Arranged in one corner of Hall 6 of Pragati Maidan in the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025 was an air-taxi called Shunya. Developed by Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup, the air-taxi attracted a good deal of crowd, reflecting a new and future mode of transport or mobility.

The Shunya air-taxi prototype could facilitate a new mode of mobility much like a radio-taxi does to travel between Mumbai and Pune; between Mumbai and Kalyan; between Delhi and Jaipur or between Delhi and Meerut, for example.

Intending to launch the electric air-taxi in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India, Sarla Aviation (the company’s name is inspired by Sarla Thakral, India’s first female pilot) is steadfastly focusing on an indigenous design and manufacture since the beginning of the operations.

A testament to Sarla Aviation’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, the Shunya air-taxi proto has been designed to execute short trips of 20 to 30 kms with speeds of up to 250 kmph with up to six passengers onboard. As the first eVTOL of its kind in the country, it marks a pivotal moment in the history of Indian civil aviation, showcasing the nation’s growing prowess in cutting-edge aerospace technologies.

Capable of carrying a maximum load of 680 kg, according to a source aware of the development, the air-taxi offers a market-leading payload capacity such that every passenger can bring his or her luggage. The luggage is conveniently stored in the rear of Shunya with exterior access for ease.

Prioritising safety, purpose-driven performance and accessibility, Shunya – poised to redefine mass transportation – can take off from any flat surface, whether on top of a building or in a rural area, making it the most infrastructure-efficient mode of mass mobility ever, according to the company.

Working on a strategy that will see Shunya facilitate efficient commuting in megacities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Pune, Sarla Aviation is also looking at how its offering could facilitate social commitments in the form of an air ambulance that reaches where no vehicle or other means of mobility is able to reach. An air ambulance could also be used in urban and semi-urban areas to beat the road congestion.

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Ultraviolette has entered the record books as the first Indian production motorcycle to tackle and finish the gruelling Isle of Man TT Mountain Circuit. This world-famous course, stretching 37.72 miles (60.72 kilometres), is widely considered one of the most punishing tracks in global motorsports.

The feat occurred on 6 June 2026, when several F77 MACH 2 machines from Ultraviolette successfully navigated the full 60.72 kilometres of demanding tarmac. A trio of skilled riders – former TT winner James Hillier, actor and biking enthusiast Ranvijay Singha and national champion Abhishek Vasudev – piloted the electric motorcycles. Official recognition for the accomplishment has come from both the Asia Books of Records and India Books of Records.

This success represents a turning point for the nation’s expanding electric vehicle sector. The F77’s ability to master one of motorcycling’s most revered circuits highlights the advanced performance potential of Indian-designed electric motorcycles on an international stage. Ultraviolette views the achievement as a major step in its ongoing effort to redefine electric mobility and position India as a frontrunner in future transportation solutions.

Narayan Subramaniam, CEO and Co-Founder, Ultraviolette, said, "Completing a lap of the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course with the F77s is a significant milestone for Ultraviolette and a proud moment for Indian design and engineering. It demonstrates how far electric motorcycle technology has evolved and reinforces our belief that high-performance electric mobility can compete on the world's most demanding stages.

“For decades, the Isle of Man TT has been where motorcycle technology is tested, proven and celebrated. The TT Zero class was ahead of its time and showed the world that electric motorcycles could be more than an alternative; that they could be genuinely exciting, competitive and capable. Today, electric motorcycles have reached an entirely new level of capability and we would love to see electric racing return to the Isle of Man TT and continue driving the next chapter of motorcycle innovation."

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Spiro, an electric mobility company operating in Africa, has announced the appointment of Anant Badjatya as its new Group Chief Executive Officer.

The appointment follows a USD 215 million financing round for the company. Badjatya joins the business from Indofast Energy, a joint venture between IndianOil and SUN Mobility, where he oversaw the development of a network comprising more than 1,800 battery-swapping stations serving nearly 90,000 vehicles daily.

In his new role, Badjatya will manage the group's initiatives across battery swapping, leasing, logistics, energy, and vehicle manufacturing. Concurrently, Kaushik Burman will remain with the company as CEO of Mobility to manage the fleet across Spiro's seven existing markets.

