1. Bolt.Earth raises fresh funds for charging network expansion.

EV charging startup Bolt.Earth has raised $20 million in a funding round. The Bengaluru-based company raised fresh capital from existing & new investors, including Union Square Ventures, Prime Venture Partners & ITIGO Funds. Bolt.Earth stated that the new funding will be utilized to expand its EV charging network.

The startup offers fast & slow charging solutions, ranging from 3.3 kW to 240 kW.

2. Log9 and Lohum join hands for EV battery recycling.

Bengaluru-based advanced battery tech startup Log9 and battery recycling & repurposing company Lohum Cleantech have formed a strategic alliance for used EV battery disposal.

This partnership aims to seek accountability of the leftover worth of lithium-ion batteries. The two companies will work towards optimizing the use of EV batteries at the end of their 1st lifecycle, by reusing them as energy storage solutions. Lohum Cleantech’s ‘DETX’ index will be at the core of this joint venture. Lohum’s DETX is a platform for battery asset trading that provides weighted battery buyback prices and battery material prices. Log9 too practices 'battery tokenization', which provides digital record of performance data of all batteries that are supplied for reuse, equipping recyclers with precise state-of-health (SoH) estimations for raw materials.

3. Pure EV launches new long-range electric scooter.

Electric two-wheeler manufacturer Pure EV has launched a new electric scooter ePluto 7G Max. The scooter features a 3.5 kWh smart battery which gives a range of 201 km. The ePluto 7G Max comes loaded with advanced features like hill start assist, downhill assist, coasting regen & reverse mode, and offers 3 riding modes. The new scooter will be available in 4 colours: Matte Black, Red, Grey & White. Prices start at Rs 1.14 lakh. Bookings are open and deliveries will begin during the upcoming festive season.

The company also announced expansion of its dealership network and aims to reach 300 showrooms by the end of 2024. At present, Pure EV has 178 outlets.

4. Reliance introduces multipurpose battery tech.

Reliance Industries has announced innovative swappable, multipurpose battery tech for EVs. This technology allows batteries to power EVs and household appliances via an inverter. The aim is to empower comsumers to use a single battery for both mobility & domestic energy needs. Customers will be able to subscribe & exchange these batteries at Reliance’s battery swap stations and/or charge them using rooftop solar panels, which the company plans to offer as well. At present, RIL is exploring collaborations with EV industry players with an emphasis on customizable batteries, intelligent swap stations and EV charging infrastructure. Reliance had recently acquired two battery companies: sodium-ion battery tech startup Faradion and high-performance LFP battery manufacturer Lithium Werks, for approx $200 million.

This new announcement is in-lign with Reliance’s $10 billion commitment to green energy. The company’s upcoming 5 GWh battery manufacturing facility will be a significant step in promoting local battery cell production. The fully integrated cell-to-pack manufacturing facility will focus on batteries and containerized energy storage solutions.

5. Delhi civic body to expand its EV charging network.

Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is planning to expand its EV charging network into the outer areas of Delhi. The aim is to promote the use of electric autos and other EVs for last-mile connectivity. The MCD will set-up more EV charging stations in areas like Narela (North Delhi), Najafgarh (South West Delhi) & Rohini (North West Delhi), which currently have limited EV charging infrastructure. Delhi's power distribution companies and a few PSUs have been entrusted with identifying sites for these new charging stations, some of which will offer battery swapping services as well. MCD currently operates 200 EV charging stations (including 25 battery swapping stations), but most of these are concentrated in Central, South & East Delhi. Acknowledging the need for a more extensive EV charging network, especially in outlying areas, the civic body aims to boost EV adoption in these neighborhoods.

MCD is also working on dedicated EV charging hubs to stimulate cab aggregators to deploy more electric cabs. These charge hubs will provide simultaneous charging for 10-15 cabs.

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