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BYD Declines Short-Term Application for India’s New EV Policy Benefits

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BYD Skips India’s EV Policy

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD has decided not to seek benefits from India’s new EV policy immediately. The Indian government introduced the policy in March, aiming to attract global EV manufacturers like Tesla. The policy allows reduced customs duties for importing vehicles and aims to boost local manufacturing.

Key Aspects of India’s New EV Policy

India’s new EV policy offers a reduced 15% customs duty on imported electric cars priced at USD 35,000 or more. This benefit is available for five years. It is intended to encourage companies to set up local production facilities in India. To qualify, manufacturers must invest Rs 4,150 crore (USD 500 million) in an Indian manufacturing plant. The plant must become operational within three years. In addition, the company must achieve 25% domestic value addition (DVA) in the same period, with a goal of reaching 50% in five years.

Manufacturers can import up to 8,000 completely built units (CBUs) per year at the reduced rate. Any unused import quota can be carried over to the next year.

BYD’s Decision on the Policy

Rajeev Chauhan, BYD India’s Head of Electric Passenger Vehicles Business, announced that the company would not apply for these benefits in the short term. After reviewing the policy, BYD concluded that the company is not ready to commit to it yet. “We are not applying,” Chauhan said.

BYD is focusing on using homologation to meet demand in India. This process certifies vehicles for road use under Indian regulations. Chauhan mentioned that BYD would observe the market before deciding on long-term investments. For now, the company prefers to take smaller steps.

BYD’s Homologation Strategy

BYD will import the eMAX 7 multipurpose vehicle (MPV) and SEAL sedan under the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) certification. This method limits BYD to importing 2,500 units. Chauhan said BYD will explore gaps and opportunities in the market. When demand exceeds government limits, BYD will consider using homologation instead of local production.

This strategy allows BYD to expand in India without a large upfront investment in local manufacturing. Chauhan emphasized the advantages of eventually having a manufacturing plant but noted the company isn’t there yet.

BYD’s New Vehicle Launch

Recently, BYD launched the all-electric eMAX 7 MPV in India. Priced between Rs 26.9 lakh and Rs 29.9 lakh, the MPV comes in six-seat and seven-seat variants. The eMAX 7 showcases BYD’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. Chauhan said the vehicle reflects the company’s dedication to bringing the latest global technology to Indian consumers.

BYD’s decision to import rather than produce locally aligns with its cautious approach. By importing vehicles under ECE certification, the company can test the waters before committing to larger investments.

Impact of Geopolitical Tensions

Chauhan declined to discuss challenges related to geopolitical tensions between India and China. However, the current political environment likely plays a role in BYD’s cautious approach. The company’s choice to avoid long-term commitments for now may be partly influenced by these external factors.

Long-Term Outlook

Though BYD has chosen not to take immediate advantage of the new EV policy, the company remains open to future developments. Chauhan indicated that BYD’s long-term plans will require patience. The company will continue to assess the market and respond to consumer needs.

For now, BYD’s focus is on ensuring success with its current models, like the eMAX 7 and SEAL sedan. If these models perform well, BYD may reconsider its stance on applying for benefits under the policy.

Conclusion

BYD’s decision to delay applying for India’s EV policy benefits shows a careful strategy. The company aims to explore the market through homologation before committing to large investments. With models like the eMAX 7 already available, BYD continues to bring innovation to Indian consumers while keeping its long-term options open.

Article By
Prashant Sharma

 

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Royal Enfield Goes Electric: Flying Flea C6 & S6 Scrambler Spotted Testing in Ladakh

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Electric scrambler motorcycle parked in the Ladakh mountains under a clear sky.

Two Silent Machines Tackle Himalayan Trails: A New Chapter for Royal Enfield

For years, Royal Enfield has been the sound of the open road—literally. That familiar thump of a Classic or a Bullet has echoed across mountain passes and city streets for decades. But now, the brand is headed in a direction many of us didn’t see coming. And it’s quiet. Very quiet.

Photos have surfaced from Ladakh showing two all-electric Royal Enfield motorcycles in testing—the Flying Flea C6 and a Scrambler-style model named S6. No camouflage, no big press release. Just two futuristic-looking bikes riding through some of India’s most unforgiving terrain.

High-Altitude Testing Means One Thing: These Aren’t Just for the City

Ladakh isn’t where you take a bike for basic testing. Thin air, steep climbs, rocky trails—this is where a machine either performs or fails. So the fact that Royal Enfield chose this location says a lot. They’re building these EVs not just for office commutes or showroom appeal, but for real riders.