Under Badjatya's management, Spiro plans to expand its technology hubs in India. The tech centre in Pune, which focuses on electric vehicle powertrain design and battery management systems, currently employs more than 100 people and is scheduled for expansion. The Bengaluru hub, which has a staff of over 50 people, will focus on the development of Internet of Things (IoT) cloud platforms and support research and development localisation initiatives in Kenya and Nigeria.

Gagan Gupta, Founder and Chairman, Spiro, said, "As Spiro is accelerating on its mission to transform mobility across Africa through clean, affordable and accessible electric transportation solutions, Anant will consolidate the Group’s strategic initiatives and guide the company through its next chapter of growth and execution in mobility, energy and tech.”

Anant Badjatya added, "Africa represents the most exciting frontier for electric mobility. Spiro has built a unique platform and is exceptionally well positioned to accelerate the transition to cleaner and more accessible mobility across the continent. I look forward to working with our teams, partners and stakeholders to drive the next phase of growth and impact."

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TVS Motor Company (TVSM), part of TVS VENU, partnered with the UN Global Compact Network India to host a World Environment Day 2026 workshop at the TVS Institute for Quality and Leadership in Anekal, Bengaluru. The event – held under the theme ‘Inspired by Nature. For Climate. For Our Future’ – also saw the release of a white paper titled ‘Nature Capital as a Strategic Business Imperative in India’, jointly developed with PwC and TERI School of Advanced Studies, focusing on ecosystem services and nature-related risk management.

Attendees included Karnataka Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Eshwar B Khandre; UN Global Compact Network India’s Ratnesh Jha; TERI’s Dr Vibha Dhawan and senior sustainability leaders from industry, academia and civil society.

TVS also launched its inaugural TNFD report, ‘Mobility in Harmony with Nature’, becoming one of the first Indian automotive firms to align with Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures recommendations. The framework helps assess nature-related dependencies, risks and opportunities amid growing water stress and biodiversity loss.

Three TVS Indian facilities are Net Water Positive and Zero Waste to Landfill, with Hosur holding GreenCo Platinum certification. Six products earned the GreenPro Ecolabel. With nearly 97 percent renewable energy in Indian operations, TVS is advancing circular economy initiatives and has established a Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility for responsible dismantling and recycling.

Thakur Pherwani, Chief Sustainability Officer, TVS Motor Company, said, "Nature is central to economic resilience, community well-being and the future of mobility. At TVS Motor Company, sustainability is embedded into how we think about products, operations, supply chains and partnerships. The release of our inaugural Task Force on Nature Related Disclosure (TNFD)-aligned report is an important step in assessing our nature-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities with greater discipline. Through the white paper and today's workshop, we hope to support a more informed conversation on how Indian businesses can protect natural capital while enabling long-term growth and value creation."

Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India, said, "The conversation around sustainability is rapidly evolving from compliance to competitiveness. Through initiatives such as this workshop, we are witnessing businesses recognise that biodiversity, ecosystem health and climate resilience are directly linked to long-term enterprise value. As UN Global Compact Network India completes 25 years of advancing responsible business practices, collaborations like these reaffirm the importance of collective action in shaping India’s sustainable future.”

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The Supreme Court of India has issued an order affirming the protection of the red appearance and packaging used by Exide Industries for its automotive batteries.

The legal dispute commenced after Amara Raja began manufacturing and selling automobile batteries under the brand name Elito using red colouring and packaging, whilst promoting the products across its website and social media channels. Exide initiated legal proceedings on the grounds that the product and packaging resembled its own long-established trade dress.

The Supreme Court affirmed the interim orders previously passed by the Calcutta High Court. The directive requires Amara Raja to cease the manufacturing and sale of red Elito batteries to its channel partners, and restrains the company from promoting the items on media platforms.

Prior to this decision, a Single Bench of the Calcutta High Court had issued an interim order restraining Amara Raja from manufacturing or selling batteries in red or in packaging resembling Exide's products, a position subsequently upheld by a Division Bench of the High Court.

The Supreme Court order permits Amara Raja’s channel partners to liquidate only the red Elito products that were already present in the market and manufactured prior to the Division Bench order dated 2 April 2026. The main lawsuit remains pending.

"For generations, customers have associated Exide's red-coloured batteries and packaging with quality, reliability, and trust. The Supreme Court's order reinforces the value of our intellectual property and safeguards the market identity that Exide has built over decades," said Exide in a statement.

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