Supplying cars to the Vatican for 94 years, Mercedes-Benz has delivered an electric Popemobile based on the G-Class for the first time. Helping the Vatican go electric in terms of its ‘main’ fleet car, Mercedes-Benz has delivered the vehicle well in time for the 2025 Jubilee event, which takes place every 25 years and with millions of pilgrims visiting. 
Overcoming challenges like adapting the electric drivetrain to low speed travel given the public appearances by Pope Francis, the electric Popemobile is a result of a team that managed the project in Rome. The drivetrain parallelly was developed and adapted to the needs of the Popemobile by a team in Graz. The experts from Sindelfingen produced the bodywork, interior fittings and customised equipment using traditional craftsmanship. 
The electric drivetrain that is engineered to support the vehicle’s slow travel during public appearances is from the Mercedes-Benz G580. Its EQ technology (with a combined energy consumption of 30.4-27.7 kWh per 100 km and a combined CO₂ emissions of 0 g per km) has four near-wheel motors. 
Replacing the bench seat that would be ideally found in the G580, the team that realised the Popemobile replaced it with a centrally positioned and height-adjustable single seat. This swivelling main seat should make it possible for Pope to move around flexibly and address an audience from different angles. 
Behind the single seat, two single seats have been integrated on the left and right for additional passengers. The roof – removed at the B-pillar – meant the B-pillar itself was harmoniously transitioned into the side wall to create an unmistakable side profile. 
In case of rain or bad weather conditions, a separate hardtop offers protection for the occupants. The left rear door was removed and rebuilt by the specialists – in traditional coachbuilding style – from a single piece and seamlessly welded into the bodyshell. On the right-hand side, the hinges of the rear door were relocated to the opposite side.
Like the previous Popemobiles, this one is also painted in classic pearl white on the outside.

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Chennai-based electric motorcycle start-up Raptee.HV has received strategic funding from the Technology Development Board (TDB), a government body under the Department of Science & Technology.

The company claims it is the first electric motorcycle manufacturer in India to receive this support, which will be used to develop its high-voltage technology further.

Raptee.HV specialises in adapting high-voltage technology from electric cars for use in two-wheelers. The company has spent over six years developing its own technology from the ground up, aiming to create electric motorcycles that offer car-level performance, reliability and charging convenience.

Dinesh Arjun, CEO and Co-Founder of Raptee.HV, said, “This support from the Technology Development Board is a strong endorsement of Raptee.HV’s mission to redefine performance electric mobility, from India, for the world. In the absence of an ecosystem for high-voltage motorcycle architecture, we built our own through uncompromising engineering. Earlier, we also received a grant from the Ministry of Heavy Industries through ARAI-AMTIF and now from TDB, both clear signals of the Government of India’s focus on supporting indigenous technological innovation. The trust placed in us by TDB and ARAI-AMTIF strengthens our resolve to push the boundaries of performance-driven motorcycle electrification in India.” 

By investing in Raptee.HV, the TDB is making its first-ever investment in the electric motorcycle sector. This places the startup in a select group of companies, including Tata Motors and Bharat Biotech, that have historically received TDB support for groundbreaking technological innovations.

With motorcycles making up a significant portion of India's two-wheeler market, Raptee.HV’s focus on performance-driven, high-voltage technology could play a key role in helping India achieve its 2030 target of 30 percent EV penetration in the two-wheeler segment.

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Celebrating a significant five-year milestone in the UK, Polestar recently hosted its largest customer event, the Polestar Festival, at Bicester Motion. The festival served as the dynamic backdrop for the UK premiere of the new Polestar 5, a four-door performance Grand Tourer that embodies the brand's forward-looking vision.

The event attracted around 1,000 guests to the company's headquarters for a weekend highlighting Polestar's remarkable growth, which has seen over 45,000 vehicles sold since its 2020 launch. In a striking display of community, 180 owner vehicles were meticulously arranged on the Bicester airfield to form a record-breaking, 170-metre-wide collage of the Polestar logo.

