Bengaluru-based electric vehicle battery swapping company Sun Mobility and its joint venture partner Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), one of the leading oil marketing company in India have appointed Anant Badjatya as the CEO of their newly formed joint venture, Indofast Swap Energy.   

This strategic move follows the landmark deal signed by IOCL and Sun Mobility in June 2024 to establish one of India's largest battery-swapping networks by 2030. 

Badjatya, who has over 20 years of experience in the energy and automotive sectors, was till recently leading Sun Mobility as its CEO; and will now lead Indofast Energy's efforts to establish an extensive battery-swapping network by bringing together the might of Indian Oil’s network of over 37,000 fuel stations across India, with Sun Mobility’s battery swapping technology.  

Indofast Swap Energy, with its Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model will offer electric two- and three-wheeler owners affordable mobility options, eliminating range anxiety and long charging times.

Anant Badjatya, CEO, Indofast Swap Energy said, “We would like to be synonymous with India’s mobility revolution and a household name for two- and three-wheeler customers. Our offering of innovative technology with extensive infrastructure is unparalleled and underscores our resolve to provide a practical, accessible, and eco-friendly solution to all.”

The establishment of Indofast Swap Energy aligns with India's broader goals for sustainable development and supports the government's push towards increased adoption of electric vehicles. As part of this commitment, IOCL and Sun Mobility are focused on enhancing battery management systems and charging infrastructure across the country.

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German luxury automotive brand BMW India has launched the locally produced i5 Long Wheelbase (LWB) electric sedan, priced at INR 7.96 million ex-showroom.

The EV is produced at the BMW Group Plant Chennai and represents BMW’s first locally assembled electric sedan in the country. A First Edition variant, limited to 99 units featuring select interior trims and rear-seat tablet mounts, was offered at the same introductory price point and sold out prior to the official announcement.

The i5 Long Wheelbase measures 5,175 mm in length, 2,156 mm in width and 1,520 mm in height, with a 3,105 mm wheelbase.

On the outside, it features an illuminated contour surround for the front grille, adaptive LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles and 20-inch alloy wheels. The cabin incorporates a dual-tone vegan leather interior, a curved digital display combining a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch control screen, four-zone climate control, a panoramic glass roof and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system.

The powertrain features a single electric motor outputting 268 hp and 410 Nm of torque, enabling zero to 100 kmph acceleration in 6.7 seconds and a top speed of 195 kmph. Powered by an 81.6 kWh gross capacity battery pack, the model records a range of up to 669 kilometres under MIDC testing protocols. Charging capabilities include up to 11 kW AC home charging via an included wallbox unit and up to 160 kW DC fast charging, which replenishes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 33 minutes.

The EV comes with standard adaptive rear-axle air suspension, variable driving modes, and driver assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, automated parking assistance and collision warning systems.

BMW is offering a two-year unlimited-kilometre standard warranty, alongside an 8-year or 160,000-kilometre warranty covering the high-voltage battery.

Hardeep Singh Brar, President and CEO, BMW Group India, said, “The first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is more than a new model launch; it is a defining statement of our India strategy. As our first locally produced electric sedan, it brings together the two strongest pillars of our future growth: electrification and long wheelbase luxury. Purpose-built for the expectations of Indian customers, it showcases our growing local manufacturing capabilities while reinforcing BMW's leadership in sustainable mobility. With its commanding presence, cutting-edge electric technology and class-leading rear-seat comfort, the BMW i5 Long Wheelbase is equally rewarding to drive and to be driven in. It seamlessly combines signature BMW driving dynamics with first-class chauffeur-driven luxury, creating an experience unlike any other in its segment. The first-ever BMW i5 Long Wheelbase sets a new benchmark for the modern executive sedan and redefines what customers can expect from electric luxury mobility. We are not entering a segment; we are creating one.”

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LG Energy Solution and a research team led by Professor Jongwoo Lim from Seoul National University’s Department of Chemistry have identified operating protocols that suppress gas generation in lithium manganese-rich (LMR) batteries.

The findings, published in the academic journal Nature Communications, address structural stability challenges in large-format cells for electric vehicles.

LMR cathode materials substitute cobalt with manganese to lower raw material costs while maintaining energy density through transition metal and oxygen energy storage mechanisms.

During charge and discharge cycles, incomplete oxygen reduction damages the internal cathode structure and releases gas. In large-format vehicle cells with restricted internal volume, gas accumulation increases internal pressure and reduces cell longevity.

The joint study analysed oxygen redox behaviour across varied voltage parameters, determining that oxygen reversibility depends on both upper charging limits and lower discharge thresholds. Lowering the upper charge limit from 4.6 V to 4.3 V increased the reduction of oxidized oxygen from 86 percent to 97 percent. Reducing the discharge cutoff voltage from 3.0 V to 2.0 V enabled oxygen to return to its initial state.

