Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) unveiled the Innova HyCross today. The Innova HyCross is a self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV).

TKM claims that the Innova HyCross is powered by fifth generation self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric system, with a TNGA 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine and a monocoque frame with an e-drive sequential shift, delivering a max power output of 137 kW (186 PS). According to TKM, this provides rapid acceleration and best in-segment fuel economy. The TNGA 2.0 litre four-cylinder gasoline engine is also mated to a direct shift CVT in select grades, delivering an output of 128 kW (174 PS).

Present at the launch in Mumbai, Hideki Mizuma, Chief Engineer, Innova, Toyota, said, “Innova has become an iconic vehicle in India’s mobility journey and is a household name. Today, we are happy to launch the all new Innova HyCross for our Indian customers. The self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle, with the spaciousness of an MPV and proportions and poise of an SUV, is loaded with features to meet the aspirations of Indian customers. This feature-packed vehicle is intended for those who seek safety and comfort while travelling and would love to be a part of the new Innova HyCross family. The latest fifth generation self-charging Strong Hybrid Electric system, built on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) 2.0-litre gasoline engine provides exceptional fuel efficiency, performance and quick acceleration, and is sure to be a game-changer in this segment.”

Speaking on the occasion, Vikram Kirloskar, Vice Chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “It has been an amazing year as we celebrate 25 glorious years of Toyota in India. At TKM, sustainability continues to be at the core of our business and with an unprecedented increase in carbon emissions globally, we firmly believe that its HY time to shift gears for a greener future. In this direction, we have adopted clean and green solutions across all our operations and value chain, so that the green products that we offer to our customers are also manufactured in green factories. Additionally, we are relentlessly working towards creating a local manufacturing eco-system for green technologies, not only for India but also for the world. With the launch of the new Innova HyCross, we are redefining the paradigm and redrawing boundaries of technological and product excellence, while taking customer experience to a new HY like never before.”

Also present at the event, an elated Masakazu Yoshimura, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said “Ever since our inception, TKM has focused on complete peace of mind for our customers. One of our biggest success stories here has been the iconic Innova, that keeps finding continued appreciation and love, across the country. Being the undisputed leader of the MPV segment, the Innova has found its home in more than a million households in India, reflecting our core DNA of quality, durability and reliability, made possible through highly skilled global competitive manpower. Our customers’ trust in the brand has motivated us to make ever better ‘fun to drive’ cars and bring in latest global technologies to India, thereby bringing ‘mass happiness to all’. We are confident that the new Innova HyCross will carry forward the brand legacy and take customer delight to a new HY.”

Features of Innova HyCross
Designed for family needs, the Innova HyCross is a vehicle for every occasion delivering glamour, toughness, comfort, safety and advanced technology. Drawing inspiration from Toyota’s global SUV heritage, this latest vehicle features a muscular and tough design, with ample space, states TKM. This ample space provides flexible and comfortable seating for all. As per TKM, the vehicle is aimed at families wanting a vehicle that can handle rough roads, and provide a seamless, fatigue-free drive.

Other key features

Exterior features
- Panoramic sunroof
- Front grille with gun metal finish
- Automatic LED headlamps with auto high beam
- First in segment dual function Daytime Running Light (DRL)

Interior features / comfort and convenience
- The first in-segment features include a paddle shift, powered ottoman second row seats, front ventilated seats, air conditioner (dual zone – front and rear zone), rear retractable sunshade, electrochromic inner rear view mirror (EC IRVM) and power back door.

- Large TFT multi-information display
- Driver seat memory and slide return and away function
- Indirect blue ambient illumination

Infotainment system
- Connected 25.65 cm (10.1”) connected display audio with premium, JBL 9 speaker (including subwoofer)
- Toyota connected car technology - iConnect

Safety features
- TOYOTA SAFETY SENSE (TSS), which includes safety features like a dynamic radar cruise control, lane trace assist, rear cross traffic alert, blind spot monitor, etc.
- 6 SRS airbags
- rear disc brakes
- Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and hill start assist
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with auto hold
- Antilock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
- Panoramic view monitor with dynamic back guide

The Innova HyCross features a tough, muscular exterior design. TKM claims that the raised bonnet line, a large hexagonal gunmetal finish grille, automatic LED headlamps, super chrome alloy wheels and a wider bumper further enhance its sophisticated and rugged look. Also complementing the look are the bigger tyres with shorter overhangs, along with a more curved rear to augment the SUV stance. 

Moreover, according to TKM, the car provides unmatched comfort and convenience through a raised eye point and the newly-introduced Ventilated Front Seats that take care of the hot Indian summers. For the second row, the 25.65 cm (10.1″) connected display audio with JBL premium nine speaker system (including subwoofer), segment-first powered Ottoman second row seats and multi-zone A/C combine, offer a luxurious experience. TKM states that the flat floor design, wheelbase of 285 cm (longest in the segment) and platform width enhancement further ensure a spaciousness for extended family and friends to travel together. Additionally, the power back door and tilt-down seats ensure maximum space utilisation and enhanced luggage space.

As per TKM, the Innova HyCross is available in super white, platinum white pearl, silver metallic, attitude black mica, sparkling black pearl crystal shine, avant grade bronze metallic and a new colour – blackish ageha glass flake. The Interiors in black and with two new colours – chestnut and black and dark chestnut – reflect a premium impression.

TKM states that the car offers a warranty of three years/100,000 kilometres and an option of extended warranty of up to five years/220,000 kilometres, three years free roadside assistance, attractive financial schemes and eight years/160,000 kilometres warranty on the hybrid battery.

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Ahmedabad-based electric two-wheeler brand Avore Electric launched its first electric motorcycle – the Avore Electric EX at prices starting at INR 124,999 (ex-showroom).

