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Govt Notifies New CNG/CBG Mobile Refuelling Unit Rules

Eshisha Java — Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:18:00

The government has notified the Gas Cylinder (Third Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing specific conditions for CNG and compressed biogas (CBG) mobile refuelling units (MRUs), including their ownership, operation, safety systems and permitted applications.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), issued the notification on September 21, 2026. The amended rules will come into force from the date of their final publication in the Official Gazette.

The amendment adds provisions to the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 allowing CNG/CBG to be dispensed into motor vehicles or specified equipment through mobile refuelling units. The new provisions set out conditions covering the design, ownership, filling, dispensing and operation of these units.

CNG/CBG Mobile Refuelling Unit Ownership And Equipment

Under the amended rules, a CNG MRU must be owned by a city gas distribution (CGD) company authorised for the relevant geographical area. A CBG MRU must be owned by a licensee operating under Form E&F.

Both types of MRUs must have an assembly approved by the Chief Controller. This includes the storage cascade, dispensing system, piping, hoses, pressure-regulating devices, safety fittings, emergency shut-down (ESD) system, layout, operating procedures and emergency response arrangements.

The units must have a fail-safe, manually operated ESD system accessible from at least two locations. The system must be capable of isolating the cascade and dispensing lines, shutting off CNG/CBG supply sources and immediately stopping dispensing operations. It must also be periodically tested according to the manufacturer's procedure.

Where CNG/CBG Mobile Refueling Units Can Be Used

The rules limit dispensing to approved onboard CNG/CBG cylinders fitted as fuel tanks. Permitted applications include non-transport vehicles operating in mines covered under the Mines Act or notified ports, Indian Railways locomotives, approved ships and boats operating on inland or seaborne waterways, and engines undergoing testing at government-authorised testing laboratories.

The Chief Controller may also permit refuelling of heavy equipment, machinery or other heavy vehicles that cannot be brought to fuel dispensing stations. Such permission can be subject to additional safeguards, site inspection, risk assessment and other specified conditions.

MRUs must be filled or charged only at designated areas of CNG mother stations or licensed CNG/CBG filling premises. The relevant MRU must also be attached to the licensed premises and reflected in the approved layout and licence.

The amended rules also state that CNG/CBG MRUs cannot be used for public retail dispensing on public roads, in residential areas, commercial parking areas, basements, enclosed premises or other locations that have not been specifically approved.

Safety Requirements For CNG/CBG Mobile Refueling

During dispensing, prescribed safety distances must be maintained around the MRU. The minimum distance from buildings and boundaries is four metres for storage cascades with a total water capacity of up to 4,500 litres and five metres for capacities above 4,500 litres. The Chief Controller can prescribe greater distances from roads, ignition sources, electrical lines, drains, basements and other vulnerable locations.

MRUs with a total water capacity exceeding 10,000 litres cannot be used unless specifically permitted by the Chief Controller with additional safeguards.

The dispensing area must be physically protected and display warning signs in English, Hindi and the local language. Smoking, open flames, mobile phone use, hot work, unauthorised electrical equipment and public access are prohibited within the dispensing area. Refuelling must be conducted under the direct supervision of an authorised and trained responsible person.

The rules also prescribe requirements for the cylinders, hoses and couplings used by MRUs. Storage cascade cylinders must conform to specified standards, including IS-7285, ISO-9809 and ISO-11119, or another code accepted by the Chief Controller. Their maximum allowable working pressure is capped at 250 bar gauge unless a different pressure is specifically approved.

Hoses and couplings must be suitable for CNG/CBG service, have a minimum burst pressure of four times the maximum operating pressure, and incorporate provisions including breakaway couplings, excess-flow or quick shut-off arrangements and bonding or earthing.

Vehicle Approval And Emergency Procedures

The list of vehicles or equipment proposed for CNG/CBG refuelling must be vetted by the relevant competent authority, including the Directorate General of Mines Safety, port authorities, railway administration or the Inland Waterways Authority of India, depending on the application. The approved list must be maintained at the site and updated before a new vehicle or equipment is refuelled.

Refuelling must be suspended while an MRU is being exchanged. The rules require valves to be closed, the dispensing system to be depressurised where necessary and the ESD to remain activated during the exchange operation.

The dispensing area must allow unhindered access for emergency response vehicles, including fire tenders and ambulances. Operators must also check hoses, couplings, valves, the dispenser and the receiving fuel system for leaks before dispensing begins.

A site-specific emergency plan must be prepared for each location and submitted to the relevant authorities. The plan must be displayed at the site, communicated to operators and tested through periodic mock drills.

The licensee or CGD entity must maintain records covering MRU filling and dispensing, pressure readings, vehicle and equipment details, operator details, leak checks, ESD checks, hose testing, maintenance, defects, repairs and incidents.

The notification defines a CNG/CBG MRU as a mobile assembly comprising storage, dispensing and associated safety equipment mounted on a vehicle, trailer, skid or another mobile platform for dispensing CNG/CBG into approved onboard fuel cylinders or fuel systems at specifically approved sites.

Universo Ferrari Arrives In India From October 17, 2026

Eshisha Java — Fri, 18 Sep 2026 12:16:30

Ferrari will bring its Universo Ferrari immersive exhibition to India for the first time, with the fifth edition scheduled at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention and Expo Centre, in New Delhi from October 17 to November 1, 2026. Invited guests will be able to attend on October 17 and 18, with the exhibition opening to the public from October 19.

The 360-degree exhibition is designed to cover different aspects of Ferrari, including its heritage, technology, motorsport and craftsmanship. The New Delhi edition will feature dedicated Racing and Classiche areas alongside displays of Ferrari’s current range.

The exhibition will include the 849 Testarossa, Purosangue, 12Cilindri and recently unveiled Amalfi Spider, while the F80 will complete the display of Ferrari’s latest models.

Ferrari Universo Exhibition To Feature Racing And Classiche Areas

A dedicated Racing Area will focus on Ferrari’s motorsport heritage, including its racing technologies and achievements. The Classiche Area will feature historic models and vehicles associated with Ferrari’s heritage.

The exhibition will also feature Ferrari Luce, presented as a look at the company’s future direction while retaining links with its established design and technology themes.

Another display will be the Ferrari Hypersail, the company’s new sailing project, which will be shown in Asia for the first time at Universo Ferrari in New Delhi.

The New Delhi event follows previous editions of Universo Ferrari held in Italy, Australia, South Korea and Thailand. Ferrari said the India edition is intended to provide the country’s growing enthusiast community with access to the brand’s vehicles, racing heritage and other projects.

Delhi Tops NITI Aayog’s India Electric Mobility Index 2025

Arunima Pal — Wed, 16 Sep 2026 16:51:09

Delhi has emerged as the top-performing state/Union territory in electric mobility adoption in the 2025 edition of the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI), launched by NITI Aayog in New Delhi on September 16.

