Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengaluru-based Ohmium International to co-develop integrated Green Hydrogen-based power solutions in India.

This collaboration brings together Toyota’s expertise in fuel cell technology and Ohmium’s capabilities in scalable PEM electrolysers to explore applications such as microgrids for use in data centres and remote, environmentally sensitive areas. Toyota Kirloskar Motor will contribute technical know-how and fuel cell modules, while Ohmium will lead design and performance evaluations.

The initiative supports India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and aligns with the country’s goals of energy independence by 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070. It also marks a strategic expansion of Toyota’s hydrogen initiatives in India – from the 2022 Mirai FCEV pilot project with iCAT to its recent MoU with Ashok Leyland for hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.

Through such partnerships, Toyota Kirloskar Motor aims to foster a robust hydrogen ecosystem in India, supporting both mobility and stationary power needs while advancing local innovation under the ‘Make in India’ vision.

Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, said, “Hydrogen, as a clean and renewable energy source, is regarded as the fuel of the future – a key to building a self-reliant and carbon-neutral India. In this direction, the Government of India has been undertaking several progressive initiatives, fostering innovations across the energy and transportation ecosystems. Notably, numerous industry leaders, start-ups and researchers are unlocking new opportunities in the hydrogen space, aiming to drive sustainability across multiple domains. The adoption of strategic approaches to harness hydrogen’s full potential will be crucial in ensuring a clean, affordable, and source energy future for the nation. It is particularly encouraging to witness corporates and technology pioneers actively contributing to the development of scalable, indigenous hydrogen solutions that align with national priorities and the vision of a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. And I commend Toyota and Ohmium for making strong efforts with cleaner energy options through advanced hydrogen-led capabilities, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.”

Shripad Yesso Naik, Union Minister of State, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, said, “Initiatives that foster and promote scalable, home-grown solutions are essential to accelerating India’s transition to a low-carbon economy. In this regard, diverse sectoral industries will play a pivotal role in realising the goal of building a self-reliant green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030. Their innovative capabilities and localised solutions will form the backbone of India’s energy transition. The National Green Hydrogen Mission envisions India as a global leader in clean energy innovation and its deployment. To achieve this vision, it is imperative to strengthen domestic capabilities across the hydrogen value chain. Strategic collaborations such as this, between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium, have the potential to significantly accelerate the progress towards a hydrogen-powered green energy future.”

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister of Industries, Food & Supplies, Environment Forest and Wildlife, Government of NCT of Delhi, said, “As India continues to take strong strides in environmental leadership, initiatives like these reinforce our commitment to sustainable transformation at the grassroots. Green hydrogen presents a promising solution to reduce air pollution, drive industrial decarbonisation and enable the development of cleaner, future-ready ecosystem. The collaboration between Toyota Kirloskar Motor and Ohmium is a significant step forward – combining global innovation and local expertise to co-create scalable, green energy solutions. Such partnerships are essential to building sustainable industrial zones and pollution-free society, in line with our vision for a greener, healthier India.”

Ahmad Chatila, Ohmium Board Chaiman, said, “We are privileged to collaborate with Toyota Kirloskar Motor to integrate our locally manufactured electrolyser technology with their advanced fuel cell systems. This collaboration supports India’s Hydrogen economy goals and demonstrates our commitment to a greener future with cleaner air, better public health, and resilient, secure infrastructure.”

Manasi Tata, Vice-Chairperson, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said, “At Toyota, our commitment to a carbon-neutral future extends beyond clean mobility. Green hydrogen is a vital part of this vision – not only for transportation but also its production, distribution, and diverse end-use applications. Through this collaboration with an innovative PEM technology player like Ohmium, we are not only advancing Hydrogen applications but also reinforcing our support for the country’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. By co-developing locally relevant hydrogen solutions, we aim to empower India’s energy transformation and contribute meaningfully to the hydrogen ecosystem.”

Swapnesh R. Maru, Deputy Managing Director, Corporate Planning, Green Field Project, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), said, “India stands at a transformative juncture in its clean energy journey, with a clear vision to achieve energy independence and long-term sustainability. At TKM, we are happy to contribute meaningfully to this future by adopting a multi-pathway approach. This allows us to diversify our environmental efforts and move with speed and at scale towards achieving carbon neutrality, in alignment with our national objectives. In this direction, our collaboration with Ohmium goes ‘Beyond Mobility’ – it’s a shared commitment to contributing towards the creation of a hydrogen-powered India that is self-reliant, resilient, inclusive, and future-ready. Guided by our deep respect for the planet, we see hydrogen not just as a fuel, but as a catalyst to usher in sustainability across mobility, energy and industry sectors. By integrating global expertise with India-focused innovation, we are proud to be delivering environment friendly solutions, fostering happier paths together.”

