The India-Japan Fund (IJF), managed by the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF), has announced an investment of INR 5 billion (USD 57 million) in Pune-headquartered electric commercial vehicle manufacturer EKA Mobility.

The capital infusion aligns with IJF's objective to invest in the climate segment and accelerate investments within the India-Japan corridor. EKA Mobility, a subsidiary of Pinnacle Industries, focuses on electric commercial vehicles developed with in-house R&D and technology.

The funding will support EKA Mobility’s plans to increase its manufacturing capacity, advance research and development, improve its supply chain infrastructure and enhance marketing efforts for domestic and international markets. EKA Mobility's existing shareholders include VDL Groep (Netherlands), Mitsui & Co, (Japan) and ENAM Holdings (India).

Krishna Kumar, Partner & Fund Head, IJF, said, “Our investment in EKA Mobility continues to reflect our confidence in India’s electric mobility potential and the capability of homegrown OEMs to drive meaningful change in the market. IJF is supporting enterprises that are shaping India’s journey to a low-carbon economy, and also committed to promoting India-Japan business partnerships. We are glad to support Eka Mobility's growth in the sustainable commercial transportation segment, wherein it combines its technical, design capabilities and manufacturing infrastructure to take advantage of India's transition in the mobility segment.”

Dr. Sudhir Mehta, Founder & Chairman of EKA Mobility, added: “We are proud to have NIIF as a strategic partner in our growth journey. This investment comes at a crucial time as we expand operations, strengthen our R&D, and accelerate the adoption of electric mobility across India. NIIF’s support reinforces our shared vision of creating sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready transportation solutions.”

The company's zero-emission vehicle portfolio spans electric buses, intercity coaches, three-wheeler passenger and cargo vehicles, heavy-duty trucks and small commercial vehicles.

EKA Mobility has confirmed orders for over 3,300 electric buses from state government procurements, municipal corporation contracts, and private commercial fleets. The collaboration supports the Indian government’s objectives on electrification of public transport and domestic manufacturing under the Make-in-India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

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Fresh Bus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Exponent Energy to deploy 250 electric intercity buses across India. The agreement introduces a rapid-charging platform designed to support long-distance travel, including the deployment of a sleeper electric vehicle (EV) fleet. The partnership will initially focus on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor before expanding to other regions.

The collaboration addresses the range limitations traditionally associated with electric buses. Standard intercity EVs often require large battery packs or lengthy charging stops to cover distances beyond 350 km. The new system utilises Exponent Energy’s 1.5 MW infrastructure to provide 15-minute rapid charging during transit. This allows vehicles to operate on routes up to 1,000 km by recharging during highway stops, mimicking the operational patterns of diesel vehicles.

By using rapid-charging technology instead of larger batteries, the companies aim to reduce vehicle weight and lower the total cost of ownership. The megawatt-scale charging stations are positioned to enable faster turnaround times and higher fleet utilisation. This infrastructure supports the goal of Fresh Bus to operate 10,000 electric buses and capture 10 percent of the Indian intercity market.

The technology was developed in India and is intended to prove the viability of long-haul electrification for the domestic transportation sector. The partners spent two years on joint engineering to ensure the platform could meet the demands of India’s highway network and climate conditions.

Sudhakar Chirra, Founder & CEO, Fresh Bus, said, "This is a systems-level solution built for real-world intercity operations. Fast charging is inherently more efficient than simply adding oversized batteries. After two years of close collaboration and rigorous joint engineering with Exponent Energy, we’re ready to deploy at scale. We are not merely adopting EVs; we are co-designing a new paradigm for intercity travel that is faster, more reliable, and ultimately, more passenger-centric, directly addressing the myth that electric buses cannot reliably conquer India’s vast intercity network."

Arun Vinayak, Founder & CEO, Exponent Energy, said, “Rapid charging truly unlocks the opportunity to replace diesel buses with EVs on long-haul routes. A 15-minute quick charge every 300 km during highway pitstops allows for diesel vehicle-like operations with all the benefits of EVs to the fleet operator, the passengers and the climate. We are proud to have developed the entire 1.5MW charging capability and rapid charging technology in India and we are pleased to be working with Fresh Bus to co-design the ecosystem. Together, we’re putting India in pole position when it comes to long-haul electrification globally.”

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Tata Motors has unveiled a transformative new lineup of commercial vehicles, fundamentally redefining standards across safety, profitability and sustainability in Indian trucking. The launch encompasses an extensive portfolio of 17 trucks from 7 to 55 tonnes, featuring the all-new Azura series, significant upgrades to the Prima, Signa and Ultra platforms and a comprehensive electric range under the Tata Trucks.ev brand.

A cornerstone of this launch is the introduction of the Azura, a series engineered for the intermediate and light commercial vehicle segment. Designed to boost productivity and driver comfort, it features a new 3.6-litre diesel engine noted for its performance and efficiency. Available in 7- to 19-tonne variants, the Azura caters to a wide spectrum of logistical needs, including e-commerce, regional distribution and construction transport.

Safety receives unprecedented focus across the entire portfolio, with every truck now engineered to meet stringent global ECE R29 03 crash standards. This commitment extends to cabins built for frontal, rollover and side-impact protection, integrated with up to 23 advanced active safety features such as collision mitigation systems. Enhanced by real-time monitoring via the connected Fleet Edge platform, this initiative positions Tata Motors as the sole Indian manufacturer to achieve this international safety benchmark.

