Montra Electric Opens First e-SCV Dealership In Karnataka
- By MT Bureau
- March 19, 2025
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.”
Simple Energy To Launch Its First Family E-Scooter On September 2
- By MT Bureau
- July 22, 2026
Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy is set to unveil its first family e-scooter on 2 September 2026, entering the country's mass-market segment.
The mass-market EV is set to follow the Simple One and the Simple Ultra models.
Simple Energy states that the in-house developed new model is part of its robust R&D capabilities spanning proprietary software, technologies and advanced engineering solutions.
The company is said to be the first Indian OEM to commercially manufacture heavy rare-earth-free electric motors.
Billion Electric Mobility Partners J K Cement For Electric Truck Deployment
- By MT Bureau
- July 22, 2026
Billion Electric Mobility has announced a partnership with J K Cement to deploy over 150 heavy-duty electric trucks during the financial year. The project has commenced with the deployment of 20 electric trucks from J K Cement's Muddapur plant in Karnataka, transporting cement to stockyards in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.
At present, Billion Electric provides an electric freight platform that includes vehicles, charging infrastructure, fleet operations and route management. ChargeZone's charging network supports operations across corridors in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, with locations including Nipani, Satara, Pune, Karad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Hubli and Davanagere.
Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO, Billion Electric Mobility, said, "The decarbonisation of India's freight sector will be driven by enterprises that are willing to lead from the front. J K Cement's commitment demonstrates that heavy-duty electric mobility is no longer a future aspiration but a commercially viable reality. Through Billion Electric's integrated eMaaS platform, supported by ChargeZone's expanding high-speed charging network, we are enabling businesses to transition to electric freight with confidence while building the infrastructure backbone needed to scale zero-emission logistics across the country."
- MAHLE
- Range Extender System
- Electrification
- Rare-Earth-Free Motor
- IAA Transportation
- Heavy Electric Trucks
MAHLE Advances Electrification Strategy With Range Extender System And Rare-Earth-Free Motor
- By MT Bureau
- July 22, 2026
MAHLE will present its new range extender system for heavy electric trucks as a world premiere at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, running from 15 to 20 September 2026. The Stuttgart automotive supplier, exhibiting under the motto ‘Electrified. Efficient. Economical’, positions the innovation as a bridge between electric sustainability and internal combustion flexibility. CEO Arnd Franz and Dr Marco Warth, Vice President of Corporate Research, will present the technology as a practical solution for fleet operators constrained by inadequate charging infrastructure and limited vehicle range.
The range extender functions as an intelligent emergency power unit that activates precisely when needed, ensuring battery-electric trucks can cover all daily operational requirements without compromise. For forwarders and fleet operators facing mounting pressure to decarbonise while controlling costs, flexibility and reliability remain paramount. Franz noted that time and energy are scarce resources in road transport, and MAHLE's electrification products aim to enhance efficiency while reducing operating expenses.

The system's core comprises a high-voltage generator with 110 kilowatts continuous output and 130 kilowatts peak, driven by a compact internal combustion engine featuring advanced oil cooling for power density exceeding seven kilowatts per kilogramme. MAHLE has packaged this as an autonomous unit integrating generator, engine, thermal management, fuel and AdBlue tanks, and exhaust treatment into a compact box fitting standard battery installation spaces. This design replaces about one-third of typical battery capacity, reducing rear axle load by 400 kilogrammes and total vehicle weight by 600 kilogrammes, while achieving a total range exceeding 800 kilometres.

Under real-world conditions, the range extender truck emits approximately 80 percent less CO2 than conventional diesel vehicles, with virtually zero emissions when operating on renewable HVO100 biodiesel. The thermal management system provides 48 kilowatts of high-temperature and 15 kilowatts of low-temperature cooling for stable heavy-duty performance. Warth emphasised that the system decouples electric truck adoption from infrastructure development pace, allowing continued operation even when charging stations are unavailable.

MAHLE will also premiere its Contactless Transmitter electric motor for heavy commercial vehicles, eliminating permanent magnets and rare earth elements while saving three kilogrammes of materials per vehicle. The motor is 10 percent lighter and more efficient than conventional alternatives, delivering 370 kilowatts peak output and over 900 Nm torque at 3,900 rpm, achieving approximately 95 percent efficiency in VECTO simulation cycles.

Franz acknowledged structural challenges including poor European economic prospects, unpredictable tariffs, weak North American demand and growing competition from Chinese battery-electric imports. Despite headwinds, MAHLE leads the European market for electric climate compressors and ranks among the top three for electric pumps and fans, with first-half 2026 orders significantly surpassing previous year levels. The group collaborates with over 120 commercial vehicle customers worldwide and identifies Asia as the primary growth region.

Franz stressed that internal combustion engines will remain dominant, declining only from 83 to approximately 73 percent by 2035, necessitating expanded sustainable fuel supplies alongside electrification. He called for objective review of European CO2 fleet regulations, urging policymakers to pragmatically recognise range extender systems as electrification facilitators. The CEO concluded that successful transformation requires coordinated action between industry, government and customers, with reliable charging, hydrogen refuelling and storage infrastructure as essential prerequisites.
E3 Trion Receives CMVR Type Approval Certification
- By MT Bureau
- July 20, 2026
E3 Electric.Ai, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech electric mobility company building intelligent e-scooters, has received the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) Type Approval Certificate from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for its E3 Trion electric scooter.
The certification confirms compliance with Indian regulatory and safety standards, and the vehicle has been listed on the Vahan portal to allow registration. Customer bookings and ownership processes are scheduled to begin on 6 August.
P Sanjeev, Founder and CEO, E3 Electric.Ai, said, "Receiving the CMVR Type Approval Certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre and seeing the E3 Trion go live on Vahan is a defining moment for E3 Electric.Ai. It means Indian riders can book, register, and own India's first intelligent electric scooter from August 6 with complete confidence in its safety and compliance. We built the Trion to bring genuine intelligence to everyday mobility, and August 6 is when that vision reaches the road."

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