Mumbai-headquartered Meta Materials Circular Markets (MMCM), a circular economy solutions platform, has appointed Prasad S Shetty as its new Chief Financial Officer. The appointment comes as the company expands its operations across carbon credits, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks and digital Measurement, Reporting & Verification (MRV) systems.

Shetty is a Chartered Accountant with over 13 years of experience in finance, strategy, taxation and governance. Prior to joining MMCM, he served as Associate Director – Finance at Freight Tiger, a logistics technology company backed by Tata Motors. His previous career history includes roles at BARC India, where he managed taxation, reporting and audits, and Allcargo Logistics, where he oversaw group-wide GST implementation. In his new role, Shetty will oversee the finance function, driving financial direction and governance structures.

Nitin Chitkara, CEO, Meta Materials Circular Markets, said, “As India's circular economy and carbon markets ecosystem enters a more active and consequential phase, it is critical that we build a leadership team equipped to match that momentum. Prasad brings deep financial and governance expertise across high-growth, complex businesses, and his experience will be invaluable as we scale our operations, strengthen our financial discipline and continue building credible, high-integrity market infrastructure. This appointment is an important step in future-proofing our leadership as we prepare for our next phase of growth.”

Prasad S Shetty added, “I am excited to join MMCM at a pivotal time for India's circular economy and carbon markets. The opportunity to build robust financial foundations for a company that sits at the intersection of sustainability and innovation is one I am truly looking forward to. I look forward to working closely with the leadership team to drive financial discipline, strengthen governance and partner across the business to support MMCM's long-term growth and value creation.”

At present, Meta Materials Circular Markets provides data platform services for the automotive sector, integrating carbon credits, EPR frameworks and digital MRV systems to support sustainable material recovery.

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Chennai-headquartered Switch Mobility, the electric vehicle arm of Hinduja Group, has secured an order to supply 840 electric buses to Antony Road Transport Solutions under Phase I of the Government of India’s PM E-Drive scheme.

Under the agreement, Switch Mobility will supply 420 units of 9-metre and 420 units of 12-metre air-conditioned electric buses. Antony Road Transport Solutions was selected as the operator to deploy the fleet with the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and the Transport Department, Delhi, for public transit operations across the National Capital Region.

Formal agreements for vehicle deployment have been executed between Switch Mobility and Antony Road Transport Solutions. The e-buses are constructed on Switch's EiV platform, which incorporates electric powertrains, modular battery layouts, regenerative braking systems and dual-gun fast-charging capabilities. Fleet monitoring and diagnostic functions are managed through the Switch iON software system. Safety and passenger features include low-floor entry, fire detection and suppression equipment, and multi-level battery protection measures.

Ganesh Mani, CEO, Switch Mobility, said, “We are pleased to partner with Antony Road Transport Solutions for deployment of 840 electric buses across Delhi by Delhi Transport Corporation & Transport Department, Delhi. This order is a strong testament to the growing confidence in electric mobility solutions for large-scale public transportation. With a mix of 9-metre and 12-metre electric buses, we are enabling operators to address diverse passenger mobility requirements while supporting the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation. At Switch Mobility, we remain committed to working closely with our partners to deliver reliable, efficient and commercially viable electric mobility solutions that create long-term value for operators and communities.”

Jimmy John, Director, Antony Road Transport Solutions, said, “Our long-term relationship with Ashok Leyland and the trust we have in the Hinduja Group have led us to place this order. We believe this partnership will go a long way towards supporting the NCR’s sustainable mobility journey.”

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Electric vehicle charging network Charge_iN by Mahindra has expanded its public charging infrastructure to 50 locations across India, reaching 200 operational charging points. The company commissioned its latest installation at the HP Auto Care Centre in Sajgaon along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

The Sajgaon installation represents the first operational station resulting from a collaboration established in March 2026 between Mahindra and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) to deploy charging infrastructure across HPCL retail outlets in India. Additional sites under the agreement are currently under construction across highway routes. Mahindra plans to expand the Charge_iN network to 250 stations comprising approximately 1,000 charging points by December 2027.

