Mumbai-headquartered automotive major Mahindra has inaugurated its new Charge_IN ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging network, which consists solely of 180 kW chargers.

The company aims to set up 1,000 charging points across 250 stations by the end of 2027.

The first two Charge_IN stations have already been opened at Hoskote on the Bengaluru – Chennai highway (NH 75) and Murthal on NH44, near Delhi. Both sites include two ultra-fast chargers, capable of charging four EVs at once.

Nalinikanth Gollagunta, Chief Executive Officer - Automotive Division, Mahindra & Mahindra and Executive Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile, said, “Electric mobility is about driving a larger shift towards cleaner, sustainable transportation. XEV 9e and BE 6, with their impressive 500 km real-world range, ensure drivers feel confident on long journeys. Meanwhile, with our ultrafast charging network by Charge_IN we will be creating an open and accessible network for all EV users. Our aim is to make long-distance travel with an electric vehicle effortless and reliable like conventional driving, thereby building customer confidence and accelerating India's transition to electric mobility.”

The 180 kW dual gun chargers can charge Mahindra's eSUV portfolio (XEV 9e, BE 6, and the upcoming XEV 9S) from 20 to 80 percent in 20 minutes. These charging stations will be positioned along major highway corridors and near customer traffic points, co-located with wayside amenities like restaurants and cafes.

Mahindra EV owners can use the Me4U app to discover, charge and pay. Through this app, customers currently access approximately 34,000 public charging points from various operators.

Non-Mahindra EV users can access the stations via the ‘Charge_IN by Mahindra’ app and through other leading aggregator platforms.

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Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) participated in the Advantage Maharashtra Expo 2026 to showcase its technology and manufacturing initiatives. The company focused on Flex-fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (FFV SHEV) technology and its ongoing expansion within the state of Maharashtra.

At the Technology Pavilion, the automaker displayed the HyCross FFV SHEV, a vehicle designed to operate on ethanol-blended fuels while utilising a hybrid electric powertrain. This technology is part of Toyota's ‘multi-pathway’ strategy intended to reach carbon neutrality by utilising various energy sources. The expo, organised by the Marathwada Association of Small-Scale Industries and Agriculture (MASSIA) and the Government of Maharashtra, serves as a platform for industry and technology exchange in the Marathwada region.

Sudeep Dalvi, Chief Communication Officer, Senior Vice President and Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “Toyota Kirloskar Motor extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Maharashtra for its continued support toward our greenfield manufacturing project in the state. Our upcoming facility will further enhance TKM’s operational footprint in the state with localization as a key focus while creating expanded opportunities for local development. Participation in the Advantage Maharashtra Expo underscores our ongoing collaborative initiatives across the region, reflecting our commitment to fostering sustainable growth, innovation, and community empowerment in Maharashtra. TKM has consistently focused on building core capabilities and strengthening the educational ecosystem in Maharashtra through its structured skilling & CSR programs. Complementing these efforts, we continue to advance technology initiatives that support cleaner mobility and more efficient powertrain systems.”

Beyond vehicle displays, Toyota Kirloskar Motor held sessions on manufacturing culture and skill development for industry representatives and educational institutions. The company recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the state government to develop a skilling ecosystem focused on Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs).

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Suzuki Motorcycle India (SMIPL), one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has announced the commencement of bookings for the e-Access, its first electric scooter. This launch marks Suzuki’s global entry into the electric two-wheeler segment, with India serving as the debut market for the model.

Priced at INR 188,490 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the e-Access can be reserved at authorised dealerships across India. The company has also confirmed that the scooter will be available for purchase through the e-commerce platform Flipkart once retail sales begin.

The e-Access is equipped with a lithium-ion battery designed for durability, which the company states will retain over 80 percent of its capacity after eight years of use. Technical features include a swingarm-mounted motor and a regenerative braking system that assists in energy recovery during deceleration. The scooter also includes a Type 2 charging port for compatibility with public charging infrastructure and a 5-inch TFT instrument cluster with smartphone connectivity.

