Exponent Energy, an energy-tech company based in Bengaluru, has opened its first Exponent Sales Point (ESP) Store in Laggere, Bengaluru. The outlet will showcase the full range of Exponent-enabled three-wheelers and serve as a destination for customers. The store will also operate as a retrofit touchpoint for converting existing CNG/LPG passenger three-wheelers into electric vehicles.

The store creates direct access for auto drivers to explore Exponent-enabled vehicles, experience 15-minute rapid charging, understand the retrofit process and take test drives. Drivers can drop off their CNG or LPG autos and pick up their EV retrofits within 24 hours. Exponent plans to add over 15 touchpoints across Bengaluru by the end of FY2026.

Exponent has launched 5 three-wheelers in partnership with OEMs such as Montra Electric (the Murugappa Group) and Kinetic Green. The store brings all Exponent-enabled models under one roof, allowing customers to explore and purchase with financing options and documentation. Every vehicle comes with a five-year warranty or 3,000 charging cycles. With zero to 100 percent 15-minute rapid charging and access to Exponent’s 70-plus charging points across Bengaluru, the company aims to make the shift to electric practical.

Ayush Bhargava, Head of Business, Exponent Energy, said, “Our first ESP store gives drivers a firsthand experience of the full Exponent ecosystem, from exploring our range of Exponent-enabled vehicles to seeing how existing vehicles can be upgraded. This is a buying experience auto drivers have never had before, combining clarity, choice and convenience under one roof. With this store, we are setting the foundation for a faster, more accessible EV transition and plan to replicate this model across more cities soon. When drivers see how easily they can switch to EVs at lower running costs, the shift becomes inevitable.”

In November 2025, Exponent Energy entered the EV retrofit business with its newly launched retrofit technology, Exponent Oto, capable of converting any CNG or LPG auto into an electric vehicle in just 24 hours. With zero down payment, flexible EMIs and an assured buyback after three years, Exponent makes the transition to electric simple. Exponent Oto allows drivers to save up to INR 5,000 every month, even after accounting for charging and EMI costs.

Exponent was co-founded in 2020 by ex-Ather executives Arun Vinayak and Sanjay Byalal. The company worked on its battery pack (e^pack), charging station (e^pump), and charging connector (e^plug) that together unlock a 15-minute rapid charge and give 3,000 cycle life warranty for EVs – all done on a range of lithium-ion cells.

The company has over 2,500 EVs powered by Exponent tech on the roads of India, 150-plus charging stations, over 1 million rapid charging sessions completed and over 50 million kilometres covered. The company has expanded to four new cities within two years.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

BYD has updated its warranty terms for the Blade Battery in Europe, increasing the mileage limit to 250,000km while maintaining the 8-year duration. The extension applies to both battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and Super Hybrids and includes a guaranteed State of Health (SOH) of at least 70 percent. This change is retroactive, covering existing owners alongside new customers.

The Blade Battery utilises lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry, which avoids the use of nickel and cobalt. Its design allows cells to act as structural elements, increasing the vehicle's torsional rigidity. This configuration reduces the volume occupied by the battery by 50 percent compared to traditional designs, intended to optimise interior space.

The battery has undergone testing, including nail penetration, where surface temperatures remained below 60deg Celsius. It has also been subjected to overcharge tests, oven tests at 300deg Celsius, and crush evaluations. According to BYD, the battery can exceed 3,000 charge and discharge cycles, indicating a service life of approximately 1.2 million kilometres.

Current models utilising this technology include the BYD SEAL, which reports a range of 570km on the combined cycle and the BYD SEALION 7, capable of DC charging from 30 percent to 80 percent in 18 minutes at a power of 230 kW.

Under the new terms, the specific battery cover sits alongside the standard vehicle warranty of six years or 150,000km. The electric drive unit remains covered for eight years or 150,000km, while the anti-perforation warranty continues at 12 years with unlimited mileage. The extension is designed to address user confidence regarding the longevity of energy storage systems in the European market.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Suzuki R&D Center India (SRDI), a subsidiary of Suzuki Motor Corporation, has launched the Suzuki e-Micromobility Innovation Lab for Ecosystem (SMILE). Located within the International Automobile Center of Excellence (iACE) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, the facility functions as a platform to develop Versatile micro e-Mobility (VmeM) solutions.

