Chennai-based EV startup Raptee.HV today launched India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle, the T 30. The motorcycle is the first in India to adopt universal charging standards used by electric cars and can deliver a performance rivalling the 250-300 cc ICE counterparts with significantly less heat.

The motorcycle comes with an onboard charger, making it compatible with the 13,500 CCS2 car charging stations available across the country. Claiming an IDC Est range of around 200 km and a real-world range of over 150 km on a single charge, the motorcycle can accelerate from 0 to 60 kmph in under 3.5 seconds. The motorcycle comes with an IP67-rated battery pack, with an 8-year/80,000-km warranty, providing peace of mind and long-term value to customers.

The motorcycle will come in four dynamic colours – Horizon Red, Arctic White, Mercury Grey and Eclipse Black – for a price tag of INR 239,000. The deliveries will commence in Chennai and Bangalore from January, with plans to expand to other key cities based on the propensity for mid-premium motorcycles and the adoption of electric mobility in these selected markets.

Raptee.HV is also coming up with a factory-integrated experience centre, dubbed the ‘Tech store.HV’, at its Chennai headquarters to offer full immersive experiences to its customers, which includes a factory tour to show how motorcycles are being built. To ensure a seamless customer experience, Raptee.HV will also have a wide range of direct-to-consumer offerings.

Dinesh Arjun, Co-founder & CEO, Raptee.HV, said, “Our goal was never to create an electric version of an ICE motorcycle, but to do justice to motorcycling with truly pioneering tech. We have taken the core of advanced electric car tech and engineered it for motorcycles. Launching India’s first high-voltage electric motorcycle was a technical challenge from the very beginning. Over the last five years, the amazing team at Raptee has had to build the entire architecture from scratch to make HV on 2Wheelers possible. That we have succeeded is a testament to what can be achieved with the right vision and a focus on innovation. We believe our HV technology is the missing piece of the puzzle that will accelerate the electrification of motorcycles and revolutionise how motorcycles will be built in the future.”

Jayapradeep Vasudevan, CBO, Raptee.HV, said, “We are extremely excited to witness the passion and innovation coming to life as we launch our first motorcycle, setting new standards in the electric two-wheeler industry. The Indian motorcycle market is twice the size of the scooter market, and the low EV penetration in this larger segment presents a huge opportunity for us to explore, starting with our flagship model, the T30. As a team, we are fully committed to building the Raptee.HV brand by delivering a customer experience that matches the high standards of our motorcycles. In today’s context, automobiles, especially electric vehicles, are increasingly becoming electronics and software-driven, much like consumer durable products. With this in mind, we are inspired by premium consumer durable brands in shaping our approach to customer service. We plan to introduce a wide range of digital and direct-to-consumer offerings to ensure that our customers enjoy a seamless ownership journey with Raptee.HV. Our network expansion will be rolled out in phases, starting with company-owned experience centres in Chennai and Bangalore. By learning from these initial markets, we will strategically expand into other regions and international markets at the right time over the next few years. We have a clear strategic roadmap for the next five years and aim to become a significant player in EV industry in the years to come.”

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Japanese automotive company Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has announced its intention to participate in the Philippine government’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Strategy (EVIS). The plan was discussed during a meeting between President Marcos and Takao Kato, Chief Executive Officer of Mitsubishi Motors.

Subject to application approval, Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) intends to commence production of a new hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) model at its facility in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, with production scheduled to begin in mid-2028.

To facilitate this transition, MMPC will undertake additional investments to upgrade its manufacturing facilities for electrification. The company expects these initiatives to expand the local supply chain and create employment opportunities within the Laguna region.

Takao Kato, CEO, Mitsubishi Motors, said, “The Philippines has long been one of our most important markets, where we have engaged in production and sales for many years. In cooperation with the Philippine government, we are honoured to contribute to the advancement of vehicle electrification and industrial development through the EVIS program, as well as to support the further growth of the Philippine economy.”

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Tesla has announced the commissioning of its first in-mall charging location at Nexus Seawoods in Navi Mumbai. This site provides eight chargers, expanding the company’s charging infrastructure to locations where customers spend time, such as retail destinations and highway rest stops.

The new station, located in the B1 parking area of the mall, features a combination of direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) charging options:

V4 Superchargers: Four units providing peak charging speeds of 250 kW. A Model Y can add up to 275 km of range in 15 minutes using this technology.