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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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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ather Energy has launched Konarc e-scooter line built on its EL platform, unveiled during the fourth edition of Ather Community Day 2026. The e-scooter will be available in six variants split between the S and Z product lines.

The Konarc lineup features Indian Driving Cycle range options spanning 100 km, 125 km, 161 km and 200 km across its S line variants, while the Z line includes 125 km and 161 km configurations.

Pricing for the model begins at INR 99,999 for the Konarc S 100 km variant, INR 121,999 for the Konarc S 125 km, and INR 144,999 for the Konarc S 161 km, effective ex-showroom Bengaluru. Bookings and phased deliveries for select variants begin in mid-September 2026.

The EV utilises a steel unibody chassis, metal rear side panels, a sequential gear-drive transmission, a 14-inch front alloy wheel, a 12-inch rear alloy wheel and a 1,352 mm wheelbase.

Tarun Mehta, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Konarc has been designed to make EVs mainstream in India. We have understood the needs of the vast majority of buyers who are still waiting to go electric and have engineered Konarc for them. Be it the metal panels, 200 km range, once-a-year service interval, fast home charging, or the plush and comfortable ride, we have pushed the envelope on every fundamental that matters to this buyer, without compromising on the premium experience and advanced technology that Ather is known for. Konarc has also been designed to scale, and with the vertical integration and manufacturing capacity we are building at AURIC, we can take the Ather experience to many more riders and markets across India.”

Just like its other product line, Ather Energy has ensured Konarc remains a power packed product in terms of both software and hardware features. It gets Advanced Electronic Braking System, which dynamically regulates braking force modulation between front and rear wheels via software. Additional functionalities comprise MagicKey keyless operation with proximity unlocking, AutoPop automated under-seat storage opening and AirWalk motor-assisted manual pushing.

Swapnil Jain, Co-Founder and Chief Technical Officer, Ather Energy, said, “Ather has spent over a decade building its technology and engineering capabilities. We started working on software-led braking, fast charging and connected scooter experiences well before they became expected in the market. That head start matters because it gives us the experience to integrate these technologies deeply into the vehicle and bring the engineering depth we have built over the years to a much larger set of riders. AeBS™, MagicKey, AutoPop and AirWalk are examples of that approach, each designed to make everyday riding more effortless.”

The vehicle carries an integrated onboard charger, with an optional 450W offboard unit enabling combined 900W charging. Ather has set the service interval at 10,000 km or one year, alongside introducing a 10-year or 100,000 km warranty for its fifth-generation Bedrock battery pack, guaranteeing a minimum 70 percent battery state of health.

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Bengaluru-based electric vehicle maker Ola Electric has launched the S1Z e-scooter line, introducing the company's indigenously developed 46 series Bharat Cell lithium iron phosphate (LFP) technology to the vehicle market.

The battery cells are developed at Ola’s Battery Innovation Centre and manufactured at the Ola Gigafactory.

The e-scooter is offered in two battery capacity options: a 3.1 kWh variant priced at an introductory INR 79,999 and a 5.1 kWh variant listed at INR 99,999 ex-showroom. The 3.1 kWh model has a claimed certified range of up to 179 kilometres, while the 5.1 kWh configuration provides up to 301 kilometres.

The S1Z runs on 12-inch wheels, operates on the MoveOS 5 software platform and includes features such as cruise control, regenerative braking, reverse mode, GPS tracking and over-the-air (OTA) updates.

It will also serve as the initial vehicle line distributed through Ola Electric's newly established dealer-operated store network alongside its direct-to-consumer locations. Deliveries for the 3.1 kWh model will begin in December 2026, followed by the 5.1 kWh model in March 2027.

Bhavish Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Ola Electric, said, "The true measure of innovation of our indigenous Bharat Cell LFP technology is how quickly it reaches everyday Indians. The S1Z delivers on that promise. It is the first scooter range to bring our made-in-India LFP technology to the heart of the market, where millions of customers make their mobility decisions. We believe affordability shouldn’t mean settling for less. As we continue building India's EV ecosystem from cell to vehicle, products like the S1Z will play a critical role in taking our mission of bringing EVs to every Indian household."

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