Pune-headquartered leading mobility solutions company KPIT Technologies has announced a collaboration with Trentar Energy Solutions. As per the understanding, KPIT Technologies is set to transfer its sodium-ion battery technology to Trentar Energy Solutions to operationalise and commercialise it further.

It was in December 2023, KPIT unveiled its sodium-ion technology, which it claimed had 80 percent capacity retention for 3000-6000 cycles and offered faster charging capabilities compared to lithium batteries. Furthermore, given the abundance availability of raw materials, the sodium-ion battery technology would make for an ideal energy source for electrifying two-, three-, four-wheelers and public transportation, as well as in the marine and defence sectors.

The technology transfer agreement includes Trentar investing in the manufacturing capacity of 3GWH sodium-ion batteries and KPIT receiving upfront technology transfer fees and additional royalty fees over 8 years.

Ravi Pandit, Chairman, KPIT Technologies, said, “Building sustainable mobility technologies is at the heart of KPITs vision. Sodium-ion battery technology was born from the team's passion, perseverance, and synergetic collaboration with leading research institutes. We are pleased to have this agreement with Trentar, who will further operationalise and commercialise this technology for multiple market opportunities. KPIT will continue to work on several other sustainable technology solutions.”

Subodh Menon, Founder & Vice Chairman, Trentar, said, “With its cost-effectiveness, simplified supply chain, and enhanced safety, sodium-ion technology represents a strategic focus for our organisation. We are committed to developing a robust technological product line in this space, catering to diverse customers across mobility and energy storage verticals. This marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and scalable energy for the future.”

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Bengaluru-based electric two-wheeler maker Simple Energy is set to unveil its first family e-scooter on 2 September 2026, entering the country's mass-market segment.

The mass-market EV is set to follow the Simple One and the Simple Ultra models.

Simple Energy states that the in-house developed new model is part of its robust R&D capabilities spanning proprietary software, technologies and advanced engineering solutions.

The company is said to be the first Indian OEM to commercially manufacture heavy rare-earth-free electric motors.

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Billion Electric Mobility has announced a partnership with J K Cement to deploy over 150 heavy-duty electric trucks during the financial year. The project has commenced with the deployment of 20 electric trucks from J K Cement's Muddapur plant in Karnataka, transporting cement to stockyards in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa.

At present, Billion Electric provides an electric freight platform that includes vehicles, charging infrastructure, fleet operations and route management. ChargeZone's charging network supports operations across corridors in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa, with locations including Nipani, Satara, Pune, Karad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Goa, Hubli and Davanagere.

Sanjeev Kulkarni, CEO, Billion Electric Mobility, said, "The decarbonisation of India's freight sector will be driven by enterprises that are willing to lead from the front. J K Cement's commitment demonstrates that heavy-duty electric mobility is no longer a future aspiration but a commercially viable reality. Through Billion Electric's integrated eMaaS platform, supported by ChargeZone's expanding high-speed charging network, we are enabling businesses to transition to electric freight with confidence while building the infrastructure backbone needed to scale zero-emission logistics across the country."

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MAHLE will present its new range extender system for heavy electric trucks as a world premiere at the IAA Transportation in Hannover, running from 15 to 20 September 2026. The Stuttgart automotive supplier, exhibiting under the motto ‘Electrified. Efficient. Economical’, positions the innovation as a bridge between electric sustainability and internal combustion flexibility. CEO Arnd Franz and Dr Marco Warth, Vice President of Corporate Research, will present the technology as a practical solution for fleet operators constrained by inadequate charging infrastructure and limited vehicle range.

The range extender functions as an intelligent emergency power unit that activates precisely when needed, ensuring battery-electric trucks can cover all daily operational requirements without compromise. For forwarders and fleet operators facing mounting pressure to decarbonise while controlling costs, flexibility and reliability remain paramount. Franz noted that time and energy are scarce resources in road transport, and MAHLE's electrification products aim to enhance efficiency while reducing operating expenses.

The system's core comprises a high-voltage generator with 110 kilowatts continuous output and 130 kilowatts peak, driven by a compact internal combustion engine featuring advanced oil cooling for power density exceeding seven kilowatts per kilogramme. MAHLE has packaged this as an autonomous unit integrating generator, engine, thermal management, fuel and AdBlue tanks, and exhaust treatment into a compact box fitting standard battery installation spaces. This design replaces about one-third of typical battery capacity, reducing rear axle load by 400 kilogrammes and total vehicle weight by 600 kilogrammes, while achieving a total range exceeding 800 kilometres.

Under real-world conditions, the range extender truck emits approximately 80 percent less CO2 than conventional diesel vehicles, with virtually zero emissions when operating on renewable HVO100 biodiesel. The thermal management system provides 48 kilowatts of high-temperature and 15 kilowatts of low-temperature cooling for stable heavy-duty performance. Warth emphasised that the system decouples electric truck adoption from infrastructure development pace, allowing continued operation even when charging stations are unavailable.

MAHLE will also premiere its Contactless Transmitter electric motor for heavy commercial vehicles, eliminating permanent magnets and rare earth elements while saving three kilogrammes of materials per vehicle. The motor is 10 percent lighter and more efficient than conventional alternatives, delivering 370 kilowatts peak output and over 900 Nm torque at 3,900 rpm, achieving approximately 95 percent efficiency in VECTO simulation cycles.

Franz acknowledged structural challenges including poor European economic prospects, unpredictable tariffs, weak North American demand and growing competition from Chinese battery-electric imports. Despite headwinds, MAHLE leads the European market for electric climate compressors and ranks among the top three for electric pumps and fans, with first-half 2026 orders significantly surpassing previous year levels. The group collaborates with over 120 commercial vehicle customers worldwide and identifies Asia as the primary growth region.

Franz stressed that internal combustion engines will remain dominant, declining only from 83 to approximately 73 percent by 2035, necessitating expanded sustainable fuel supplies alongside electrification. He called for objective review of European CO2 fleet regulations, urging policymakers to pragmatically recognise range extender systems as electrification facilitators. The CEO concluded that successful transformation requires coordinated action between industry, government and customers, with reliable charging, hydrogen refuelling and storage infrastructure as essential prerequisites.

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E3 Electric.Ai, a Bengaluru-based deep-tech electric mobility company building intelligent e-scooters, has received the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) Type Approval Certificate from the Global Automotive Research Centre (GARC) for its E3 Trion electric scooter.

The certification confirms compliance with Indian regulatory and safety standards, and the vehicle has been listed on the Vahan portal to allow registration. Customer bookings and ownership processes are scheduled to begin on 6 August.

P Sanjeev, Founder and CEO, E3 Electric.Ai, said, "Receiving the CMVR Type Approval Certification from the Global Automotive Research Centre and seeing the E3 Trion go live on Vahan is a defining moment for E3 Electric.Ai. It means Indian riders can book, register, and own India's first intelligent electric scooter from August 6 with complete confidence in its safety and compliance. We built the Trion to bring genuine intelligence to everyday mobility, and August 6 is when that vision reaches the road."

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