The PM e-Bus Sewa Payment Security Mechanism Scheme has got approval from the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India.

The scheme will establish a payment security mechanism fund for procurement and operation of electric buses under the government of India / State Government and Union Territories sponsored schemes.

The idea is to mitigate the risk of payment delays and support OEMs and operators who have entered into concession agreements with public transport authorities.

The scheme for a period of 12 years is expected cover around 38,000 e-buses and has a budgetary outlay of INR 34.53 billion.

The PM e-Bus Sewa scheme will provide payment security in case of default by public transport authorities in making timely payment to the operators as per the agreement executed between the them and the OEM/operators.

It will also provide a mechanism for recouping of Scheme Funds from the parent State Governments/UTs in the event of non-repayment by PTAs. This will ensure sustainability of the scheme fund.

Furthermore, it is expected to provide support in capacity building, training needs and adoption of innovative technologies by public transport authorities for e-bus operation.

Convergence Energy Services (CESL) has been selected as the implementing agency for the scheme.

Representational image courtesy: Tata Motors

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Lohia Auto has launched the Youdha EPOD at INR 270,000, marking its maiden entry into the competitive L5 electric vehicle segment.

The newly launched EPOD is equipped with a 6-kilowatt motor delivering 50 Nm of torque and is powered by an 11.8 kWh LFP battery. It offers a certified range of 227km on a single charge (upto 180-190km of real-world claimed range) and gets dual driving modes – City and Boost. Built with Indian road conditions in mind, the EPOD also features a 300mm water-wading capacity and a ground clearance of 155-160mm. It also gets an auxiliary battery at the rear which helps the primary battery ‘wakeup’ for a start. 

At present, Lohia Auto’s manufacturing facility in Kashipur, Uttarakhand, has an installed annual capacity of 100,000 units. Through passenger and cargo EVs, the company targets a revenue milestone of INR 10 billion by 2030.  

Ayush Lohia, CEO, Lohia Auto, said, “The Youdha EPOD reflects values of sturdiness, reliability, aspiration and affordability. It is meant to be sold to drivers, fleet owners and entrepreneurs, reflecting success and independence that is driven by the future. We are not just offering a vehicle – we’re offering economic empowerment.”

To begin with the electric autorickshaw will first be rolled out in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Assam, with a phased expansion planned over the coming quarters. The geographies are said to be chosen on the basis of high three-wheeler usage density, high EV adoption potential and a quickly growing base of self-employed drivers seeking efficient mobility solutions.

In line with the above, he spoke about the epod blending robust performance with aspirational identity while keeping the driver’s needs at the centre, reflected in Yodha’s tagline “Chalao Aan Se, Kamao Shaan Se (Drive with victory, earn with pride).”  

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Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has entered into a strategic partnership with Tamil Nadu Grama Bank to offer tailored vehicle financing solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance accessibility for commercial vehicle customers across Tamil Nadu by providing customised loan options with flexible repayment plans.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was formally signed by Viplav Shah, Head of LCV Business at Ashok Leyland, and Kannan Ponnuraman, General Manager of Tamil Nadu Grama Bank, in the presence of Mani Subramanian, the bank’s Chairman. Through this alliance, Tamil Nadu Grama Bank will extend end-to-end financial support to Ashok Leyland’s customers, ensuring convenient and customer-centric loan facilities.

With 676 branches spread across Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Grama Bank offers a diverse portfolio of financial products catering to various segments, including agriculture, retail, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The bank is also committed to advancing financial inclusion by promoting government schemes and delivering affordable banking services to underserved communities.

Ashok Leyland boasts an extensive lineup of commercial vehicles, ranging from light commercial vehicles for intercity transport to heavy-duty trucks and a wide array of buses. Known for their safety features and driver-friendly designs, Ashok Leyland’s vehicles also emphasise sustainability, with alternative fuel-powered buses contributing to eco-friendly transportation solutions. As an industry leader in innovation, Ashok Leyland continues to drive progress in India’s commercial vehicle sector while prioritising environmental responsibility.

