The narrower, bigger diameter tyres of electric vehicles are encouraging innovation around them. Supporting lower rolling resistance, the tyres are pushing suppliers and OEMs to explore new technological innovations. A leading German auto supplier for example has developed a ‘mechanical’ technology to ensure superior manoeuvring with near 180 degrees turn of the steered wheels. 
This is a development that could be applied to ICE rear-wheel drive vehicles as well. Even, light-duty commercial vehicles such as the Tata Ace/1000 or the Switch Iev3/Iev4 that are aimed at the last mile delivery segment were backing up into a tight parking spot or navigating through a narrow lane is part of the job. 
As designers and engineers toy with the idea of larger wheel wells and the ability of the steered – front – wheels to turn as much as 180 degrees, the use of narrower, bigger diameter tyres with low rolling resistance in electric vehicles is spurring yet another round of innovation, albeit as a part of the entire platform architecture that is rather software driven and subject to much virtual development in the interest of ‘time-to-market’ and a differentiated user experience. 
With over 14 million small electric vehicles sold in 2023 the world over, the push has been to develop tyres that enhance operation and performance. Provide a typical ‘family’ car the ability to transform into a sports car given the wave of high torque available from the word ‘go’ in an electric vehicle. 
With electric vehicle sales poised to increase 17.5 percent year-on-year globally to bridge 41.2 million units in 2029, electric vehicle tyres are expected to facilitate a further drop in rolling resistance while employing sustainable raw materials, technologies and manufacturing processes. 
A sustainable EV tire design should consider the whole lifecycle of the product. Tires can be composed of well over 100 different raw materials. These are mixed and the rubber compounds are machined resulting is several components of the tire construction. EV tires are expected to be stronger and lighter, with less rolling resistance due to its importance in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. 
A key challenge being the development of tyre formulations for electric vehicles with the tread compound that is more resistant to abrasion, it is the instant torque availability that is necessitating tyres that may look like ICE vehicle tyres but are quite different in the way they handle traction and aid a longer drive range. There is the issue of kerb weight as well, not to overlook the new environmental pressures for durability and abrasion resistance. 
Interestingly, new opportunities are being created on the vehicle engineering and dynamics side as well as on the side of electric vehicle tyre development and manufacture. 
Starting with materials that are broadly classified as ‘renewable’ (can be sustained on time) and as ‘recycled’ (re-used and made from recovered end-of-life tyres), it is the tandem mixers that are producing more homogeneous rubber compounds, including tread compounds that employ optimised silica fillers.
Tyres for electric vehicles are demanding the use of triple or quadruple extruders for treads and sidewalls as per the vehicle weight, application and dynamics. Roller head or roller die units are also being used to produce inner liners as a single or multilayer sheet
In terms of textile coating of steel cord components in e-vehicle tyres, four-roll and Z-type calendars are used. Also, full tyre assembly machines that can produce tyres to tighter tolerances, higher specs such as superior uniformity and sans operator invention. 
With electric vehicle tyres and ICE vehicle tyres being tested and validated differently primarily because of the higher load bearing capacity and low rolling resistance, electric vehicle tyres are made up of a different (softer) rubber compound than regular tyres with an eye on less noise, mentioned a testing expert at an OEM that is increasingly producing electric vehicles in India. 
Pointing at an electric passenger vehicle the company launched in India recently, he averred, “Softer compounds are used to ensure less rolling noise and better transmission of torque from the motors to the road.” 
With finer tolerances in need, optical machine vision systems for end-of-line quality inspections, including new technologies such as X-rays to check steel belts, cords and bead reinforcement are increasingly used. 
They are used to check for air bubbles in inner liners as well. Advances in tyre design and manufacture include new developments in simulation software to model the performance of new designs quickly. This is without material input cots. 
AI is being increasingly used to ensure superior analysis. AI is also used to automate manufacturing process as part of Industry 4.0 workflows. 

