iCreate (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology), an innovation-based start-up incubator, announced the winners of the EVangelise ’22 on Wednesday. This was the second edition of EVangelise, an EV innovation challenge. iCreate states that the aim of EVangelise’22 has been to put India on the global EV innovation map by identifying clean, low cost, innovative technologies that solve the industry's critical problems. It took place over six months, during which start-ups and EV innovators from 23 states and UTs showcased their solutions for real-life challenges in the EV industry under three themes – vehicle traction, energy storage and vehicle infrastructure.

iCreate claims that upon technical evaluation, market relevance and implementation strategies, Gyrodrive Machineries, C Electric Automotive Drives and Fasmho Energy Systems were awarded the top three positions in the TRL>4 category, respectively. Cancrie, Vijigi Energy and INTAKT EV Hybrids bagged the top three positions in the TRL<4 category, respectively, states iCreate.

Commenting on the achievement, Eshan Dhar, CTO of Gyrodrive Machineries and the winner of EVangelise’ 22, said, “We are overwhelmed to be chosen as the winner of EVangelise’22. We believe that our innovation on magnet-free switched reluctance motors will be the future of the EV industry. This eliminates the need for rare earth materials that are detrimental to the environment and make India Atmanirbhar, as these motors can be manufactured domestically. I express my heartfelt gratitude to the iCreate team for mentoring us throughout the challenge and giving us a platform to showcase our innovation to some of the best minds in the industry. EVangelise’22 has proved to be a launchpad for aspiring entrepreneurs like us, and moving forward, we hope to work with the team at iCreate more closely to co-create solutions for the EV industry.”

Ratheesh Nair, CTO of C Electric Automotive Drives, the second-place winner of EVangelise’ 22, stated, “We are thrilled on being awarded the second position at EVangelise’22. Our innovation on indigenous electric drive components enables Indian electric vehicle makers to customise their motor controllers as per their requirements, while also reducing costs by 40 percent. EVanglise’22 has been instrumental in showcasing this to top industry leaders, and we have already received multiple orders. Advanced discussions with some more manufacturers are on.”

Six winners across two categories – TRL> 4 and TRL<4 – received cash prizes of INR one million, INR 0.75 million and INR 0.5 million, respectively. Six consolation prizes worth INR 0.3 million were also awarded, according to iCreate. The top three winners with TRL>4 also received INR 5 million as incubation support, subject to agreed terms and conditions to each to take their ideas to market.

Congratulating the winners, Avinash Punekar, CEO of iCreate, said, “Having completed two successful editions, EVangelise has grown to become India’s largest and most awaited EV innovation challenge for innovators and start-ups. The enthusiastic response received for EVangelise’22 from industry leaders, such as Dr Piyush Desai, Co-founder and Vice President, Turntide Technologies; Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission, Chair Startup 20 Engagement Group; and Srinivas Kudligi, GM, Aditya Auto Products And Engineering, highlights the potential of Indian innovators in solving pressing challenges for the global EV industry. We, at iCreate, are proud to partner with them in their journey and position India as a knowledge superpower in the EV space. I congratulate the winners of EVangelise’22 and look forward to working together to take their solutions to market.”

As per iCreate, EVangelise’22 has seen participation from 1,160 participants, including students, individual innovators, researchers and institutions, who have created promising solutions in the areas of battery safety and EV infrastructure. During the course of the bootcamp and the finale, innovators pitched directly to industry leaders and explored strategic partnerships. Industry leaders who supported, engaged and provided guidance to the innovators at the EV innovation challenge included BPCL, Mahindra Logistics, Tata Stryder, JOY ebike, Turntide Technologies and Rotomag to name a few, according to the start-up incubator.

iCreate claims that the finale also saw distinguished speakers share insights and learnings with the innovators. The speakers included Chetan Maini, Co-Founder of Sun Mobility; Dr Piyush Desai, Co-Founder of Turntide Technologies; Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director, Atal Innovation Mission and Chair of the Startup 20 Engagement Group; and H K Mittal, Chairman, Startup India Seed Fund Committee.

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Ola Electric has announced the commencement of mass deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered vehicles. The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is the first product to be powered by the company’s indigenously manufactured 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, which delivers more range, better performance and enhanced safety.

With its own battery packs in the vehicles, Ola Electric is now India's first company to fully own the battery pack and cell manufacturing process in-house.

