Honda Cars India (HCIL) begins test run of its upcoming battery electric vehicle (BEV) SUV christened Honda 0 α in the country.

The public road verification testing serves as a precursor to the launch of an electric SUV developed for the Indian market. The prototype Honda 0 α was first showcased at the Japan Mobility Show 2025.

The verification programme will evaluate the vehicle across varied driving environments, including highways, urban roads and difficult terrains. The engineering team will focus on several performance metrics:

• Durability and Reliability: Assessment under extreme heat and monsoon conditions.
• Mechanical Performance: Evaluation of handling, ride comfort and efficiency.
• Charging Infrastructure: Testing of charging performance across different hardware types to verify usability.

The e-SUV is designed for both urban use and lifestyle-oriented driving. It is scheduled for a global introduction during the FY2026–27, with India and Japan identified as primary markets. The EV will be manufactured at Honda's facilities in India for both domestic sale and export to international markets.

Takashi Nakajima, President and CEO, Honda Cars India, said, “The start of pan-India Public Road Verification testing is a key milestone in our electrification journey. India has unique driving and climate conditions, and it is important for us to test our electric vehicle thoroughly in real-world environments. This programme reflects Honda’s global engineering strengths combined with a strong focus on local customer needs, as we prepare to introduce an electric SUV that offers reliability, comfort, and ease of use.”

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CollarEV, an emerging electric mobility company, has introduced a new electric two-wheeler named ‘Moon', developed specifically for the commercial B2B sector with an emphasis on last-mile delivery and logistics. The vehicle is engineered to meet the operational demands of fleet-based users, combining structural toughness with performance efficiency and low maintenance. Its design supports high daily usage while remaining cost-effective for businesses scaling their electric fleets.

At the core of the Moon is a 2.3 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers an estimated range of 135 kilometres per charge. LFP chemistry is chosen for its thermal stability and long life, with the battery rated for over 1,000 charge cycles. Fast charging capability allows the battery to reach 80 percent in roughly two hours, with a full charge completed in about two and a half hours – an important feature for fleets requiring quick turnaround times. The bike also features a BLDC hub motor that produces 1,500W of rated power and a peak output of 2,200W, enabling a top speed of 50 kmph and 95 Nm of torque at the wheel for dependable load handling. It can carry payloads of up to 150 kg and includes dual disc brakes along with 12-inch wheels suited for varied terrain.

To assist fleet operators with real-time oversight, the Moon includes a TFT display equipped with integrated telematics for tracking vehicle location and performance. Additional smart functionalities include keyless operation and the option to attach modular fittings for different cargo types. CollarEV is also trialling supercapacitor-assisted technology to further enhance battery charging efficiency and overall lifespan.

The vehicle is intended for a broad cross-section of users, including logistics aggregators, independent delivery personnel and businesses involved in dairy, grocery or agricultural supply chains. While its primary application lies in commercial fleets, the model is also positioned as a practical solution for daily commuting and small retail transport in smaller towns and rural areas. Initial deployment will focus on metropolitan regions, Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, along with semi-urban and rural locations where dependable electric mobility options are increasingly in demand.

Tikendra Yadav from CollarEV said, “Much of the current B2B electric two-wheeler market in India is dominated by low-cost imported vehicles that often face challenges in durability and after-sales reliability. With our new EV for the B2B segment, our goal is to address this gap by developing a purpose-built electric vehicle with a minimalist yet robust structural design that reduces maintenance requirements while ensuring long-term performance. The fully metal chassis and body structure make it particularly suited for demanding commercial and fleet operations. It reflects our commitment to building reliable electric mobility solutions for businesses, and as part of our broader vision, we are also preparing to launch this B2C electric scooter between May and June to serve the growing consumer EV market, which will be first in the segment.”

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Chennai-headquartered electric vehicle start-up Raptee.HV has become the first automaker in the state to receive INR 250 million from Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) under the Startup Investment Policy 2025.

The EV maker is amongst the two start-ups selected by the Tamil Nadu state as part of its plans to support high-potential companies focussing on deep tech and the advanced manufacturing ecosystem.

Dr TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, government of Tamil Nadu, stated, “We will specifically focus on making strategic investments in deep-tech startups which need long-term capital to succeed.  Since 2024, we have been working to reimagine TIDCO’s role with an ambition to transform Tamil Nadu into a product nation. As part of that vision, we have repositioned TIDCO as a venture catalyst, building a structured venture investment framework that can support startups at critical stages of growth. This policy now enables TIDCO to invest up to INR 250 million in startups across sunrise sectors such as electric vehicles, aerospace and defence, renewable energy, semiconductors, medical electronics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, quantum computing, agro processing, technical textiles and speciality chemicals.”