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Bengaluru-based electric mobility startup E3 Electric.Ai has commenced production of its electric scooter, the E3 Trion, at its manufacturing facility in Hyderabad. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in batches from 7 October 2026, coinciding with the company's second anniversary.

The E3 Trion is offered in three variants – C1, C1X and C2 – designed for individual, family and commercial users. The variants will be delivered in phased schedules across six colour options: Nova Blue, Teal Blue, Graphite Grey, Misty Green, Solar Red and Luna White.

The e-scooter completed a testing and validation programme comprising over 550 Design Validation Plan tests, including chassis dynamometer power evaluation, range validation and brake-pressure sensor testing. Accelerated durability assessments were conducted on a Cam Drum Test Rig with a 205 kg payload, alongside water-wading tests at depths between 100 mm and 300 mm, rainstorm exposure and a 260-km mixed-terrain road test between Bengaluru and Hogenakkal.

Sanjeev P, Founder and CEO, E3 Electric.Ai, said, "This is a significant moment for everyone at E3, where engineering, testing and validation translate into a product that is ready to reach our customers. Our philosophy has been simple: build an intelligent, robust, electric scooter engineered for the real world. The rigorous validation programme, particularly our focus on durability across challenging conditions, has been central to that. With production now underway and deliveries beginning in batches from October 7, which also marks our second anniversary, we are proud to take the E3 Trion from the test track to the road and begin this journey with our first 100 customers."

The initial 100 buyers will receive an extended warranty covering the battery and primary components for eight years or 100,000 kilometres, along with one year of roadside assistance. The coverage package applies to the 2.3 kWh battery configuration on the C1 variant and the 3 kWh battery setup on the C1X and C2 variants.

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German automotive luxury brand BMW M has produced its one-millionth vehicle, a BMW M3 finished in BMW Individual Fire Orange III special paintwork, at the BMW Group Plant Munich. The milestone vehicle was presented by Peter Weber, head of BMW Group Plant Munich, to Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M, during an official ceremony.

The production milestone marks over five decades of BMW M manufacturing. Moving forward, the Munich facility will produce the fully electric BMW M3 based on BMW M Neue Klasse technology, following the fully electric BMW i3 as the second Neue Klasse model manufactured at the site.

The Munich facility has produced the current generation of the BMW M3 since 2020. From 2027 onwards, the BMW Group will manufacture exclusively fully electric vehicles at the site. The company is investing approximately EUR 650 million to convert the Munich facility, incorporating a new body shop, vehicle assembly line, and logistics infrastructure across one-third of the total plant area.

Franciscus van Meel said, "BMW M combines road and racetrack capabilities with everyday practicality. The one-millionth BMW M vehicle shows that these values are still very much appreciated by our customers, 40 years after the market launch of the first BMW M3. This motivates us to continuously develop our BMW M high-performance vehicle portfolio based on BMW M Neue Klasse technology, including fully-electric models, in line with our core brand promise."

Peter Weber said, "The BMW M3 has close ties to the BMW Group’s main plant in Munich. We are delighted that we will also be producing the first fully-electric BMW M3 here in Munich. BMW M has a special emotional significance for our associates here – so we are especially proud to be actively shaping the future of this icon."

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  - Prabal Singh October 05, 2026 22:56 PM

  Nah bro nahhh 😭😭

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Ultium Cells, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution, will upgrade its battery cell manufacturing plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, United States, to produce lithium manganese rich (LMR) battery cells for General Motors electric vehicles.

The facility is scheduled to begin retooling later this year, with completion expected in 2028. The conversion will enable mass production of prismatic LMR cells, a chemistry which it claims offers up to 33 percent higher energy density than lithium iron phosphate (LFP) at a similar cost profile.

The project will create 500 positions, expanding the plant's existing workforce of 1,200 employees. The upgrade follows the start of LFP cell production for energy storage systems at the facility in June 2026, bringing cumulative investment across both projects to USD 1 billion by 2030.