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chandigarh and Goa were the other top-performing states and UTs, according to the index. The IEMI assesses state and UT performance on electric mobility across indicators covering transport electrification, charging infrastructure readiness, and research and innovation.

Speaking at a NITI Aayog workshop on state EV policies, Rajiv Gauba, member, NITI Aayog, described the transition to electric mobility as an “economic, environmental, and strategic imperative” for India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Gauba highlighted India’s dependence on imported crude oil, saying the country currently imports nearly 89% of its crude oil requirements. He also noted the automotive sector’s contribution of around 7.1% to GDP and its employment of nearly 1.9 crore people.

According to Gauba, 29 of India’s 36 states and UTs have notified EV policies. The IEMI scores also showed improvement over the previous year, with the highest score increasing from 77 to 84 and the median score rising from 36 to 40.

Gauba said differences in electric mobility adoption across states reflect variations in industrial bases, fiscal capacity and geography. He called for greater exchange of best practices between states and urged them to focus on electrifying public transport in selected cities, improving the distribution and reliability of charging infrastructure, and encouraging investment in research and innovation.

He also highlighted government support for electric mobility, which he said exceeds ₹92,000 crore through initiatives including FAME, PM E-DRIVE and PM E-bus Sewa, as well as production-linked incentive schemes for automobiles and auto components and advanced chemistry cell battery storage.

Gauba pointed to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure by oil marketing companies and private-sector players. He also highlighted the Unified Bharat e-Charge app, which is intended to improve access to charging infrastructure.

He cited the increasing adoption of electric cars in major markets, noting that EVs accounted for around one-tenth of new car sales in the US, more than a quarter in the EU and more than half in China in 2025.

NITI Aayog launched the first IEMI edition in 2025 as a state-level framework for tracking progress in electric mobility. The 2024 edition assessed 28 states and eight UTs using 16 indicators.

Rosmerta Digital Services and FADA Sign MoU to Simplify Vehicle Compliance Through New Platform

Arunima Pal — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:08:15

Rosmerta Digital Services Limited (RDSL) and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at making vehicle-related compliance easier for citizens and dealers across India. The agreement was formalised at FADA's 8th Auto Retail Conclave in New Delhi.

As part of the partnership, RDSL has launched Rosmart, a compliance services platform accessible through Rosmart.com, where users can log in to check pending traffic violations and access related services. The companies said the initiative addresses a common problem in vehicle sales and transfers, where unresolved traffic challans often complicate transactions and leave customers uncertain about what needs to be cleared.

Rosmart Platform Targets Fraud in Traffic Challan Clearance

The launch comes amid growing concern over unauthorized websites and intermediaries that claim to help citizens clear traffic challans, a trend both organisations said increases the risk of fraud and cybercrime. Rosmart is positioned as a credible, transparent alternative that allows customers to verify challan details and take necessary action through an official channel.

How Rosmart Works for Customers and Dealers

The platform is designed to serve both individual customers and dealers. Customers can access Rosmart.com directly or scan a QR code available at participating dealerships and other customer touchpoints, while dealers have the option to upload cases in bulk or assist customers directly. According to RDSL and FADA, this dual approach is intended to reduce delays during vehicle transactions and give dealers a more efficient way to support customers when compliance issues arise, particularly in the pre-owned vehicle segment, where challans may originate from multiple cities or states.

Rosmart currently offers compliance services for both citizens and dealers, with the companies indicating that additional citizen-centric services and service providers will be onboarded over time. The MoU with FADA is expected to help extend the platform's reach across the automotive retail network nationwide.

Hariansh Nagpal, President of Rosmerta Digital Services Limited, said the goal behind Rosmart.com was to create a simple digital destination where citizens could check challans and resolve compliance requirements, adding that the FADA association would help extend the service across the automotive retail network.

Sai Giridhar, President of FADA, said pending traffic challans often become a significant hurdle in the vehicle ownership journey, particularly in the pre-owned vehicle business, given that a single vehicle may carry challans from different cities or states. He noted that dealers are frequently the point at which such unresolved issues surface, especially during vehicle exchanges, sales or transfers, and said the collaboration with Rosmart was intended to give dealers and customers access to a safer, more transparent compliance channel.

About Rosmerta Digital Services and FADA

Rosmerta Digital Services Limited, part of the Rosmerta Group, builds technology-led solutions for India's automotive and mobility sector. The Group has supplied more than 170 million High-Security Registration Plates, making it India's largest and the world's second-largest HSRP manufacturer, and has issued over 150 million driving licences and registration certificates across more than ten states and union territories.

FADA, founded in 1964, is the apex national body representing India's automobile retail industry, covering the sale, service and spares of two- and three-wheelers, passenger cars, utility vehicles, commercial vehicles, wheeled construction equipment and tractors.

India-EU FTA to Allow Import of 1 Lakh Cars to India Initially at Lower Tariff

Kiran Murali — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 21:50:51

The India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will allow carmakers in Europe to import 1 lakh completely built-up (CBU) internal-combustion and non-plug-in hybrid cars into India in the first year of the FTA at concessional import duties, with the quota rising to 160,000 vehicles gradually from the tenth year, according to the schedule of tariff commitments under the deal.

The India-EU FTA talks concluded in January this year. The agreement is reportedly expected to be signed by the end of this year and could come into effect from next year. There are also reciprocal EU concessions given for cars exported to the EU from India, with a quota of 2.40 lakh CBU ICE and hybrid cars allowed in the first year at a concessional import duty of 8%.

Import Tariff Structure : How Much Duty EU Cars Will Pay in India

The concessional duties on imports to India are only for ICE and hybrid cars priced above 15,000 euros (approximately Rs 16.63 lakh) from the first year, while pure electric and plug-in hybrid cars will receive concessional access only from the fifth year, that too, for vehicles priced above 20,000 euros (approximately Rs 22.17 lakh).

In the first year of the FTA, cars with a CIF value of 15,000 euros to 35,000 euros will attract a 35% duty within the quota. Cars valued at 35,000 euros to 50,000 euros and those above 50,000 euros will face a 30% duty. Cars priced below 15,000 euros will not receive a tariff concession in the first year.

Opportunity for Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW in India

Lower tariffs on imported cars to India will open a big opportunity for European automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW, looking to export CBUs from Europe. Many of these companies already assemble imported kits (CKD) in India at a tariff of around 16%. But lower duties on CBUs could make it viable for them to bring a wider range of niche, performance and high-end models from Europe.

Car Import Quota to Rise From 1 Lakh to 1.6 Lakh Units

The first-year quota of 1 lakh cars will include 34,000 units in the 15,000-35,000-euro band, 33,000 units in the 35,000-50,000-euro band and 33,000 units for models priced above 50,000 euros. The quota will increase to 1.075 lakh vehicles in the second year, 1.30 lakh units in the fifth year and 1.60 lkah from the tenth year. The preferential duty across the three price bands will be 10% from the tenth year.

