Mitra Chem, an EV battery maker focussing on lithium iron phosphate (LFP) and lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) chemistry, has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains and the state of Michigan's Competitiveness Fund for up to $125 million (INR 10 billion) in awards. 

The substantial funding, with additional funding anticipated from the state of Michigan, will support Mitra Chem to establish a cutting-edge battery material manufacturing facility in Muskegon, Michigan. 

The site is claimed to be the first mass production facility for lithium iron phosphate cathodes in North America. Mitra Chem is launching the American Production of Lithium Iron Phosphate and Future Innovation (AmPLIFI) project as a linchpin to building a robust domestic electric vehicle battery supply chain that is cleaner, safer, faster, more affordable, and independent of China. The grant, aligned with the goals of the Inflation Reduction Act, marks a significant step towards establishing the United States as a global leader in battery manufacturing for EVs, energy storage systems (ESS), and defence applications.

Mitra Chem will partner with Sun Chemical, which brings 100 years of advanced particle engineering, expertise in manufacturing and production efficiency, existing regulatory permitting, and extensive U.S. manufacturing infrastructure.

Vivas Kumar, CEO, Mitra Chem said, "This award selection represents a pivotal moment for the entire U.S. battery industry. By bringing advanced battery production to American soil we're securing our energy future and positioning the U.S. at the forefront of the global electric vehicle revolution. The support from the DOE and Michigan, and our collaboration with Sun Chemical, will accelerate Mitra's mission to revolutionise next generation battery production."

The Michigan-based facility will focus on developing and manufacturing next-generation materials for electric vehicles and battery storage. Mitra Chem will apply its acceleration platform that leverages machine learning and automation to unlock high throughput development and materials testing at 10x the speed of current industry practices. This project is expected to create hundreds of high-skilled jobs in the region while significantly advancing the domestic clean energy sector.

Russell Schwartz, CTO, Sun Chemical said, "The partnership between Mitra Chem and Sun Chemical brings together expertise in advanced materials and large-scale chemical manufacturing. By combining Mitra Chem's cutting-edge battery technology with a century of manufacturing experience, we're setting a new standard for innovation in cathode active materials for electrical storage. This project will demonstrate the power of American ingenuity and industrial might."

The company claims that till date 100 percent of battery grade iron phosphate (FP) and Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) is produced outside of the United States, with 99 percent coming from China. By localising material production, the initiative aims to reduce US dependence on fragile global supply chains, alleviating an over reliance on global competitors.

By 2027, Mitra Chem aims to nearly double the U.S.'s LFP production capacity (15,000 tonnes of new LFP per year), with plans to double production again (30,000 tonnes per year) after that. As the facility scales up, it has the potential to supply batteries for millions of electric vehicles annually, marking a significant leap forward in America's clean energy capabilities.

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Pune-headquartered alternative energy vehicle manufacturer Blue Energy Motors (BEM) has launched its electric heavy-duty truck, which is equipped with battery swapping technology.

The truck was unveiled by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, at Blue Energy Motors’ Chakan facility in Pune. Fadnavis also inaugurated, what is claimed to be India’s first electric corridor from Mumbai–Pune, which is the first step in a plan to electrify national highway corridors over the next three years.

What’s more, Blue Energy Motors has signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government to set up a new facility with a capacity of 30,000 trucks, backed by an investment of INR 35 billion. The automaker has received strong demand for its e-trucks and has signed MoUs for over 10,000 units.

The new e-truck is designed for Indian conditions and follows the success of Blue Energy Motors’ LNG-powered fleet. It features an unlimited range with battery swapping, the highest payload in its category and Advanced Mobility Intelligence. The launch also introduces India’s first Energy-as-a-Service model for heavy-duty trucks.

Devendra Fadnavis, said, “This launch showcases Maharashtra’s leadership in sustainable innovation. Blue Energy Motors’ Made-in-India Electric Truck with Battery Swapping Technology, along with the Mumbai–Pune corridor, India’s first highway to go electric aligns seamlessly with the nation’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat and for a greener, self-reliant future. I applaud their efforts in advancing both environmental sustainability and industrial growth”.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder and Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said, “We believe that this is the beginning of the EV Revolution in India for heavy-duty trucks. Our electric truck delivers unlimited range through battery swapping, highest payload in its category and Advanced Mobility Intelligence for fleet reliability. The Mumbai–Pune corridor is the first step in building a nationwide network of sustainable logistics, driving India’s green freight future forward. With our Energy-as-a-Service model, we’re redefining fleet economics offering reduced upfront capital cost, lowest TCO with highest payload, minimal charging downtime and making it well-to-wheel green with renewable energy.”

Also read: Montra Electric Launches 55-Tonne Rhino E-Truck, Unveils Battery Swap Technology Too

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle manufacturer Simple Energy has partnered with Amazon India and Flipkart to make its electric scooters available online.