Attendees experienced the first UK showing of the Polestar 5, a model extensively developed by the brand’s British engineers and evolved from the pioneering Precept concept. The festival also featured an interactive partner zone with leading technology firms like Google, Bowers & Wilkins and Brembo showcasing their contributions.

Further highlights included the exclusive Arctic Circle collection of modified Polestar vehicles, available for virtual driving experiences, and the display of a Guinness World Record-holding Polestar 3 that achieved 581 miles (approximately 935 km) on a single charge. The agenda was packed with live driving demonstrations on and off the track, alongside insightful discussions with Polestar executives on critical topics such as sustainable innovation and automotive design.

Matt Galvin, Managing Director, Polestar UK, said, “It was incredible to see so many customers and friends of the brand on Saturday, and the reception to the new Polestar 5 has been astonishing. Polestar UK is growing fast and has a very exciting future ahead of it, and I would like to thank all our customers for being part of this success story.”

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Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has further strengthened its electric small commercial vehicle offerings.

The company has announced that over 25,000 public charging stations are now installed and accessible to its e-SCV customers across more than 150 cities, including Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

The EV chargers are strategically located across key logistics hubs, empowering last-mile delivery operators with enhanced range confidence, operational efficiency and improved earnings.

Furthermore, Tata Motors has also inked MoU with 13 leading Charging Point Operators (CPOs) – A Plus Charge, Ampvolts, chargeMOD, Charge Zone, Electric Fuel, Envo The Sustainer, EV Spot Charge, Kazam, Nikol EV, Sonik Mobility, Thunderplus Solutions, Volttic and Zeon Electric – to install and operate 25,000 additional public chargers over the next 12 months.

Pinaki Haldar, Vice-President & Business Head – SCVPU, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, said, “Crossing the 25,000 public charging station mark is a pivotal milestone in our commitment to advancing electric cargo mobility and its enabling ecosystem. With over 10,000 Ace EVs already deployed and having collectively covered more than 6 crore km, we’re seeing growing confidence among customers and transporters in the benefits of using four-wheel electric commercial vehicles. Our recently introduced Ace Pro EV is also gaining traction with its advanced capabilities tailored to evolving customer needs in urban and semi-urban cargo applications.”

“While we continue to innovate and deliver reliable, high-performance e-cargo vehicles, we remain equally focused on expanding infrastructure access through strategic collaborations. This partnership with India’s leading Charging Point Operators underscores our dedication to building a robust support network and enabling profitable, zero-emission logistics for entrepreneurs and transporters across the country,” said Haldar.

At present, Tata Motors’ e-SCV lineup includes the Ace Pro EV, Ace EV and Ace EV 1000.

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In a significant move for sustainable aviation infrastructure, Eicher Trucks and Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, has supplied its first fleet of all-electric tarmac coaches to IndiGo airlines. The delivery of six Eicher Skyline Pro-E 12-metre buses inaugurates a strategic partnership centred on clean energy and operational efficiency, marking Eicher's inaugural entry into the aviation ground support equipment sector.

Deployed at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, these zero-emission buses are engineered for the rigours of airport tarmac operations. With a mission to safely ferry passengers between the terminal and their aircraft in utmost comfort, the buses feature a high-capacity layout with seating for 17 passengers plus a driver, along with ample space for 52 standing occupants.

Its advanced lithium-iron phosphate battery and CCS2 fast-charging system are designed to sustain continuous operation. For a smooth and stable ride, the vehicle is equipped with full air suspension, power-assisted steering, and disc brakes on all axles. This initiative is a key part of IndiGo’s broader strategy to minimise the environmental impact of its operations.

Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President – Bus Division, VECV, said, "We are honoured to partner with IndiGo in their journey towards greener and sustainable ground operations at Kempegowda Airport – recognised for its striking aesthetics and sustainable practices. With a broad range of buses optimised for demanding applications and backed by connected 24X7 service, Eicher is already a familiar name for citizens, school children and factory staff in Bengaluru. With these tarmac coaches, Eicher stands committed to sustainably transporting the 42 million passengers that use this gateway to India’s Silicon Valley each year.”

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