The State Policy aims to ensure that Tamil Nadu’s most promising technology companies find patient capital, strategic support and scale opportunities.

It was just last month, Raptee.HV begin deliveries of the T30 electric motorcycle, which utilises high-voltage technology (HV-Tec), a platform typically found in electric cars, for its two-wheeler products.

The T30 is priced at INR 239,000 (ex-showroom) and comes with an 8-year battery warranty and a 3-year vehicle warranty.

With initial deliveries in Chennai, the company has announced plans to expand into Bengaluru in April 2026 with a showroom and service centre. By end-2026, it intends to establish operations in all South Indian state capitals and begin entry into Western India.

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U Power has completed operational testing and integration of the battery-swapping system for heavy-duty truck prototypes intended for the Thailand market.

The milestone follows the partnership established in December 2025 with Whale Logistics (Thailand) to deploy 1,000 units in the country with the production and delivery of the first batch of tractors scheduled for May 2026.

The project was developed by U Power in conjunction with SAIC Hongyan Automotive and UNEX EV. The prototypes underwent three months of road testing to evaluate technical systems. Following integration, the vehicles met design specifications for highway logistics transportation. The project uses the UOTTA battery-swapping solution, which allows for battery replacement within minutes.

The initiative is designed to support the adoption of battery-swapping in the road logistics sector. By using this model, vehicle operators can avoid investment in grid expansion and charging infrastructure. The system is intended to maintain operational efficiency levels comparable to fuel-powered trucks while addressing battery degradation. Thailand serves as a location in U Power’s growth plan for Southeast Asia.

U Power provides AI-integrated solutions that connect electric vehicles with energy infrastructure. The company’s technology focuses on the optimisation of mobility and grid performance through modular battery-swapping stations. The deployment of these 1,000 vehicles is intended to meet logistics demand and increase transport efficiency in the region.

Johnny Lee, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, U Power, said, "Completing full-condition road testing of our pilot vehicles confirms the reliability and efficiency of the UOTTA battery-swapping model. Via the partnership with Whale Logistics, we are set to deploy 1,000 vehicles in Thailand to meet high-frequency logistics demand and boost operational efficiency. Thailand is a strategic market in U Power's global growth plan. By pioneering battery-swapping solutions for taxis and heavy-duty trucks, we are strengthening our leadership in Southeast Asia and driving low-carbon commercial transportation, while laying the foundation for expansion across the region."

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Swedish electric performance car brand Polestar has published the full carbon footprint of the Polestar 5, reinforcing its commitment to climate transparency within the automotive sector. Since 2020, the manufacturer has provided comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments for all its models, with the Polestar 5 being the latest addition to this publicly available data. The company emphasises that scrutinising emissions from materials and production is essential for actively reducing the overall climate impact of vehicle manufacturing.

As the first original equipment manufacturer to disclose the carbon footprint for its entire lineup, Polestar offers consumers clear insight into the environmental cost of their vehicles. The Polestar 5 records a cradle-to-gate footprint of 23.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which encompasses emissions from raw material extraction through to the point of customer delivery.

A significant focus for emission reduction lies in material sourcing. Aluminium, a notably carbon-intensive component, has been targeted for improvement. In the Polestar 5, a portion of the aluminium is recycled, and the vast majority is sourced from smelters utilising renewable electricity. This strategic shift avoids substantial emissions compared to conventional methods.

Renewable energy extends beyond material supply to the production facilities themselves. The plants responsible for assembling the Polestar 5, along with those manufacturing its battery cells and related components, are powered by renewable electricity, thereby lowering the overall manufacturing emissions.

Further environmental gains are achieved through innovative interior materials. Natural fibre composites, developed with Bcomp, incorporate a flax-based fabric that reduces reliance on fossil-based substances and offers weight savings over traditional composites. Recycled content is prevalent throughout, including carpets made from reclaimed fishing nets and textiles from recycled PET. The design also facilitates future recycling, exemplified by the front luggage compartment’s mono-material PET construction. For those selecting leather, a chrome-free, ethically sourced option is available.

The Polestar 5 demonstrates that sustainability can coexist with high performance. The four-door grand tourer delivers substantial power and torque, achieves an estimated driving range up to 678 km (WLTP) and benefits from an 800-volt architecture enabling rapid DC charging (from 10 to 80 percent in 22 minutes).

Fredrika Klarén, Head of Sustainability, Polestar, said, “You cannot reduce what you don’t measure. Making the carbon footprint of a car visible helps focus the industry on where emissions occur, particularly in materials and manufacturing. That transparency is essential if we want to scale the low-carbon materials, renewable energy and circular solutions needed to reduce the climate impact of cars.”

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