The collaboration will allow customers to browse, book and receive doorstep delivery of its electric scooters, the Simple One Gen 1.5 and Simple OneS. The move is intended to simplify the buying journey and expand the company’s reach into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

Furthermore, Simple Energy is also offering discounts on both models as part of Amazon India’s Great Indian Festival and Flipkart’s Big Bang Diwali sale.

Customers can avail up to INR 16,434 off through various bank and card offers, including discounts on HDFC Bank and Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Cards on Amazon India’s Great Indian Festival.

While Flipkart customers can get a flat discount of INR 7,500 on the Simple One and INR 5,000 on the Simple OneS, with potential additional savings using SBI and Flipkart Axis Bank cards. A 12-month no-cost EMI option is also available.

Suhas Rajkumar, Founder & CEO, Simple Energy, said, “Diwali symbolises progress and new beginnings, making it the perfect moment to advance our mission of democratising electric mobility. Through our partnership with Amazon India and Flipkart, we are expanding our reach across India, including Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and offering a seamless, tech-first purchase experience that makes EV ownership simpler and more accessible than ever.”

At present, Simple Energy operates 57 showrooms across India and plans to expand its retail operations to include 150 new stores and 200 service centres across the country by FY 2026.

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Kinetic Watts & Volts, the electric vehicle division of the Kinetic Group, has opened its first exclusive 3S dealership in Pune, India.

The new facility is spread across 1,400 sqft, is located at Tingre Nagar, Pune and is owned and operated by Ravindra Sharad Bhelke. Additionally, a dedicated 1,050 sqft service facility, ‘Kinetic Lab,’ has been set up nearby in Dhanori to ensure aftersales support.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Kinetic Watts & Volts, said, “This is a proud and defining moment for Kinetic as we inaugurate our first exclusive EV showroom in India. Pune has always been special to us, it’s where our legacy began and now, where our EV journey takes shape. This launch represents not just a retail milestone, but the beginning of a new chapter in accessible, aspirational, and sustainable electric mobility for India.”

The new Kinetic EV range reimagines the iconic Kinetic DX as a family-friendly electric scooter. The line-up includes two variants: Kinetic DX and Kinetic ZX (formerly DX+).

Both models are powered by a 2.6 kWh Range-X LFP battery, which the company states offers up to four times longer life than NMC-based scooters.

The Kinetic DX is priced at INR 111,499 (ex-showroom, Pune) and Kinetic ZX (formerly DX+) is priced at INR 117,499 (ex-showroom, Pune).

Key features of the scooters include K-Coast regenerative braking, reverse assist and hill-hold assist, along with three ride modes: Range, Power, and Turbo. The ZX variant adds smart connectivity via the Telekinetic app, which provides real-time ride data, geo-fencing and intruder alerts. It also includes My Kiney Voice Alerts and a Kinetic Assist switch for CRM connection.

Ravindra Bhelke, Dealer Principal, Kinetic EV Vishrantwadi, said, “Becoming the first Kinetic EV dealer in India is both an honour and a responsibility. I have grown up seeing the trust people have in the Kinetic name, and now I am proud to bring its electric future to Pune. With this showroom and our dedicated service centre, our goal is to give every customer a premium, transparent and reliable experience, whether they are buying their first EV or upgrading from a traditional scooter.”

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Oben Electric, an Indian electric motorcycle manufacturer, has announced plans to expand its presence in Gujarat with 10 new showrooms and service centres set to open in 2026. The expansion will cover Ahmedabad and other cities including Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Jamnagar.

At present, the company operates a showroom and an Oben Care service centre in Memnagar, Ahmedabad. The expansion follows the response to the company’s city commuter model, the Rorr EZ Sigma.

Sagar Thakkar, Co-Founder & CPO, Oben Electric, said, "The positive response we have received for Rorr EZ Sigma reinforces our belief that urban commuting is evolving towards electric motorcycles designed to meet the needs of daily commuters. Rorr EZ Sigma delivers effortless performance and the right balance of power, practicality, and connectivity for everyday riding. The encouraging response from customers in Gujarat has further strengthened our commitment to expand across key cities like Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot and Jamnagar, as we work towards making EV motorcycles more accessible for riders across the country.”

The Rorr EZ Sigma priced from INR 129,000, is available in 3.4 kWh and 4.4 kWh variants. Key features include – up to 175km range, top speed of 95 kmph, three ride modes – Eco, City, and Havoc. It uses the company’s patented LFP battery that is claimed to provide 50 percent higher heat resistance and a 2x lifecycle. It also gets features like reverse mode and a 5-inch TFT display with navigation and smart alerts.

At present, Oben Electric has over 50 showrooms nationwide and aims to reach 150 showrooms and service centres by the end of the fiscal year.

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