The modification will allow Ultium Cells to manufacture high-nickel, LFP and LMR chemistries across pouch and prismatic form factors at the Tennessee site, supplying battery cells for General Motors' North American vehicle assembly plants and external stationary storage applications.

Kurt Kelty, Vice-President of Battery and Sustainability, GM, said, “Establishing LMR prismatic cell production at Ultium Cells in Spring Hill is a key step in GM’s strategy to match the right battery technology to customer needs and strengthen our leadership in domestic battery manufacturing and innovation. High-nickel batteries will continue to give customers the highest range in our portfolio, while adding LMR positions us to leapfrog today’s more affordable chemistries and deliver lower costs with better performance. This flexibility allows us to scale efficiently, reach more customers, and support GM’s long-term EV strategy and profitability journey.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said, “Ultium Cells’ continued investment in Spring Hill underscores Tennessee’s role as a hub for advanced manufacturing and technological innovation. I thank Ultium Cells for their commitment to create new, high-quality jobs and to reinforce the strength of Tennessee’s manufacturing economy as we advance toward a future focused on clean, reliable energy.”

Injae Pahk, President, Ultium Cells, said, “This marks Ultium Cells’ second major investment in Spring Hill and reflects the company’s continued growth as a diversified battery cell manufacturer. By evolving production to meet changing market demands, Ultium Cells is reinforcing its long-term position as a key employer and technology leader in the U.S. battery cell sector.”

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Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, one of the leading passenger vehicle manufacturers, has commenced production of the updated Skoda Slavia sedan at its manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune, ahead of the festive sales period in India.

The Slavia model line has recorded sales of nearly 80,000 units in India since its initial launch, capturing a segment market share of approximately 30 percent in its segment. The revised version introduces mechanical updates, including an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission paired with the 1.0-litre TSI petrol engine, alongside a 5-star Global NCAP safety rating. It also gets a rear seat massage function, a 360-degree camera system and an infotainment setup with a Google Cloud-powered artificial intelligence assistant.

Andreas Dick, Skoda Auto Chief Production Officer, said, "India has become an increasingly important production location for Skoda Auto and an integral part of our global manufacturing network. Over the years, we have built strong capabilities here, combining local expertise with Skoda Auto’s global standards for quality, efficiency and engineering. The start of production of the new Slavia is another demonstration of these capabilities and further underlines the strategic importance of India within our global operations. We are confident in the continued development of our Indian manufacturing capabilities and their contribution to Skoda Auto’s international growth."

Piyush Arora, Managing Director & CEO, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India, said, "The start of production of the new Slavia marks an important milestone in our India journey and demonstrates the strength of our development and manufacturing capabilities in the country. The Slavia has developed a strong fan base through its design, driving dynamics, safety and engineering, and the new model builds on these strengths with meaningful enhancements in technology, comfort and convenience. With production now underway in Pune, we look forward to bringing the latest evolution of the Slavia to our customers while continuing to deliver the quality and engineering excellence they expect from a Skoda."

Ashish Gupta, Brand Director, Skoda Auto India, said, “For over 90 years, sedans have been an integral part of our global heritage. The new Slavia proudly carries this legacy forward. With close to 30% segment share, the Slavia has earned the trust of Indian customers. The new Slavia elevates everything customers value about the car, combining timeless design, European engineering and safety, engaging performance, modern technology, and greater comfort. As we begin production of the new Slavia, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening Skoda’s sedan legacy in India with products that remain fresh, relevant, and aspirational.”

The assembly of the model forms part of Skoda Auto Volkswagen India's manufacturing operations across its two facilities, which possess a total annual production capacity of 315,000 units. The group surpassed two million locally manufactured vehicles in 2025 and has exported over 725,000 units to more than 40 international markets, supported by product development and localisation efforts at its Technology Centre in Pune.

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