Tariffs on Cars Imported Outside the Quota

Cars imported outside the quota will face higher duties, ranging from 66-110%, depending on the applicable tariff line and the vehicle value. These out-of-quota rates will decline gradually to 30-35% by the tenth year.

Separate Quota for Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Car Imports

The FTA provides a separate tariff quota for CBUs of battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles starting from the fifth year. The quota will begin at 20,000 vehicles in the fifth year and gradually increase to 90,000 vehicles by the fourteenth year. The preferential duty for vehicles within the quota will be 30% in the fifth year and will decline over time to 10% from the 10th year.

India's Reciprocal Car Export Quota to the EU

Meanwhile, the deal would allow export of 2.50 lakh CBU of ICE and hybrid cars with a CIF value of up to 50,000 euros in the first year with a concessional duty of 8%. The quota rises to 3.25 lakh vehicles in the fifth year and 4 lakh units from the 10th year with the duty falling to zero from the fifth year.

Govt May Bring Major Measures to Accelerate Electric Truck Adoption: PM Advisor

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 16:05:01

The government is considering stronger measures to accelerate the adoption of electric trucks as heavy vehicles emerge as a key challenge in India's transition away from imported petroleum, Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister, said.

Kapoor said the shift towards cleaner transport needs to happen much faster, with trucks and buses now requiring greater attention after progress in electrification across two-wheelers and growing traction in passenger vehicles.

“My main concern is heavy vehicles, particularly trucks,” Kapoor said.

He indicated that the government is examining several ways to improve the economics and adoption of electric trucks, including policy and taxation measures, financing models, battery swapping and a wider highway charging network.

“This is an area where a lot of thought is now going on in the government also,” Kapoor said. “So please expect some major things to come from our side, and the industry has to be prepared for that.”

He did not spell out the measures or provide a timeline for their announcement.

Incremental Transition Will Not Be Enough

Kapoor said the scale of electric-truck deployment needs to increase sharply if India is to make a meaningful dent in diesel consumption.

Existing programmes have created an initial market, but the volumes remain small compared with overall truck sales, he said.

The PM E-Drive scheme has a provision to support 5,643 electric trucks, but Kapoor argued that even this is a relatively small number compared with the size of the market.

“If we want to set a timeline for ourselves, then we should see very major transition in the next five years,” he said.

“Those incremental changes will not really help us. It has to be very major.”

Kapoor urged manufacturers to think in terms of scaling deployments by multiples rather than discussing projects involving only a few hundred vehicles.

“We want the whole landscape to change,” he said.

Diesel Dependence Drives Urgency

Kapoor linked the electric-truck push directly to India's energy security.

He said the transition is particularly important because India cannot easily become self-sufficient in petroleum products and demand is likely to continue increasing.

Recent geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia has reinforced the need to reduce dependence on imported fuels.

“This change in the transport sector has to happen much faster,” Kapoor said.

While electrification of passenger vehicles can reduce petrol consumption, diesel use must also fall, he argued.

“If the petrol part starts reducing, we can't allow diesel to stay at the same level. So that also has to be reduced.”

Some movement towards CNG has already taken place in heavy vehicles, but India now needs to “move into electric in a big way”, he said.

Cost, Financing And Charging Remain Hurdles

Kapoor acknowledged that electric-truck manufacturers continue to face challenges in building demand.

Vehicle costs remain high, the market is still small and domestic value addition needs to increase, he said.

The government and industry therefore need to find ways to bring down vehicle costs and develop financing models that make electric trucks viable for fleet operators.

Battery swapping is one possibility, while better charging coverage along highways could also help.

Kapoor said placing chargers at shorter intervals could allow manufacturers and operators to use smaller batteries, potentially reducing vehicle costs.

Charging infrastructure will therefore have to expand alongside manufacturing.

Parivartan Could Push Fleets Directly Towards Electric

Kapoor also pointed to the Parivartan programme in the National Capital Region as one way of accelerating the replacement of older commercial vehicles.

The programme is aimed at removing older, more polluting trucks from the road.

While the scheme allows replacement with BS6 vehicles, Kapoor said the preference is to move towards electric vehicles wherever possible.

“We would like to go to electric because otherwise then we will go to BS6 and then we will go to electric,” he said.

That would result in a two-stage transition, instead of replacing older vehicles directly with electric alternatives.

Kapoor said state EV policies could further influence the choice of replacement vehicles.

He also expects measures similar to those introduced in the NCR to eventually emerge in other regions.

More Restrictions Likely

Kapoor warned manufacturers that policy pressure on conventional vehicles is likely to increase.

Restrictions have already begun in Delhi and the surrounding region, he said. “In other areas also they may start kicking in. So therefore we have to prepare for that.”

He was even more explicit while discussing passenger vehicles.

“On the four-wheeler side I can tell you that more and more restrictions will come,” Kapoor said.

His message to manufacturers was to prepare for the transition rather than assume conventional powertrains will continue under the existing regulatory environment indefinitely.

Large Fleets Could Create Early Electric-Truck Demand

The government is also looking at large fleet operators as a possible way to build scale.

Kapoor pointed to sectors such as mining and coal, where large numbers of heavy vehicles are used and where the government has direct or indirect influence.

Such operators could transition earlier, helping create a sizeable initial market for electric trucks.

Kapoor said some “push” could come in government-linked sectors to speed up the transition.

Creating concentrated demand could help manufacturers expand production, improve localisation and ultimately reduce costs.

Industry Asked To Propose Solutions

Kapoor said the government wants manufacturers and other industry participants to suggest ways of accelerating the transition rather than waiting for policy to provide all the answers.

“I would request that the industry should give us ideas on how we can move faster,” he said.

The broader objective, he said, should be to reduce India's dependence on imported energy while simultaneously developing domestic manufacturing and technology capabilities.

“We have to support and you have to drive this,” Kapoor said.

Govt Plans Points System for Driving Licences to Improve Driver Behavior

Kiran Murali — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:58:34

In a bid to address driver behavioral issues, the government is planning to introduce a points system for driving licences and vehicle registration certificates, under which repeat traffic offenders could face suspension or cancellation of their licences, according to Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari.

The proposed system is aimed at improving driving behaviour and holding habitual offenders accountable, Gadkari said while speaking at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers' (SIAM) 66th Annual Convention.

“My ministry is planning to introduce graded point system in driving licences and vehicle registration certificate,” Gadkari said.

Under the proposed system, points would be deducted for offences committed by drivers, with action taken once the accumulated penalty points cross a specified limit.

“Every offense will cut points on the driving licence. And after a particular limit, the licence will get suspended or even cancelled,” Gadkari said.

The minister said the policy would distinguish between responsible drivers and those who repeatedly violate rules. Drivers with good records could receive benefits, including possible incentives from insurance companies, while habitual offenders would face penalties.