The Flying Flea C6 looks nimble and light, almost like a city bike with off-road potential. The S6 Scrambler, on the other hand, is chunkier, taller, and built for people who like their rides a little wild. Both bikes keep that trademark Enfield stance—upright riding posture, long forks, and wide handlebars. If you know the RE DNA, you’ll feel it here too.

What’s missing? The sound. That thump is gone. But in its place? Instant torque, zero emissions, and a different kind of cool.

What Do We Know So Far?

Not a lot has been confirmed officially, but here’s what’s being pieced together from what we’ve seen and heard:

  • Flying Flea C6 likely pays homage to the original WWII-era RE “Flying Flea”—a lightweight bike built to be dropped from planes. Its modern EV version looks agile and compact. 
  • The S6 Scrambler is bulkier, with longer suspension travel, high-mounted fenders, and tires that scream trail-ready. 
  • Both bikes are probably built on RE’s new ‘L platform’, which has been in the works for EV-specific builds. 
  • Industry insiders say the range could sit somewhere between 120 to 150 km, depending on the model and battery spec.

No launch date has been announced yet, but a debut in late 2025 or early 2026 seems likely.

Why This Isn’t Just Another EV Launch

Plenty of two-wheeler brands have launched electric scooters and motorcycles over the last few years, but this feels different. Royal Enfield has taken its time, and that might be a good thing.

They didn’t jump in with a commuter EV just to follow the trend. Instead, they’re building bikes that are meant to be ridden hard, explored with, and taken beyond city limits. The kind of bikes Enfield riders expect, just with batteries instead of tanks.

This could be the first proper “touring-capable” electric motorcycle from a mainstream Indian brand. And once it hits the market, it might force the rest of the industry to rethink what an electric bike should be.

Seeing a Royal Enfield test an electric prototype on Ladakh’s harsh terrain is a bit surreal—but also kind of perfect. It’s the brand’s way of saying: “We’re going electric, but we’re doing it our way.”

If the Flying Flea C6 and S6 Scrambler perform anywhere near as good as they look, we’re in for something special. These bikes could be the bridge between tradition and the future, giving loyal RE fans a reason to plug in without giving up the adventure.

Stay tuned—because the next big thump from Royal Enfield might be completely silent.

 

Article By
Sourabh Gupta

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EV Sales Soar Worldwide in 2025 as China Hits Record Milestone

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Electric car charging in a sunny open parking lot, with a charging station showing 100% battery, reflecting global EV growth in 2025.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry has had a strong start to 2025, and the numbers are doing all the talking. According to the latest reports, global EV and plug-in hybrid sales jumped 24% in May compared to the same time last year.

And while overall growth is impressive, it’s China that’s truly making headlines: for the first time ever, the country’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales topped 1 million units in a single month. Meanwhile, total BEV deliveries globally are up 39.4% year-over-year in the first four months of 2025, clear proof that the EV shift isn’t just a trend anymore.

EV Sales Growth: A Global Picture

Across the board, the numbers show a rising appetite for electric and plug-in vehicles. While the 24% growth figure for May includes both BEVs and plug-in hybrids, it’s battery electric vehicles that are driving the bulk of the momentum.

A few patterns are becoming clear:

  • China continues to dominate in both production and sales, offering everything from entry-level electric city cars to premium SUVs. 
  • Europe is steadily advancing, helped by strong climate regulations and buyer incentives. 
  • The U.S., while playing catch-up, is finally seeing volume growth as Tesla expands, and legacy automakers get more serious about EV offerings. 

This global mix of market push and policy pull is turning EVs into a mainstream choice in more regions than ever before.

🇨🇳 China Hits 1 Million BEV Sales in a Month

Yes, you read that right—one million battery electric vehicles sold in one country, in one month.

China’s EV ecosystem is unlike any other. Brands like BYD, Wuling, XPeng, and NIO are pumping out a wide variety of models that appeal to nearly every income group. And they’re selling fast.

Government support continues to play a huge role. Local authorities offer everything from license plate benefits to EV-only zones in cities. Combine that with expanding fast-charging access—even in rural areas—and it’s no wonder the country’s adoption rate is breaking global records.

BEV Deliveries Up 39.4% in First 4 Months

If you look at the bigger picture, it’s battery EVs, not plug-in hybrids, that are growing the fastest.

Between January and April 2025:

  • BEV deliveries rose nearly 40% compared to the same period in 2024. 
  • Plug-in hybrids also gained, though at a slower pace. 

Why the shift? For one, battery prices have dropped, making EVs more affordable. Vehicle range is better. Charging networks are expanding. And perhaps most importantly, people are now seeing EVs as smart, reliable, and increasingly stylish options.