Using these measurements, LG Energy Solution adjusted the voltage parameters and formation process conditions for 40 Ah-class large-format LMR cells, introducing a lower-temperature formation phase. Following protocol modifications, test cells retained 92.2 percent of initial energy capacity after 883 charge and discharge cycles while maintaining suppressed gas evolution.

Professor Jongwoo Lim of Seoul National University, said, “This study identified the causes of degradation in LMR batteries from the perspective of oxygen reversibility and demonstrated that cell stability can be improved through electrochemical protocol design alone. We confirmed that achieving long-term stability in LMR batteries requires comprehensive consideration of not only charging conditions but also discharge conditions.”

An LG Energy Solution spokesperson said, “This research addresses one of the key challenges facing LMR batteries. It demonstrates that stable battery life can be secured even in large-format cells by effectively suppressing gas generation, providing an important foundation for growth in the next-generation LMR battery market.”

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Kinetic Watts & Volts Ltd. (KWV) is pivoting towards overseas markets as a core pillar of its next-phase development, even as its domestic electric two-wheeler operations gain steady traction. The company has identified a diverse slate of nations for potential entry, with Turkey representing its European gateway; Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh forming the immediate neighbourhood cluster and Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt making up the African contingent. Each of these regions is being studied for its unique demand dynamics and policy readiness.

The overseas move is not an abrupt shift but a calculated progression from the brand’s current domestic momentum. Preliminary work is underway to map regulatory hurdles, gauge local consumer preferences and identify suitable channel partners who can facilitate a smooth market entry. The objective is not merely to export vehicles but to establish self-sustaining commercial operations tailored to each territory’s specific mobility needs.

Back home, the retail network is expanding at a notable clip, with 45 exclusive showrooms already operational and another 40 slated to go live within the next eight weeks. Additionally, the company has circulated 150 Letters of Intent to prospective dealers, pointing to a high level of trade interest and a strengthening belief in the brand’s long-term viability within the competitive EV space.

To drive this dual-pronged expansion, Kinetic has brought in Makarand Joshi, a seasoned professional with more than 20 years of experience introducing Indian automotive products across Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa. His background covers two-wheelers, commercial vehicles and farm equipment, giving him a broad perspective on distribution challenges and cross-border business scaling. As the domestic network solidifies, Joshi’s expertise will be directed towards converting the assessed international opportunities into tangible operational realities.

Ajinkya Firodia, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Kinetic Watts and Volts Ltd., said, “Kinetic Watts and Volts has always been a brand built around innovation, accessibility and a deep understanding of the evolving needs of mobility. As we enter the next phase of our electric mobility journey, international markets represent an important opportunity for Kinetic Watts & Volts. Our products are built in India for the world, with a strong focus on delivering accessible, reliable and contemporary electric mobility solutions that can cater to diverse markets. We are now focused on identifying the right markets, partnerships and opportunities to take the Kinetic EV proposition global.

“Our domestic expansion provides a strong foundation for this next phase. With 45 exclusive showrooms already operational, another 40 expected to come online in the next two months and 150 Letters of Intent issued, we are seeing encouraging interest in the Kinetic EV proposition. As we scale our presence in India, we are simultaneously building the capabilities, partnerships and market understanding required to establish Kinetic as a global electric mobility brand.”

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OHM Global Mobility, the strategic electric mobility subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and part of the Hinduja Group, has expanded its electric bus operations in Chennai with the launch of 130 air-conditioned electric buses. The e-buses were introduced under Phase 2 of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) electric bus programme.

The initial batch was flagged off at the Secretariat by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, alongside Transport Minister Vijay Tamilan Parthiban, Transport Secretary Nirmal Raj and MTC Managing Director D. Mohan.

Under the Phase 2 contract, OHM will supply and operate a total of 500 electric buses manufactured by Ashok Leyland's electric vehicle subsidiary, Switch. The initial deployment follows the Phase 1 implementation in Chennai, during which OHM buses completed over 30 million kilometres and achieved a schedule adherence rate exceeding 99 percent across operational depots.

Brijesh Gubbi Suresh, CEO, OHM Global Mobility, said, “The launch of the first 130 buses under Phase 2 marks an important milestone in Chennai’s transition towards sustainable public transportation. Our experience in Phase 1, including crossing 30 million green kilometres and achieving 99 percent-plus schedule adherence across our depots, demonstrates that sustainability and operational excellence can go hand in hand. We are proud to build on this foundation with MTC and contribute to a cleaner, quieter and more comfortable public transport experience for the people of Chennai.”

The expansion will see OHM continue to manage fleet operations, vehicle maintenance, and mobility-as-a-service provisions across the city's transport network as additional units enter service under the Phase 2 agreement.

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