Montra Electric’s e-SCV division, TIVOLT Electric Vehicles Private Limited, has inaugurated its first e-SCV dealership in Yashwantpur, Bengaluru.

This is the first e-SCV dealership in Karnataka, South India, and reinforces the brand’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the state. Strategically located at 45/4, Industrial Suburb, Tumkur Road, Yashwantpur, and managed by channel partner TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution Pvt Ltd, the 3S facility is designed to provide superior service and seamless ownership experience with advanced tools and cutting-edge infrastructure. Saju Nair, CEO of TIVOLT Electric Vehicles (SCV division of Montra Electric), and Madhu Raghunath, CEO of TVS Vehicle Mobility Solution Pvt Ltd, officially opened the new dealership in the presence of important stakeholders, including dealers, clients, suppliers and other notable visitors.

Nair said, “Karnataka is a key market for us, and we are excited to launch our first dealership in Yeshwanthpur. At Montra Electric, we are committed to pioneering innovation and sustainability in clean mobility. This new dealership marks a significant step in our journey, bringing us closer to our customers while reinforcing our commitment to high-performance e-SCVs. Through our partnership with TVS Vehicle Mobility Solutions, we aim to deliver tailored solutions and exceptional service, ensuring we meet the evolving needs of our customers.”

Raghunath said, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Montra Electric in establishing this new dealership. This partnership not only strengthens Montra Electric’s presence as a leading EV player in the region but also enhances customer access to reliable and high-performance e-SCVs. Together, we aim to expand our reach and deliver tailored mobility solutions that meet the diverse transportation needs of our customers.”

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Mumbai-headquartered electric vehicle company Bgauss, part of RR Global, has launched the C12 MaxR, an electric scooter which comes with a certified range of 178km and a top speed above 75kmph. The launch is part of the company’s plan to make further inroads into India's competitive two-wheeler market.

Underpinning the new model is what Bgauss calls its WSA platform, an architecture built to take different combinations of motor, battery and wheel size rather than being locked to one configuration. The company says the platform, made from high-tensile micro-alloy steel and assembled through robotic manufacturing, is rated for up to 150,000km of use — a figure aimed squarely at buyers who use their scooters for daily commuting rather than occasional trips.

The C12 MaxR draws power from a 3.8kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, rated IP67 for water and dust resistance and enclosed in aluminium to help manage heat. Bgauss says the pack's battery management system tracks 110 separate safety and performance parameters, feeding into the certified 178km range.

Drive comes from HyperZen, a newly developed in-wheel motor that produces 4.2kW of peak power. Unlike a conventional setup, the motor houses its own gear transmission, braking hardware and control unit together, which Bgauss says does away with a belt or chain and cuts down on wiring.

Riders get a choice of Eco, Ride and Sport modes, plus reverse gear, cruise control and regenerative braking. Bgauss rates the scooter's hill-climbing ability at 18 degrees, give or take two degrees either way.

"Over the last six years, we have been focused on building electric mobility around the Indian consumer, and the C12 MaxR brings that philosophy together in one product," said Hemant Kabra, founder of Bgauss. "We wanted to create a scooter that delivers on the fundamentals of range, performance and reliability, but also recognises that today's consumer expects much more from their vehicle. Space, design, lighting, technology and pride of ownership are equally important. The C12 MaxR is our expression of what a complete electric scooter should be. It is engineered for everyday India, while designed to make every ride feel special."

Storage was clearly a design priority. Under the seat is room for two helmets, while riders also get a pop-out umbrella holder, a lockable compartment for documents and a wallet, wireless phone charging, a bottle holder and a spot for a cleaning cloth. There is additional space on the floorboard for a medium-sized bag or piece of luggage.

Visually, the scooter is built around a front light unit Bgauss calls the Krystal Lamp, paired with full LED lighting at the tail and indicators, and a quilted seat the company has branded Seat of Pride.

A 5-inch TFT screen handles turn-by-turn navigation, call alerts, ride and charging data, user profiles and document storage, with a choice of display themes. Other functions include a distance-to-empty readout, a fall-detection feature called FallSense, automatic motor cut-off when the side- or main-stand is down, service reminders, a mode-memory setting and home-location guidance. A companion app adds parental controls, a security lock, adjustable speed limits, firmware updates, vehicle health checks, an SOS alert and DigiLocker access.

Mechanically, the C12 MaxR runs on 12-inch alloy wheels with tubeless tyres, stopped by a 220mm front disc and a combined braking system at the rear. Suspension is handled by a hydraulic telescopic front fork and a five-step adjustable Nitrox gas-emulsion rear unit, with 160mm of ground clearance and a payload rating of 150kg.

The scooter goes on sale in four colourways — Sparkling Wine with Champagne Gold, Terra Green with Champagne Gold, Pearl White and Satin Black — through Bgauss's dealer network across India.

