The Indian Auto LPG Coalition (IAC), nodal body for the promotion of Auto LPG in India, has issued a statement, asking why special attention is reserved only for electric vehicles while overlooking auto LPG.  

Days ago, the government announced another allocation of INR 1,000 crore for the development and installation of charging infrastructure under the phase II of Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (FAME) scheme. Sometime in the middle of the year, the government had extended the second phase of FAME by two years until March 2024. 

Suyash Gupta, Director General, Indian Auto LPG Coalition, said, “While we certainly welcome the long-term focus of government to set the ball rolling for a minimally carbon-intensive vehicular fuel policy and of course, the tilt towards electric vehicles would be a part of that vision, it is totally baffling that the government continues to ignore the immediate potential that auto LPG holds out in all respects as compared to electric mobility. Talking of infrastructure, government’s plans to set up 4500 EV charging stations across the country is woefully inadequate since there is a need for at least 4 lakh charging stations, 100-times that target, in order to meet its own target of having 2 million EVs on the roads by 2026. In contrast, auto LPG already has almost 1500 stations for refilling across 600 cities in the country. And that too without almost any government support. Further, India’s import dependence on lithium-ion batteries, without which EVs are an absolute non-starter, is unlikely to ease immediately even with government’s full policy push. With China dominating the world market for the raw material, it becomes even more complicated and unpredictable. On the other hand, thanks to the drive for household consumption of LPG, an extensive infrastructure exists in the country from before. With 2.5 million auto LPG vehicles already running on Indian roads, it makes almost perfect sense to give an instant policy boost to this fuel.” 

Gupta added, “Cost-wise, instead of buying expensive EVs, it becomes far easier for a consumer to get their existing vehicles retrofitted with LPG conversion kits. All that the government needs to do is to ease the Type Approval norms governing the retro-fitment of LPG/CNG conversion kits and bring them in line with the European norms. Currently, the Indian rule to renew Type approvals for auto LPG conversion kits every three years is hugely cost-prohibitive as well as a disincentive and a deterrent from both manufacturer and consumer standpoints. The government must also consider shifting the GST slabs of conversion kits from 28 to 18 percent and of auto LPG from 18 percent to 5 percent with a view to stimulate demand on the ground. In fact, even environmentally speaking, electric vehicles are not really as environmentally friendly as they are being made to be especially in the immediate term. Almost 60% of electricity in the country is still produced by carbon-emitting fossil fuel-based sources. On the other hand, auto LPG has a zero global warming potential with negligible emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.” (MT)  

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Marking its 100th day, the monumental Bharat Maha EV Rally, the world's longest electric vehicle rally, concluded a landmark phase of its journey at ICAT in Manesar, Haryana, where it received a celebratory welcome. The rally’s nationwide expedition, organised by the International Federation of Electric Vehicle Association (IFEVA), is a transformative campaign designed to assess and accelerate India's electric mobility landscape. Its core mission is to dismantle prevalent myths, demonstrate the practicality of long-distance EV travel and foster widespread awareness.

Under the leadership of IFEVA President Dr Rajeev Mishra and a dedicated team, the rally has achieved an extraordinary footprint, traversing all 28 states and eight union territories of India, along with international stretches in Bhutan and Nepal. This ambitious journey has garnered unprecedented support, receiving flag-offs and endorsements from a diverse array of leaders including Chief Ministers, Governors, Union and State Ministers and spiritual guides, signifying a broad-based national consensus on electrification.

A pivotal aspect of the rally's outreach has been its deep engagement with the academic community. The convoy has visited hundreds of institutions, including premier establishments like IITs and IIMs, facilitating direct interactions where students and faculty experienced EVs firsthand, participated in dynamic discussions and had their queries addressed by experts. This initiative has successfully ignited enthusiasm and curiosity among the nation's youth.

By actively collaborating with government bodies, industry players from large manufacturers to MSMEs, educational institutes and consumers, the rally is gathering critical, on-ground insights. These findings are poised to inform future policy and infrastructure development decisively. Ultimately, the Bharat Maha EV Rally stands as a powerful testament to India's commitment to sustainable transportation, clearly showcasing the rapid adoption of EVs and the expansion of supporting infrastructure, thereby solidifying the country's position as a frontrunner in the global electric vehicle revolution.

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Delhi-NCR-based electric vehicle battery swapping organisation Battery Smart has announced that it has become the first company in India to complete 100 million battery swaps across its network for electric two- and three-wheelers.

The achievement comes five years after the company’s founding. Battery Smart claims it currently operates approximately 70 percent of the battery-swapping infrastructure in the country.

To mark the achievement, the company has launched an INR 100 million Driver Welfare Fund 2026, which is designed to provide insurance, financial protection and skill development for approximately 100,000 electric vehicle (EV) drivers. The fund also includes referral programmes, free swaps and community inclusion initiatives.

Pulkit Khurana and Siddharth Sikka, Co-Founders of Battery Smart, said, “Crossing 100 million swaps is a landmark for EV adoption in India, not just for us. It demonstrates the potential of battery swapping to make clean mobility accessible, affordable, and inclusive at scale. Each swap represents a choice, a driver choosing clean mobility over combustion, assurance over anxiety and improved uptime over long waiting hours. This achievement belongs to our community of drivers, battery swap station partners, OEM collaborators, investors, and policymakers who believed that battery swapping could succeed at scale in India.”

The company’s ecosystem includes over 5,000 women drivers and 250 women partners. Its technology utilises IoT-enabled batteries and real-time monitoring to enable predictive maintenance and minimize downtime for drivers in the gig economy.

“Looking ahead, the Driver Welfare Fund reinforces our commitment to the community that made this possible. As we continue to grow, we remain focused on strengthening India’s EV mobility backbone, powered by smarter IoT batteries, more efficient station operations, and robust safety systems. This milestone is just the beginning, and together, we are building the future of clean mobility for India,” added Sikka.

Going forward, Battery Smart intends to expand into 100 additional cities by 2026. The company’s roadmap involves deploying more swap stations and increasing daily swap capacity to meet demand from commercial operators. Planned investments include safety systems and IoT intelligence as the company continues to work with regulators and industry stakeholders.

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Ola Electric has announced the commencement of mass deliveries of its 4680 Bharat Cell-powered vehicles. The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is the first product to be powered by the company’s indigenously manufactured 4680 Bharat Cell battery pack, which delivers more range, better performance and enhanced safety.

With its own battery packs in the vehicles, Ola Electric is now India's first company to fully own the battery pack and cell manufacturing process in-house.

The S1 Pro+ 5.2 kWh is powered by a 13 kW motor, offering acceleration of zero to 40 kmph in just 2.1 seconds. It comes with an impressive 320 km range (IDC with DIY mode).

The S1 Pro+ features four riding modes (Hyper, Sports, Normal and Eco) and also offers enhanced safety with category-first dual ABS and disk brakes in the front and rear. It also gets enhanced ergonomics and comfort, a two-tone seat with supportive foam, body-coloured mirrors, a die-cast aluminium grab handle, rim decals and an expanded colour palette comprising Passion Red, Porcelain White, Industrial Silver, Jet Black, Stellar Blue and Midnight Blue.

“The excitement for S1 Pro+ has been phenomenal. Deliveries are now in full swing, and customers are proudly riding India’s first scooters powered by our own 4680 Bharat Cell. This is a big moment, not just for Ola, but for India’s journey towards becoming a global EV hub. With the national rollout starting soon, we are now ready to take this breakthrough product and technology to every corner of the country,” an Ola Electric spokesperson said.

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