On the one hand, we have MG Motor India, a brand that currently sells two battery-powered EVs in India – the ZS EV and the Comet EV. And on the other hand, we have Lohum – India’s largest producer of sustainable energy transition materials. On this year’s World Environment Day, the two firms have announced a partnership to build an ecosystem for the reuse and the life cycle management of EV batteries. In other words, the duo will explore ways to utilise already-used EV batteries and repurpose them for energy storage solutions. One such product has already been developed. It’s called BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), with an energy storage capacity of 5kWh. This can be planted anywhere to provide uninterrupted power supply in regions with unreliable grid infrastructure. Expect more such solutions in times to come.

MG Motor India has shared two staggering statistics on the occasion of this year’s World Environment Day, both revolving around its flagship pure-electric offering – the ZS EV. One: To date, all units sold in the country have covered more than 1.9 crore (19 million) kilometres. To put things in perspective, the distance between the Earth and the Moon is 3.844 lakh (384,400) kilometres. So simple math reveals over 49 trips between the two celestial bodies. And two: The army of ZS EVs sold in India has saved more than 27 million kilograms of CO2 emissions. 

Do you remember the Nexon EV Max #Dark that launched last month? That came with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which also does duty in the Harrier and the Safari. That has now been introduced in two additional Nexon EV Max variants – XZ+ Lux and XZ+ Lux (with the 7.2kW charger). The former is priced at INR 18.79 lakh, whereas the latter comes at an ex-showroom price of INR 19.29 lakh, a difference of INR 50,000. Along with the larger real estate for controlling various vehicle functions, both XZ+ Lux derivatives of the Nexon EV Max also get wireless support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a high-def rear-view camera, an improved audio system and voice assistant in six languages with over 180 commands. And in case you want the #Dark versions of either of the variants mentioned above, you will have shed an extra INR 25,000.

Croatian carmaker Rimac Automobili has chosen Al Habtoor Motors as its official dealer partner in the United Arab Emirates. The latter will handle sales and after-sales activities for the electric hypercar manufacturer. The first dealership will open in the first quarter of 2024. Until then, customers from UAE can now place orders for the Nevera EV, a car that recently set 23 performance records in one day.

Morris Garages India has announced that its first EV for the country – the ZS EV – has surpassed the 10,000 units sales mark. What became India’s first electric internet-enabled SUV is available in two variants – Excite and Exclusive. While the former has a price tag of INR 23.38 lakh, the latter, with more features onboard, costs INR 27.30 lakh. In the market, it sits between the Hyundai Kona Electric and BYD Atto 3.

Morris Garages India and Ceat, the tyre manufacturer, announce their new partnership. According to the deal, Ceat will provide tyres for the MG Comet EV. Ceat, part of RPG Enterprises, introduced India’s first EV-specific car tyres – EnergyDrive. They offer high wear resistance, lower rolling resistance and longer life. Those features come from the tyre’s DuraBlock technology, which improves tangential and lateral stiffness by 6%, and the EasyFlex Cavity design.

For the first time in the Middle East, Genesis Middle East & Africa will be premiering a line-up of its EV models soon that marks the brand’s electrification debut in the region. The initial EV line-up will comprise models such as the GV60, the Electrified G80, and the Electrified GV70. All upcoming EV models will boast Genesis’ unique design identity of ‘Athletic Elegance’ and ‘Beauty of White Space’ for the exterior and interior, respectively. Detailed specifications for the upcoming EV Models will be announced on 24 May 2023 for the Middle East & Africa region.