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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Czech automaker Skoda Auto is marking the 30th anniversary of the modern-generation Octavia, which first entered production on 3 September 1996. The model has served as the carmaker's core product following its integration into the Volkswagen Group, reaching total production of almost 7.9 million units across four generations. At present, the Skoda Octavia is manufactured in Mladá Boleslav and Kvasiny in the Czech Republic, as well as Kostanay in Kazakhstan.

Klaus Zellmer, CEO, Skoda Auto, said, "The Octavia has been an icon of the Skoda brand for three decades. As Combi or Liftback, it has consistently delivered what customers prefer: outstanding space, practicality, safety, and features at an exceptional value. In many ways, the Octavia defined the Skoda ambition to offer more than expected. This has resulted in the Octavia powering our international growth by earning the trust of generations of customers. While Skoda continues to evolve and expand into new segments, the Octavia remains a powerful symbol of customer-centric innovation and Simply Clever thinking."

The Skoda Octavia’s development began in 1992 under design chief Dirk van Braeckel, reviving a nameplate originally used by Skoda between 1959 and 1971. The initial liftback variant launched with a 528-litre boot capacity, supported by a production plant in Mlada Boleslav that increased the site's annual vehicle capacity from 90,000 to 350,000 units.

A Combi estate version joined the line-up in 1998, followed by an all-wheel-drive variant in 1999 and the first Octavia RS in 2000. The first generation recorded 1.44 million total unit sales before ending production in 2010.

The second-generation Octavia debuted in 2004, introducing dual-clutch transmission options and expanding boot capacity by 32 litres, achieving 2.6 million sales prior to its replacement in 2013. The third generation, manufactured from 2012 to 2020, incorporated revised driver assistance systems, reduced body weight, and efficiency updates, alongside an exterior facelift in 2017.

The current fourth-generation Octavia launched in November 2019 in liftback and Combi formats. An update introduced in early 2024 added safety equipment, including up to ten airbags and revised driver fatigue monitoring software, as the vehicle continues to serve commercial and private markets globally.

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Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s largest passenger vehicle manufacturer, has announced its automobile rake reached Pollachi Railway Terminal in Tamil Nadu, making it the first passenger vehicle manufacturer to dispatch vehicles by rail to the terminal.

The rake carried 120 vehicles, including Wagon R, Ertiga, Dzire and Celerio models, and departed from the Manesar in-plant railway siding on 18 August 2026.

Maruti Suzuki worked with Indian Railways to operationalise Pollachi Railway Terminal for rail-based vehicle dispatches. The location adds a destination in Southern India alongside Coimbatore.

The terminal enhances the ability of the company to serve customers across the region ahead of the Onam festival in Keralam. The facility can support 70 automobile rakes annually, enabling the delivery of 11,000 vehicles each year through railways.

Interestingly, the manufacturer adopted rail-based vehicle dispatches during FY 2014-15 to reduce CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and road congestion. The company increased the share of rail in outbound vehicle dispatches from 5 percent in FY 2014-15 to 26.5 percent in FY 2025-26, dispatching 3.2 million vehicles cumulatively via rail networks to date.

Maruti Suzuki India aims to increase the share of rail-based vehicle dispatches to 35 percent by FY 2030-31 to reinforce commitments to rail logistics.

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South Korean battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution has commenced operations at its 226-acre manufacturing facility in Lansing, Michigan. The site represents an investment exceeding USD 2 billion since 2022 and targets an annual production capacity of over 35 GWh at full scale.

The site produces lithium-iron phosphate battery cells for energy storage systems alongside nickel-manganese-cobalt cells for electric vehicles. The energy storage cells will be integrated by LG Energy Solution Vertech into equipment for grid and industrial uses, with energy supplier DTE Energy designated among the utility customers. The vehicle battery lines will supply nickel-manganese-cobalt cells to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky for installation in the 2027 Toyota Highlander EV.

