The construction equipment (CE) industry is migrating to BS V, effective 1 January 2025. This is expected to have a profound effect on the respective market in terms of the sticker price of the machines and their fluid efficiency in terms of their total cost of ownership as well as operation. The cost implication in terms with the safety and emission regulatory changes is expected to pinch the CE industry in the range of 12 to 15 percent, claim sources tracking the developments in the respective industry sector. 

Dimitrov Krishnan, Managing Director, Volvo CE India, mentioned during the launch of the E210 excavator last month in Bengaluru that the upcoming CEV 5 emission standards would necessitate a refresh of the company’s entire product line. 

Though he did not mention the cost increase the migration to new emission norms will entail or how much of what the company will face in terms of costs will be passed on to the buyers, he did mention that the impact of the price will be apparent by mid-next year. 

“Volvo CE India is gearing up to this challenge,” Krishnan averred during his media conversation on the sidelines of the launch. 

On the sidelines of the ‘mileage guarantee’ announcement of Mahindra trucks and buses in Pune recently, Jalal Gupta, Business Head – Commercial Vehicles, Mahindra Group, informed, “The migration to BS V emission norms of the construction equipment on 1 January 2025 rather than the earlier stipulated time line of 1 April 2024 is likely to result in pre-buying in the second quarter of the current fiscal if not in the first quarter of it.” “We anticipate this despite the government announcing that those machines which are manufactured before 1 January 2025 can be sold for the next six months post that date,” he added. 

Mahindra CE business is not going to indulge in the practice of selling machines produced before 1 January 2025. Instead it is going to offer only the BS VI emission standards compliant machines from the respective date of migration. How other CE manufacturers tackle the challenge of migration in terms of their inventory management and pre-buying that may ensue would be a matter of interest in terms of whether a lull appears in the sale of the equipment post 1 January 2025. 

Image for representation purpose only.

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Pune-headquartered alternative commercial vehicle maker Blue Energy Motors has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the PARIVARTAN Scheme. The partnership aims to facilitate the replacement of commercial vehicles with electric trucks within the Delhi-National Capital Region.

The initiative supports the transition to freight mobility options by incentivising the replacement of transport units. Blue Energy Motors deploys electric and liquefied natural gas truck platforms across freight routes, accumulating operational distance and reducing emissions.

Anirudh Bhuwalka, Founder & Managing Director, Blue Energy Motors, said, "The PARIVARTAN Scheme is an important step towards accelerating the transition to cleaner freight mobility in India. Our participation reflects Blue Energy Motors’ commitment to supporting the Government’s vision for sustainable transportation and enabling wider adoption of electric heavy-duty trucks. We believe that the right policy support, coupled with advanced technology and a strong domestic manufacturing ecosystem, can play a pivotal role in accelerating India’s transition towards zero-emission freight transportation."

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SWITCH Mobility Ltd, a global leader in electric buses and light commercial vehicles and part of the Hinduja Group, has joined forces with intercity operator PURPLE BUS to roll out the region's first electric bus service linking Nagpur and Chandrapur, widening the operator's Vidarbha footprint. Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari oversaw the ceremonial dispatch of the inaugural six units, drawn from a 50-bus EiV12m intercity electric order placed by Purple Bus for deployments across Vidarbha.

Organisers chose Dussehra, a festival traditionally viewed as favourable for fresh ventures, as the launch date, a nod to the manufacturer's continuing push for safe, dependable and sustainable public transport in the region. Travellers between the two cities stand to gain better connectivity along with a safe, comfortable and eco-friendly way to travel.

The Nagpur–Chandrapur service is the third intercity project this year between SWITCH Mobility and Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions, building on electric coach launches along the Mumbai–Pune and Dombivli–Pune corridors in April 2026 and October 2026, respectively. The recurring tie-up points to rising operator confidence in electric buses for high-frequency intercity routes and to SWITCH Mobility's growing part in India's shift towards sustainable intercity travel.

The new route strengthens the partnership with Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions and furthers the company's wider aim of making zero-emission public transport accessible in Indian cities and towns. Linking key Vidarbha centres, the service is expected to ease daily commutes, boost local economic activity and speed the move towards cleaner intercity mobility. The EiV12m coach, engineered for long-distance journeys, pairs 45 pushback seats and a 350 km per-charge range with fast-charging capability, advanced safety systems, a quiet ride and SWITCH iON connected technology for real-time monitoring.

