Taral Agarwal is helping his father run their ‘chikki’ business at Lonavala besides studying to achieve a BBA degree. Coming from a family that has been into the traditional Indian sweets business for three generations now, Agarwal firmly belongs to Gen Z and has the confidence as well as the exposure to match. His thoughts about how he wants to see their family enterprise grow sustainably and offer hygienic products is interesting, He does not seem to be bothered about how fast a ‘chikki’ brand in his city has grown and branched out.
What is surprising about the lad who rides to college and runs errands for his family on a fossil fuel powered two-wheeler, is his thoughts about shifting to an electric vehicle to cut down operating costs. Agarwal is clearly not convinced. He is not convinced about the claim of EVs being ‘green’! What is the point in buying an EV when the fuel or electricity it is going to be powered with, is going to come from burning lignite? he asks.
Agarwal is not alone among the Gen-Zers. Credit should be given to them for their exposure to the world events and how they think of or are sensitive to the developments taking place around them. They perhaps are more sorted with the idea of environment and sustainability. Paying more for the initial acquisition cost of an EV is a concern to Agarwal, but a bigger concern is whether what is claimed by EVs manufacturers in terms of range and carbon neutrality is true or not.
The falling prices of batteries or the alternatives to rare earth metals has the attention of Gen-Zers like Agarwal, but a larger and complete picture is what he and other like him want to see. Aware of the fact that their country would benefit from less dependence on fossil fuel, the Gen-Zers seem to want products that truly measure up to their claims. They, it looks like, are keen to see with their eyes, real sustainability plans over claims. They are looking for more than the ESG performance may indicate, though that is one parameter that is assuming importance.
Events like floods, bush fires and the accelerated melting of glaciers are not beyond the purview of the Gen-Zers. They are in fact making them aware of where the directions of the efforts should be. But they are not the one that will believe in claims. They are therefore keeping a close eye on how the future mobility scene is shaping up in terms of carbon neutrality and sustainability. Something that the tall compounds walls of manufacturing plants and glass facades of various corporate offices of automotive manufacturers may not be able to conceal for long.
Even governments are not beyond the watchful eye of the Gen-Zers. It is important therefore that it will take much more for them to simply announce regulations and change rules pertaining to mobility. It would not take long to understand for the Gen-Zers if the governments are truly interested in addressing their concerns and needs or simply chalking out short and mid-terms measures.
The Gen-Zers are at a juncture where they are seriously thinking if fossil fuel vehicle pollute more over their lifetime or the EVs do. They are rather concerned about the ‘cost-to-the-environment’ and recyclability than the claims of zero-pollution.
Future interest in EV adoption fell most among Gen Z age category (74 percent in 2021 vs 56 percent in 2022), read the intro of an article in theevreport.com dated 1 August 2022. An article dated 8 May 2023 in USA Today mentioned that electrifying the car market may be getting more difficult with the share of Americans who say they’re ‘very unlikely’ to consider an EV for their next vehicle purchase. Citing a report by consumer analytics firm JD Power, the article stated that persistent worries about charging infrastructure and vehicle pricing was dampening enthusiasm for EVs among other reasons like the lack of public charging infrastructure, geography and education.
The rising status of India as the world’s biggest micro-electro mobility market would do good to align with the expectations of the Gen Z. Not just in terms of performance, durability or range, but also in terms of how ‘green’ the entire concept truly is. It is only when they are convinced, would they want to invest. Mere ESG figures may not even satiate their appetite in terms of their future mobility needs.
The question that comes to mind therefore is, are hydrogen vehicles really the future? Are governments the world over simply rushing to phase out fossil fuel vehicles? Are government truly aware of the ‘cost-to-the-environment’ about EVs vis-à-vis fossil fuel vehicles or they simply interested in reducing their dependence on imported fuels? What are their plans about producing electricity through greener means to support the kind of EVs envisaged? What about the other infrastructure needs? What about taxation and subsidies?
Typical answers and corporate keywords may not work in this case. For the Gen-Zers to bet their money on EVs, it will take much more. Incidences like EVs catching fire has already put more questions in the mind of Gen-Zers. Convincing them would not be easy.
Euler Motors Enters E-Autorickshaw Segment With Neo
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2025
Delhi-NCR-based electric vehicle maker Euler Motors has entered the electric three-wheeler passenger category with the 'Neo by Euler' brand.
The company introduced the first vehicle under this brand, the Neo HiRANGE electric three-wheeler, with an introductory price of INR 309,999. The vehicle is designed for last-mile passenger transport in cities.
The vehicles under the 'Neo by Euler' brand will serve a range of customers, including new EV buyers, drivers for ride-hailing services, fleet operators and self-employed owners. Euler Motors plans to roll out these vehicles across 50 Indian cities over the next three to four months.
Euler Motors states that autorickshaws are a vital part of urban transport in India. Its new EV, the Neo HiRANGE, addresses the need for reliable, long-range and durable vehicles in this sector. The company's two years of research and development, which included conversations with over 10,000 auto-rickshaw drivers, shaped the vehicle's design. The Neo HiRANGE is built for Indian roads, with a rugged chassis and real-time diagnostics.
The vehicle comes in three variants: Neo HiRANGE Maxx, HiRANGE Plus and HiRANGE. The top variant offers a range of over 200 km on a single charge and can be charged in 3.25 hours. It has a skateboard chassis, 65 Nm of torque and hill-assist for stable performance. The vehicle includes a warranty of up to six years or 175,000 km and an anti-theft GPS system.