“This is exactly the people who have good points, they will get incentives from insurance or companies or whatever benefits will be there. But those who are habitually making mistakes, the penalty is there. That is the principle behind this policy,” Gadkari said.

He said changing driver behaviour was an important challenge in efforts to improve road safety. “Driver behaviour is a big problem. We are now doing a lot of things for that,” Gadkari said.

Gadkari said people who repeatedly make mistakes on the road should face consequences for their actions.

“We are actually the person who is making constant mistakes and we are learning it. That will not be appropriate. Somewhere, we have to challenge the people where this misdeed is responsible for the consequences,” he said.

The proposed points-based system is expected to encourage more responsible driving behaviour, the minister said.

He did not specify a timeline for the implementation of the proposed system or provide further details on how the points mechanism would operate. ENDS

How Pre-New Year Cargo Runs and Tariff Deadlines Lock Construction Equipment OEM Liquidity

Shahkar Abidi — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 19:13:51

In the modern industrial supply chain, physical production capability is only half the battle. A manufacturer can run a plant at peak efficiency, optimize material costs, and build a highly competitive product line. However, if the finished machine cannot find a container to carry it across the ocean, the corporate balance sheet hits a wall.

This operational paradox is currently playing out for construction equipment manufacturers in India. While global demand for Indian-manufactured machinery has reached record highs, a severe squeeze in ocean shipping and maritime logistics is creating an unexpected drag. Even as exports surge, companies face a quiet battle against cargo container shortages, soaring freight rates, and a logistics lag that locks up working capital on domestic shipping docks.

Growth Blocked by Container Shortages

The operational scale of this bottleneck is illustrated by Case New Holland (CNH) Construction Equipment India. According to the company's standalone financial statements for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2025, CNH India experienced a remarkable 19.01% surge in export volumes, shipping 4,821 units compared to 4,051 units in the previous fiscal year. Exports have become the primary engine of growth for the manufacturer, helping to offset a subdued domestic construction equipment market which contracted by nearly 7% on an industry level.

However, this robust export performance is colliding directly with maritime headwinds. Global ocean freight rates have skyrocketed to 2 to 2.5 times their previous levels. More critically, physical cargo containers have become virtually impossible to secure at Indian ports.

The root of this maritime squeeze lies thousands of miles away in a geopolitical front-loading race. Massive cargo capacity is being booked between China and the United States. U.S. and Chinese importers are aggressively pre-selling and front-loading shipments to beat anticipated tariff deadlines and secure retail goods before the holiday season.

This surge in trans-Pacific traffic has sucked ocean supply chain capacity out of secondary routes, creating a severe deficit in markets like India. Heavy equipment manufacturers find themselves holding firm export orders but lacking the physical containers to fulfill them.

The Cost of Calendarization

"In terms of availability-related disruption, I feel over a longer horizon, it does not really impact, but it will impact in terms of calendarization," explained Shalabh Chaturvedi, Managing Director of CASE Construction Equipment India and SAARC.

Within the industrial sector, 'calendarization' refers to the displacement of revenue and shipments across reporting periods rather than the permanent loss of sales. For CNH India, this manifests as a two-to-three-month lag. For example, machines scheduled for export in June are routinely delayed on shipping docks until August. Consequently, export shipments scheduled for December are spilling over into the next calendar year.

While calendarization is ultimately a timing issue for top-line revenue, its operational impact on cash flows is immediate and severe.

"Working capital is current and real," Chaturvedi warned. "It will impact the working capital because we have already produced the machines. So the capital is blocked. And now we are not able to ship it out. So it's creating more of a cash flow issue or a working capital issue."

When a heavy excavator, compactor, or loader backhoe is built, the manufacturer has already fully absorbed the direct material costs, labour overhead, and factory operating expenses. In a frictionless supply chain, shipping these units immediately triggers trade receivables and subsequent cash inflows. Under the current maritime squeeze, finished machines accumulate in inventory, locking millions of rupees of liquid capital on factory and port docks.

India Just 2-3 Years Behind Global Vehicle Standards: MoRTH

Mukul Yudhveer Singh — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:39:36

India has narrowed its vehicle standards gap with advanced automotive markets to two to three years in some areas, while matching or surpassing global standards in several others, according to Mahmood Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Speaking at the 8th FADA Auto Retail Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, Ahmed said the position had changed significantly compared with 10-15 years ago, when India was roughly a decade behind markets such as Western Europe and Japan.

“Today, I can very confidently say that in some areas we are probably two years behind, in some maybe three years behind, and in many other vehicle standards we are at par or even better than the rest of the world,” Ahmed said.

How India Is Closing the Vehicle Standards Gap

He attributed the narrowing gap to sustained engagement between India and automotive ecosystems globally, including regulators, vehicle manufacturers, testing agencies, standards-setting organisations and academia.

Ahmed said alignment with global standards also strengthens the ability of Indian manufacturers to compete internationally and opens up export opportunities. Indian companies, he said, need to “make in India” while building products capable of competing globally.

Bharat NCAP: 38 Models Rated, Dealers Urged to Push Safety Awareness

Safety is one area where the government is seeking greater consumer awareness. Ahmed said 11 automakers have voluntarily offered vehicles for assessment under Bharat NCAP, with 38 models receiving safety ratings ranging from one to five stars.

He said dealers have an important role in taking this information to buyers as they are at the forefront of the industry’s interaction with customers.

Ahmed urged dealerships to encourage customers to evaluate safety alongside features such as sunroofs and audio systems while making purchase decisions. “Let he or she also look at the safety features that the vehicle has,” he said, adding that dealers could help educate customers at scale.

New Safety Mandates for Commercial Vehicles and Bus Bodies

The safety push extends beyond passenger vehicles. Ahmed cited driver drowsiness warning systems, lane departure warning, emergency braking and electronic stability control among technologies being introduced for commercial vehicles.

He also highlighted tighter requirements for bus bodies following incidents involving buses and sleeper coaches catching fire. The government has moved bus body builders towards a type-approval regime, replacing the earlier self-certification approach.

Ahmed said closer collaboration between government, manufacturers, testing agencies and dealers would remain central to India’s mobility transformation.

Cityflo, Project Mumbai Launch Mini Libraries on Select Buses

Arunima Pal — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 17:32:29

Cityflo has partnered with Project Mumbai to launch ‘Turning Pages’, a pilot initiative that will place curated collections of books on select Cityflo buses, allowing commuters to read, borrow and exchange books during their daily journeys.

The initiative is part of Project Mumbai’s ‘Read Mumbai’ movement, which seeks to promote reading across the city. The partners said the programme is intended to provide commuters with an opportunity to spend part of their journey reading instead of using digital devices.

How the 'Turning Pages' Pilot Works

As part of the pilot, participating buses will carry books across genres including fiction, business, self-development, biographies and contemporary Indian writing. Commuters can select books to read during their journey, while also donating books and recommending titles for other passengers.