For many, the hesitation is over.

What’s Next for the EV Market?

Looking at the rest of 2025, there’s little doubt that growth will continue. Forecasts suggest:

  • EV sales may cross 16 million units globally this year 
  • BEVs could make up 70% of all electric vehicle sales 
  • More nations are expected to set firm phase-out dates for petrol and diesel vehicles 

Car brands are also adapting quickly. More EV launches are lined up for the second half of the year, and investments in battery plants and tech upgrades are accelerating.

The shift from “early adoption” to mass market is underway.

The data doesn’t lie—EVs are going mainstream, and fast. Whether it’s China’s million-car milestone or the nearly 40% global jump in BEV deliveries, one thing is clear: the age of electric mobility isn’t coming. It’s already here.

What once felt like a futuristic idea is now something millions of people are choosing each month. And as infrastructure catches up and models become more affordable, that number is only going one way—up.

 

Article By
Sourabh Gupta

 

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Tesla’s Robotaxi Vision: Elon Musk Gears Up to Launch 10 Driverless EVs, Targets 1,000 Soon After

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Elon Musk with Tesla Robotaxi – Launch Announcement 2024

When Elon Musk makes an announcement, people listen. This time, he’s setting the stage for what could be Tesla’s most ambitious move yet: fully driverless electric taxis. According to Musk, Tesla plans to put 10 Robotaxis on the road in the first week, followed by a rapid scale-up to 1,000 vehicles in just a few months.

It sounds bold—maybe even a little wild—but with Tesla, that’s usually how innovation starts.

What Exactly Is Tesla’s Robotaxi?

In short, it’s a car without a driver. No steering wheel, no pedals—just a fully electric, fully autonomous vehicle built specifically for ride-hailing. Unlike the Teslas we’re used to seeing on the roads, this one won’t be sold to the public. It’s meant to be part of a Tesla-run mobility service, kind of like Uber, but without the driver and without the app middleman.

It’s not a distant concept. The vehicle is already in the works, and Musk claims the design is futuristic—”Cybertruck-level” is the comparison he used. So yeah, this isn’t your average city cab.

When’s It Launching?

Musk says we’ll get our first real look at the Robotaxi in August 2024. After that, Tesla plans to launch a small fleet, just 10 cars to start, they can test the waters, collect data, and figure out what needs fixing before going bigger.

And if everything lines up—software, safety, regulators—Tesla hopes to push that number to 1,000 Robotaxis within a few months. That’s aggressive, but Tesla doesn’t exactly do slow rollouts.

How Will It Actually Work?

The Robotaxis will rely on Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Version 12, which is less about rule-based coding and more about machine learning. Think of it like a car that doesn’t just follow a script—it learns how to drive the way a human does, by watching and doing.

If you’re a user, you’d open the Tesla app, tap for a ride, and one of these cars would show up at your location. You hop in, it takes you where you need to go, and you’re done. No driver, no tipping, no talking—unless you want to.

It sounds simple, but what’s happening behind the scenes is far from it.

Why This Matters

Tesla isn’t just building another vehicle—they’re building an entirely new way to get around. If it works, here’s what it could change:

  • Cost: Without a driver, rides could be way cheaper. Musk has hinted they might be more affordable than a bus ride.
  • Emissions: These are EVs. They’ll reduce carbon output in cities where pollution is already a serious issue.
  • Access: For people who can’t drive—due to age, disability, or cost—this could offer real independence.

In other words, this isn’t just a product launch—it’s a shift in how we think about car ownership, mobility, and even infrastructure.

What Could Hold It Back?

Of course, it’s not going to be smooth from day one.

  • Laws and policies: Driverless cars aren’t approved everywhere. Tesla will have to work city by city.
  • Trust: Are people ready to ride alone in a car with no driver? Some will love it, others will hesitate.
  • Technical risks: Even with all their data, unexpected stuff happens on the road. A pothole, a cyclist, a weird driver cutting you off—will the car know what to do every time?

And then there’s the elephant in the room: Tesla’s FSD still isn’t perfect. We’ve seen missed timelines before, so there’s room for doubt.

What’s Next?

August is going to be a big month for Tesla. Once those first 10 Robotaxis roll out, all eyes will be on how they perform. If they run smoothly, we could be looking at the early stages of a major shift in how transportation works.

Maybe in a couple of years, you won’t need to own a car. You’ll just press a button and a sleek, silent Tesla will pull up—no steering wheel, no driver, just you and your destination.

And honestly? That future doesn’t feel so far off anymore.

 

Article By
Sourabh Gupta

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