Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) launched the Hyundai IONIQ 5 in India at Auto Expo – The Motor Show 2023 on Wednesday. Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be the company’s first dedicated EV model for customers who want to be in charge of a more sustainable future.

Commenting on the launch, Unsoo Kim, Managing Director and CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “As we evolve towards a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow, Hyundai is proud to introduce IONIQ brand to India with the launch of Hyundai IONIQ 5, symbolising our commitment to ‘Progress for humanity’. Reflecting our vision, with Hyundai IONIQ 5, we are aspiring to give customers quality time and make their mobility journey as rewarding and worthwhile as possible. Hyundai IONIQ 5 represents our shift towards future mobility with tenets that encapsulate intelligent technology, innovation and sustainability. Driving the pump to plug revolution, Hyundai IONIQ 5 will pave the way for faster adoption of electric mobility and build customer confidence towards truly liberating electric mobility solutions.”

This latest car has been launched in India on the underpinnings of E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) that will pave the way for a new era of electric mobility lifestyle and has been anchored on the pillars of modularity, performance, reliability and usability. Each of these pillars are perfectly personified by Hyundai IONIQ 5, claims Hyundai Motor India.

Development concept
Hyundai IONIQ 5 boasts of design characteristics that were envisioned to remain contemporary through the ages. Paying homage to its roots, the car’s design has been inspired by Hyundai’s first passenger vehicle – Hyundai PONY, claims the company. With extravagant interiors and superior comfort, the car has been engineered to deliver an exciting electric mobility experience, according to the automobile manufacturer, one that truly adds versatility and opulence in every single journey. Developed on E-GMP, the car was conceptualised to deliver the next level of smart mobility experiences, thus ensuring highest level of safety and convenience. Created along the lines of Hyundai's global design identity of ‘sensuous sportiness’, the company states that Hyundai IONIQ 5 reflects the company’s vision to build a future-ready all-electric SUV, with innovation at the core of its DNA. For Indian consumers, the SUV has been developed on the tenets of five key pillars –

1.  Impressive exterior
2. Opulent interiors
3. Novel technologies
4. Incredible performance and safety
5. Quenching convenience

Exterior
The SUV car boasts of an exterior that will herald a new era of design. As per Hyundai Motor India, representing the visual identity of Hyundai IONIQ 5, the façade features an interplay of parametric pixels and is characterised by clean, sharp lines. The iconic front is defined by parametric pixel LED headlamps that boast of a unique pixel signature, reflecting the design inspiration of the car. The automobile manufacturer claims that the premium front LED accent lighting features transflective coating technology that lends the appearance of a garnish when the lamp is off. The front bumper with skid plate showcases planar symmetry while diagonal creases provide a hi-tech interpretation of ‘sensuous sportiness’. According to Hyundai Motor India, the clamshell hood features a smooth and seamless design, bolstering the minimalistic appeal of the all-electric SUV. Hyundai IONIQ 5 also features an Active air flap (AAF) that improves aerodynamics when closed, and cools vehicle parts when open.

The automobile manufacturer states that the side design seamlessly carries forward the visual identity of the all-electric SUV, while the rear is again a quintessential depiction of ‘sensuous sportiness’.  The side profile sports a definitive Z shaped side character line that exudes elegance. Plus, the SUV features auto flush door handles that automatically pop out when the driver is in close proximity, as per Hyundai Motor India. The parametric pixel design is further carried through to the rear with Hyundai IONIQ 5 emblem featured in between parametric pixel LED tail lamps. The automobile manufacturer claims that the rear spoiler with LED high mount stop lamp (HMSL) resonates the SUV’s unique design philosophy, adding athletic sensibilities while simultaneously improving vehicle aerodynamics.

*Without shark fin antenna

Interiors
The interiors of the SUV car reflect a masterful integration of technology and design that evokes a pleasant customer experience. According to Hyundai Motor India, the dark pebble gray interior color on Hyundai IONIQ 5 is a resplendent depiction of technology intertwined with earthy elements. The opulent interiors offer customers a unique third space experience, forming their home away from home with a spacious cabin. The interiors of the SUV feature –

• Eco-processed leather seat upholstery: Premium seat upholstery that provides an upmarket experience to customers.