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Hindustan Zinc has signed a 6-year transportation contract with MFL India for the deployment of 30 electric trucks to transport concentrate, expanding the electrification of its industrial logistics network in Rajasthan. The agreement includes an option to extend the term by an additional two years.

As per the contract, the electric trucks will replace diesel vehicles used for moving zinc and lead concentrate from the Rampura Agucha underground mining site to the company's smelting facilities. MFL India will establish and operate dedicated EV charging infrastructure along the transit route to support fleet operations and maintain transport schedules. The agreement incorporates a phased transition plan to integrate local drivers into the electric fleet operations.

Amarendu Prakash, CEO and Whole-time Director, Hindustan Zinc, said, "The future of mining will be defined not only by the metals we produce, but by how responsibly and efficiently we produce and move them. The contract for deployment of EV trucks for concentrate transportation is yet another step towards that future, demonstrating how industrial decarbonisation can strengthen competitiveness while creating an ecosystem in which our partners and communities grow with us."

Anil Thukral, Chairman and MD, MFL India, said, "We are proud to partner with Hindustan Zinc in advancing the transition to cleaner industrial logistics. This deployment demonstrates how electric mobility can be effectively integrated into large-scale transportation networks, supported by the right charging infrastructure and operational planning. Together, we are building a scalable model for sustainable logistics that delivers both environmental benefits and long-term operational value."

In FY2026, Hindustan Zinc added 42 electric vehicles to its operational fleet, bringing its alternative-fuel logistics inventory to 232 vehicles, comprising 52 electric vehicles and 180 LNG-powered vehicles.

The company previously introduced battery electric vehicles for underground operations at its Sindesar Khurd Mine in Rajpura Dariba. The fleet conversion forms part of Hindustan Zinc's target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside increasing its renewable power consumption share to nearly 22 per cent.

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India's vehicle market is showing signs of a broader powertrain shift with consumers increasingly looking beyond conventional petrol vehicles towards CNG, hybrids and electric vehicles.

While electric mobility continues to gain ground, the latest retail data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) suggest that concerns around the transition to E20 fuel are emerging as one of the factors influencing consumer choices.

FADA's July and August 2026 data show the pace of change. In July, electric vehicle retail sales surged 66.2 percent year-on-year to 3,27,901 units, taking EV penetration to around 12.7 percent of total vehicle retail. Electric two-wheelers crossed the two-lakh mark for the first time with 2,04,362 units sold, giving EVs an 11.2 percent share of two-wheeler retail.

Electric passenger vehicles also recorded strong growth with sales rising 83.1 percent year-on-year to 32,928 units and EVs accounting for 7.9 percent of passenger-vehicle retail.

More significant, however, was the broader change in the passenger-vehicle powertrain mix. CNG, hybrids and EVs together accounted for 40.59 percent of PV retail in July, narrowing the gap with petrol or ethanol vehicles, which had a 41.68 percent share. CNG alone accounted for 24.67 percent, hybrids 8.02 percent and EVs 7.90 percent.

FADA attributed part of this shift to consumer hesitation around the E20 transition, alongside running-cost considerations.

The trend became even more pronounced in August. EV retail stood at 2,98,448 units, representing 52.9 percent year-on-year growth, while overall EV penetration increased to 12.3 percent compared with 9.5 percent a year earlier.

Electric two-wheelers remained the principal driver with 1,83,204 units sold during the month. Their penetration reached 10.68 percent, taking the segment decisively beyond the 10 percent mark.

The three-wheeler segment is even further along in electrification with EVs accounting for 65.3 percent of retail sales in August. Electric passenger-vehicle sales increased 51.89 percent year-on-year to 30,696 units, giving EVs a 7.6 percent share of the passenger-vehicle market. Electric commercial vehicles recorded the sharpest growth with 4,702 units, up 188.3 percent year-on-year.

The August numbers also produced a significant milestone for the wider alternative-powertrain market. CNG, LPG, hybrids and EVs together accounted for 41.95 percent of passenger-vehicle retail, overtaking petrol or ethanol at 40.85 percent.

That milestone, however, should not be interpreted as EVs overtaking petrol. EVs alone accounted for only 7.63 percent of PV retail. The data instead indicate that consumers are increasingly spreading their choices across several alternatives to conventional petrol.

E20 adds another layer to the decision

The E20 transition has become part of that consumer calculus. India's move towards petrol containing up to 20 percent ethanol has raised questions among some consumers about vehicle compatibility, fuel economy and long-term ownership costs, particularly for older vehicles.

FADA president Sai Giridhar has pointed to E20-related hesitation alongside running-cost economics as factors contributing to the shift towards alternative powertrains. The association's data, however, do not establish E20 as the sole cause of the increase in EV adoption.

Instead, the evidence points towards several forces operating simultaneously including higher fuel costs, improving EV range, expanding charging infrastructure, greater availability of electric models and growing awareness of the economics of electric ownership.

Alluding to the same, Bengaluru-based ReadyAssist Chief Executive Officer Vimal Singh noted that the growth in EV sales also means that India's mobility ecosystem needs to evolve alongside the vehicles themselves.