Destination Chargers: Four units providing 11 kW for standard AC charging.

The charging process is integrated with the Tesla app, which allows owners to navigate to stations, precondition vehicle batteries, monitor stall availability, and complete payments. The company reports a claimed global charging uptime of 99.95 percent.

With the addition of the Navi Mumbai site, Tesla now operates five charging locations across India, totalling 20 Superchargers and 14 Destination Chargers.

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Kia has been crowned ‘Best Manufacturer’ at the TopGear.com EV Awards 2026, a significant honour in UK’s electric vehicle calendar. These annual awards, now in their seventh year, celebrate the top-performing EVs on the British market while recognising the manufacturers that truly drive the industry forward. This latest accolade follows closely on the heels of another triumph for the brand at the BBC TopGear.com awards, where the PV5 Passenger was named ‘Family Car of the Year’.

Kia’s electric journey began in 2014 with the first-generation Soul EV, ending its first full year of EV sales with just 149 registrations. By the close of 2025, however, that figure had surged to over 94,500 fully electric vehicles sold in UK, supported by a diverse lineup including the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9 and PV5. Looking ahead, the EV2 represents the next phase of the brand’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which started with the EV6 in 2021. Designed and manufactured in Europe exclusively for that market, this compact and affordable model packs premium, segment-above technology into a bold, boxy body.

First examples of the Kia EV2 are due to arrive later in 2026, joined by high-performance GT versions of the EV3, EV4 and EV5. These launches underscore Kia’s continued commitment to expanding its electric footprint with accessible yet advanced vehicles.

Ollie Kew, Deputy Editor, TopGear.com, said, "Whether you’re in an EV3 or the enormous EV9, the sleek EV6 or the boxy PV5, there’s a familiar sortedness running through the e-Kias like the proverbial stick of rock. Reliable range, unfussy performance, pleasing comfort... and the confidence to bookend its EV ranks with an entry-level EV2 alongside a GBP 83,000, 500-bhp super SUV in the shape of the EV9 GT.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO, Kia UK, said, “We’re honoured to have been named Top Gear’s Best Manufacturer for 2026. This recognition follows a busy year for the Kia brand, with the launch of eight new products in 2025, including EV4, EV5 and PV5. This recognition reflects the strength and breadth of our electric lineup, and our commitment to delivering innovative, desirable and accessible EVs for our customers.”

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VinFast has opened bookings for its new VF MPV 7, a premium 7-seater electric MPV tailored for Indian customers. This third model from the company in India offers a spacious interior, smart technology and strong practicality to meet daily mobility needs. With an outstanding value proposition, the vehicle reinforces VinFast’s long term commitment to building a complete green mobility ecosystem across the country, delivering modern and sustainable transport solutions for Indian households.

Starting 2 April 2026, customers can reserve the VF MPV 7 through the official website or any of VinFast’s 50 authorised dealerships nationwide for a booking amount of INR 21,000, with the official launch and price announcement scheduled for 15 April 2026. Designed with the signature golden ratio proportions of MPVs, the wheels are pushed towards the corners to maximise cabin space.

Measuring 4,740 mm in length, 1,872 mm in width and 1,734 mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,840 mm, the VF MPV 7 offers a roomy cabin across all three rows, ensuring consistent comfort for larger families. Its R19 alloy wheels give the vehicle a strong yet sporty presence. Powered by a 60.13 kWh battery, it delivers over 500 kilometres of driving range per full charge, and fast charging technology can take the battery from 10 to 70 percent in about 30 minutes.

Before the VF MPV 7, VinFast launched the VF 6 and VF 7 premium electric SUVs in September 2025, both winning multiple industry awards. The company continues to strengthen its EV ecosystem by expanding showroom and aftersales networks, partnering with local financial institutions, and offering an industry best product warranty. Customer centric policies include a value assured programme, trade in support for switching from gasoline to electric vehicles and free charging within the V Green network until 31 March 2029, making the transition to electric mobility easier.

Tapan Ghosh, CEO, VinFast India, said, “The VF MPV 7 marks another step forward in VinFast’s efforts to win over Indian consumers with modern, practical and accessible electric mobility solutions. We believe this model will help redefine standards in its segment and become an ideal choice for families seeking a clean mobility solution that meets everyday practicality.”

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