India’s EV registrations shoot up by 91% over five years

India’s EV sector saw registrations surging by 91% over the past five years. According to official data, the number of registered EVs jumped from 1.74 lakh in FY20 to a staggering 19.68 lakh in FY25, reported ET Auto. The surge is largely due to a robust policy framework. The government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes—with a combined outlay of over ₹44,000 crore—have successfully incentivized local manufacturing of both vehicles and Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage. Furthermore, the ₹10,900 crore PM E-DRIVE scheme has made two-wheelers and three-wheelers more affordable, which currently lead the market in terms of volume.

New initiatives are targeting the domestic production of rare earth magnets and 50 GWh of battery capacity. These efforts aim to reduce import dependency on critical minerals, ensuring that the next five years of growth are supported by a secure and sustainable domestic supply chain.

Honda scraps 3 global EV models amidst market shift

Honda announced the cancellation of three upcoming electric vehicle models previously slated for global markets, reported TOI. The decision came as the automaker responds to cooling demand in North America and stiff competition by Chinese automakers.

However, its plans for India remain on a growth trajectory. Its ‘Concept 0 Alpha’ project—a centerpiece of its Indian EV strategy—is unaffected. This model is expected to be a born-electric SUV, tailored for the domestic market. Industry analysts suggest Honda is shifting focus away from high-volume, low-margin EVs in saturated markets to prioritize software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and high-growth regions like India. 

Parliamentary panel flags slow progress for e-buses, trucks under PM E-DRIVE

A new report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry reveals that India’s flagship EV incentive program, PM E-DRIVE, has seen uneven success, reported The Week. The report flags a critical "nil physical achievement" in heavy-duty categories, including electric buses, trucks, and ambulances, which are vital for urban air quality. While subsidies for mass-market e-2Ws and e-3Ws are set to expire on March 31, 2026, incentives for heavy vehicles have been extended to 2028 due to their nascent market status.

As of January 2026, the scheme achieved 58.6% of its target, but progress is heavily concentrated in the two-wheeler and three-wheeler segments. Additionally, the committee expressed concern over a sharp budget cut for demand incentives in 2026-27 and urged the government to include electric cars in the scheme to bridge the affordability gap for the middle class.

AI must address real world problems, says environment minister

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised that AI is not an end goal but a tool whose true value lies in solving real-world challenges, according to a report by HT. Speaking at the launch of the book Smarter Than the Storm: Championing the AI-Climate Nexus for a Truly Sustainable Future by Amitabh Kant and Siddharth Sinha, Yadav highlighted AI’s potential to improve system efficiency and manage climate risks.

However, the Minister cautioned that AI demands significant energy, competing with humans for resources like air and water. He asserted that the human experience must remain central to technological progress, stating there can be no artificial intelligence without real human intelligence. He said that India is positioning itself as a leader by focusing on applied use cases and digital public infrastructure to ensure AI remains inclusive, affordable, and ecologically responsible.

Xiaomi deploys humanoid robots in EV factory

Tech giant Xiaomi is integrating self-developed humanoid robots into its electric vehicle (EV) production lines, reported Futurism. At its HyperFactory in Beijing, the Chinese company has begun trials of these robots for intricate tasks, such as installing nuts and moving materials. These humanoids are operating alongside over 700 traditional industrial robots, achieving an extremely high level of automation that allows a new SU7 sedan to roll off the line every 76 seconds.

Xiaomi President Lu Weibing said that during pilot tests, the robots successfully completed 90% of their assigned tasks within three-hour shifts. The facility also features 100% automated key processes and advanced AI quality inspections with 99.9% accuracy. By bridging the gap between consumer electronics and heavy industry, Xiaomi aims to use these robots as flexible complements to traditional automation, signaling a future where humanoid machines are standard in smart manufacturing.