• Soft touch materials on dashboard and door trims: Add to an opulent in-cabin experience.

• Pixel design on door armrest, seat upholstery and steering wheel: Incorporate Hyundai’s pixel inspired design philosophy.

• Knob-free design: On handles have been applied to lend an integrated design appeal.

• Magnetic dashboard: Attributes to the novelty of the customers’ mobility life, enabling them to collect memories and add more to life experiences.

Crafted from nature
• Bio paint is used on the Hyundai IONIQ 5’s surfaces, such as crash pad, switches, steering wheel and door
panels, that includes oil extractions from plants, such as rape flowers and corn.

• Eco-processed leather used in the interior is dyed using flaxseed oil.

• Headlining and carpet fabric includes bio-components extracted from sugarcane and corn.

• Eco-friendly fabric is created using plastic bottles that are shredded into plastic chips. These chips are melted and spun into threads which makes for a fabric that is used on the seatback and door armrest of the car.

• 100 percent recyclable paperette from HDPE has the same lightness and texture of traditional paper.
 

Innovative space
The automobile manufacturer states that Hyundai IONIQ 5 derives a fresh take on cabin space by maximising emphasis on comfort and convenience. The SUV has been developed with a dedicated focus to enhance cabin usability, thereby ensuring it is not just a means of transportation but transforms mobility lifestyle. As per Hyundai Motor India, innovative space on the SUV car features the following –

• Flat floor: Under floor battery eliminates the centre tunnel giving flat floor that increases legroom and enhances the feeling of openness and roominess.

• Slim cockpit design: Relocating the HVAC components to engine bay area resulted in slimming down the size of the crash-pad and increasing interior space.

• Sliding centre console: The adjustable sliding centre console greatly enhances user convenience and versatility, offering customers up to 140 mm of travel.

• Sliding glove box:The large drawer-type glove box enhances user convenience. 

• Front trunk: E-GMP allows the SUV car to have front boot space of 57 litres.

Novel technologies
The SUV features innovative new technologies that amplify electric mobility life for discerning customers

Battery charging technology 
The automobile manufacturer states that the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is geared up to transform customer lifestyle with thoughtful innovation by incorporating features such as the following –  

Ultra-fast battery charging: Utilising a 350 kW DC charger, the car’s 72.6 kWh battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 18 minutes, and with a 150 kW DC charger the battery can be charged from 10 to 80 percent in 21 minutes (ambient temp of 25℃).

Multi-charging system: Multi-charging system with 400V and 800V multi-charging to reduce waiting times at charging stations. Both 800V ultra-rapid and 400V rapid chargers can be used.

Charging status indicator lights at charging port: Displays current battery state of charge (SOC) in four steps.

Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology
Under the aegis of ‘beyond mobility’ the SUV car is equipped with cutting-edge Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) technology that opens opportunities for customers to reimagine their lifestyle and create new mobility experiences, as per Hyundai Motor India. The V2L function can support up to 3.6 kW of power. 

V2L(Vehicle-to-Load): Inside
- Customers can power-up electrical appliances like laptop, phones and other devices.

V2L(Vehicle-to-Load): Outside
 - Focusing on advance convenience, customers can also use V2L outside, after securing a connector in the charging outlet.

- Customers can power electronic appliances and gadgets like bicycles, e-scooters, camping equipment etc.

The automobile manufacturer claims that with Hyundai IONIQ 5 customers can experience a new realm of mobility that seamlessly intertwines with their lifestyle, offering features such as –

• IONIQ 5 features 31.19 cm (12.3") touchscreen infotainment with navigation
• Bose premium sound system (eight speakers)
• Ambient sounds of nature 
• OTA updates for system and map
• 31.22 cm (12.3") digital cluster

Further, the SUV will offer customers over 60 connected car features. The SUV has been offered with three years free Bluelink subscription, according to Hyundai Motor India. The car will feature Bluelink services and connected solutions such as –  

• Home-to-Car (H2C) with Alexa and Google Voice Assistant in Hindi and English
• Remote services
• Safety and security
• Voice assistant
• Vehicle diagnostics
• Location based services
• Electric Vehicle controls

Performance and safety
The automobile manufacturer states that Hyundai IONIQ 5 is also equipped with cutting-edge technology, offering customers a superior powertrain that is future-ready to deliver an exhilarating driving experience. The SUV car offers customers a 72.6 kWh high voltage battery pack with high density battery cells and compact battery pack construct.

