JBM Group, a leading player in the commercial vehicle and component manufacturing space, has signed a strategic partnership with Singapore-based Keppel for decarbonisation and green mobility.

The partners will focus on decarbonising urban infrastructure, provide unique and customised solutions for electric mobility and electric waste (e-waste) management. As part of the understanding, Keppel will brings its leading-edge capabilities in integrated clean energy, electric vehicle (EV) charging and resource circularity solutions.

On the other hand, JBM Group will leverage its expertise in electric vehicles, EV aggregates and key auto systems. They will joint develop projects focussing on e-mobility, Battery Energy Storage Systems and e-waste solutions. Furthermore, they will also look at setting up EV charging networks, e-mobility hubs and  resource recovery facilities.

The agreement was done at the 29th Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Partnership Summit 2024 in New Delhi, India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Government of India by Nishant Arya, Vice Chairman, JBM Group and Cindy Lim, CEO, Keppel’s Infrastructure Division.

“India and Singapore share a long-standing and robust partnership that was recently elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Singapore in September 2024. This significant step enhances collaboration in sustainability, advanced manufacturing, digital technology and green energy,” said Goyal

“At the 29th CII Partnership Summit, I am pleased to witness landmark agreements between Keppel and leading Indian corporations. These collaborations align with India's priorities, including the energy transition and the India Cooling Action Plan, fostering innovation and paving the way for economic growth and a sustainable future for both nations. This augurs well as our countries celebrate the 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2025,” he added.

Nishant Arya said, “This strategic partnership with Keppel marks a significant step forward in our commitment to advancing the global energy transition and decarbonisation goals. The combined synergies of two global leaders joining hands, with JBM’s expertise in e-mobility, renewables and green manufacturing and Keppel’s innovative solutions in infrastructure and sustainability, we aim to deliver transformative outcomes in clean energy and electro-mobility domains. Together, we will pioneer solutions that shall redefine the global sustainability landscape towards creating a zero carbon and resilient future for our communities.”

Cindy Lim added, “India's electricity demand is rapidly rising on the back of its growing economy, urbanisation and electrification. Through forging partnerships with leading partners like JBM Group, Keppel is uniquely positioned to participate in and contribute meaningfully towards India’s sustainable development. We look forward to working with our esteemed partner to deliver differentiated and impactful decarbonisation and sustainability solutions to help meet the net-zero commitments of both India and our customers.”

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Bijliride, a two-wheeler electric vehicle (EV) rental platform, has announced a partnership with BGauss, an electric vehicle manufacturer, to increase its fleet size across India.

Under the agreement, BGauss will supply electric scooters for Bijliride’s rental and enterprise operations. The company intends to add 7,000 units to its current fleet of 3,000, reaching a total of 10,000 EVs by December 2026.

The phase 1 of the expansion will focus on four cities: Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi NCR. These locations were selected for their demand in logistics and urban commuting.

The fleet includes models such as the BGauss C12i Max and Oowah. These vehicles feature: Removable lithium-ion batteries, IoT-enabled management, predictive maintenance via centralised dashboards and connectivity & weather-resistant designs.

Bijliride currently maintains a fleet uptime of over 95 percent through its charging and swapping infrastructure.

Shivam Sisodiya, CEO & Co-Founder, Bijliride, said, “Our objective is clear: to make electric mobility reliable and convenient at scale. BGauss’s focus on engineering quality and rider comfort complements our full-stack mobility platform, enabling us to deliver a seamless EV rental experience across high-impact urban markets.”

Going forward, Bijliride aims to expand its operation in over 10 cities by the end of next year. The company is scaling its business-to-business (B2B) fleet partnerships alongside its business-to-consumer (B2C) rental services. The expansion aims to establish an ecosystem for urban mobility and logistics.

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Marking its 100th day, the monumental Bharat Maha EV Rally, the world's longest electric vehicle rally, concluded a landmark phase of its journey at ICAT in Manesar, Haryana, where it received a celebratory welcome. The rally’s nationwide expedition, organised by the International Federation of Electric Vehicle Association (IFEVA), is a transformative campaign designed to assess and accelerate India's electric mobility landscape. Its core mission is to dismantle prevalent myths, demonstrate the practicality of long-distance EV travel and foster widespread awareness.

Under the leadership of IFEVA President Dr Rajeev Mishra and a dedicated team, the rally has achieved an extraordinary footprint, traversing all 28 states and eight union territories of India, along with international stretches in Bhutan and Nepal. This ambitious journey has garnered unprecedented support, receiving flag-offs and endorsements from a diverse array of leaders including Chief Ministers, Governors, Union and State Ministers and spiritual guides, signifying a broad-based national consensus on electrification.

A pivotal aspect of the rally's outreach has been its deep engagement with the academic community. The convoy has visited hundreds of institutions, including premier establishments like IITs and IIMs, facilitating direct interactions where students and faculty experienced EVs firsthand, participated in dynamic discussions and had their queries addressed by experts. This initiative has successfully ignited enthusiasm and curiosity among the nation's youth.

By actively collaborating with government bodies, industry players from large manufacturers to MSMEs, educational institutes and consumers, the rally is gathering critical, on-ground insights. These findings are poised to inform future policy and infrastructure development decisively. Ultimately, the Bharat Maha EV Rally stands as a powerful testament to India's commitment to sustainable transportation, clearly showcasing the rapid adoption of EVs and the expansion of supporting infrastructure, thereby solidifying the country's position as a frontrunner in the global electric vehicle revolution.

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Delhi-NCR-based electric vehicle battery swapping organisation Battery Smart has announced that it has become the first company in India to complete 100 million battery swaps across its network for electric two- and three-wheelers.

The achievement comes five years after the company’s founding. Battery Smart claims it currently operates approximately 70 percent of the battery-swapping infrastructure in the country.

To mark the achievement, the company has launched an INR 100 million Driver Welfare Fund 2026, which is designed to provide insurance, financial protection and skill development for approximately 100,000 electric vehicle (EV) drivers. The fund also includes referral programmes, free swaps and community inclusion initiatives.

Pulkit Khurana and Siddharth Sikka, Co-Founders of Battery Smart, said, “Crossing 100 million swaps is a landmark for EV adoption in India, not just for us. It demonstrates the potential of battery swapping to make clean mobility accessible, affordable, and inclusive at scale. Each swap represents a choice, a driver choosing clean mobility over combustion, assurance over anxiety and improved uptime over long waiting hours. This achievement belongs to our community of drivers, battery swap station partners, OEM collaborators, investors, and policymakers who believed that battery swapping could succeed at scale in India.”

The company’s ecosystem includes over 5,000 women drivers and 250 women partners. Its technology utilises IoT-enabled batteries and real-time monitoring to enable predictive maintenance and minimize downtime for drivers in the gig economy.

“Looking ahead, the Driver Welfare Fund reinforces our commitment to the community that made this possible. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on strengthening India’s EV mobility backbone, powered by smarter IoT batteries, more efficient station operations, and robust safety systems. This milestone is just the beginning, and together, we are building the future of clean mobility for India,” added Sikka.

Going forward, Battery Smart intends to expand into 100 additional cities by 2026. The company’s roadmap involves deploying more swap stations and increasing daily swap capacity to meet demand from commercial operators. Planned investments include safety systems and IoT intelligence as the company continues to work with regulators and industry stakeholders.

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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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