The laboratory connects technology from Japan with ideas from Indian startups and component manufacturers. The objective is to design mobility systems from a customer perspective and strengthen co-creation within the Indian ecosystem. The VmeM platform, previously announced in Japan as MITRA, was showcased during the Vibrant Gujarat event in Rajkot on 11-12 January before the opening ceremony on 13 January.

SMILE operates within iACE, an institution founded in 2015 by the Government of Gujarat and Maruti Suzuki India. The centre focuses on training and skill development, having provided education to over 10,000 individuals in automotive engineering and mobility systems. The establishment of SMILE follows a memorandum of understanding signed between iACE and SRDI in December 2024.

The lab intends to integrate vehicle manufacturing with technology from the startup sector to address infrastructure needs. Target applications include warehousing, air cargo, manufacturing plants, agriculture, and municipal services.

Katsuhiro Kato, Director and Executive Vice-President, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “We are pleased to see the VmeM, designed and developed by Suzuki, introduced in India through Suzuki R&D Center India. The VmeM platform represents Suzuki’s commitment to evolving future mobility. With the launch of SMILE at iACE, we will work closely with Indian industry, startups and government stakeholders to drive co-creation on valuable mobility solutions that support growth and sustainability. We also aim to serve the role as a key base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform by promoting continuous technological development.”

The initiative positions Gujarat as a base for the global deployment of the VmeM platform through ongoing technological development and stakeholder collaboration.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Steelbird Hi-Tech India, one of the largest helmet and two-wheeler accessories brands, has launched Base X, a smart riding technology integrated into the Steelbird Fighter helmet range. The system is designed to provide connectivity and control for riders while maintaining a focus on safety standards.

The Base X system features a magnetic lock that serves as a power control, activating the device when the buckle is secured and switching it off when removed. The technology includes hands-free music control for track navigation and volume adjustment. It also integrates with voice assistants, allowing users to activate Google Assistant or Siri via a button on the helmet.

The technology offers three riding modes – Glide, Beast and Relax – which can be toggled using a dedicated button. For visibility, the system includes customisable rear indicator lights. The unit is powered via a Type-C charging port and provides up to 48 hours of playback.

The Fighter helmet housing this technology uses a high-impact shell design and a ventilation system. The product is priced at INR 5,999, aiming to make smart features accessible within the Indian market.

Rajeev Kapur, Managing Director, Steelbird Hi-Tech India, said, “Riding today is not just about reaching a destination — it’s about the experience along the way. With Base X, Steelbird is introducing a new era of smart riding technology that allows riders to control essential functions effortlessly while staying focused on the road. This innovation reflects our vision of blending safety, comfort, and technology into every ride.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

SiMa.ai and Kaynes Semicon have announced a strategic partnership to develop hardware and software for physical AI. The collaboration focuses on localising semiconductor packaging in India to improve supply-chain resilience and market delivery times.

The partners will deliver electronic systems for industries including industrial automation, robotics, automotive, aerospace and defence. Kaynes Semicon will utilise its assembly and testing capabilities to produce reference boards for SiMa.ai’s machine learning system-on-chip (MLSoC) platforms. This hardware is intended to allow system integrators to deploy AI inference technology at the edge and move from proof-of-concept to commercialisation.

The partnership includes the joint delivery of AI solutions for mission-critical requirements in smart vision, surveillance, and autonomous systems. This initiative supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision by fostering research, development and custom product innovation for strategic sectors in India.

Krishna Rangasayee, CEO and Founder, SiMa.ai, said, “India’s engineering talent and manufacturing scale are fundamental to our mission of democratising edge machine learning. This partnership with Kaynes Semicon aligns perfectly with SiMa.ai’s commitment to deliver effortless ML for every industry, from defence to industrial automation and beyond. Together, we are setting new benchmarks in making India a global force in physical AI".

Raghu Panicker, CEO, Kaynes Semicon, added, “Collaborating with SiMa.ai marks a significant leap forward for India’s semiconductor ecosystem. By fusing Kaynes’ advanced OSAT and manufacturing capabilities with SiMa.ai’s world-leading AI at the edge, we’re empowering critical industries to innovate at scale. This partnership is not just about technology – it’s about building a trusted supply chain, delivering value for our customers, and shaping the future of electronics manufacturing in India and worldwide”.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!