The Lansing site currently employs 900 people, with headcount projected to reach 1,700 at capacity. The facility joins an existing manufacturing site in Holland, Michigan, as well as an engineering centre in Troy, bringing the company's total investment in the state to over USD 5 billion since 2010. The company plans to establish over 50 GWh of lithium-iron phosphate cell production capacity across North America across five operating and joint-venture plants.

Gretchen Whitmer, Governor of Michigan, said, “Michigan is open for business and creating good-paying jobs building the future of cars, chips, and batteries. LG Energy Solution has called Michigan home for more than 20 years, and we’re proud to see that investment continue with the start of production at its Lansing facility. This project will create up to 1,700 good-paying jobs, helping more working families make it in Michigan. It’s part of our historic work to invest in clean energy, electric vehicle manufacturing, and battery storage in communities across Michigan. Let’s keep working together to grow Michigan’s economy, create opportunity, and build a bright future for our state.”

Doug Burgum, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, stated, “Domestic battery production is foundational to America’s energy future – reducing dependence on foreign adversaries, driving good-paying American jobs and advancing the American Energy Dominance Agenda. Michigan is uniquely positioned to help lead this effort with its skilled workforce, manufacturing expertise and the industrial capabilities needed to strengthen America’s domestic battery supply chain. The Trump administration is thrilled to see these vital manufacturing jobs returning to the U.S. and remains committed to ensuring we have the capabilities to build the technologies of the future here at home.”

Sangwoo Hong, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Chicago, said, “The Korea-U.S. alliance has evolved into a comprehensive strategic alliance including economic cooperation and cutting-edge technology. Today’s opening is a key milestone. The battery industry sits right at the heart of our shared strategic priorities. Michigan is a prime example of this strategic partnership. LG Energy Solution is expanding its presence across the United States. By growing from Holland to this new facility in Lansing, LG Energy Solution is solidifying Michigan’s position as a global hub for battery manufacturing.”

David Kim, CEO, LG Energy Solution, said, “Today marks a defining milestone for LG Energy Solution. Lansing will produce advanced batteries that support not only the future of mobility, but also America’s growing energy infrastructure and digital economy. We are strengthening America’s battery ecosystem, expanding our manufacturing footprint and reaffirming our long-term commitment to the United States.”

Dae-sik Choi, President, LG Energy Solution Michigan, said, “The state’s skilled workforce is a great fit for our high impact industry, and we expect to continue our partnership with Michigan well into the 21st century. The jobs at this facility pay well, offer great benefits and require creativity and problem solving at all levels. Unlike many other high-tech industries, battery making creates jobs for everyone, from hourly workers to advanced degree holders.”

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Epsilon Advanced Materials has received government approval for its Epsilon C2GR anode material project under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme, administered by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

The scheme provides INR 1.45 billion in capital expenditure support, representing 25 percent of the project's capital investment. Epsilon stands as the single manufacturer approved for anode material production in this evaluation round. Across all product categories, the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme has cleared 106 projects representing INR 695.48 billion in total investment.

The sanctioned project focuses on establishing domestic production of graphite anode materials for lithium-ion battery cells used in electric mobility, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics. Epsilon has operationalised a customer qualification facility, EAM-ONE, located in Vijayanagar, Karnataka. The company plans to scale graphite anode manufacturing capacity to 30,000 tonnes per annum by 2028, with a targeted extension to 100,000 tonnes in a subsequent phase.

Vikram Handa, Managing Director, Epsilon Group, said, “The project approval under ECMS is an important recognition of Epsilon’s efforts to develop indigenous graphite anode technology and manufacturing capabilities in India. Building a resilient battery ecosystem requires ownership of technology, intellectual property, R&D and process know-how. This support will help accelerate our scale-up and strengthen India’s domestic battery materials value chain. We remain committed to contributing to the Government’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by building globally competitive critical battery materials from India.”

Epsilon's research framework incorporates testing across coin-cell, pouch-cell, and multi-layer pouch-cell formats to facilitate material customisation. The company holds 43 patent filings covering process, product, and equipment technologies, with plans for 50 additional intellectual property filings through 2030 to support domestic supply chain integration.

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