The e-motorcycle is available in three variants – the EX 2S, EX 2 and EX 1. The model range was developed over three years using the company's indigenous AVORE Source technology stack and AVR vehicle platform. The development process involved over 120 intellectual property filings across nine vehicle systems, including the battery management system, motor controller, onboard charger and operating system.

The EVs use a rare-earth-free Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) with peak power output ranging between 7.5 kW and 10.5 kW depending on the variant, while all three models produce 250 Nm of peak wheel torque.

The EX 2S attains a claimed top speed of 114 kmph, whereas the EX 2 and EX 1 reach top speeds of 100 kmph. The powertrain utilises an integrated motor and swingarm structure to manage chassis balance and weight distribution.

The EX 2S and EX 2 carry IDC-certified range ratings of 260 km and 255 km respectively, while the EX 1 carries an IDC-certified range rating of 160 km. All variants include a 1500W onboard charger compatible with standard 5A and 15A domestic sockets, charging the battery from 20 per cent to 80 percent in two hours and reaching a full charge in a claimed four hours. The battery pack is homologated by NATRAX, and the battery management system is validated by ICAT.

Software systems integrated into the platform include the AVORE SENSE operating system, an artificial intelligence (AI) companion named Avore Synapse and an automatic manual gear mode. The platform complies with AIS 156 and AIS 038 safety standards and underwent 100,000 km of road testing alongside 2,500 hours of dynamometer testing prior to commercial introduction.

Priyank Rakholiya, Founder, Avore Electric, said, "We dedicated three years to research, development, testing, and validation before the launch of the EX so as to ensure class-leading engineering and innovation. We are ensuring global-levels of safety and performance, while pushing the frontiers of Indian-developed electric mobility technology stacks that deliver reliability, consistency, and economic viability. Our goal is to improve adoption and accessibility to world-class electric mobility solutions for every Indian and we are confident that the EX is just the start of our journey towards that direction."

Bookings for the EX series have opened on the manufacturer's website at an initial reservation amount of INR 799, with customer deliveries scheduled to begin in two months. The battery pack is supplied with a 5-year or 60,000 km warranty.

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Energy In Motion, a provider of integrated electric mobility solutions for long-haul freight transportation, has executed an agreement with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation to establish and operate charging and battery swapping infrastructure for heavy commercial vehicles at retail outlets across India.

As per the understanding, Energy In Motion will deploy swap-and-charge hubs on freight corridors including Mumbai–Pune, Delhi–Jaipur and Chennai–Bangalore over the next 18 to 24 months. These stations will support vehicles such as the Ashwa 55-tonne e-tractor, providing battery exchange capability in 7 minutes.

Energy In Motion manages battery inventory and hardware, while Hindustan Petroleum Corporation provides space and utilities across its network of over 25,000 retail outlets.

Narendra Murkumbi, Managing Director, Energy In Motion, said, “Charging infrastructure succeeds or fails on reliability. Working with HPCL allows us to place charging and swapping where drivers already stop – sites with power, space, amenities, safety systems and staff on duty. Combining our battery and fleet expertise with HPCL’s nationwide retail network lets us build dependable swap-and-charge hubs on the corridors that carry India’s freight and to do it at the pace the transition demands.”

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Hero MotoCorp's electric mobility brand, VIDA, has made its international market entry into Nepal through a partnership with CG Motors.

The launch was announced by Kausalya Nandakumar, Chief Business Officer, Emerging Mobility Business Unit, Hero MotoCorp and Nirvana Chaudhary, Managing Director, Chaudhary Group.

The introduction features the VIDA VX2 Evooter range – comprising the VX2 Plus and VX2 Go variants – alongside the VIDA DIRT.E K3 youth off-roader. The VX2 Plus features a 4.4 kWh setup, delivering a 140 km range and a top speed of 90 kmph, while the VX2 Go uses a 2.2 kWh battery with a 75 km range. The DIRT.E K3 is an electric off-roader equipped with a 350W motor and app-based parental controls.

Kausalya Nandakumar said, “This launch marks a proud and defining moment as VIDA goes global. We are thrilled to take the very best of our engineering and design capabilities beyond India, starting with Nepal, a strategically crucial market where riders are quickly adopting smart electric mobility. The VIDA VX2 EVOOTER range and the VIDA DIRT.E K3 are built to redefine the future of mobility, and through our collaboration with CG Motors, we are ensuring that the Nepalese customers have access to premium, reliable, and technologically advanced riding experience.”

Nirvana Chaudhary added, “The entry of VIDA perfectly aligns with Nepal's shift towards sustainable mobility. By offering advanced electric products & solutions tailored for both, everyday commuters and the next generation of riders, this product launch redefines our two-wheeler landscape. CG Motors is proud to strengthen its partnership with Hero MotoCorp and partner with VIDA to drive our nation's green transition forward."

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Pune-headquartered electric commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility has announced that Dr. Hussein Ali Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, recently flagged off 15 EKA Mobility electric buses in Zanzibar. The commercial operations for the e-buses is scheduled to begin on 1 August 2026.

The deployment forms part of an initial order of 35 e-buses, with the fleet expected to expand to 150 units by the end of the year.

EKA Mobility is collaborating with Global Rapid Transport and the Zanzibar Social Security Fund to train local personnel in vehicle operations, maintenance and safety systems.

Vijay Yelne, President – Export Marketing & SCM, EKA Mobility, said, "The launch of Zanzibar's first electric bus fleet is a strong validation of EKA's technology and our ability to deliver world-class electric mobility solutions beyond India. It demonstrates that products designed and manufactured in India can successfully meet the evolving mobility needs of international markets. This is another step in taking Indian engineering to the world, and we see Africa as a key growth market in EKA's global expansion journey."

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