Sankalp Kelshikar, CMO and co-founder of Cityflo, said the initiative aims to use commuting time to encourage reading and give passengers access to a range of books and ideas. He added that commuters can contribute to the collection through book donations.

Shishir Joshi, CEO and founder of Project Mumbai, said the collaboration brings together commuters, partnerships and citizen participation as part of the organisation’s efforts to promote community-led initiatives.

About Cityflo

Founded in 2015, Cityflo operates more than 1,200 buses and provides 18 million rides annually across Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Kolkata, according to the company.

About Project Mumbai

Project Mumbai is a not-for-profit organisation founded in 2018 that works with citizens, government and private institutions on initiatives related to urban challenges, including mobility, waste management and disaster relief.

India’s EV Economy Could Support 21.7 Million Jobs by 2040: ICCT

Darshan Nakhwa — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 11:07:05

India’s electric vehicle economy could support 21.7 million direct and indirect jobs by 2040 under an ambitious electrification pathway, according to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation.

The transition, however, could result in a net loss of direct manufacturing employment if battery cells continue to be imported. The study found that the employment impact turns positive once domestic battery localisation exceeds 25%.

Under the ICCT’s Aligned with Viksit Bharat scenario, direct employment in EV and component manufacturing is projected to increase from about 90,000 jobs in 2024 to 4.3 million by 2040, assuming negligible domestic battery-cell production.

Full localisation of battery manufacturing could increase direct employment to 7.2 million jobs. EV production could also support 17.3 million indirect jobs across logistics, trade, finance, professional services and other parts of the supply chain.

The 21.7 million estimate covers direct and indirect employment supported by EV manufacturing. It does not represent net new jobs created by the transition.

Battery Localisation Is Key to India's EV Job Creation

Without domestic battery-cell production, the net direct employment impact remains negative across all three electrification scenarios assessed by the ICCT.

Under the Aligned with Viksit Bharat scenario, the net impact in 2040 is estimated at a loss of about 800,000 direct jobs without battery localisation. At 50% localisation, this turns into a gain of about 600,000 jobs. Complete localisation could raise the net gain to more than 2 million jobs.

Under the Industry Commitment scenario, the net impact is estimated at a loss of about 700,000 jobs without cell localisation. Full localisation could turn this into a net gain of around 1.7 million jobs.

Even under the more gradual business-as-usual scenario, complete battery localisation could result in a net increase of about 600,000 direct jobs by 2040.

The ICCT estimates that around 40% of existing jobs in internal-combustion-engine manufacturing could be transferred to EV production. These include roles in body and chassis production, paint shops and final assembly.

The remaining 60%, largely associated with engines, transmissions, fuel-injection systems and other conventional powertrain components, would be exposed to the transition and may require reskilling or redeployment.

Employees in assembly, body shops, paint operations and sales may be able to move into EV-related roles with limited upskilling. Workers associated with engines, transmissions and other ICE-specific systems are likely to require more extensive retraining.

The report identified high-voltage systems, battery engineering, power electronics, electric drivetrains, embedded software, data analytics and charging infrastructure as priority areas for workforce development.

India's EV Production Could Generate $620 Billion in Economic Output

The study examined three pathways based on different levels of fuel-efficiency regulation and EV adoption.

Under the business-as-usual pathway, battery-electric vehicles are projected to account for about 30% of new-vehicle sales by 2040. EV production is estimated at 17.4 million units, generating economic output of $172.1 billion and supporting 1.2 million direct jobs.

The Industry Commitment pathway assumes 100% battery-electric sales for passenger cars and two-wheelers by 2040. Production is estimated at 31.4 million EVs, with output of $506.1 billion and direct employment of 3.5 million.

The Aligned with Viksit Bharat pathway envisages near-complete electrification across most vehicle categories. It projects production of 32.1 million EVs, economic output of $620.5 billion and 4.3 million direct jobs before accounting for additional employment from battery-cell localisation.

These are modelled estimates based on different assumptions for regulations, investment and EV adoption.

India Has Just 1.4 GWh of Battery Cell Manufacturing Capacity

As of June 2026, India had about 1.4 GWh of operational battery-cell manufacturing capacity, commissioned by Ola Cell Technologies, according to the report. This would meet less than 3% of projected battery demand in 2032 under each of the three scenarios.

The report estimates a potential manufacturing pipeline of about 128 GWh. This comprises the original 50 GWh target under the Advanced Chemistry Cell battery production-linked incentive scheme and approximately 78 GWh of other announced projects. Only 40 GWh of the original PLI target has been awarded.

If the entire potential pipeline is commissioned, it would be sufficient to exceed 30% localisation by 2032 under all three pathways.

By 2040, the same capacity would deliver 77% localisation under the business-as-usual scenario, 30% under the Industry Commitment pathway and 27% under the Aligned with Viksit Bharat pathway.

Reaching 50% localisation by 2040 would require another 87 GWh of manufacturing capacity under the Industry Commitment scenario and 112 GWh under the Aligned with Viksit Bharat pathway.

Battery demand by 2040 is estimated at 166 GWh under the business-as-usual scenario, 429 GWh under the Industry Commitment pathway and 480 GWh under the Aligned with Viksit Bharat scenario.

The ICCT recommended targeting at least 30% battery localisation by 2032 and 50% by 2040, alongside faster implementation of the ACC battery PLI scheme and wider policy support for battery materials, recycling, research and workforce training.

Key Findings:

Strong economic growth: EV-related economic output could increase from USD 12.8 billion in 2024 to USD 620 billion by 2040 under the Viksit Bharat scenario
Direct EV manufacturing employment could reach 4.3 million jobs by 2040, increasing to over 7 million with full battery localisation
Indirect employment across logistics, materials, and services could reach 17.3 million jobs by 2040
Battery localisation is the tipping point: India's EV transition becomes a net creator of jobs only when battery localisation exceeds 25%
Battery manufacturing gap. Current capacity of 1.4 GWH meets less than 3% of projected 2032 demand; achieving 50% localisation by 2040 requires an additional 87-112 GWh of capacity

With inputs from Ketan Thakkar.

MapmyIndia and ClarityX Introduce Geo-FI Location Intelligence Tool for Lenders

Dev Vadchhedia — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 17:11:46

Digital mapping and deep-tech firm MapmyIndia Mappls has partnered with analytics company ClarityX to launch Geo-FI, a geospatial intelligence stack tailored for banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) institutions.

How Geo-FI Works: Integrating Location Data Into Lending Systems

The plug-and-play platform integrates location data into existing credit workflows, connecting directly with Loan Origination Systems (LOS), Loan Management Systems (LMS), customer relationship management (CRM) software, and field collection systems via APIs and software development kits (SDKs). It offers cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployment configurations to meet institutional data compliance standards.

