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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BYD, the world’s leading New Energy Vehicle (NEV) maker, has entered into an agreement with Manchester City Football Club as its Official Automotive Partner. This collaboration stands as one of the most prominent unions between a major technology enterprise and a premier football institution, reflecting a shared dedication to sustainability and a comprehensive model of innovation.

Under this multifaceted arrangement, BYD and its premium DENZA brand will supply a range of vehicles to the club. Its clean-energy expertise will also be integrated into the City Football Academy through the provision of vehicle charging systems and energy-storage batteries, supporting the elite training environment used by the men’s, women’s and youth squads. The partnership will be visibly marked across the club’s assets, including branding on the training kit sleeves of the men’s first team starting immediately, followed by the women’s team in the upcoming season. Matchday visibility at the Etihad Stadium will include BYD branding on dug-out headrests and a ceremonial lead car escorting the men’s team bus for all Premier League and domestic cup home fixtures.

This initiative represents a key milestone in BYD’s broader engagement with international football, following its sponsorships of the UEFA EURO 2024 and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship 2025. Through this partnership, BYD aims to strengthen global recognition of its brand and advanced technological offerings.

Stella Li, Executive Vice President, BYD, said, "Manchester City stands for excellence, innovation and the courage to push beyond limits – values that are deeply rooted in BYD’s DNA. This partnership is about more than football or mobility; it is about inspiring people around the world through technology that excites, connects and drives a more sustainable future. When innovation meets passion, the impact is truly global.”

Ferran Soriano, Chief Executive Officer, City Football Group, said, “BYD are global leaders within their field. Leaders in delivering excellence through technology and innovation. Leaders with purpose, to make the world a better place.  All values that Manchester City share. As a Club, we are driven by a commitment to excellence and a passion for innovation. We partner with industry leaders to create a more environmentally sustainable future, starting with our facilities. This is why we are so proud to be BYD’s chosen partner and commit to work together for a better and more sustainable future for the duration of this multi-year partnership.”

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company and its partner Exelentia have delivered two TVS iQube electric scooters to the Governorate of Vatican City State. The initiative supports the Vatican’s transition towards zero-emission mobility for its daily operations.

The delivery, completed on 5 February, stems from a collaboration between the Vatican and Exelentia focused on innovation and sustainability. The partnership involves TVS Motor Italia and aims to provide transport solutions that meet the requirements of the Vatican environment.

The TVS iQube was selected for its performance and noise-free operation. It comes with up to 100 km of claimed range in eco mode. Equipped with the SmartXonnect system, the e-scooter offers a connectivity option via a TFT display and a mobile application. Built for urban and short-range travel with a focus on ease of use and functional technology.

Giovanni Notarbartolo di Furnari, General Manager of TVS Motor Italia, stated, “The deployment of TVS iQube electric scooters in a prestigious setting such as the Vatican validates our vision for urban electric mobility—anchored in reliability, intuitive usability, and world class quality.” 

Giovanni Zappia, Founder & Owner, Exelentia, added, “The partnership undertaken with the Governorate of the State of the Vatican City strengthens Exelentia’s commitment to contributing concretely to mature, reliable mobility fully suited to particularly sensitive urban and institutional contexts.”

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Mumbai-based green mobility company Odysse Electric Vehicles has announced the appointment of Sudhir Goel as Co-founder, which it aims to enable it to transition as a professional organisation entering its next growth phase in the Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector.

Goel joins the company with almost three decades of experience in the automotive and engineering industries. His previous roles include leadership positions at Ford Motor Company in Japan, CEO of Jay Ace Technologies and President of Lithium Batteries at Greenfuel Energy Solutions.

In his new role, Goel will oversee two primary areas – streamlining the supply chain and manufacturing processes to address market demand. He will also be responsible for the company’s retail footprint across India.

Nemin Vora, the company’s Founder, will continue as CEO, leading brand vision and product development in partnership with Goel.

Nemin Vora, said, “Odysse Electric is no longer just new startup; we are a significant player in the national mobility conversation. The appointment of Sudhir Goel as Co-Founder is a testament to our evolution. His professional pedigree and track record will provide the structural backbone we need to drive long-term growth."

Sudhir Goel, stated "I am excited to join Odysse at this pivotal stage. The company has built a strong foundation with innovative products and a clear vision. I look forward to leveraging my experience to scale operations, strengthen the EV ecosystem, and drive Odysse towards becoming a significant player in the sustainable mobility revolution."

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A prototype of the upcoming Kia EV2 has demonstrated robust cold-weather performance in one of the world's most demanding real-world evaluations. During the record-breaking cold edition of the Norwegian Automotive Federation's El Prix Winter Test Drive, where temperatures plummeted to -31°C, the EV2 covered 310.6 kilometres before stopping. This event subjects electric vehicles to identical real-world driving and charging conditions on Norwegian roads, and this year's winter test was the coldest in its history.

The tested vehicle was a 'GT-line' variant equipped with a 61.0 kWh long-range battery and 19-inch wheels. Driven for over five hours in the mountainous Jotunheimen region with temperatures around -21°C, its achieved range represented a deviation of -24.81% from its target WLTP figure of 413 kilometres for this configuration. This unofficial result would place it ahead of all officially entered series-production models. While its prototype status excludes it from the NAF's formal report, it completed the route under the same stringent conditions as production vehicles.

The EV2 also showcased resilient charging capability in the extreme cold. Utilising its rapid DC fast-charging function, the prototype recharged from 10 percent to 80 percent state of charge in 36 minutes. This was only six minutes longer than its official target, underscoring the model's practical everyday usability. The car is based on Kia's 400V E-GMP architecture, supporting 11 kW AC, 22 kW AC and DC fast charging.

As Kia's second fully electric model to be manufactured at its European facility in Žilina, Slovakia, the EV2 is currently in production with a 42.2 kWh standard-range battery. The long-range battery version and the 'GT-line' variant are scheduled to follow from June 2026. Final, formal WLTP range figures, determined under standardised laboratory conditions, are anticipated in the third quarter of 2026.

This performance aligns with the proven capability of Kia's European-built EVs. In the same arduous winter test, the EV4 – the first electric model from the Žilina plant – with an 81.4 kWh battery and 19-inch wheels achieved 390 kilometres, ranking among the top overall performers and reinforcing the brand's consistent real-world electric vehicle performance in adverse conditions.

Pablo Martinez Masip, Vice President – Product and Marketing, Kia Europe, said, “This result serves as proof that the EV2 will continue to deliver reliable range even in extremely low temperatures. Being the entry point to Kia’s EV lineup does not mean compromising; the EV2 offers customers throughout Europe an affordable yet reliable way to enter electric mobility.”

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