Ganesh Mani, Chief Executive Officer, SWITCH Mobility, said, “Nagpur and Chandrapur share a close economic and cultural relationship, and strengthening this corridor with our partner Prasanna Purple Mobility Solutions is an important step in our mission to build future-ready public transport across India. Following our deployment on the Mumbai–Pune route earlier this year, we are glad to extend this partnership to Vidarbha and to contribute to the region’s growth by supporting the everyday movement of the people who depend on it. This launch reaffirms our commitment to sustainable, people-first mobility solutions in Maharashtra and beyond.”

Saurabh Patwadhan, Director, PURPLE BUS, said, “At PURPLE BUS, our goal is to make electric the default way people travel between cities, not the exception. We are building that future route by route, from Mumbai–Pune, one of India’s busiest corridors, to Nagpur–Chandrapur, where we now bring Vidarbha its first electric bus service. Our fleet has already covered more than one million kilometres (1,000,000 km) in electric intercity operations, and the data shows what many operators doubted: electric coaches deliver a lower total cost of ownership and a lower cost per passenger-kilometre than diesel. Our partnership with SWITCH Mobility has been central to proving that, and it gives us the confidence to scale sustainable intercity mobility across Maharashtra.”

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European commercial vehicle major Scania has inaugurated its research and development proving ground in Södertälje, representing an investment of SEK 975 million. The 85-hectare site includes 13 kilometres of paved road and 4 kilometres of gravel road to support testing across electrification, autonomous driving, safety systems and vehicle dynamics.

The facility incorporates three irrigated braking tracks constructed from asphalt, concrete and basalt tiles, enabling testing across varied friction surfaces and cornering conditions. The site also features specialised environments for evaluating driver assistance technology, including automatic emergency braking, lane support and blind-spot warning systems, alongside scenarios for autonomous vehicle development. The construction project integrated environmental measures, including ECO asphalt and renewable HVO100 fuel for logistics, avoiding approximately 30,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.

Christian Levin, President and CEO, TRATON GROUP and Scania, said, "The transformation of transport requires us to continuously strengthen the way we develop and validate new technologies. This investment is about building the capabilities we need for the future while ensuring that the solutions we bring to our customers have the safety, quality and performance they expect."

Sara Forsberg, CTO and Head of Brand Identity Development at Scania, said, "New technology only creates value when it performs in the real world. The R&D proving ground gives our engineers greater possibilities to test, learn and validate solutions under demanding conditions. It strengthens our ability to turn innovation into solutions that deliver real value for our customers."

Niklas Klingenberg, Head of Group R&D, TRATON GROUP, said, "Advanced testing and validation capabilities become increasingly necessary as we develop the next generation of transport solutions. The R&D Proving Ground is an important addition to our landscape and strengthens our ability to turn new technologies into proven solutions."

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Eicher Trucks & Buses, a division of VE Commercial Vehicles, has inaugurated a 3S dealership facility in Noida for its Eicher Pro X small truck range. Operated by Punjab Mobility, the 7,000-square-foot facility is located on NH-34 at Dadri in Gautam Buddh Nagar, providing integrated sales, service and spare parts support.

The showroom will sell the 3-tonne and 3.5-tonne Gross Vehicle Weight range of small commercial vehicles across electric, diesel and compressed natural gas powertrain options.

The location provides access to industrial and logistics hubs across Noida, Greater Noida and the Dadri region, including the Multi-Modal Logistics Hub and the Dadri-Noida-Ghaziabad Industrial Region, with transport connectivity via the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway.

Abhishek Chaudhary, Senior Vice-President of SCV Sales & Marketing, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, "The Eicher Pro X range is designed for the evolving needs of last-mile logistics, with a strong focus on efficiency, connectivity, driver comfort and uptime. With three energy-efficient powertrains, 100% connected technology and multiple configuration options, it is engineered for applications including e-commerce, parcel courier, FMCG and industrial goods movement. Punjab Mobility Private Limited’s presence strengthens our presence in Noida and brings the Pro X range and enhanced ownership support closer to customers across the Delhi-NCR region. Born electric-first, the Eicher Pro X offers customers in the NCR the opportunity to switch to electric trucks that are approved under the PARIVARTAN scheme."

The dealership infrastructure features digital vehicle configurators, dedicated workshop bays, electric vehicle charging infrastructure and EV-trained service personnel. To support vehicle uptime across the National Capital Region, the facility operates mobile service vans and breakdown assistance units alongside power backup systems.

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