Core Capabilities

The architecture comprises three core operational modules: Geo-Analyse, to identify underserved, creditworthy geographic areas; Geo-Check, which enables localized risk scoring at the street level; and Geo-Collect to organize field recovery visits and track repayment patterns.

Rohan Verma, Joint Managing Director of MapmyIndia Mappls, noted that while financial services have largely transitioned to digital models, location intelligence has remained underutilized as a core risk metric. He stated that the platform aims to embed verified spatial data directly into institutional credit assessment systems to assist decision-making.

Govt Doubles Down on Fuel Quality, Shuts Down Non-Compliant Pumps Nationwide.

Hormazd Sorabjee — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:40:13

Then Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has conducted the most aggressive quality-control drive the fuel network has seen, according to industry sources.

Fuel dispensing at several dispensers at fuel outlets was stopped provisionally till they were found to comply with standards and the water probes in the pump tanks were confirmed to be functional. This crackdown on fuel stations nationwide centred around water ingress tests to eliminate water ingress issues in the storage tanks.

Oil marketing companies (OMCs) can shut down a petrol pump due to variety of technical, operational and financial non-compliances, which include fuel adulteration, tampering with metering unit seals, unauthorized fittings, unauthorized storage facilities, among several others, fuel industry insiders reveal.

According to ministry sources a suspension did not mean adulterated or contaminated fuel was found at that pump. Some dispensers were shut for failing if the water probes were not working and a malfunctioning water-monitoring probe in the underground tank that is supposed to detect water ingress was the main culprit. “ A pump that cannot prove its fuel is clean now loses the right to sell it” said an industry source

This is a significant hardening of the rules. The government has mandated water-ingress testing of underground tanks 8 to 12 times a day, a regime already running at 88,995 dealerships. A sweeping audit prioritising older outlets has covered 84,687 stations; field teams are checking tank integrity during rainfall, and monitoring probes are now active at 85,649 outlets, with faulty units being repaired on priority. Oil-marketing companies have also run 7,296 sulphur tests and 1,079 chloride tests on ethanol-carrying tankers, plus 151 chloride tests on their own storage tanks.

In contrast, 5,000 checks a month are carried out by Brazil’s petroleum ministry where higher ethanol blends are used.

Why the Urgency?

The intensity reflects a government under pressure to protect the credibility of its ethanol programme.

There is angst amongst motorists who have raised several concerns over mileage loss and potential component wear and the compatibility of pre-2023 vehicles. Adding to the noise was a leaked letter from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) flagging chloride levels in E20 samples, a letter SIAM withdrew within days, saying the figures needed further verification. Mahindra has separately described interpretations drawn from a leaked internal email as baseless, calling the industry data limited and preliminary.

Petroleum ministry’s audit is a response to a confidence problem, and regulators have taken the drastic step of shutting down a pump over a broken sensor irrespective of the fuel quality.

Probes that don't work cannot catch water, and the fact that thousands needed to be fixed highlights the depth of the quality standards under scrutiny

The bigger gap is regulatory. BIS standards still carry no statutory limit for inorganic chlorides in finished ethanol-blended petrol; the 3ppm cap is an internal procurement guideline.

How India’s Tax Gridlock Paralysis May Paralyze Volkswagen’s Local Alliance Search

Shahkar Abidi — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 14:22:54

In a major setback to the automotive industry, Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Private Limited (SAVWIPL) has been forced to return to the starting line in its Rs 11,526 crore ($1.4 billion) customs tax dispute in India. On August 25, 2026, a division bench of the Bombay High Court consisting of Justices B. P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla formally released the matter without delivering a verdict, despite having reserved their judgment about 18 months earlier on February 26, 2025.

According to reports published by Moneycontrol and other media outlets, the judges summoned the litigating parties' counsel to their chambers and explained that they were releasing the petition "due to the exigency of work." This unusual procedural step is directly tied to the Supreme Court of India's strict judicial guidelines, which dictate that a reserved judgment should ideally be pronounced within three to six months to prevent the judicial record from going stale. Having failed to deliver a verdict within 18 months, the bench chose to step aside rather than violate these procedural guardrails. Consequently, the case must now be placed before a new, regular bench to be argued afresh from scratch, rendering years of extensive legal arguments and judicial preparation completely redundant.

Behind the Dispute: The 12-Year Import Contradiction

The cause of this record-breaking tax battle, the largest import-related tax demand in Indian automotive history, is a fundamental disagreement over how vehicle components are classified and taxed under the country's Customs Law.

Indian customs authorities allege that for a 12-year period between March 2012 and July 2024, Volkswagen’s Indian subsidiary deliberately misclassified imports destined for its Aurangabad assembly plant (which produces luxury and volume models for the Audi, Skoda, and Volkswagen brands). The government asserts that the company imported "completely knocked down" (CKD) kits, which are essentially unassembled, fully functional vehicles, but declared them as individual auto components in fragmented, separate shipments.

Under Indian tariff schedules, CKD kits attract a steep basic customs duty of 30% to 35% (and historically up to 60%). On the other hand, individual auto components imported separately are taxed at a much lower rate of 5% to 15%.

The Customs Department has scrutinised over 33,000 import transactions, alleging that the automaker used sophisticated logistics software to split car orders among hundreds of overseas suppliers to create the appearance of independent component shipments, thereby evading the higher CKD tariff.

Volkswagen has fiercely defended its practices, pointing to a 2011 Revenue Department clarification that explicitly supported its part-by-part import strategy. The automaker maintains that it did not import unified "kits" and that the retroactive Rs 11,526 crore notice represents an abrupt, unjust policy reversal that violates established regulatory guidelines.

The Step-by-Step Chronology (March 2012 – August 2026):

[March 2012 – July 2024]
SAVWIPL imports vehicle components for its Aurangabad facility, declaring them as individual parts under the 5% to 15% duty bracket.

[September 30, 2024]
Indian Customs Department issues a massive Rs 11,526 crore (~$1.4 billion) show-cause notice alleging deliberate tax evasion through CKD misclassification.

[January 29, 2025]
SAVWIPL files a writ petition in the Bombay High Court, challenging the notice and labeling the demand an "impossibly enormous" threat to its Indian operations.

[February 2025]
The Bombay High Court conducts intensive hearings over six days. The bench limits its scope to deciding if the customs notices are "barred by limitation" (time-barred).

[February 26, 2025]
Justices B. P. Colabawalla and Firdosh Pooniwalla officially reserve their judgment.

[February 2025 – August 2026]
The judgment remains reserved for 1.5 years due to heavy judicial workloads.

[August 25, 2026]
The bench releases the case without a verdict, citing "exigency of work" and Supreme Court timeline guidelines. A 4-week status quo is granted to find a new bench.

The Cost of Delays: Impact on Volkswagen and the Case

The 18-month delay and the subsequent judicial reset carry devastating consequences for both the corporate entity and the broader litigation.

