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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Greaves Electric Mobility, the electric vehicle business of Greaves Cotton, has introduced an updated version of its Ampere Magnus Neo electric scooter, focusing on improved ergonomics and urban rideability.

The new variant maintains its position in the affordable family scooter segment with an introductory price of INR 86,999 (ex-showroom).

The refreshed Magnus Neo features several design tweaks aimed at enhancing daily use. The e-scooter now has a reduced kerb weight of 103 kg and a low seat height of 777 mm, making it more accessible for a wider range of riders and easier to manoeuvre in heavy traffic.

To improve handling, Greaves has integrated a 10-inch rear tyre and a revised wheel and motor configuration, which the company claims provides smoother acceleration and better balance.

The e-scooter continues to utilise the proven Magnus Neo platform, which holds a national record for the longest journey by a city-speed family electric scooter, covering over 2,300 km from Bengaluru to Delhi.

It is powered by an advanced LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery. This chemistry, the company said is chosen for its durability, offering up to 10 years of life cycle and the ability to operate safely in temperatures ranging from -40deg C to 60deg C.

The Magnus Neo delivers a top speed of 65 kmph and an IDC range of approximately 118 km, with a practical real-world range between 85–95 km. It can be fully charged in about 6 hours using a standard home charger.

The 2026 update introduces four contemporary colour options: Mystic Mauve, Butter Yellow, Ocean Blue and Matcha Green. The scooter retains its practical ‘family-first’ features, including a 22-litre under-seat storage compartment, a USB charging port and a digital instrument console.

Vikas Singh, Managing Director, Greaves Electric Mobility, said, “Comfort and ease of rideability remain central to our product philosophy. The new Magnus Neo has been developed as a lighter, more comfortable, and easier-to-handle family scooter, designed for Indian road conditions and everyday use. With this launch, we aim to make electric mobility more practical and accessible for a wider set of riders.”

As part of Greaves' broader sustainability commitment, the Magnus Neo is backed by a 5-year/75,000 km battery warranty, the first of its kind in this segment.

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cellcentric, the joint venture between Daimler Truck and Volvo Group, has officially launched its next-generation fuel cell system, the BZA375. Unveiled at Hannover Messe 2026, the system (previously known as NextGen) is designed as a direct competitor to modern diesel engines in terms of performance, durability and total cost of ownership (TCO).

The BZA375 represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the BZA150, by moving from a ‘twin-system’ to a powerful single-system design. This evolution has resulted in a 40 percent increase in power density, allowing the unit to fit within engine compartments originally designed for standard 13-litre diesel engines. Despite this compact footprint, the system delivers up to 375 kW of continuous net power – equivalent to more than 500 horsepower – while weighing less than 500 kg. This lightweight construction is critical for heavy-duty operators, as it ensures payload capacities remain comparable to those of traditional diesel-powered trucks.

Efficiency and durability are central to the system's value proposition. The BZA375 achieves a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the BZA150, enabling a fully loaded 40-tonne truck to operate on less than 6 kg of hydrogen per 100 kilometres. Engineering refinements have also led to a 40 percent reduction in waste heat (at 300 kW net power) and a 40 percent reduction in overall system complexity by minimising components and interfaces. These improvements do not come at the cost of longevity, as the system is rated for a 25,000-hour service life, matching the 10-year operational expectations of modern diesel engines in long-haul transport.

While the BZA375 is primarily optimised for heavy-duty long-haul trucks, cellcentric is pursuing a ‘one-product strategy’ to apply the system across several demanding sectors to create economies of scale:

• Coaches: Offering long-range zero-emission travel with fast refuelling.
• Stationary Power: Serving as a clean energy source for data centres and industrial sites.
• Rail: Providing an alternative for non-electrified tracks or topographically demanding routes.
• Mining: Delivering high reliability and diesel-equivalent payload capacity for 24x7 operations.

Prototype production has commenced, with units currently available to OEM customers for testing and validation. cellcentric anticipates that larger volumes of mature prototypes will be deployed for initial fleet applications ahead of series production scheduled for the turn of the decade.

Karin Radstrom, President and CEO, Daimler Truck, said, “Two key technologies will lead the way on our path to decarbonise transport: battery-electric and hydrogen. We’ve already taken important steps, and cellcentric’s new fuel cell system is the next major milestone. Building on the success of its predecessor, it represents a new level of efficiency and performance.”

Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group, said, “With the launch of the BZA375, cellcentric and its partners have created the blueprint for zero-emission long-haul transportation in the heavy-duty segment. This is a game changer for logistics providers and society at large, and it takes us yet another step towards the decarbonization of the industry.”

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Youdha, an electric mobility brand specialising in the three-wheeler segment, has announced its expansion strategy to establish over 200 outlets across India within the next year.

The aim is to capture a larger share of the L5 passenger electric vehicle (EV) market, focusing on both metropolitan areas and Tier-II and Tier-III cities. The expansion follows the launch of the company’s flagship model, the EPOD.

The electric three-wheeler uses a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery, designed for urban commuting and fleet operations with an emphasis on durability and low maintenance costs.

The retail rollout expansion will begin in North and East India, specifically targeting Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam, before extending into the southern and western regions.

Each new outlet will offer integrated services including sales, technical support, and financing options. To support this network, Youdha is increasing production capacity at its manufacturing facility and investing in further localisation of components. The strategy aims to address both business-to-business (B2B) fleet requirements and individual ownership.

Ayush Lohia, CEO, Youdha, said, “Our vision is to make Youdha one of the most trusted and accessible EV brands in India. Expanding to 200 outlets is not just about scale – it is about ensuring that customers have reliable access to products, service, and support wherever they are. As demand grows, building a strong on-ground ecosystem becomes critical. This is not just about selling vehicles – it’s about building a complete ecosystem that supports customers throughout their ownership journey.”

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle company Simple Energy has opened its first Simple Store in Nagpur, marking a further expansion of its retail network in Maharashtra.

Established in partnership with Trinity Automobiles, the facility includes a 700 sqft showroom and a dedicated 1,300 sqft service centre located nearby. The dual launch of retail and service facilities is part of the company's strategy to provide immediate after-sales support to new owners.

The Nagpur outlet displays the manufacturer's full range of electric two-wheelers, including the Simple Ultra, which features an IDC range of 400 km. Also available are the Simple One Gen 2, offering a 265 km range, and the Simple OneS Gen 2, with a 190 km range. Prices in Maharashtra start at INR 164,999 for the OneS Gen 2, reaching INR 234,999 for the flagship Ultra model.

At present, Simple Energy operates approximately 70 outlets across 36 Indian cities, including Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad. The company intends to continue its national expansion with upcoming locations planned for Ranchi and Bhubaneswar. The Nagpur store is equipped to handle customer test rides, accessory sales, and vehicle bookings.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “We’ve made rapid progress in Maharashtra with recent launches in Nashik and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, among others, and our upcoming Nagpur launch is a key step in this expansion. It strengthens our presence in high-potential EV markets and brings the Simple Energy experience closer to customers. With this, we aim to accelerate the shift to electric mobility by offering long-range, dependable and truly worry-free two-wheelers - while moving closer to our goal of making high-performance EVs accessible to more riders.”

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