HYUNDAI SETS UP 11 NEW ULTRA-FAST CHARGING STATIONS IN INDIA
- By MT BUREAU
- February 16, 2024
Hyundai Motor India Ltd. (HMIL), in order to expand its ‘Ultra-High Speed Public EV Charging Network’ has installed 11 new Ultra-Fast charging stations at key highways and roads across the country.
This is done as a part of HMIL’s aim to pave the way for electric vehicle adoption in India and lessen range anxiety for both intercity and intracity travel. Each of these newly set-up chargers will comprise one unit each of DC 150 kW, DC 60 kW and DC 30 kW capacity. The charging sessions can be booked at a fee of INR 18 per unit for 30 kW Charger, INR 21 per unit for 60 kW Charger and INR 24 per unit for 150 kW Charger. Most of these chargers are operational 24-hours and accessible to all Hyundai as well as non-Hyundai customers. Hyundai will also man these stations for customer assistance and will also have multiple customer amenities nearby such as coffee shops and restaurants.
The newly expanded public charging network is available across six major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Gurugram and Bangalore and on five major highway locations including Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Jaipur, Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Mumbai-Surat and Mumbai-Nashik.
The charging stations are findable on Hyundai’s app called myHyundai under EV Charge for discovering chargers, navigating to chargers, pre-booking of a charging slot, digital payment and charging status monitoring. In addition to these chargers, more than 2900 charging points are mapped under the ‘EV Charge’ available in myHyundai app. This app is open and accessible for all Hyundai as well as non-Hyundai EV users.
Hyundai also has plans to further expand its ultra-fast charging stations to 10 or more new locations in 2024 across India. In addition to this as per Hyundai’s agreement with Government of Tamil Nadu in the recently concluded Global Investor Meet 2024 the manufacturer is also planning to install 100 Charging stations by 2027.
“At Hyundai Motor India Ltd., we have always strived to create new benchmarks and lead the industry by example. Aligned with our global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity’, Hyundai is always working towards the fulfilment of all its customer needs. In line with Government of India’s focus towards creating a holistic electric vehicle ecosystem, Hyundai Motor India Ltd. is committed to enhance customer’s EV ownership experience. The expansion of our Ultra-Fast charging stations to 11 locations is a step in the same direction. Hyundai Motor India Ltd. is the only OEM in the country to set-up 11 Ultra-fast charging stations in public locations. We are committed to India and we will continue strengthening the charging infrastructure in line with the Indian Government’s resolve for Electrification,” said Jae Wan Ryu, Executive Director, Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor India Ltd.
- Raptee.HV
- Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation
- TIDCO
- Startup Investment Policy 2025
- Dr TRB Rajaa
- T30
Raptee.HV Gets INR 250 Million Investment From Tamil Nadu Government
- By MT Bureau
- March 15, 2026
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.
- U Power
- Whale Logistics (Thailand)
- SAIC Hongyan Automotive
- UNEX EV
- UOTTA
- Johnny Lee
- battery swapping truck
U Power Completes Testing For Battery-Swapping Trucks In Thailand
- By MT Bureau
- March 13, 2026
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."
Polestar Publishes Full Carbon Footprint Of Polestar 5
- By MT Bureau
- March 11, 2026
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.”
MG Intros 7-Seater MGS9 PHEV In UK
- By MT Bureau
- March 11, 2026
MG has introduced its latest model, the all-new MGS9 PHEV, marking the brand's entry into the seven-seat SUV market. This plug-in hybrid vehicle aims to blend spacious family practicality with efficient operating costs. Pricing for the new model starts at GBP 34,205 (approximately USD 45,956) and reaches up to GBP 36,945 (approximately USD 49,606) for top-tier versions.
The vehicle’s interior is designed for adaptability, featuring three rows of seating. When the rearmost seats are not required, they can be folded to unlock over 1,000 litres of cargo capacity, accommodating luggage, sports equipment or everyday family needs. Even when all seven seats are in use, the MGS9 retains a practical 332 litres of boot space.
Power is supplied by a familiar plug-in hybrid system, previously seen in the award-winning MG HS. It pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a substantial 24.7 kWh battery. This setup provides an electric-only driving range of up to 62 miles (approximately 99.78 km), a figure that should comfortably cover the average daily commute or routine school and shopping trips.

In keeping with the brand's reputation for value, the MGS9 comes generously equipped. Features include leather-style upholstery, a panoramic sunroof and tri-zone climate control. Adding to passenger comfort, the front seats are also ventilated and offer a massage function. Safety has been thoroughly addressed, with the model already securing a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating. This achievement is supported by its robust high-strength steel construction and a comprehensive suite of up to 16 advanced driver assistance systems. The vehicle is currently available for ordering, with full specifications due to be released later this month as initial deliveries reach UK showrooms.
David Allison, Director of Product and Planning, MG UK, said, "The launch of the MGS9 PHEV represents a significant milestone for MG, marking our entry into the 7-seat SUV segment and further strengthening our position in the large SUV market. As a vehicle that is both longer and taller than the MG HS, the all-new MGS9 PHEV delivers enhanced presence and versatility, offering the flexibility of a third row to meet the evolving needs of modern families and lifestyle-driven customers. Combining an excellent electric range and strong efficiency with an elevated level of specification and refinement, the all-new MGS9 PHEV continues MG’s commitment to delivering accessible innovation and exceptional value within a highly competitive 7-seat SUV segment.”

Comments (0)
ADD COMMENT