The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is powered by a 13 kW motor, offering acceleration of zero to 40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. It comes with an impressive 320 km range (IDC with DIY mode).

The S1 Pro+ features four riding modes (Hyper, Sports, Normal and Eco) and also offers enhanced safety with category-first dual ABS and disk brakes in the front and rear. It also gets enhanced ergonomics and comfort, a two-tone seat with supportive foam, body-coloured mirrors, a die-cast aluminium grab handle, rim decals and an expanded colour palette comprising Passion Red, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Jet Black, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue.

“The excitement for S1 Pro+ has been phenomenal. Deliveries are now in full swing, and customers are proudly riding India’s first scooters powered by our own 4680 Bharat Cell. This is a big moment, not just for Ola, but for India’s journey towards becoming a global EV hub. With the national rollout starting soon, we are now ready to take this breakthrough product and technology to every corner of the country,” an Ola Electric spokesperson said.

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CATL and Stellantis broke ground on a EUR 4.1 billion battery plant in Figueruelas, Spain, on 26 November. The 50:50 joint venture will produce lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells and targets an annual production capacity of 50 GW/h.

The project, which is Spain’s largest battery factory, is backed by over EUR 300 million in EU funds, with production expected to start in late 2026.

According to unions, around 2,000 Chinese workers will help construct the site, a point of contention with local authorities and residents. Also, 3,000 Spanish staff are to be hired and trained later.

Spanish authorities and residents have voiced concerns about job opportunities for local workers and potential strain from the influx of foreign employees. CATL Vice President Meng Xiangfeng said earlier in November the company needed experienced technicians to build and fine-tune production lines, with plans to train local workers to take over operations gradually.

David Romeral, Director General of CAAR Aragon, a network of automotive businesses in the region, said: “We don’t know this technology, these components – we’ve never made them before. They’re years ahead of us. All we can do is watch and learn.”

The regional government is organising work permits for arriving workers while seeking to attract battery supply chain companies to Aragon. Some Chinese technicians and managers have already arrived, with several hundred more expected by year-end and nearly 2,000 by the end of next year.

CATL’s approach contrasts with its Hungarian site in Debrecen, where it hired mostly locals to build its European plant. However, a lack of local workers caused production to be delayed from late 2025 into mid-2026. The Figueruelas facility will serve as CATL’s third European manufacturing operation, alongside the Hungarian plant and one in Germany.

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Neuron Energy, an EV battery manufacturer, has raised INR 310 million in a Pre-Series B funding round led by Equanimity Ventures, Rajiv Dadlani Group, Thackersay Family Office and Chona Family Office, with participation from Family Offices and HNI investors. With this, Neuron Energy has raised INR 810 million to date.

The funding will be used to expand Neuron Energy’s manufacturing capacity to 3 GWh and to establish a fully automated, large-scale battery facility for electric four-wheelers and buses at Chakan, Pune. The capital will also strengthen the company’s R&D capabilities, accelerate domestic growth, and broaden its footprint in international markets.

Pratik Kamdar, CEO and Co-Founder, Neuron Energy, said, “This Pre-Series B round is a defining step in our mission to industrialise world-class battery manufacturing in India. As EV adoption accelerates, we are focused on building capacity, embedding automation, and pushing the boundaries of performance and reliability. This investment ensures we can deliver at scale, both in India and globally.”

The company said it operates with a low-CapEx and low-OpEx business model. It has been growing profitably year-on-year and is on track to achieve INR 2 billion in revenue this year. The company is also confident of achieving sales of over INR 9 billion, with profitability, over the next few years.

Rajesh Sehgal of Equanimity Ventures, added, "We see immense potential in Neuron Energy’s approach to EV battery innovation and scalability. Their focus on quality, automation, and energy efficiency aligns with the evolving demands of the EV industry in India and beyond. We are proud to support their next phase of growth as they scale into new vehicle categories and manufacturing capacities."

The new facility reinforces the company’s position in two-wheeler EV batteries and signals a strategic entry into heavier vehicle segments. This supports Neuron’s vision to become a comprehensive EV battery solutions provider.

Rajiv Dadlani, from the Family Office of the Rajiv Dadlani Group, said, "Neuron Energy demonstrates remarkable potential to become the market leader, with their renewed focus, in delivering top-quality products. The company and its founders are highly committed to delivering rigorously tested and safe-to-use Li-Ion smart batteries. We are confident that they will continue to thrive and set new standards in the industry."

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