Montra Electric To Leverage Steam-A’s Powerdock In Its EV Charging Network
- By MT Bureau
- March 21, 2025
Montra Electric’s e-SCV Division, Tivolt Electric Vehicles has inked a strategic collaboration with Steam-A. The understanding will see the OEM integrate Steam-A’s Iris EV charging management suite into Powerdock its EV charging network.
This will enable a seamless and reliable charging operation for Montra Electric, where it will leverage advanced software to get real-time operational insight, AI-driven predictive maintenance and seamless EV roaming capabilities. Steam-A will bring to the table AI-enabled predictive failure management system, which will maximise charger uptime and network availability.
A standout feature of Iris is its industry-first AI-enabled predictive failure management system, seamlessly integrated with a comprehensive asset and workflow management suite. This innovation significantly reduces operational costs while maximizing charger uptime and network availability. Additionally, the platform delivers deep analytical insights into network performance, facilitating continuous service enhancements and business growth.
Saju Nair, Chief Executive Officer, Tivolt Electric Vehicles, said, “We are excited to join hands with Steam-A. Our vision at Montra Electric is to drive electrification in commercial logistics and empower customers to transition to electric mobility with confidence. By integrating Steam-A’s Iris platform into our Powerdock network, we are strengthening our commitment to innovation and customer-first solutions. This collaboration will drive greater EV adoption while delivering a seamless and effortless experience for our customers.”
Vishwanath Surendiran, Co-Founder, Steam-A, said, “We are thrilled to partner with Montra Electric on their journey of making mobility more sustainable. Earning the trust of such a longstanding organization fills us with pride and a heightened sense of responsibility. We will go all out to deliver industry-leading standards of reliability and customer experience.”
BYD India Launches Festive Ownership Benefits Ahead Of Peak Buying Season
- By MT Bureau
- August 04, 2026
BYD India, a subsidiary of new energy vehicle (NEV) manufacturer BYD, has unveiled a new festive campaign, titled ‘Celebrate Your Dreams with BYD,’ ahead of the country’s key automobile buying season. The initiative is designed to enhance the appeal of premium electric vehicles by offering a comprehensive package of ownership benefits for eligible models.
Commencing in August 2026, the festive package includes charging coupons on specific variants, a complimentary two-year maintenance plan and extended warranty coverage reaching up to 200,000 kilometres. Additionally, customers can access financing with interest rates beginning at 7.77 percent and receive a special festive gift hamper with their purchase.
With over 17 million new energy vehicles sold globally and a customer base exceeding 15,000 in India, BYD continues to expand its footprint in the premium segment. These limited-time offers, which vary by city and dealership, are intended to support the growing consumer shift towards sustainable mobility by improving overall value, subject to standard terms and conditions.
Rajeev Chauhan, Head of Electric Passenger Vehicle (EPV) Business, BYD India, said, “India’s festive season is an important time for many customers to make mobility choices for their families. At BYD, we remain focused on delivering advanced technology, safety, reliability and a strong ownership experience through our electric vehicle portfolio. Through ‘Celebrate Your Dreams with BYD’, we aim to make the transition to electric mobility more accessible for customers. As families across the country mark new beginnings during the festive season, BYD remains committed to offering advanced technology, safety and ownership confidence through its electric vehicle portfolio while supporting the broader shift towards sustainable mobility.”
Ather Energy Losses Narrows To INR 510 Million In Q1 FY2027
- By MT Bureau
- August 03, 2026
Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has reported its consolidated income of INR 12.6 billion for Q1 FY2027, which marks a 87.2 percent YoY increase.
In Q1, the company sold 83,173 electric two-wheelers, up 80.5 percent compared to same period last year. Non-vehicle operations, including software subscriptions, charging infrastructure, spare parts and service offerings, contributed 14 percent to operating revenue, up from 13 percent in Q1 FY26.
The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) turned positive at INR 90 million, compared to an EBITDA loss of Rs 1.06 billion in the same period last year. EBITDA margin improved by 1,650 basis points to 0.8 percent. Consolidated net loss narrowed to INR 510 million from INR 1.78 billion in Q1 FY26.
The consolidated results also include performance data for newly incorporated subsidiary Ather Insurance, which recorded a net loss of INR 22 million for the quarter. Adjusted gross margin stood at INR 2.82 billion, up 82.3 percent YoY. Higher input costs were recorded across raw materials including copper, aluminium, lithium and crude-linked supplies, which the company managed through pricing adjustments, product mix changes, and engineering cost reductions.