The network utilises 180 kW dual-gun chargers designed to supply power to electric vehicles, including Mahindra models such as the XEV 9e, BE 6 Sporteq and XEV 9S. The stations are situated along highway corridors alongside commercial amenities and dining facilities.

The Charge_iN system operates as an open network accessible to electric vehicle owners of all vehicle brands through the Charge_iN by Mahindra application, the Me4U application, and third-party aggregator platforms, with integration into the HP eCharge application scheduled for release. Mahindra electric vehicle users can access approximately 35,000 public charging points, including HP eCharge sites, across charge point operators via the Me4U platform.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has commissioned a 300 kW green hydrogen electrolyser plant as a pilot project at its Manesar facility in Haryana. The green hydrogen produced at the unit is blended with natural gas to serve as process fuel in the company's manufacturing operations.

The plant captures solar energy generated at the Manesar site during non-operational periods and holidays when power would otherwise go unutilised. This solar power drives the electrolysis process and the resulting hydrogen is stored for subsequent use on the factory floor.

Based on the outcomes of this pilot, the company plans to scale up green hydrogen technology across its manufacturing plants in Haryana and Gujarat. The initiative draws from parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation’s core philosophy of Sho-Sho-Kei-Tan-Bi, which translates to smaller, fewer, lighter, shorter and more beautiful, to improve resource efficiency and energy usage.

Hisashi Takeuchi, MD & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “Just like we have adopted a multi-pathway approach for products, we have also embarked on a journey of multiple renewable energy solutions for manufacturing operations. The commissioning of our 300 kW Green Hydrogen plant is aligned with the Government of India’s Green Hydrogen Mission. This, along with expansion of solar, biogas and installation of battery energy storage system reflects our commitment to transition to cleaner and sustainable energy solutions.”

“India is emerging as a manufacturing powerhouse, and its competitive position may not depend solely on cost and quality, but also on CO2 intensity. With such initiatives, we are building capability today so that we can support a low-carbon and more energy-efficient manufacturing ecosystem tomorrow. Through multiple clean technologies, we aspire to reduce our carbon footprint in manufacturing operations from the present 615,000 tonnes to 266,000 tonnes in FY 2030-31,” he added.

The commissioning forms part of a broader shift toward renewable energy sources across the carmaker's operational footprint. Current measures include in-house solar plants, renewable energy procurement from government channels, and power purchase agreements for solar and wind energy with third-party suppliers.

Alongside hydrogen, Maruti Suzuki is constructing a 10 tonnes per day biogas plant at its Kharkhoda site, scheduled for commissioning within the 2026-27 financial year, and recently installed a 1 MWh battery energy storage system at the same location. The company’s board has approved four compressed biogas projects with an allocated budget of INR 5,610 million. In a separate venture, Suzuki Motor Corporation is partnering with organisations including the National Dairy Development Board and regional dairy unions to establish 10 biogas plants across India, three of which are operating in Gujarat.

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Electric vehicle infrastructure company ThunderPlus has expanded its highway charging network following the installation of a 120 kW DC fast-charging station at Amazon Kitchens on Kurnool Road, Andhra Pradesh.

The facility is located at the junction of several road networks connecting Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka. Positioned along National Highway 44, the station serves the Hyderabad–Bengaluru transit corridor while providing access to National Highway 40, which links Nandyal, Kadapa, Rayachoti, Chittoor and Ranipet. The location also connects with National Highway 340C, extending reach toward Nandikotkur, Atmakur, and Dornala.

The 120 kW charger supports compatible four-wheeler electric vehicles and additional battery-electric transport models during intercity transit, allowing drivers to recharge vehicles during meal stops and travel breaks.

At present, ThunderPlus operates a network comprising more than 250 charging hubs and over 1,000 charge points across urban and highway sites.

Raj Kumar Medimi, Director, ThunderPlus, said, "As EV adoption moves beyond city limits, charging infrastructure must evolve around how people actually travel. Our objective is not simply to add more charging points, but to identify strategic locations where fast charging can fit naturally into a journey. By combining 120 kW fast charging with access to food and traveller amenities, the Kurnool station is designed to make intercity EV travel more convenient and practical."

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