As per Hyundai Motor India, the SUV will offer customers a range of 631 km per full charge (as per ARAI). Designed to produce power output of 160 kW (217 ps) and 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) of torque, the car has been equipped to satisfy customers’ mobility needs and deliver a superlative driving experience featuring –  

• Smart regenerative braking
• Drive mode select
• Column type shift-by-wire
• Rear multi-link suspension 
• Integrated drive axle 
• Permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM)

Advanced safety and strong structure
The automobile manufacturer claims that Hyundai IONIQ 5 sets a safety benchmark through a combination of advance safety features, ensuring the utmost customer safety with Hyundai SmartSense. It has been built on superior body structure that has been strengthened with Ultra High Strength Steel (UHSS), AHSS (Advanced High Strength Steel) and HSS (High Strength Steel) application and an extensive application of hot-stamping to assure of superior protection in the event of a collision.

According to Hyundai Motor India, the SUV car comes with strong passenger protection, as it is structured using hot stamped parts that minimise body deformation during collision and improved passenger protection. Further, it offers customers Level Next Safety, with over 60 safety features like Electric Parking Brake (EPB), Multi collision-avoidance brake (MCB), ensuring utmost customer safety. The automobile manufacturer states that the advanced safety features include the following – 

• Six airbags (driver and passenger, side and curtain)
• Virtual engine sound system (VESS)
• Electric parking brake (EPB)
• All four disc brakes
• Multi collision-avoidance brake (MCB)
• Power child lock

Advanced driver assistance system
According to Hyundai Motor India, Hyundai IONIQ 5 has been designed with safety technology, ensuring smart and superior mobility experience to customers. Hyundai SmartSense uses equipment such as front radar, front camera and rear radars to detect and mitigate risks of collision, offering the driver adequate warning and if necessary, automatically applying countermeasures to offset an impact. The automobile manufacturer states that the vehicle even assures the safety of backseat passengers with Safe Exit Assist (SEA), which helps keep the rear doors closed by maintaining the electronic child lock when there is oncoming traffic.

Quenching convenience
As per Hyundai Motor India, the vision roof comes with full glass panel without any centre, partition, thereby providing a greater sense of openness. Enhancing convenience of customers and to make the drive experience even more personalised, Hyundai IONIQ 5 will be equipped with smart and luxurious features such as – 

• Premium relaxation seat (driver and passenger)
• Dual zone FATC with auto defogger 
• Hands free smart power tail gate with height adjustment 
• Front row heated and ventilated seats and rear heated seats 
• Heated outside mirrors with LED turn indicators 
• Wireless smartphone charger 
• Rain sensing wipers

Designed to provide modern elegance and luxurious convenience, the SUV offers ample seating comfort and caters to a relaxed and content mobility life. Hyundai Motor India claims that it comes with seating configuration made with memory function, ensuring that the customer can save up to three seating positions and much more, as below –

• Memory seat configuration (all seats)
• Rear power sliding seat with manual reclining function
• Power adjustment seat with lumbar support (driver and passenger)
• Passenger seat walk in device
• Front row sliding headrests

The SUV car offers three years/unlimited kilometres warranty, eight years/160,000 kilometres battery warranty, three-years roadside assistance and two complementary home chargers (3.3 kW and 11 kW). Additionally, Hyundai states that it will also offer first connect home visit within 15 days of delivery, while also providing the service of Vehicle to Vehicle charging support in four cities. Besides, the company will offer customers an extended warranty option of up to five years or 140,000 kilometres as well as iCare Maintenance packages.