This legal limbo comes at a highly delicate time. Volkswagen Group has been in active, advanced negotiations with potential local partners (including the JSW Group) to sell a stake in its Indian operations. A lingering, unresolved $1.4 billion liability makes asset valuation and deal-structuring incredibly difficult, acting as a massive deterrent to domestic partners and stalling crucial local expansion plans.

The CKD Battleground: Precedents and Competitors

This technical tax battle is far from an isolated incident; rather, it represents a long-running, systematic friction point between the Indian government's "Make in India" localization pushes and global carmakers' global supply chains.

During the High Court proceedings, the customs authorities, heavily defended the massive tax demand by pointing directly to Volkswagen’s luxury peers to argue that the rules are being applied uniformly. The government revealed that competitors such as Volvo, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Kia have consistently complied with the regulations, paying the full 30% CKD import duty on their vehicle assembly kits. Specifically, the state highlighted that Volvo paid Rs 2,395 crore in CKD duties. Likewise, Mercedes-Benz paid Rs 2,213 crore, Maruti Suzuki paid Rs 11,163 crore and BMW paid Rs 532 crore.

This technical interpretation treats incomplete or unassembled articles as finished goods if they exhibit the "essential character" of the complete product is a long-standing battleground.

FDI and Policy Predictability: The Broader Policy Implications

For foreign direct investors, the resetting of Volkswagen's case is a reminder of the structural bottlenecks that continue to plague India’s regulatory and legal ecosystems. While the Indian government has made admirable strides in improving its global "Ease of Doing Business" rankings and aggressively promoting local manufacturing, the reality on ground threatens to undermine these achievements.

Porsche sells MHP to Tata Consultancy Services in AI partnership

Eshisha Java — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 09:48:53

Porsche and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have signed an agreement for the sale of Porsche's management and IT consultancy MHP to TCS. The transaction is subject to regulatory and competition law approvals and is expected to be finalised in the coming months.

Under the proposed transaction, TCS will acquire MHP in its entirety through a subsidiary. The deal is part of a broader five-year strategic partnership between Porsche and TCS covering artificial intelligence (AI) services across Porsche's mobility value chain.

The companies plan to establish a dedicated AI Mobility Centre of Excellence for Porsche. It will focus on applying AI across manufacturing, engineering, operations and customer experience, with the objective of developing and scaling applications across the company's value chain.

TCS to establish AI Mobility Centre of Excellence for Porsche

The AI Mobility Centre of Excellence will focus on converting AI use cases into scalable solutions for Porsche. The partnership will combine Porsche's automotive engineering capabilities with TCS' expertise in AI, engineering, technology and business transformation.

The companies intend to use the partnership to accelerate the development, scaling and integration of AI applications in key business areas, as Porsche continues its digital transformation.

TCS CEO and managing director K. Krithivasan said the partnership will combine TCS' AI, engineering and technology capabilities with MHP's automotive consulting expertise.

MHP to retain brand and operate independently under TCS

Following the transaction, MHP will become part of TCS while retaining its existing brand and continuing to operate as an independent consultancy. Porsche and MHP will also continue their existing collaboration, with MHP remaining a partner for digitalisation and transformation projects at Porsche, particularly in artificial intelligence.

MHP has its headquarters in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart and employs more than 4,500 people worldwide. The consultancy has more than 30 years of experience in strategy and IT transformation and works across sectors including automotive, manufacturing, aerospace, defence, energy and the public sector.

MHP acquisition strengthens TCS presence in automotive

MHP's areas of expertise include automotive transformation, artificial intelligence, software-defined manufacturing, supply chain management, cybersecurity, programme management, and platforms and ecosystems. Its existing relationship with Porsche includes work on complex automotive transformation programmes.

For TCS, the acquisition will strengthen its presence in Germany and among European automotive and industrial customers. The company said the combination of its global technology and engineering capabilities with MHP's automotive consulting expertise will support the scaling of AI applications for Porsche.

Porsche CEO Dr Michael Leiters said the transfer of MHP to TCS forms part of Porsche's strategy to focus on its core business, while the partnership with TCS is intended to combine Porsche's automotive expertise with TCS' digital technology and AI capabilities.

The acquisition remains subject to customary regulatory and competition law approvals. TCS will acquire MHP as a group of companies, with the transaction expected to be completed in the coming months.

Zoomcar, Uber partner to offer self-drive, Intercity rides

Eshisha Java — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:10:05

Zoomcar and Uber have partnered to offer users a choice between self-drive vehicles and chauffeur-driven Intercity rides within the Zoomcar app. Under the integration, users searching for a self-drive vehicle on Zoomcar can also discover and book Uber Intercity rides.

The partnership covers select routes for one-way and round trips, allowing users to compare the two travel options in one place. The integration is currently live in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai, with plans to expand to more cities.

The companies said the arrangement is aimed at users who may choose between driving themselves and travelling with a driver depending on the journey. Zoomcar CEO Deepankar Tiwari said the integration allows users to make that choice without leaving the Zoomcar platform, while Uber India and South Asia Director of Consumer & Growth Rishant Ghosh said the partnership will make Uber Intercity available to more travellers.

Zoomcar app adds Uber Intercity booking options

Under the partnership, Zoomcar users looking for self-drive vehicles can access Uber Intercity as an alternative. The two options are presented as choices for different travel requirements, with users able to select between driving themselves and taking a chauffeur-driven ride.

The integration is available for select routes and supports both one-way and round trips. The companies said the same user may opt for a self-drive vehicle for one journey and a chauffeur-driven ride for another.

Uber Intercity integration live in three cities

The partnership has gone live in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai. Zoomcar said it plans to expand the integration to additional cities over time.

The companies have positioned the partnership around a broader shift towards access-based mobility, with users choosing on-demand transportation rather than vehicle ownership for certain journeys. Zoomcar provides self-drive car-sharing through its platform, while Uber offers chauffeur-driven Intercity rides.

Spinny partners Nissan, MG Motor India and Tesla on exchanges

Eshisha Java — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 18:02:51

Spinny has partnered with Nissan, JSW MG Motor India and Tesla across vehicle exchange, pre-owned cars and electric vehicle-related services. The partnerships cover different stages of the vehicle ownership cycle, including buying, selling, exchanging and upgrading vehicles.

The Nissan arrangement includes a 55-minute vehicle exchange programme with benefits of up to ₹75,000 for customers purchasing a new Nissan. Tesla has appointed Spinny as a preferred exchange partner under its Switch and Save programme, while the JSW MG Motor India partnership focuses on the pre-owned EV ecosystem.

Spinny operates across more than 80 cities with 57+ Car Hubs, 17 Spinny Parks and 15+ Integrated Restoration Centres, according to the company.

Nissan and Tesla vehicle exchange programmes

Under the Nissan partnership, customers buying a new Nissan can have their existing vehicle evaluated and exchanged through Spinny. The programme offers benefits of up to ₹75,000, while a Spinny-issued Buying Letter is accepted as proof of exchange.