Ather Energy stated that market demand metrics indicated customer enquiries rising 95 percent YoY to 707,000, while pre-orders increased 158 percent to 150,000 units. Industry registration data from Vahan showed total electric two-wheeler registrations rising 68 percent YoY to approximately 525,000 units during the period, with electric vehicle penetration reaching 10 percent in June 2026.
Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO, Ather Energy, said, "We continued to see strong demand across our portfolio, as structural tailwinds from both policy support and shifting customer sentiment translated into a massive upsurge for our products, with demand far outstripping supply. This gives us confidence that the market continues to expand. In the coming months, we are particularly excited about our new product on the EL platform, commencing production alongside the scale-up of our new factory at AURIC. Together, they position us well for the next phase of Ather's growth.”
Manufacturing expansion remains on schedule at Factory 3.0 at AURIC in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. Phase 1, offering an annual capacity of 500,000 units, is scheduled to start production in Q3 FY27. Upon completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2, Ather's total installed manufacturing capacity across its facilities will reach 1.42 million units annually.
The company also plans to reveal its first production model on the EL vehicle architecture on 29 August 2026 during Ather Community Day.
Hero's VIDA Launches Fixed-Battery Evooter VX2 Go FB E-Scooter Variant
- By MT Bureau
- July 31, 2026
VIDA, the electric mobility brand powered by Hero MotoCorp, has launched a new variant in its product range, the VIDA Evooter VX2 Go FB (3.1 kWh) at an introductory price of INR 113,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi).
The model introduces direct-plug charging architecture to the lineup, complementing the brand's existing removable-battery electric two-wheelers.
The e-scooter features a 3.1 kWh fixed battery pack paired with a 6 kW swing-arm electric motor, achieving a top speed of 70kmph and an Indian Driving Cycle certified range of 128 kilometres. Direct current fast-charging capability recharges the battery from zero to 80 percent in 65 minutes. Additional specifications include 27.2 litres of under-seat storage capacity and a 4.3-inch liquid-crystal display featuring turn-by-turn navigation and smartphone connectivity functions.
With the addition of the 3.1 kWh fixed-battery model, the broader VIDA VX2 portfolio spans five configurations: the entry VX2 Go 2.2 kWh with a 93 km certified range, the VX2 Go FB 3.1 kWh with 128 km, the VX2 Go 3.4 kWh with 146 km, the VX2 Plus 3.4 kWh with 146 km and the flagship VX2 Plus 4.4 kWh with a certified range of 187 km.
Commercial availability across authorised dealerships in India is scheduled to begin in early August 2026. The deployment will be supported by the brand's charging infrastructure, which comprises over 5,900 fast-charging points and more than 700 service centres nationwide, alongside a Battery-as-a-Service subscription model.
Tesla Begins Test Drives For 2026 Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive In India, Introduces Grok AI
- By MT Bureau
- July 31, 2026
American electric vehicle major Tesla has opened test drives for the 2026 Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive across its experience centres in India, including locations in Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Alongside the vehicle rollout, the manufacturer has introduced artificial intelligence (AI) software features for its domestic vehicle fleet, integrating xAI's Grok voice assistant into the cabin interface.
The 2026 Model Y Premium Rear-Wheel Drive provides 2,138-litres of storage space and seating for five passengers. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 kmph in 5.9 seconds and holds an operational range rating of up to 500 km under WLTP testing standards.
In India, the variant is priced at INR 5.08 million, requiring a down payment of INR 600,000 and monthly instalment options starting at INR 39,990. Tesla is offering a Wall Connector charging unit for orders placed prior to 30 August 2026.
The deployment of Grok forms part of Tesla's Summer 2026 over-the-air (OTA) software release. The assistant operates via voice activation or steering wheel controls and supports multiple Indian languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil and Kannada. Software functionality includes multi-stop route planning, location queries for charging stations and amenities, vehicle status diagnostics and adaptive navigation based on driver usage patterns.
Globally, Tesla is expanding production of its 4680 battery cells to support assembly volumes for the Model Y platform. During the first half of 2026, the company increased its compute capacity at its Texas facilities to support autonomous software processing for vehicles and robotic systems.
Comments (1)
ADD COMMENT