Colours
As per Hyundai Motor India, the Hyundai IONIQ 5 is offered in three exterior colour options that include HMI’s first matte colour – gravity gold matte, optic white and midnight black pearl. The SUV will offer opulent and futuristic interior tones with dark pebble gray interior colour. 

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Eicher Trucks and Buses, part of VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), has completed a journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari using its Eicher Pro X EV.

The record verified by the India Book of Records (IBR), saw the electric vehicle cover over 4,000 kilometres in 6 days under loaded conditions. The run commenced in Srinagar on 20 January 2026 and concluded in Kanyakumari on 26 January 2026, traversing the Himalayas, plains and the Deccan Plateau.

Throughout the expedition, the vehicle utilised public chargers located via the MyEicher App. An adjudicator from the India Book of Records accompanied the truck to monitor route compliance, load, distance and charging stops. The mission served as a demonstration of electric vehicle endurance across diverse altitudes and climates to validate the technology for logistics corridors.

The journey was intended to show that electric commercial vehicles can operate beyond short-haul deliveries. By maintaining performance across hilly and coastal routes, the Pro X EV aimed to establish total cost of ownership (TCO) benefits and maintenance predictability for fleet operators. The successful completion of the route suggests that current charging infrastructure can support long-haul electric freight movement.

Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “For more than four decades, Eicher trucks and Buses have earned customer trust through leadership in fuel efficiency and application-specific engineering. The record-setting performance of the Eicher Pro X reinforces our unwavering focus on application excellence, reliability, and performance, anchored in robust product development and manufacturing capabilities, and enabled by a customer-centric, pan-India commercial and dealer network. I commend the entire Eicher team for achieving these well-deserved records”.

SS Gill, Chief Commercial Officer, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “By covering the K2K route with a loaded Pro X EV, Eicher Trucks & Buses has proven that electric mobility is no longer restricted to short-haul, ‘last-mile’ deliveries. We are not just setting records, but through the strength of our service network and extensive dealer set-up, we are demonstrating that our EV technology is commercially viable, reliable, and has the range to serve as the backbone of India’s green logistics corridors”.

Abhishek Chaudhary, SVP – SCV Sales & Marketing, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “The Eicher Pro X EV was put to the ultimate test – covering over 4000 kilometres across diverse climates and challenging altitudes. With this recognition from the India Book of Records we’ve moved beyond our own stringent testing benchmarks to real-world validation - Demonstrating that Eicher Pro X EV is a dependable partner for logistics movement across varied operations in India”.

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Montra Electric, the electric medium and heavy commercial vehicle business of the Murugappa Group, has become the first manufacturer in India to receive certification for heavy-duty electric trucks under the government's PM E-Drive Scheme.

To mark the achievement, the company delivered a Rhino 5538 EV 6x4 Tractor trailer to UltraTech Cement. The handover took place in the presence of Arun Murugappan, Chairman of Montra Electric and Sathia Raj, Chief Procurement Officer of UltraTech Cement.

The PM E-Drive scheme includes a budget of INR 5 billion specifically for electric trucks, providing a benefit of up to INR 960,000 per vehicle for the Rhino 5538 EV. This incentive is intended to lower operating costs and reduce exposure to fuel price volatility for fleet operators in the logistics, mining, and manufacturing sectors. The Rhino 5538 EV range is designed for Indian conditions and is available in 6x4 and 4x2 variants.

The Rhino 5538 EV 4x2 variant features a 282 kWh LFP battery that produces 380 HP and 2000 Nm of torque. It offers a range of approximately 198 km under standard test conditions and supports six-minute battery swaps. These specifications suit the vehicle for high-utilisation applications in ports, steel plants, and cement logistics.

H D Kumaraswamy, Union Minister for Heavy Industries, said, "The PM E-Drive scheme is a testament to the growing prowess of Indian innovation in the heavy-duty electric vehicle segment. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we are committed to decarbonizing our logistics and making India a global hub for EV manufacturing. Electric trucks are pivotal to our Net Zero goals, and by fostering a self-reliant ecosystem through such certifications, we are driving the spirit of Atmanirbhar Viksit Bharat. We are very happy to see our Prime Minister’s vision coming to life with the 1st PM E-Drive certified heavy duty electric truck from 'Montra Electric' getting delivered today."