“India’s EV transition is gaining significant momentum with the latest FADA retail data showing 2,98,448 electric vehicles sold in August 2026, marking a 52.9 percent year-on-year growth and taking overall EV penetration to 12.3 percent, up from 9.5 percent a year ago. Electric two-wheelers have also crossed the 10 percent mark accounting for 10.68 percent of two-wheeler retail,” he noted.

Singh said the next stage of EV adoption would require greater attention to the ownership ecosystem including charging, connectivity and roadside assistance.

“As electric mobility continues to grow, the focus is also expanding towards building a strong ecosystem that supports consumers throughout their ownership journey. Alongside advances in vehicle technology, charging infrastructure and connectivity, dependable roadside support can play an important role in giving customers greater confidence on everyday journeys,” Singh stated.

He added that technology-enabled roadside assistance, remote diagnostics and trained EV service networks could become increasingly important as the electric vehicle population expands.

“The next phase of India’s EV journey will benefit from closer collaboration between OEMs, roadside assistance providers, charging networks, insurers and other mobility platforms,” he added.

Commercial mobility dimension

The shift is also becoming visible beyond private vehicles. Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles stated in a release that it has sold more than 17,000 electric small commercial vehicles, while receiving 900-plus e-truck orders.

Its electric-bus fleet stands at around 3,800 buses operating across 10 cities, which have cumulatively covered more than 59 crore kilometres. The company also said that 32 depots have been electrified.

Its electric commercial-vehicle portfolio spans last-mile logistics, freight and mass mobility. The company's e-SCV portfolio includes the Intra EV Pickup, Ace Pro EV, Ace EV 1000 and Ace EV, while its electric truck range extends across 7-, 9- and 12-tonne configurations and includes the Prima E.55S and Prima E.28K tipper.

Tata Motors said its e-SCV sales doubled year-on-year in FY26. It has also built out an ecosystem around financing and charging with more than 28 EV-focused financing solutions and partnerships with charging-point operators. Its stated network includes more than 25,000 charging stations with an additional 1,300-plus stations planned as part of its FY27 expansion.

The commercial-vehicle experience illustrates why EV adoption cannot be measured purely by passenger-car sales. For high-utilisation fleets, fuel savings and predictable operating routes can make electrification economically attractive, while charging and service infrastructure become critical to keeping vehicles productive.

For India's automotive industry, the significance of the current shift may ultimately lie less in the immediate replacement of petrol vehicles and more in the fact that consumers now have an increasingly diverse set of powertrain choices.

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Chinese technology company Xiaomi Auto has unveiled its SkyNomad SUV series at its autumn flagship launch event, introducing four extended-range electric models built on the company's Kunlun technical architecture. The lineup spans five-seat and seven-seat configurations, with prices ranging from CNY 209,900 to CNY 299,900.

The entry-level SkyNomad N70 Pro five-seat model is priced at CNY 209,900, while the all-wheel-drive N70 Max variant costs CNY 239,900. The seven-seat N90 Max flagship is priced at CNY 269,900, and the range-topping N90 Max Studio variant retails for CNY 299,900.

The N70 series measures 4,960 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width and has a 2,950 mm wheelbase. Built on a flat-floor platform with a 2.95-degree incline and 1.56-metre sliding seat rails, the interior offers up to 1,410 mm of second-row legroom and cargo capacity expanding from 1,203 litres to 2,425 litres.

Powering the N70 Pro is a 52 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery providing a 351-kilometre pure-electric CLTC range and 1,351-kilometre combined range. The N70 Max utilises a dual-motor setup paired with a 76 kWh ternary lithium battery, delivering 505 kilometres of electric range and 1,461 kilometres overall.

The larger N90 Max measures 5,285 mm in length with a 3,080 mm wheelbase and features a 2+2+3 seating arrangement. Equipped with a 76 kWh battery and all-wheel drive, it achieves a zero to 100 kmph acceleration time of 5.9 seconds, a 464-kilometre electric CLTC range and a total range of up to 1,705 kilometres. Depleted-battery fuel consumption is rated at 6.26 litres per 100 kilometres on the WLTC cycle.

The N90 Max Studio variant incorporates an electric lifting cabin roof that increases interior standing height to 2,294 mm, creating an upper loft sleeping area measuring 2,110 mm by 985 mm. The second-row seating converts into a 1.87-metre by 1.24-metre flat bed. The cabin includes heated composite aluminium flooring, an 11.5-inch vanity mirror, a 20-litre storage cabinet and a 30-inch projection screen setup.

Across the lineup, safety and electronic hardware includes high-strength steel and aluminium construction, up to 12 airbags, NVIDIA Thor-U assisted driving processors delivering 700 TOPS of computing power, LiDAR units, and third-generation Snapdragon 8 cockpit platforms. The vehicles support 92, 95 and 98 octane fuel grades for their range-extender engines.

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