For Tesla, Spinny is a preferred exchange partner under the Switch and Save programme. The arrangement enables customers to sell an existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle when moving to a new Tesla, including the Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive.

Spinny expands pre-owned car and EV capabilities

Spinny said its pre-owned vehicle operations include a 200-point inspection, Integrated Restoration Centres and warranties of up to three years. These processes cover vehicle evaluation, restoration and preparation before sale.

The company is also expanding these capabilities into electric mobility through its partnership with JSW MG Motor India. The two companies are combining JSW MG Motor India’s electric-mobility expertise with Spinny’s capabilities in evaluation, certification, refurbishment and retail.

JSW MG Motor India partnership covers pre-owned EVs

The partnership covers the MG Comet EV, MG Windsor EV and MG ZS EV. Customers buying certified pre-owned MG EVs through Spinny will receive battery health assessment and certification, OEM warranty continuity and fixed pricing, alongside Spinny’s inspection and refurbishment processes.

Spinny said its EV evaluation processes also cover battery health assessment and certification for customers selling their electric vehicles. The initiative is available to EV owners in Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Chandigarh and Coimbatore.

The partnership is also intended to build Spinny’s capabilities in EV diagnostics, battery health assessment, refurbishment and restoration across its Integrated Restoration Centre network.

Spinny links buying, selling and vehicle ownership services

Spinny said the OEM partnerships combine manufacturer expertise, technology and reach with its used-car infrastructure and lifecycle capabilities. The company is also positioning post-sales ownership support through GoMechanic alongside its buying, selling and exchange operations.

According to Spinny, the partnerships with Nissan, JSW MG Motor India and Tesla are intended to connect different stages of vehicle ownership, from buying and selling to exchanging, upgrading and ownership support.

SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026 to Feature 66 Student Teams at Buddh International Circuit

Autocar Professional Bureau — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 17:22:56

The 13th edition of the SUPRA SAEINDIA Formula Student competition is scheduled to be held from September 2 to September 5, 2026, at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, featuring 66 collegiate engineering teams from across the country.

Organized by SAEINDIA, an affiliate of SAE International, the competition challenges engineering students to design, fabricate, test, and validate formula-style race vehicles built in accordance with international Formula SAE regulations. The 2026 grid includes 52 conventional internal combustion vehicle teams and 14 electric vehicle teams representing technical institutions across India.

How SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026 Teams Will Be Judged: Static and Dynamic Rounds

The four-day programme will run through a two-stage evaluation structure. Static rounds comprise technical scrutiny, tilt and brake testing, noise level checks, design and manufacturing assessments, and cost and business strategy presentations, with electric vehicle entries undergoing specialized battery safety and rain chamber testing. Vehicles clearing technical inspection will proceed to dynamic trials, including acceleration runs, skid-pad handling, and autocross courses, culminating in an endurance challenge. Total awards and cash prizes across categories exceed Rs 11 lakh.

SAEINDIA's Year-Long Programme Has Trained 25,000+ Student Engineers

The event forms the final phase of a year-long curriculum supported by industry mentors and a 30-member organizing committee drawn from automotive and engineering companies. Since its inception, the platform has provided practical vehicle development training to over 25,000 student engineers.

CAQM Approves Phased Registration Ban on Fossil-Fuel Goods Vehicles Across Delhi-NCR

Autocar Professional Bureau — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:27:00

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has approved a phased restriction on new registrations of diesel, petrol, and CNG light goods vehicles across Delhi and the National Capital Region.

The policy decision was cleared during the 29th Full Commission meeting chaired by Rajesh Verma on August 18. According to CAQM findings, light goods vehicles account for only 1.2% of Delhi-NCR's active vehicle population but contribute approximately 3.3% of total fleet-wide particulate emissions, necessitating targeted intervention to curb ambient PM2.5 levels.

Delhi-NCR Diesel & CNG Goods Vehicle Ban: District-Wise Timeline

Under the phased timeline, registration of new diesel, petrol, and CNG goods vehicles in the N1 category—vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.5 tonnes—will be prohibited in Delhi starting January 1, 2027. High Vehicle Density districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar, will adopt the ban from July 1, 2027, followed by the remaining districts of NCR from January 1, 2028. Heavier N2 category commercial vehicles will face similar registration curbs in three subsequent stages running through January 2029.

Delhi EV Policy 2026: Incentives for Electric Goods Vehicles

The CAQM mandate closely mirrors the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026, which was notified on July 10, 2026, and remains effective through March 2030. Under Delhi's policy, new N1 goods carrier registrations are similarly restricted to pure electric models from January 1, 2027. To support transition economics, the Delhi government offers a purchase incentive of up to INR 1 lakh alongside a scrapping bonus of INR 50,000 for N1 electric trucks. Additionally, the first 1,000 electric trucks registered in the N2 category until October 10, 2026, receive a 10-year exemption from urban 'no-entry' timing restrictions.

UP-Japan Investment Meet 2026: Japan Partnership Expands Into Automobiles, Green Hydrogen

Eshisha Java — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 12:25:11

Uttar Pradesh Finance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said the strategic partnership between India and Japan is gaining momentum, with the state seeking to increase Japanese investment and industrial cooperation.

Speaking at the UP-Japan Investment Meet 2026 in New Delhi on August 19, Khanna said Japan’s engagement with Uttar Pradesh extends beyond investment to longer-term industrial and institutional cooperation. A Japanese delegation led by Kotaro Nagasaki, Governor of Yamanashi Prefecture, attended the event.

The minister said Uttar Pradesh’s investment proposition includes improved connectivity, a large consumer market, skilled human resources, infrastructure development and investment-related policies. He also cited Nivesh Mitra, the state’s single-window investment facilitation platform, as an initiative aimed at simplifying business processes.

Japan-Uttar Pradesh cooperation in automobiles and advanced manufacturing

Automobiles and advanced manufacturing were identified among the sectors where Uttar Pradesh sees scope for greater cooperation with Japanese industry. Other areas highlighted at the meet included green hydrogen, technology, innovation and healthcare.

Khanna said the state’s industrial ecosystem could provide opportunities for Japanese companies to participate through technology partnerships, innovation and industrial collaboration in addition to capital investment.

The minister also linked the increased engagement to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s recent visit to Japan, which he said had provided further momentum to industrial and institutional ties between the two sides.

Green hydrogen and technology emerge as cooperation areas

Green hydrogen and advanced technologies were highlighted as potential areas of cooperation between Japanese companies and Uttar Pradesh. The state is seeking to combine Japanese technological capabilities with its expanding industrial base.

Khanna said Uttar Pradesh views Japan as a long-term partner in sustainable development, with cooperation extending across investment, technology and industrial activity.

The UP-Japan Investment Meet 2026 is aimed at strengthening economic, industrial and institutional engagement between the state and Japan.