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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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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Pune-headquartered electric vehicle manufacturer Kinetic EV has launched the upgraded DX and DX+ electric scooters, featuring a 3.1 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack on the flagship DX+ variant.

The e-scooter incorporates electric powertrain updates and convenience features into the metal body structure of the original DX platform.

The DX+ 3.1 kWh variant features a 3.8 kW peak-power hub-mounted BLDC motor paired with the LFP battery, achieving an Indian Driving Cycle (IDC) certified range of up to 132 kilometres per charge. The e-scooter includes two riding modes – Range and Power – alongside the K-Coast energy regeneration system for power recovery during deceleration. The company claims it can be charged from zero to 80 percent in approximately three hours and features an integrated charging cable mechanism.

In terms of dimension, the Kinetic DX has 1,315 mm wheelbase, 165 mm ground clearance and 12-inch tubeless tyres at both ends. Braking is managed by a 220 mm front disc brake and a 130 mm rear drum brake. The e-scooter provides a 714 mm seat length, 37 litres of under-seat storage space, IP67-rated water and dust protection, park assist with reverse function and onboard telematics.

The Kinetic DX 3 kWh variant can be had for INR 118,599 and INR 127,650 for the Kinetic DX+ 3.1 kWh model, which includes the integrated charging cable and telematics package.

The DX+ is available in five colour options – Black, Silver, Blue, White and Red, while the standard DX comes in Black and Silver. Purchase promotions for the launch period include price reductions of up to INR 3,000, extended warranty packages, Amazon cashback and subsidy benefits under the PM E-DRIVE initiative.

Ajinkya Firodia, Managing Director and Vice-Chairman, Kinetic EV, said, "The DX has always stood for practicality, reliability and a design that connects with generations of Indian consumers. With the new 3.1 kWh LFP battery, we are taking that familiar experience a step forward by offering greater range, enhanced performance and greater confidence for everyday riding. The upgraded DX+ brings together the strengths of our iconic design with modern electric technology and thoughtful features, making the transition to electric mobility even more practical and appealing for Indian customers."

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Jio-bp has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with electric vehicle leasing platform DRIVN to evaluate charging solutions for commercial electric vehicles across India.

The agreement focuses on developing charging infrastructure tailored to the operational requirements of electric buses and trucks along city routes and highway corridors.

The collaboration connects DRIVN’s vehicle leasing services with Jio-bp’s charging network. The partners will assess options to integrate charging location discovery into DRIVN’s platform, while evaluating preferential tariffs and turnkey charging projects for fleet operators. The initiative aligns with fleet requirements including route schedules, battery capacities, and operating patterns, supporting national fleet transition goals under India's PM E-DRIVE program.

Alpna Jain, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, DRIVN, said, "As commercial EVs become a larger part of fleet operations, charging infrastructure has to keep pace with where and how these vehicles are used. For buses and trucks, the location of a charger and the route it serves can directly affect operations. Our MoU with Jio-bp gives us an opportunity to address these requirements as we expand our commercial EV business and make charging infrastructure easier for fleet operators to find and use. This partnership is first of many and a decisive step towards building the ecosystem required to make electric mobility more scalable and commercially viable."

Sarthak Behuria, Chairman, Jio-bp, said, "India's transition to electric mobility is no longer a question, it is happening quickly. At the heart of this transformation are commercial fleets – buses and trucks that keep our people, cargo, and economy moving every day, often covering the longest distances and the toughest routes. At Jio-bp, we believe EV charging infrastructure is a critical part of national infrastructure and our partnership with DRIVN marks an important step towards building the charging backbone needed to cater to the demands of this transition."

Akshay Wadhwa, CEO, Jio-bp, added, "Jio-bp pulse has been built on a simple promise – accessible, reliable, high-uptime EV charging wherever needed. With DRIVN, we are further strengthening our focus on commercial fleets, which have distinct needs shaped by routes, battery capacities and operating patterns. This MoU lets us address those needs directly, while exploring practical charging and financing solutions for fleet operators. Together, we aim to make reliable charging more accessible for electric buses and trucks."

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