Kenichi Umeda, Managing Director, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “The Suzuki e-Access represents Suzuki’s first global strategic battery electric vehicle. It offers long-life battery, agile handling, seamless acceleration and high quality fit & finish. With every element designed thoughtfully to make ownership easy, enjoyable, and worry-free, we remain committed to Suzuki’s global vision of sustainable mobility. We believe the Suzuki e-Access will be the choice for riders looking for a reliable, everyday electric scooter that fits into their lifestyle.”

The vehicle is available in four dual-tone colour options, including the new Metallic Mat Stellar Blue/Metallic Mat Fibroin Gray. To support the rollout, SMIPL has introduced financial products including interest rates starting at 5.99 percent and rental options ranging from 24 hours to 3 years.

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Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo Cars has introduced the EX60, an all-electric SUV featuring a claimed range of 810 kilometres on a single charge in an all-wheel drive configuration.

The EV is the first to be underpinned by SPA3, the company’s new electric architecture designed to increase efficiency and match the range of petrol engines.

The EX60 utilises cell-to-body technology, integrating the battery directly into the car's structure. This approach, combined with e-motors developed in-house and the use of mega casting to replace multiple components with single castings, reduces vehicle weight to improve energy efficiency.

Equipped with an 800-volt electrical system, the EX60 can add 340km of range in ten minutes when using a 400kW fast charger. The charging process is managed by software developed in-house and algorithms from Breathe Battery Technologies, which adjust power intake to maintain the battery in an ideal operating zone regardless of weather conditions.

Anders Bell, Chief Technology Officer, Volvo Cars, said, “The EX60 is designed to be a gamechanger. With our new electric vehicle architecture, we directly address the main worries that customers have when considering a switch to a fully electric car. The result is class-leading range and fast charging speeds, marking the end of range anxiety.”

Volvo Cars is offering a 10-year warranty on the EX60 battery. The use of mega casting in the manufacturing process marks a shift in Volvo’s production methods, aimed at simplifying assembly and reducing mass to further extend driving distance.

The EX60 represents the longest-range electric vehicle created by the manufacturer to date, focusing on real-life driving conditions and thermal management to maintain charging speeds.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has announced that its riders now have access to more than 5,000 public fast chargers equipped with the Light Electric Combined Charging System (LECCS) connector.

This network covers 395 cities and comprises 3,675 chargers operated by Ather Energy along with 1,400 chargers from partner networks.

The infrastructure is distributed across metropolitan areas, tier 2 & tier 3 cities and intercity routes. Bengaluru, Pune, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai each contain over 100 chargers, with Bengaluru hosting 240. Furthermore, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Gujarat also have the highest availability. Internationally, the company has established 30 chargers in Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Ather Energy developed the connector for electric two-wheelers and three-wheelers and opened the intellectual property in 2021 to encourage an interoperable platform. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) approved the LECCS connector as an Indian standard in 2023.

The LECCS standard has been adopted by manufacturers such as Hero Vida and Matter, as well as charge point operators including Bolt, Kazam and EVamp. Chargers are also visible on Google Maps to assist users in locating and navigating to charging points.

Ravneet Singh Phokela, CBO, Ather Energy, said, "Charging infrastructure is a critical enabler of EV adoption, and as we continue to grow, expanding this network remains a key focus for us. Over the last seven years, we’ve invested steadily in building charging not just across cities and towns, but increasingly along highways and intercity corridors, so riders can plan longer journeys with confidence. With access to over 5,000 fast chargers today, Ather owners can ride knowing they can easily top up wherever they go, whether it’s a daily commute or an intercity trip. In addition to expanding the network, we’ve also continued to improve the charging experience itself, most recently with the launch of a new fast charger. This is another step towards making the ownership experience more seamless, predictable, and convenient."

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