Kia Europe has announced a significant leadership appointment aimed at accelerating its push into the commercial electric vehicle sector. Erhan Eren has taken the role of Director for Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) with effecf from 1 March 2026, reinforcing the company's commitment to establishing a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem tailored for European markets.

Operating out of Kia's European headquarters in Frankfurt, Eren will be responsible for steering the strategic growth and practical deployment of the PBV portfolio across the region. His duties will encompass managing the entire PBV ecosystem, from crafting market entry strategies to ensuring seamless collaboration between the central headquarters, individual European markets and key conversion partners. A core part of his mandate will be to strengthen the regional PBV team and ensure that Kia's flexible, modular vehicle architecture is effectively localised through conversion and homologation to meet the specific demands of European fleet operators.

With a career spanning over 18 years in the commercial vehicle industry, Eren brings extensive expertise in trucks, buses and vans. His background includes significant leadership roles overseeing profit and loss, international market expansion and the introduction of advanced battery-electric and fuel-cell technologies. He has a proven track record in cultivating high-performance sales and service networks and developing customer-focused mobility solutions for various commercial sectors.

Eren's arrival coincides with a period of rapid progress for Kia's PBV initiative. The programme recently achieved a notable milestone as the Kia PV5 was named the International Van of the Year 2026, highlighting the brand's growing stature in the light commercial vehicle arena. The overarching PBV strategy is centred on a dedicated electric platform that utilises modular body designs, adaptable interiors and sophisticated connectivity features tailored for logistics, delivery and specialised applications. This integrated approach, which combines hardware, software and a network of conversion specialists, is designed to lower total ownership costs while providing superior operational flexibility.

The rollout of this new generation of vehicles commenced in late 2025 with the introduction of the PV5 Passenger and Cargo variants, followed by the PV5 Chassis Cab. Looking ahead, larger models like the PV7 and PV9 are planned, supporting Kia's ambitious global target of selling 250,000 electric PBV units annually by 2030.

Eren said, “Kia’s PBV strategy is redefining what businesses can expect from an electric vehicle, pairing a dedicated platform with modular flexibility and advanced connectivity. My priority is to ensure customers benefit from a seamless, reliable ecosystem – from strong product fundamentals to service, uptime support, converter integration and parts availability. This role brings together everything I value: practical innovation, purposeful transformation and creating real impact for customers.”

Sjoerd Knipping, COO, Kia Europe, said, “Kia is emerging as a game‑changer in commercial electric mobility and our PBV approach offers the B2B market a new standard in purpose‑built solutions. With his extensive experience in commercial mobility and electrified fleets, Erhan Eren will play a vital role in driving the next chapter of Kia’s PBV strategy in Europe.”

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Yulu, the electric vehicle (EV) sharing platform, has recorded over 1 billion kilometres of travel in Bengaluru. The company operates a fleet of 22,500 EVs within the city, serving as a primary infrastructure for short-distance commutes and hyperlocal deliveries. Since its inception, the platform has supported 190 million deliveries and estimates that its operations have prevented 27 million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions in the region.

The company's Bengaluru network covers major industrial and commercial hubs from Peenya to Whitefield and Hebbal to Electronic City, supported by 700 Yulu Zones and 16 centres.

At a national level, including operations in Mumbai, Delhi NCR and Hyderabad, Yulu manages 46,000 EVs, which have collectively covered 2 billion kilometres. The platform utilises a vertically integrated technology stack, including AI-enabled fleet rebalancing and predictive maintenance, alongside the Yuma Energy network for battery swapping.

In the delivery sector, Yulu accounts for approximately 1 in 3 vehicles at local dark stores. During March 2026, the platform enabled nearly 300,000 deliveries per day, totalling 8.5 million for the month. The company reports that delivery partners using its electric scooters can reduce operational costs by 30-40 percent compared to petrol-powered alternatives. Beyond logistics, the service is also being adopted by professionals in the on-demand household services market.

Looking forward, Yulu plans to increase its Bengaluru fleet to between 35,000 and 40,000 vehicles over the next year. This expansion is intended to support a target of 20 million monthly deliveries while increasing the density of its service across urban neighbourhoods.

Amit Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Yulu, said, “Namma Bengaluru has always been at the heart of Yulu’s story. Today, nine years after we were founded in this very city, we are proud to remain the clear “first choice for the last mile”. The 1 billion-km milestone is just the beginning, as Yulu strives to make Bengaluru a national leader in technology-enabled EV adoption. As we look ahead to the future, Yulu remains committed to championing electric mobility that is not only sustainable, but also affordable and accessible to millions of Bengalureans and Indians.”

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VinFast Auto India, a subsidiary of the global electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, has launched the all-new VF MPV 7 specifically for Indian buyers. Priced at INR 2,449,000 ex-showroom, this premium electric seven-seater multi-purpose vehicle is engineered to deliver the space and adaptability that Indian families prioritise. The launch represents VinFast’s third product debut in the country within a single year, highlighting the company’s determination to strengthen its presence in India’s rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.