Shah said, “We are delighted to partner with Tamil Nadu Grama Bank to offer our customers convenient and attractive vehicle financing solutions. This strategic collaboration will further strengthen Ashok Leyland’s presence in the market and enhance accessibility to our innovative, cost-efficient products. At Ashok Leyland, we are committed to delivering industry-leading value and exceptional experiences for our customers, empowering them to achieve greater profitability and success.”

Subramanian said, “Tamil Nadu Grama Bank is pleased to partner with Ashok Leyland to offer seamless vehicle financing solutions. This association reflects our dedication to serving the diverse financial needs of commercial vehicle customers. We are confident that this collaboration will enable us to extend our reach and provide tailored financing options to support the growth of businesses in the commercial vehicle segment.”

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Tata Motors, one of India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturers, has started deliveries of an additional 148 advanced Tata Starbus electric buses to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC).

The Tata Starbus EV is designed for intra-city operations and is equipped with new-gen electric powertrain, Electronic Stability Control, Electronic Brake Distribution and an Integrated Transport System. With a low-floor design, it offers ergonomic seating for 35 passengers.

These e-buses will further complement the 921 e-buses already plying on the Bengaluru roads. The fleet will be operated and maintained by TML Smart City Mobility Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors, under a 12-year contract.

Ramachandran R, IAS, Managing Director, BMTC, said, “Tata Motors electric buses already running across Bengaluru have shown outstanding performance, clocking high uptime and meeting public expectations on comfort and convenience. Based on this success, we are pleased to induct an additional 148 e-buses from Tata Motors. These buses will further enhance our ability to offer citizens a safe, sustainable and efficient travel option on a wider network across Bengaluru.”

Anand S, Vice-President and Head – TML Smart City Mobility & Commercial Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors, said, “It is a momentous occasion as we commence deliveries for yet another fleet of our environment-friendly and efficient Starbus electric buses to BMTC as per schedule. We are honoured by the trust shown by BMTC not only for our products but also on our ability to deliver an unparalleled uptime for two years, clocking over six crore cumulative kilometres. We remain committed to supporting their vision for sustainable, public transport by delivering innovative e-mobility solutions backed by technology, service and execution.”

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MG Group, a leading private coachbuilder in the country, revealed its new brand identity on 5 July 2025 at the company’s flagship event christened ‘Re-born’ in Bengaluru. The new brand identity announced a significant transformation for MG, from a contract manufacturer supporting high-volume OEM production to a product-led, brand-driven, mobility solutions provider.

In addition to a new brand logo, the company also introduced its new premium intercity coach ‘Tigra’, built on a BharatBenz chassis. Interestingly, the company revealed that the new coach is modular in nature and is available on all 13.5-metre coach chassis for domestic and international markets. The coaches will be produced at MG’s Coach Manufacturing Facility in Belagavi, Karnataka where it claims to have made substantial investments have been made in tooling, jigs and quality systems.

Anil Mohan Kamat, Chairman & Managing Director, MG Group, said, “This particular product is on the BharatBenz chassis, but we’ve made it compatible with other OEMs like Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors and Eicher Motors too.”

The event also saw over 400 orders for the Tigra coaches being placed by MG Group customers.  

The Tigra features mood-based lighting, ABS-moulded interiors for safety and PU leather on the seats to provide a premium feel for users. It also gets USB and laptop charging points on every berth, with digital displays designed to guide riders to their seats. DRLs and LED projector-type headlamps with integrated progressive indicators, fog lamps and LED tail lamps with indicators are visible on the outside.

For the unversed, MG Group entered the premium coach segment almost a decade ago. Since its inception in 1996, the company is said to have delivered more than 125,000 bus bodies across various applications, such as intercity, staff, school, mofussil and special purpose segments (ambulance and defence applications).

Sivakumar V, President – Strategy & Sales, MG Group, said, “In the bus and coach body-building industry, progress is never overnight. It’s built on strong relationships, consistent quality, and the ability to evolve with changing transportation needs.”

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