1. Exponent Energy announces 15-minute rapid charging for electric buses.
Bengaluru-based Exponent Energy and bus manufacturer 'Veera Vahana' have come together for a rapid charging long-haul intercity electric bus. The new 13.5-metre bus has been named ‘Veera MahaSamrat EV’. It will be equipped with Exponent Energy’s 320 kWh battery with 15 minute rapid charging tech via Exponent’s 1 MW charging infra. With Exponent’s 15-minute rapid EV charging network along highways, electric bus operators will now be able to operate on long-haul intercity routes without range anxiety & long charging times.
At present, Exponent & Veera Vahana are focusing on electrifying the Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway. To support operations, Exponent will set-up four 1 MW charging stations: 2 at each highway endpoint & 2 along the highway. K Srinivas Reddy, Managing Director, Veera Vahana, stated: “Today, electric buses are restricted to short-haul or intracity operations due to limited range & long charging times. It is difficult to package a single battery to deliver 600km of range, and with long charging times, customers are not willing to wait for an hour along the highway.”
Arun Vinayak, Co-Founder & CEO of Exponent Energy, stated: “We’re excited to partner with Veera Vahana, to truly electrify the long-haul intercity bus segment. We’re thrilled to have built the world’s 3rd 1 MW charging technology, after Tesla & Siemens.”
2. Kabira Mobility & Electric One announce strategic alliance.
Goa-based electric motorcycle manufacturer Kabira Mobility has joined hands with multibrand EV retailer Electric One. Kabira Mobility plans to expand its market reach by leveraging Electric One's pan-India dealership network, thereby increasing its market penetration and making its EVs more widely available across the country. Both companies will work jointly to develop an EV charging & after-sales service network.
The partnership is scheduled to begin straight away, with Kabira's electric two-wheelers expected to be available at Electric One's dealership network in the coming weeks.
3. Ultraviolette inaugurates new showroom in Ahmedabad.
High-performance electric motorcycle company Ultraviolette Automotive has opened its latest ‘UV Space Station Experience Centre’ in Ahmedabad (Gujarat). This is Ultraviolette’s 3rd showroom in India, after Bengaluru & Pune.
The new showroom in Makarba, Ahmedabad, spans 3000 square feet. The company plans to have presence in 10 cities by Diwali 2024.
The showroom, branded as ‘UV Space Station’ is a 3S facility (sales, service & spares). It will also feature digital diagnostic tools and on-call technical support from Ultraviolette head office in Bengaluru. An EV charging station and a premium customer lounge has also been set-up.
4. JBM to supply 200 electric buses to LeafyBus.
Delhi-based electric bus operator LeafyBus has signed an agreement with electric bus manufacturer JBM Auto to procure 200 electric buses for its fleet over the next 24 months. The first phase will see the introduction of 50 buses, followed by the remaining 150 the next year.
These electric buses will feature the latest battery tech for extended range, fast-charging capabilities & smart fleet management systems to optimize routes & energy consumption. JBM Auto’s shares jumped by 3.5% after the company announced signing of this agreement.
5. Event focusing on decarbonising heavy vehicles in India organized in Delhi.
Multinational public policy thinktank ‘International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT)’ organized the ‘India Clean Transportation Summit 2024’ in Delhi on 28 & 29 August. The participants at the event focused on transitioning towards EVs in the freight sector and stated: "Heavy vehicles constitute 3% of the total vehicles on road but are responsible for 44% of total carbon emissions across India. Given the segment’s high pollution contribution, special thrust should be laid on coming up with financial support schemes to promote wider adoption & local manufacturing of EVs."
The two-day annual event held various sessions on the evolution of the country’s transport sector. Drew Kodjak, Executive Director of ICCT, who recently spent a year in the White House 'Climate Policy Office' under the Biden Administration, advocated for a multipronged approach to scale up decarbonisation efforts in the heavy vehicle segment, including a set policy for supply-side regulations, consumer incentives, EV charging infrastructure expansion & local manufacturing.
For complete EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website.