Understanding that space is the top concern for multi-generational Indian households, the VF MPV 7 features a theatre style seating arrangement that ensures genuine comfort even in the third row. With a wheelbase measuring 2,840 mm, the vehicle comfortably accommodates seven passengers. Storage capacity reaches up to 1,240 litres, allowing ample room for luggage, daily necessities and various family lifestyle needs, making the vehicle practical for both routine commutes and longer journeys.

Powering the VF MPV 7 is a 60.13 kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers an ARAI-certified range of 517 km on a full charge. Fast charging capability can replenish the battery from 10 to 70 percent in just 30 minutes. The front wheel drive system produces 150 kW and 280 Nm of torque, enabling acceleration from zero to 100 kmph in under 10 seconds. The exterior is finished with all-LED lighting, giving the vehicle a genuinely premium look inside and out.

A comprehensive ownership package accompanies the VF MPV 7, featuring three years of free maintenance, a 10-year battery warranty, a 7-year vehicle warranty, a 5-year suspension warranty, a 7-year paint warranty and 7-years of roadside assistance. This package offers best in segment assurance for customers. The VF MPV 7 joins the VF 6 and VF 7 in VinFast India’s expanding lineup. All models are locally assembled at the company’s factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, following a production philosophy of building vehicles in India for India.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The all-new VF MPV 7 is VinFast’s third product for India and is most suited for customers with large families. It is designed to offer generous space for every member of the family, comfort that makes even the longest journeys feel effortless and intelligent features that elevate every single drive. With the VF MPV 7, we are entering a new segment, but more importantly, we are expanding our commitment to India.”

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Nissan has introduced the all-electric version of its JUKE model during its Vision event held at its global headquarters in Japan, signalling a decisive move forward in the brand’s electrification push across Europe.

This first ever battery-powered JUKE brings the model’s signature agility and bold personality into the zero-emission era, reinterpreting a favourite compact crossover for European roads. Since its original debut in 2010, the JUKE has won over 1.5 million customers in Europe by challenging conventional design norms. The new EV retains that distinctive character while supporting Nissan’s broader commitment to offer an electrified powertrain for every type of buyer.

The all-electric JUKE will join an expanding European EV family that includes the new MICRA, the third generation LEAF, the Ariya crossover, the Townstar light commercial vehicle and a future A segment EV. It will also share with the LEAF the ability to use Vehicle to Grid technology, helping integrate EVs into the wider energy system. Alongside these models, Nissan continues to offer e‑POWER hybrid technology for an EV like driving experience without plugging in, with hybrids such as the Qashqai e‑POWER and JUKE HEV remaining key options for customers.

Production of the all new all electric JUKE will take place at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in UK, reinforcing that site’s importance to the company’s global EV strategy. The first trial production phase for the JUKE will begin in the coming weeks. This effort is backed by Nissan’s design, engineering and development network across UK, Spain and Germany, highlighting long-term investment in Europe as both a manufacturing and innovation hub. The new JUKE EV is scheduled for launch in spring 2027.

Massimiliano Messina, Chairman, Nissan AMIEO, said, “Europe is central to Nissan’s electrification strategy, and we remain firmly committed to a fully electric future. With a rapidly expanding EV line-up, we are bringing greater choice and innovation to every segment, powered by our strong design, engineering and manufacturing footprint in the region. Together, this next generation of vehicles will accelerate our transition to zero-emission mobility.”

Clíodhna Lyons, Region Vice President, Product, Brand & Marketing Strategy, Nissan AMIEO, said, “JUKE has always stood for bold design and a willingness to challenge convention. With this third generation, we are bringing that spirit into the electric age. As our first fully electric JUKE, it will help us reach new customers while expanding choice across our electrified range.”

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Jakson Group, a leading diesel genset manufacturer, has announced an expansion of its energy solutions range following a financial year where revenue exceeded INR 90 billion (GBP 850 million).

The Group has expanded its presence across five new categories – Genset Xtra, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), Solar Kits, Mobile Light Towers and electric three-wheelers. This move is intended to broaden the company's presence across power generation, storage and sustainable transport.

The entry into electric mobility follows a partnership with a Bengaluru-based firm to develop research-backed three-wheelers. This adds a transport component to Jakson’s existing operations in solar power, green molecules and infrastructure engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

Established in 1947, the group operates six manufacturing facilities and maintains a workforce of 3,500 employees serving approximately 100,000 customers.

Jakson Group is positioning itself as an integrated provider for the energy transition, moving from its origins in diesel generator manufacturing toward a diversified portfolio that includes alternative fuels and civil EPC services. With 12 international offices, the group is looking to align its domestic manufacturing scale with global energy requirements.

Sameer Gupta, Chairman, Jakson, said, “At Jakson, our mission has always been to power progress through innovation. With FY26 revenue of over INR 90 billion, Jakson today has both the scale and the responsibility to shape future-ready energy solutions. This portfolio expansion reflects our commitment to building an integrated energy ecosystem that is reliable, responsible and aligned with the evolving needs of customers in India and global markets.”

Sundeep Gupta, Vice-Chairman, Jakson, added, “The market today is looking for energy solutions that are efficient, dependable and future-ready. With this expanded portfolio, Jakson is strengthening its position as a diversified player serving evolving customer needs across sectors.”

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