1. Germany’s ambassador to India goes electric.
Germany’s ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann has switched to electric with a BMW i7 electric car. The ambassador went on a bicycle to receive his new car. He tied ‘nimbu-mirchi’ to his car and smashed a coconut, which as per Indian beliefs, wards off evil & brings good luck. These ceremonies received a lot of love on social media as the ambassador gave a message of respect for Indian traditions as well as commitment to environment-friendly transportation.
The BMW i7 is a luxurious electric sedan which is priced at Rs 1.95 crore. It is imported to India as a completely built-up unit (CBU).
2. ChargeZone introduces a Battery Passport System.
EV charging infrastructure company ChargeZone has introduced a Battery Passport System, a digital tool which provides a complete record of a battery's lifecycle, offering transparent data that stretches across the entire life of a battery. The battery passport system has been developed to aid the transition from a linear to a circular economy by providing all stakeholders with credible & accessible data about a battery’s condition & performance. By offering real-time information of critical battery parameters, the system will also ensure that batteries are reused & recycled efficiently. This system is a major step for Charge Zone’s upcoming Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) offering. Initially, the system will be implemented in electric buses equipped with 200 kWh battery, with plans to expand across the EV industry.
Apart from this, ChargeZone is also working on a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model for commercial vehicles like electric buses & trucks. The company will cover upfront battery costs and offer rentals for pre-defined range.
3. MG to launch the ZS EV’s facelift variant soon.
MG India is preparing to launch the next gen MG ZS EV in January 2025. Compared to the present ZS EV, the upcoming variant will be larger and come with more than one battery option. The next gen ZS EV will feature a radically new design.
The new ZS EV’s pricing will play a key role in the market and MG is expected to price the electric SUV competitively. The MG ZS EV currently offered is around 30-40% localised, however, the automaker is looking to increase this percentage as a cost-cutting measure. MG’s joint venture with JSW will help increase localization. The car may be made available in India with MG's unique battery rental scheme (BaaS).
4. Servotech goes global with British company Ensmart Power.
EV charger manufacturer Servotech Power Systems has signed a distribution agreement with UK-based Ensmart Power to expand its EV charger business in the UK and other countries. Raman Bhatia, MD, Servotech stated: “This collaboration is a strategic move to establish a strong international footprint.”
Post this announcement, shares of Servotech Power Systems opened higher on the NSE at Rs 193 per share compared to the previous close of Rs 188.
5. EKA Mobility to supply 250 electric buses to Nagpur municipal body.
Electric bus manufacturer EKA Mobility has bagged an order of 250 electric buses from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). The company has also signed an annual maintenance contract for the buses. Each bus will offer a seating capacity of 41 passengers and a standing capacity for an additional 24 passengers.
EKA, along with its partners Mitsui & VDL, had previously introduced electric buses in Delhi & Pune, which are operating as Uber shuttles at airports in the two cities. Additionally, the company has forged a tie-up with IKEA to supply electric delivery vans.
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