Arun Murugappan, Chairman, Montra Electric, said: “Decarbonising freight is one of the most critical challenges in India’s energy transition. We are grateful to the Government of India and our Prime Minister Narendra Modi for introducing forward-looking and progressive policy frameworks such as the PM E-Drive Scheme, which represent a welcome and transformative step in accelerating this shift, particularly in heavy commercial vehicles where emissions intensity is high. At Montra Electric, we are proud to contribute to this national mission by delivering technologically advanced, reliable, and scalable electric M&HCV solutions that can drive meaningful and lasting change in India’s mobility ecosystem.”

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Chartered Speed and EKA Mobility have received a Letter of Confirmation of Quantity (LOCQ) to deploy 1,750 electric buses in Bengaluru under the PM E-Drive Scheme. This allocation accounts for approximately 39 percent of the city's total planned induction of 4,500 electric buses. The initiative is part of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation effort to expand its network in line with the decarbonisation roadmap of the Government of India.

The partnership combines the operational services of Chartered Speed with the vehicle manufacturing and technology of EKA Mobility. Operational protocols for the fleet include maintenance, battery monitoring, and driver training. Chartered Speed has stated its intention to transition 25 percent of its total fleet to electric power by Fiscal 2027.

The deployment aims to support public transport infrastructure in the region through investments in charging and maintenance facilities. Bengaluru is currently expanding its electric transport capacity to meet state mobility targets. The project focuses on providing urban transport solutions for the city's commuter base while reducing the carbon footprint of the public system.

Sanyam Gandhi, Whole-Time Director, Chartered Speed, said,  “Bengaluru is a key mobility hub in India, and electric buses are part of the efforts to build a cleaner and more efficient public transport system. The PM E-Drive allocation strengthens Chartered Speed Limited’s long-term commitment to sustainable mass mobility. As one of the early adopters of e-mobility, we aim to convert around 25% of our fleet to electric by Fiscal 2027, supported by strong infrastructure investments to deliver commuter-centric services aimed at lasting socio-economic impact.”

Rohit Srivastava, Business Head & Chief Growth Officer, EKA Mobility, added, “The PM E-Drive initiative is a powerful enabler of India’s electric mobility vision, and Bengaluru’s large-scale adoption of electric buses sets a strong benchmark for urban transport transformation. At EKA Mobility, we are proud to partner with Chartered Speed and contribute to Bengaluru’s journey towards a more sustainable urban future. It is not just about scale, but about creating cleaner mobility solutions, quieter streets, and a better daily commute for millions.”

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Suzuki Motor Corporation and its subsidiary, Suzuki R&D Centre India (SRDI), have inaugurated the Banas Suzuki Biogas Plant in Bhukhala, Gujarat. The facility, which opened on 18 January 2026, is the second such plant following the Agthala site that commenced operations in December 2025.

The plant is designed to process up to 100 tonnes of cow dung per day to produce approximately 1.5 tonnes of biogas. This output is equivalent to the daily fuel requirements of 850 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. In addition to fuel production, the facility will sell organic fertiliser generated as a byproduct of the process.

The project is part of an agreement signed in September 2023 between SRDI, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Banas Dairy. The partners have agreed to construct a total of five biogas plants in the region. The Bhukhala site covers an area of 27,000 square metres and forms a component of Suzuki’s strategy to support carbon neutrality in India.

The use of biogas serves as a carbon-neutral alternative for CNG vehicles, which currently represent 20 percent of the Indian passenger car market. Beyond emission reductions, the initiative is intended to improve energy self-sufficiency and increase rural income through the purchase of cattle waste from local farmers.

The opening ceremony was attended by Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Gujarat and Shankar Chaudhary, Chairman of Banas Dairy and Speaker of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. Representing Suzuki was Kenichiro Toyofuku, Managing Officer and Executive General Manager of Biogas Operations.

The company stated that it will continue to develop its biogas business to contribute to national growth and environmental targets. The operation is expected to create jobs within the district while providing fuel for high-demand vehicle segments.

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