Saurav Kumar, Founder and CEO, Euler Motors, said, "We are excited to enter the commercial passenger EV segment. 'NEO by Euler' reflects our proven leadership in the commercial EV market. It is the result of deep product learning and on ground engagement with auto drivers across Indian cities. We heard firsthand challenges faced by drivers every day, from long fuel queues and unreliable maintenance to passenger discomfort, and low savings. These insights have shaped every aspect of the brand. Drivers want a solution that offers the highest range in a single charge, supports their livelihood, and gives them the confidence to keep moving. 'Neo by Euler' is our response to those needs; a no-compromise brand built for the realities of commercial passenger mobility in India offering best in class passenger comfort, consistent earning to drivers and overall safe solution."
Ola Electric Gets PLI Certification For Gen 3 Scooter Portfolio
- By MT Bureau
- August 26, 2025
Bengaluru-headquartered electric vehicle company Ola Electric has announced that it’s Gen 3 e-scooter portfolio has received Certification for Compliance under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for the automobile and auto components sector.
The certification granted by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) will allow Ola Electric to receive incentives from 13 percent to 18 percent of the determined sales value (DSV) until 2028.
At present, the company’s Gen 3 portfolio comprises of S1 Pro 3 kWh, S1 Pro 4 kWh, S1 Pro+ 4 kWh, S1 X 2 kWh, S1 X 3 kWh, S1 X 4 kWh and S1 X+ 4 kWh.
“Securing PLI certification for our Gen 3 scooters, which form the bulk of our sales, is a critical step towards profitability. This will directly strengthen our cost structure and margins, enabling us to deliver sustainable growth. With our auto business targeted to turn EBITDA positive, the certification acts as a strong catalyst to achieve that goal while ensuring our customers continue to get the best-in-class EVs at highly competitive prices,” said a Ola Electric spokesperson.
BMW Group India Drives Past 5,000 EV Deliveries, Establishes Charging Network Over 4,000km
- By MT Bureau
- August 22, 2025
German luxury automotive brand BMW Group India has cemented its leadership in the luxury electric vehicle (EV) market by becoming the first in the segment to deliver over 5,000 EVs in the country. To mark this significant milestone, the company has inaugurated a new high-power charging corridor spanning 4,000 kilometres from North to South, offering charging access to all EV brands.
The new corridor features charging stations every 300 kilometres, effectively linking major cities and highways from Jammu to Madurai. The route covers key locations including Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai, aiming to eliminate range anxiety for EV drivers.
Vikram Pawah, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “BMW Group India is immensely proud to become the first luxury carmaker to cross the remarkable milestone of 5,000 electric vehicle deliveries. This achievement is not just a number, it represents our unwavering commitment to e-mobility and pioneering spirit in the premium EV landscape. At BMW, luxury and performance is delivered seamlessly with sustainability, and our electric products embody this philosophy. In this journey, we will continue to delight our customers with the most electrifying products and services that provide complete peace of mind. To mark this milestone, we are happy to introduce our high-power charging corridor. Across the length of the nation, from Jammu to Madurai, EV customers can now just sit back and enjoy Sheer Driving Pleasure without a second thought.”
In a move to encourage broader EV adoption, BMW Group India has made these new charging stations accessible to all EV owners, regardless of their vehicle's brand. The stations, with capacities ranging from 120kW to an impressive 720kW, are a part of a larger network of over 6,000 charging points across the country, accessible via the myBMW app. The company is collaborating with charging operators like Statiq and Zeon to manage these new stations.
The sales milestone has been attained by the company’s expansive portfolio of EVs compromising the flagship BMW i7 to the popular BMW iX1 Long Wheelbase, which was the highest-selling BMW EV in the first half of 2025.
TVS Motor Company Launches King Kargo HD EV, CNG Variant On The Cards Too
- By MT Bureau
- August 21, 2025
Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has launched a new electric three-wheeler, the ‘TVS King Kargo HD EV’ at INR 385,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), which it believes will transform urban and semi-urban logistics. The EV is engineered for performance, durability and connectivity in the last-mile delivery sector.
The King Kargo HD EV is designed to improve safety and comfort for operators. It features several segment-first innovations, including LED headlamps and tail lamps for better visibility and a spacious cabin with fully rolling windows. For enhanced performance, it has a dedicated Power Gear Mode that provides higher torque when carrying heavy loads.
The new three-wheeler is also India's first Bluetooth-enabled cargo three-wheeler. It comes equipped with TVS SmartXonnect, offering 26 smart features, along with twin-axis rear-view mirrors for safer navigation through congested city streets. The vehicle’s connected features are managed through TVS Connect Fleet, a web-based platform that gives fleet operators real-time tracking, remote control and advanced analytics for efficient fleet management.
Rajat Gupta, Business Head of Commercial Mobility at TVS Motor Company, said, “The launch of the TVS King Kargo HD represents a transformative moment in the evolution of cargo mobility, aligned to our ‘Re-Imagine 2030’ vision. This three-wheeler will set new benchmarks by delivering an unmatched combination of smart features, high load capability, comfort, ergonomics and safety. Coupled with the TVS Connect Fleet, the vehicle will empower businesses and also improve the everyday life of operators. With the TVS King Kargo HD EV, we are confident of redefining customer expectations and enabling them to achieve more, every day, effortlessly.”
In its initial phase, the TVS King Kargo HD EV will be available in key markets, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Bengaluru. The company also showcased a CNG variant, which is scheduled for release later this year.
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