15 second pit stop: Flash charging may soon be experimented for electric buses in India under ABB’s TOSA technology, which could revolutionise e-bus charging | Photo: Electrive

India to experiment with flash-charging for e-buses, needs 50GWh storage by 2023

India may soon set up 600kW flash chargers for electric buses, which reportedly could recharge their depleted li-ion batteries in as little as 15 seconds. The project will be a joint effort between the Hinduja Group and ABB Power and is called the TOSA flash charging technology. Electric buses are an important target for improved urban mobility and apparently the Centre is aiming to have 30% of India’s buses go electric by 2030. 

The NITI Aayog, meanwhile, has estimated that India needs around 50GWh of battery storage capacity in the next 2.5 years to complement the growth of its renewable energy capacity, as well as to meet its e-mobility targets. It has recommended that since EVs are “10 times cheaper than each IC engines” and each 10GWh of battery capacity needs $1 billion in capital expenses, the Centre should extend a direct subsidy on every kWh capacity to lower storage costs as soon as possible. 

Amazon India to induct 10,000 EVs by 2025

Online retail giant Amazon has decided to induct 10,000 EVs into its India delivery fleet by 2025. The vehicles will be a mixture of three- and four-wheelers and will operate in 20 cities, including the four metros and tier II cities such as Pune, Ahmedabad and Coimbatore. The EVs will be designed by Indian OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). 

Gen-2 EV maker Arrival to get $100 million from Hyundai 

Hyundai Motor Corp. will be investing $100 million into UK-based EV startup Arrival, which has developed “second generation” all-electric delivery trucks that have been welcomed by UPS and the Royal Mail. The ultra-lightweight 3.5, 6 and 7 tonne trucks have an all-composite body and reportedly offer 50% reduction in running costs over traditional delivery vans. They also offer a range of up to 150 miles (240km) and with Hyundai’s interest, could even be powered by fuel cells.