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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Olectra Greentech has received a Letter of Intent (LOI) from the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) for the supply of 1,085 electric buses. The order, facilitated through Evey Trans, is part of the PM E-DRIVE initiative led by Convergence Energy Services (CESL).

The company currently holds the largest market share in the Indian electric bus segment. With over 3,600 e-buses deployed and an order book surpassing 10,000 units, Olectra has recorded more than 500 million kilometres of operations across India.

The buses for TGSRTC will be 12-metre, low-floor vehicles, available in air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned variants. The units are engineered for local road conditions and urban frequency.

The e-buses have a claimed range of over 250 km per charge, it can be fast-charged in around 45 minutes, features front & rear air suspension systems and is wheelchair friendly.

The deployment will take place in Hyderabad, where Olectra is headquartered. The buses are intended to replace or augment existing fleets to reduce emissions within the city's transport ecosystem.

Mahesh Babu, Managing Director, Olectra Greentech, said, “This is a defining moment for the Olectra family and a significant milestone in our journey of powering India’s electric mobility transformation. Our continued commitment to the Make in India vision and to building world-class electric buses has received strong reinforcement through this prestigious order under the PM E-DRIVE programme. We are proud to bring our advanced, reliable, and indigenously developed electric mobility solutions to Telangana. Hyderabad is not just our home state, but a city that represents innovation and progress. We look forward to working closely with TGSRTC to deliver efficient, comfortable, and sustainable public transportation that meets the evolving expectations of citizens while contributing meaningfully to India’s clean energy and net-zero ambitions.”

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Renault Group has entered into a binding agreement to assume complete control of Flexis SAS, the electric van joint venture it originally co-founded with Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group in 2024. The deal, which is contingent upon clearance from antitrust authorities, will see Renault acquire the 45 percent and 10 percent stakes currently held by Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group, respectively. This transaction is anticipated to be finalised by the middle of 2026.

The restructuring of ownership is not expected to alter the core mission or the strategic direction of the project. The venture remains dedicated to the creation of a new generation of fully electric light commercial vehicles, incorporating advanced technological features. The development timeline remains on track, with production slated to commence by the end of 2026. The initiative is built upon a robust technological foundation, including a unique skateboard platform, 800-volt motor technology and a software-defined vehicle architecture. These innovations are specifically designed to meet the evolving demands of urban logistics and support the urgent need for decarbonisation in the sector.

Renault’s teams are fully committed to advancing this ambitious undertaking. The project is a significant employer in France, engaging nearly 1,300 personnel across several key locations. These include engineering hubs in the Île-de-France region, such as the Guyancourt Technocentre and the Villiers-Saint-Frédéric Light Commercial Vehicle Center of Excellence, with the manufacturing process set to take place at the Sandouville plant in Normandy. The first model from this new range, the Renault Trafic Van E-Tech electric, is scheduled for release in late 2026.

Volvo Group, through its Renault Trucks brand, will continue its longstanding partnership with Renault by distributing these new vehicles starting in 2027. CMA CGM Group, for its part, expressed its satisfaction in having played a crucial role in nurturing the project during its foundational phase, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the energy transition.

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French automotive supplier OPmobility has been awarded a contract to supply a global Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with 350V battery packs for future Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) models in North America. The agreement stipulates the delivery of over 1 million battery packs over the duration of the contract.

This award marks the expansion of OPmobility’s electrification business into the passenger car segment. Previously, the company’s battery activities focused on heavy-duty mobility, including buses, trucks and trains.

The battery packs will utilise Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) cell technology. OPmobility will be responsible for the engineering and delivery of the complete system, comprising: the battery case, battery cells and the Battery Management System (BMS).

To fulfil the order, the Group will extend its existing production facility in Anderson, United States.

The contract aligns with the trend toward hybridisation in the automotive industry. OPmobility currently supplies both pressurised fuel tanks and battery packs, allowing for the optimisation of energy storage across Hybrid Electric (HEV), Plug-in Hybrid Electric (PHEV) and Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREV).

Felicie Burelle, Chief Executive Officer, OPmobility, said, "This major award reflects the trust placed in OPmobility by one of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and key customer of the Group, and our unique and differentiating positioning to address the growing hybrid market with a competitive edge. With this contract, we strengthen the product offering of our powertrain activity with a new strategic growth lever. This is fully in line with our technological and geographical diversification strategy for all types of mobility.”

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Swedish luxury car brand Volvo Car India and ChargeZone have inaugurated an ultra-fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway. The facility is located at Food Hills near Igatpuri and features a 360kW power unit equipped with two dynamic load-balancing dispensers.

This marks the first installation between the partners as part of a 2025 Memorandum of Understanding aimed at developing a charging network across national corridors. The partners intend to add further stations throughout 2026.

The EV charging station utilises an intelligent configuration for power distribution. Dynamic load balancing allows the unit to adjust power output between the two dispensers based on vehicle requirements, which reduces waiting times.

The charger can be accessed through app-based navigation and payment systems. It features dedicated bays for Volvo electric vehicles.

Jyoti Malhotra, MD, Volvo Car India, said, "As a legacy brand, Volvo Cars is committed to driving the transition towards sustainable mobility, and this partnership with ChargeZone is a testament to that vision. Together, we are ensuring that our customers not only enjoy the luxury and performance of Volvo EVs but also have access to a dependable and hassle-free charging infrastructure. The new 360kW station on the Mumbai-Nashik highway is the first step in delivering a world-class charging experience across India."

Kartikey Hariyani, Founder & CEO, ChargeZone, added, “The launch of our first co-branded 360 kW ultra-fast charging station with Volvo Car India represents an important milestone in building a premium, future ready charging network for the country. The Mumbai Nashik hub showcases our focus on high speed, technology enabled infrastructure supported by intelligent features such as dynamic power loading that significantly improve the customer experience. As EV adoption accelerates, our priority is to ensure that long-distance travel becomes fast, predictable and seamless. We look forward to supporting India’s shift toward a cleaner and more sustainable mobility landscape.”

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