example of how this historic FIM World Championship continues to widen its borders year after year, opening its doors to new generations and new ways of riding. Thank you, VIDA for sharing this vision with us."
Epsilon CAM And C4V Sign Agreement For Cathode Material Qualification In North America
- By MT Bureau
- October 14, 2026
Epsilon CAM, one of the leading battery cathode active material manufacturers, and cell technology firm C4V have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to evaluate and qualify lithium iron phosphate and bio-mineralised lithium mixed metal phosphate cathode active materials.
The agreement establishes a framework to evaluate Epsilon CAM's cathode materials for cell-level integration across C4V's battery platforms and North American manufacturing programs, including those operated by sister company Near Prime Technologies.
As per the arrangement, Epsilon CAM will provide material samples and engineering data for testing, including electrochemical performance validation, cycle-life evaluation and process compatibility assessments. Subject to technical qualification and definitive contracts, the firms plan to explore multi-year material supply arrangements and technology integrations.
The evaluation will assess supply-chain sourcing for critical raw material inputs, including lithium, manganese and phosphorus, to align with North American content requirements.
Epsilon CAM is advancing plans for a 20,000-tonne-per-annum cathode active materials plant in India by 2028, positioning its production as a non-foreign-entity-of-concern source for global cell manufacturers.
Vikram Handa, MD, Epsilon CAM, said, "This LoI brings together complementary capabilities across cathode materials, cell technology and manufacturing. Our focus is to demonstrate material performance at the cell level and to work with C4V toward scalable, high-quality LFP and LMFP solutions that address the evolving needs of battery manufacturers and automotive customers."
Dr. Shailesh Upreti, CEO, C4V, said, "Epsilon is helping address one of the most important gaps in the U.S. battery supply chain: reliable access to scalable, ex-China phosphate cathode active materials. C4V is currently evaluating Epsilon’s materials through our Digital DNA qualification process for potential use across C4V cell platforms and U.S. manufacturing programs at Near Prime. Successful qualifications would create an important pathway connecting advanced cathode materials with C4V battery technology and domestic cell manufacturing."
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