JBM Group Partners Singapore’s Keppel To Decarbonise and Introduce Solutions For E-Mobility And E-Waste

JBM Group - Keppel

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.”

TVS Motor Company Partners IndianOil For Sustainable LPG Distribution

TVS King Kargo HD

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced a partnership with Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) to support LPG cylinder distribution using the TVS King Kargo HD vehicle range.

The initiative aims to provide commercial mobility solutions for IndianOil's network of over 13,000 LPG distributors across India. The partnership intends to improve the efficiency of last-mile deliveries while supporting the transition to sustainable mobility. By using the TVS King Kargo HD, distributors are expected to reduce operating costs and carbon emissions.

Rajat Gupta, Business Head of Commercial Mobility at TVS Motor Company, said, "At TVS Motor Company, we are focused on building mobility solutions that make everyday business more efficient and sustainable. Our partnership with IndianOil Corporation Limited brings together the strength of two trusted organisations to transform last-mile LPG cylinder distribution across the country. Through the TVS King Kargo range, we are enabling distributors with reliable, high-performance vehicles that help reduce operating costs, improve productivity, and support cleaner operations. This collaboration is another step towards making sustainable mobility practical, accessible, and impactful for businesses across India.”

V C Asokan, ED, SR & SH-TNSO, Indian Oil Corporation, said, "Indian Oil has consistently been at the forefront of delivering energy solutions that power the nation's growth while embracing sustainability. This initiative represents an important step towards modernising our LPG distribution ecosystem through sustainable mobility solutions. The induction of electric cargo vehicles will help improve fleet productivity, lower operating costs for our distributors, and contribute towards reducing carbon emissions. We believe this engagement will demonstrate how strategic industry partnerships can accelerate India's transition towards greener and more sustainable logistics."

Fiat Launches Topolino Micro EV In The United States

Fiat Topolino

Fiat has introduced the Topolino to the United States market, marking the entry of Stellantis into the country's micromobility segment. The EV is available in two body styles, the Topolino and the Topolino Dolcevita, through select dealers with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of USD 13,995, excluding destination fees.

The Topolino is a low-speed electric vehicle with a 5.4-kWh battery and a range of up to 46 miles (75 km). It has a speed of 19 mph (30.5 kmph), though owners can install a conversion kit by the end of summer 2026 to increase the speed to 25 mph (40 kmph), making it a street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV) for roads with speed limits of 35 mph (56 kmph) or less.

Olivier Francois, CEO, Fiat, said, "Topolino represents a new chapter for the brand in the U.S. – defined not just by size, but by purpose. With Topolino, we bring a feeling, a lifestyle, a reminder that mobility can be joyful, expressive and beautifully simple. FIAT continues to stand apart by embracing its legacy in small cars, redefining mobility, and anticipating evolving customer needs. With the introduction of Topolino, FIAT brings its unmistakable Italian design and iconic character into this fast-growing segment, offering a fresh, stylish alternative that reimagines urban and neighborhood mobility."

The vehicle is part of the Stellantis FaSTLAne 2030 strategy, which focuses on providing mobility options. Fiat has also collaborated with Motori & Customs to offer customisation services for the Topolino.

Maruti Suzuki Commissions 1 MWh Battery Energy Storage System At Kharkhoda

Maruti Suzuki India - BESS

Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has commissioned a 1 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at its manufacturing facility in Kharkhoda. The company installed a 20 MWp solar power project at the site in 2025.

The BESS stores electricity generated by the solar plant during periods of low demand or holidays for use when needed. The system is also intended to assist with grid stability and has been integrated into the facility's electricity distribution network as a pilot project.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Maruti Suzuki is strongly aligned with India’s focus on building self-reliant energy ecosystems. The introduction of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at our Kharkhoda facility is part of these continued efforts. With a lifecycle of about 15 years, BESS will help to reduce nearly 54 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.”

“Going forward, our production volumes will increase from current levels. Despite this, we remain committed to lower Scope 1 & 2 emissions not only in terms of CO2 intensity but also in absolute CO2 emission in manufacturing. Our approach is in line with our parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation’s environmental vision, which has set an intermediate target to reduce Scope 1 & 2 CO2 emissions by 42 percent by FY 2030-31 compared to FY 2022-23,” he added.

Oben Electric Begins Deliveries Of Rorr Evo E-Motorcycle

Oben Rorr Evo

Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Oben Electric has commenced deliveries of the Rorr Evo motorcycle with an initial delivery event in Bengaluru.

The company plans to roll out deliveries across its 150 showrooms nationwide in the coming weeks.

The launch follows 25,000 bookings received within 15 days of the motorcycle's launch in May 2026. Oben Electric stated that it is scaling production to meet this demand, supported by a facility with an annual capacity of 100,000 units. The company operates a retail and service network across 90 cities in 18 states.

The Rorr Evo is priced at INR 124,999 (ex-showroom) and features a 9 kW motor, a 3.4 kWh battery and has a claimed top speed of 110 kmph with a range of 180 km. The vehicle includes a 5-inch TFT display, navigation and connectivity features. Oben Electric designs and manufactures its batteries, motors, and software in-house.

Madhumita Agrawal, Founder & CEO, Oben Electric, said, "Building demand is one milestone but consistently delivering on that demand is what builds enduring customer trust. The commencement of Rorr Evo deliveries marks an important milestone for us as strong customer demand now translates into real motorcycles on the road, and we are deeply grateful to the customers who placed their faith in us. India is a motorcycle-first nation, and the next phase of electric mobility will be defined by electric motorcycles that fit seamlessly into everyday riding. As manufacturers, our responsibility is to bridge the gap between aspiration and adoption by building electric motorcycles that deliver uncompromised performance, reliability, safety and ownership confidence. Every delivery is a step towards making electric motorcycles a practical and trusted choice for millions of Indian riders."