Simultaneously, the upgrades are meticulously crafted to enhance transporter profitability. Engineering refinements have increased payload capacity by up to 1.8 tonnes, while drivetrain improvements, including an advanced Cummins engine, deliver up to seven percent greater fuel efficiency. This drive for lower total cost of ownership is supported by digital tools like Fleet Edge Priority, which provides predictive analytics and real-time vehicle health insights to optimise fleet utilisation and uptime.

Propelling the industry towards sustainable logistics, Tata Motors also debuts its Tata Trucks.ev portfolio. Based on a new modular electric architecture, it includes models from 7 to 55 tonnes for diverse applications. The Ultra EV range leads in the light commercial segment, while the powerful Prima E.55S prime mover and the robust Prima E.28K tipper set new benchmarks for heavy-duty electric performance in port, mining and construction operations. Developed with deep localisation of key components and supported by a growing charging and financing ecosystem, these vehicles aim to make electric trucking both accessible and reliable for Indian businesses.

Beyond the vehicles themselves, customers benefit from Tata Motors' holistic Sampoorna Seva 2.0 support ecosystem. This includes an extensive service network, assured parts availability, round-the-clock assistance and tailored financing solutions, collectively designed to ensure complete operational peace of mind for fleet operators.

Girish Wagh, MD & CEO, Tata Motors Ltd., said, “India’s trucking landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by progressive national policies, modern infrastructure and the rising demand for safer, cleaner and more efficient logistics. Tata Motors has always led the way in setting benchmarks that shape the industry’s future. With the introduction of our next-generation portfolio – including the all-new Azura series, two advanced high-efficiency powertrains, India’s widest range of zero-emission electric trucks and tippers on our new I-MOEV architecture, significant upgrades to European standard cabins and industry-leading safety features, increased payload and fuel efficiency, all seamlessly integrated with Fleet Edge digital services, we are advancing this legacy. Guided by ‘Better Always’ philosophy, our relentless drive for innovation, deep commitment to localisation and unwavering focus on customer success embody the vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, enhancing India’s self-reliance and aspiration to lead in sustainable mobility.”

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MAN Truck & Bus and TIP Group have entered into a framework agreement for the delivery of up to 600 commercial vehicles annually over the next three years. The contract includes up to 1,800 units across all weight classes, ranging from 7.5 to 42 tonnes and covers operations in 18 European countries. The agreement, which includes both diesel and battery-electric trucks, has a total order value of up to EUR 160 million.

The diesel vehicles supplied will feature the PowerLion drivetrain, incorporating the D30 engine and TipMatic-14 transmission. According to the automaker, these aerodynamic updates reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 5 percent compared to previous models. In the electric segment, the contract includes the eTGL, eTGX and eTGS models. Depending on battery configuration, these vehicles offer claimed ranges between 310 km and 830 km.

The electric heavy-duty models are equipped with Combined Charging System (CCS) connections supporting up to 375 kW. From mid-2026, these models will support megawatt charging up to 750 kW. MAN produces both drive types on a single assembly line at its Munich plant to manage market demand and production costs.

TIP Group, which manages a fleet of over 90,000 assets, will utilise MAN service contracts to manage maintenance and repairs across its European network. These contracts provide fixed monthly rates to ensure cost transparency and vehicle uptime for rental customers.

Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member for Sales & Customer Solutions, MAN Truck & Bus, said, “With the new framework agreement, MAN Truck & Bus and TIP Group are sending a strong signal for the future of freight transport. We are pleased to accompany TIP as an important partner on the path to sustainable logistics – with efficient diesel trucks and innovative battery-electric vehicles. This agreement underscores the trust in our products and services and shows how we are jointly driving the transformation of the industry forward.”

Arjen Kraaij, CEO, TIP Group, said, “Supporting customers through the transition means offering the right solutions at the right time. By working closely with partners like MAN, we can expand our fleet with both highly efficient diesel trucks and electric trucks, giving operators practical choices that balance performance, cost efficiency and sustainability.”

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Gulf Oil Lubricants India has established strategic alliances with three construction equipment manufacturers – ACE (Action Construction Equipment), Ammann India and XCMG. These agreements are intended to expand the company’s presence in the infrastructure segment by providing equipment-specific lubricants for the Indian market.

As part of the collaboration with ACE, Gulf has added new products to the ACE Genuine Oil range, covering machinery such as cranes, backhoe loaders, motor graders and tractors. For Ammann India, which holds a 60 percent market share in asphalt mixing plants, Gulf will serve as the official partner for its entire equipment range. This includes the development of formulations for future machinery. Additionally, Gulf will launch branded lubricants for XCMG to support its range of construction equipment within India.

Alongside these alliances, Gulf has introduced a range of specialised products including fire-resistant hydraulic oil, zinc-free hydraulic oil and CEV V diesel engine oil. These formulations are engineered to meet the requirements of new-generation equipment while improving uptime and reducing the total cost of ownership for contractors.

The company currently manages over 50 OEM associations across the automotive, industrial, and construction sectors. These partnerships are a component of Gulf’s strategy to provide technical services and product selection tailored to Indian operating environments.

Ravi Chawla, Managing Director & CEO, Gulf Oil Lubricants India, said, “Infrastructure has been a strategic focus area for Gulf for over 15 years, and these partnerships mark a significant step forward in strengthening our presence in this growing sector. By working closely with leading OEMs like ACE, Ammann, and XCMG, among others, we are able to deliver application-specific, future-ready lubricant solutions for new generation equipments that help customers improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimise total cost of ownership. We firmly believe that long-term value is built through strong, enduring partnerships.”

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