Greaves Cotton, a leading diversified engineering company, has announced the appointment of Ramachandra Puttanna as the new Business Head for EV Solutions & New Businesses within Greaves Retail.

In his new role, Puttanna will be responsible for driving the strategic growth plan for Greaves Retail’s electric vehicle (EV) components and new verticals. He will report to Narasimha Jayakumar, CEO, Greaves Retail, as Greaves continues to advance its strategy in sustainable mobility solutions across India.  

Greaves Retail is focussing on being a fuel-agnostic provider, delivering comprehensive sales, service, and spare parts solutions across three-wheelers (3W), two-wheelers (2W), small commercial vehicles (SCVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and construction equipment.

The company specialises in ensuring high vehicle uptime and maximised asset productivity, positioning it among the top three in the aftermarket segment. 

Puttanna come with over 35 years of extensive experience and has worked with companies such as Fenner India, Bosch India, Oman Trading, Magneti Marelli, and ZF Group.

Most recently, he served as Vice-President of the Aftermarket business at ZF Group, where he managed operations across India and the SAARC regions.

He is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Mysore University, Puttanna has furthered his education with a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (Marketing) from Bangalore University and an Advanced Program in Business Management from IIM Bangalore.  

“I am honoured to join Greaves Cotton at this pivotal stage in the company’s journey towards sustainable mobility. I look forward to leveraging my experience to drive the growth of Greaves Retail’s new businesses and enhance our offerings for a broader range of customers,” said Puttanna.

Narasimha Jayakumar, CEO, Greaves Retail, said, “We are thrilled to have Ramachandra join us. His proven track record aligns well with our commitment to customer-centric, innovative solutions. Ramachandra’s leadership will be instrumental in advancing Greaves Retail’s new businesses.”

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Switch Mobility, a manufacturer of electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, showcased an international variant of its Switch EiV12 electric bus at the Best of Bharat & Mauritius Expo. The event took place from 17 June to 21 June 2026.

The EV maker has an operational presence in Mauritius, having completed the delivery of 100 electric buses to the Government of Mauritius earlier this year. These vehicles have been deployed by the National Transport Corporation (NTC).

The EiV12 displayed at the expo, operated by Triolet Bus Service, uses a Permanent Magnet Synchronous AC Motor with a peak output of 235 kW, paired with LFP battery chemistry. Supports DC Fast Charging via a CCS-2 interface with dual-gun capability. The e-bus is built on a 12-metre modular platform featuring 48 seats, front and rear air suspension, and a floor-mounted battery configuration. It offers a range of up to 300 km.

The e-bus comes with Switch iON, a platform for remote diagnostics, vehicle health monitoring, predictive maintenance and fleet performance optimisation. It is equipped with a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS).

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Vietnamese automaker VinFast India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shriram Finance (SFL) to improve consumer access to electric vehicle (EV) financing solutions. The partnership aims to accelerate EV adoption by leveraging Shriram Finance's extensive branch network and expertise in vehicle financing.

The partnership will see Shriram Finance provide up to 100 percent on-road funding on VinFast vehicles, with competitive interest rates and flexible repayment options. The facility will be available across urban, rural, and semi-urban markets via Shriram Finance’s network of over 3,000 branches.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “India’s transition to electric mobility will be shaped not just by strong products, but by the strength of the ecosystem that supports them. Our partnership with Shriram Finance reflects VinFast’s continued focus on removing barriers to EV adoption by improving financing accessibility and enabling a smoother ownership experience for our customers across markets.”

Nandagopal R., President & National Business Head, Shriram Green Finance, said, “We are pleased to collaborate with VinFast through this strategic MOU, which marks an important step towards strengthening sustainable mobility solutions in India. This association reflects our shared vision to accelerate EV adoption and support the development of a stronger green mobility ecosystem across the country.”

This partnership follows VinFast's recent entry into the electric MPV segment with the launch of the VF MPV 7. In addition to financing, VinFast is focusing on other initiatives to support EV ownership, including assured resale and structured buyback programmes.

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Renault has announced a series of updates for the Megane E-Tech electric, focusing on design, performance, and equipment levels. The refreshed model aims to strengthen its position in the compact electric vehicle segment as it targets buyers transitioning to electric mobility.

The EV continues to be manufactured at the ElectriCity industrial hub in France, with battery assembly at the Douai plant and motor production in Cléon.

The exterior has been restyled to provide a more dynamic on-road presence. The bumper has been redesigned with a prominent body-coloured section and a new light signature featuring eight diamond-shaped components. The Renault logo is now positioned under the bonnet. On the back, the rear lights feature a 3D design without a covering lens.

The electric vehicle is 20mm taller and features a reshaped rear skirt to accentuate its width and sporty profile. The Megane E-Tech electric retains large 19- or 20-inch wheels. It is being introduced in two main trim levels.

Techno, which features a body-coloured front bumper trim and new 19-inch alloy wheels. The interior includes a TEP-finish dashboard, with optional power seats and wood or patterned trim.

On the other hand, Esprit Alpine is the high-spec trim includes specific 20-inch alloy wheels, distinct styling elements and an interior with a spectral grey door panel finish that transition from dark grey to blue.

The Megane E-Tech electric is available in seven body colours, including the new Satin Blue Slate, with optional two-tone roof configurations.

Laurens van den Acker, Chief Design Officer, Renault Group, said, "We have enhanced the perceived width and on-road stance of new Renault Megane E-Tech electric to give it greater presence. Its sporty, modern styling gives it an appeal that echoes its inherent dynamic qualities."

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Gujarat-based electric vehicle start-up Avore Electric has unveiled a teaser film of its upcoming electric motorcycle, which it says will mark its formal entry into the high-growth mid-size electric two-wheeler segment.

The e-motorcycle, it says, is built around the core corporate philosophy of ‘Intelligence Beyond Motion’, which it claims is engineered entirely from the ground up on Avore’s indigenous, in-house technology platform.

The visual preview details a performance-oriented stance tailored for next-generation riders. The design language focuses on structural integration, moving away from traditional retro aesthetics toward a technical look.

Key styling and engineering elements highlighted in the promotional film include aerodynamically optimised fairings designed to minimise drag and manage thermal airflow around the battery enclosure. A unique front headlamp design that serves as the visual anchor for the motorcycle’s front fascia. Contrasting paint schemes that accentuate the sharp, aggressive geometric lines of the chassis.

The start-up says its upcoming e-motorcycle represents the culmination of years of domestic, in-house research and development. By utilising its proprietary technology platform, Avore Electric aims to establish a foothold in India's expanding mid-size premium motorcycle space before scaling its world-class electric mobility solutions to international markets.

The company is expected to give more details soon.

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