Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) has launched the much-anticipated Hyundai CRETA Electric at the ongoing Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 at a starting price of INR 1,799,000.

The Hyundai CRETA Electric sports a bold, masculine and sporty upright design and comes in 51.4-kWh (Long Range) and 42-kWh battery pack options, offering driving range of 473 km and 390 km, respectively. The e-SUV features ADAS-linked regenerative braking system for enhanced safety and efficiency and vehicle-to-Load technology that allows passengers access to power while camping or during an emergency. Customers get 75 advanced safety features and 52 safety features as standard across all variants. The e-SUV also boasts advanced EV capabilities, including water soak test, battery drop test and an IP67-rated battery pack.

Unsoo Kim, Managing Director, HMIL, said, “CRETA Electric marks a defining moment in HMIL’s journey of electrification and reflects our commitment to the government’s ‘Make in India’ vision, as it is our first indigenous EV SUV in India. With over a decade of global expertise in electric mobility, Hyundai Motor Company has established itself as a pioneer in EV innovation. Now, the same innovations and expertise are being brought to India, enhancing our country’s EV landscape. Hyundai CRETA Electric is a testament to our vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’ and Hyundai’s commitment to making India a global hub for advanced mobility solutions. We are confident that Hyundai CRETA Electric will set new benchmarks in the Indian EV industry, providing the much-needed push for the growth of the segment.”

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Electric mobility startup Bijliride has detailed plans to expand its franchise network to more than 25 Indian cities. Operating under a Franchise Owned–Franchise Operated (FOFO) model, the company aims to onboard 30 franchise partners by March 2027 and scale its fleet to between 10,000 and 15,000 electric two-wheelers within the next 18 months.

The expansion the startup claims is projected to drive 150 percent growth in fleet operations. Bijliride has identified several urban mobility markets for this phase, including:

• Tier 1 Cities: Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata.
• Emerging Hubs: Hyderabad clusters, Jaipur, Patna, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Kochi.
• Logistics Centres: Nagpur, Indore, Surat, and Visakhapatnam.

The strategy targets demand from logistics operators, gig economy platforms and urban commuters.

Under the FOFO structure, local partners own and manage the fleets while Bijliride provides the technology infrastructure. This includes real-time vehicle tracking, battery management protocols, and rental management systems.

The partners have to commit to a minimum of 50 electric two-wheelers to begin with, an initial investment of around INR 1.4-1.6 million, with a projected breakeven in approximately 15 months under stable fleet utilisation. The startup also assists partners with driver onboarding and connects fleets with demand from local delivery businesses and gig platforms.

Shivam Sisodiya, CEO and Co-Founder, Bijliride, said, “Electric mobility demand in India is growing rapidly, particularly among gig workers and last-mile delivery operators. At this stage, our focus is disciplined scale. The FOFO model allows us to grow responsibly by partnering with local entrepreneurs who understand their markets while leveraging our technology platform and operational systems. This structure enables us to expand faster while ensuring fleets are managed efficiently on the ground.”

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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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PepsiCo India has announced the expansion of its green logistics network through three integrated initiatives aimed at reducing supply chain emissions. The centrepiece of the rollout is the launch of a dedicated EV Green Corridor on the Kosi-Pataudi route, developed in partnership with Kalyani Powertrain, a subsidiary of Bharat Forge.

The Kosi-Pataudi corridor will utilise eight 32-feet single-axle re-powered electric container trucks. This initiative is expected to cover approximately 480,000 electric kilometres annually. The model incorporates dedicated charging infrastructure, route optimisation and vehicle customisation to support linehaul freight.

Beyond the corridor, the company has implemented the following measures:

• Distributor Electrification: More than 400 distributor-linked vehicles have been converted to electric three-wheelers and four-wheelers for last-mile delivery.
• Urban Logistics: Over 80 CNG vehicles have been deployed in the National Capital Region (NCR) through logistics partners to lower the environmental footprint of urban distribution.

The initiatives were inaugurated in the presence of Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, Cabinet Minister for Sugar Industry and Cane Development, Government of Uttar Pradesh. The project involves a ‘Partnership of Progress’ approach, coordinating with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), finance providers and logistics firms including Vayudoot Road Carriers and New Trishul Transport Services.

Jagrut Kotecha, CEO, PepsiCo India & South Asia, said, "At PepsiCo India, sustainability is embedded in how we operate and grow. The launch of the EV Green Corridor on the Kosi-Pataudi route, together with the electrification of our distributor fleet and CNG deployment in NCR, reflects our commitment to building a supply chain that is cleaner, more efficient, and future-ready. Through our Partnership of Progress approach, we have brought together the right partners across technology, logistics, infrastructure, and finance to make this a reality. We believe this kind of ecosystem collaboration is what it takes to drive lasting change, not just for PepsiCo, but for the sector."

Pankaj Sonalkar, MD, Kalyani Powertrain, said, “This initiative demonstrates how electric vehicle technology can be effectively integrated into commercial logistics operations when supported by strong ecosystem collaboration. At Kalyani Powertrain, we remain committed to developing innovative and reliable mobility solutions that enable businesses to transition toward cleaner, more efficient transportation while supporting India’s broader decarbonization goals.”

Laxmi Narayan Chaudhary, added, “Initiatives like these reflect how industry can grow while remaining mindful of the environment. The Government is strongly focused on promoting electric mobility and encouraging cleaner modes of transportation, and this initiative is well aligned with that vision.”

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  - NEW TRISHUL TRANSPORT March 18, 2026 21:21 PM

  Great initiative and futuristic approach of pepsico and it’s team, Green india clean india.

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Audi has confirmed plans to introduce a new all-electric entry-level model, the A2 e-tron, which is scheduled for a global debut in the fall of 2026. This new addition to the lineup represents a strategic move to establish a presence in the compact class with a fully electric family of vehicles. Production of the A2 e-tron is slated to take place at Audi’s primary facility in Ingolstadt, reinforcing the manufacturer's dedication to evolving its domestic production capabilities. An initial design sketch has provided a glimpse of the vehicle's profile, hinting at its modern aesthetic.

The announcement was made by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner during the company’s Annual Media Conference, marking a significant step in the brand's journey towards an all-electric future. The decision to launch the A2 e-tron is a response to the expanding market for compact electric cars, particularly within major European urban centres. The model is designed to appeal to an international audience, with a focus on delivering a blend of practical city functionality, environmental sustainability, high energy efficiency and advanced digital features. It aims to make the brand more accessible and appealing to a new generation of customers seeking a contemporary entry point into premium electric mobility.

The choice of the A2 e-tron name is a conscious tribute to the original Audi A2, a vehicle celebrated for its forward-thinking approach to efficiency and urban transportation more than two decades ago. This new model seeks to continue that legacy, adapted for the current era of electrification. The vehicle will be a key component in refreshing and expanding Audi's lineup, which following a substantial rollout of new models in 2024 and 2025, is already one of the newest in the industry. This momentum is set to continue in 2026, with the A2 e-tron strategically positioned as the new entry point, complementing the full-size Audi Q9 at the upper end of the market. The upcoming premiere of the A2 e-tron will offer the first complete look at this new compact electric vehicle.

“We’ve listened. Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life. The A2 e-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that – efficient, compact and confident. We’re making entry into the electric Audi world easier and more relevant than ever. The A2 e-tron is crucial for our brand and also for our German home. With the production of an additional fully electric model family in Ingolstadt, we are securing jobs and delivering electric mobility ‘made in Germany’,” said Döllner.

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