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    eCar Import Duty To Reduce From 110% to 15% – Govt to Notify New EV Policy

    Image – Supercars Of IndiaThe Indian government is set to notify its new Electric Vehicle (EV) policy, which aims to lower import duties and attract global players like Tesla. The policy is expected to mandate a minimum turnover of Rs 2,500 crore by the second year and require an investment of Rs 4,150 crore from interested manufacturers.
    Lower Duties to Attract Investment
    The proposed policy will allow companies to set up assembly operations in existing factories but will exclude past investments and land or building costs from the required investment amount. Manufacturers meeting the criteria will qualify for a 15% import duty—a significant reduction from the current 110% tariff, reports Economic Times.
    Past investments will not count
    Companies will have 120 days to apply, with the policy allowing annual imports of up to 8,000 premium EVs (priced above $35,000) at reduced duties. Approved applicants must establish manufacturing facilities within three years and achieve 25% local value addition, which must rise to 50% within five years.
    Progressive Turnover Targets
    The policy also outlines progressive turnover milestones, requiring:
    – Rs 2,500 crore by the second year– Rs 5,000 crore by the fourth year– Rs 7,500 crore by the fifth year
    Approval letters could be issued by July-August, paving the way for imported EVs to enter India soon after. Tesla is widely seen as a key beneficiary of this policy. Reports suggest that Tesla is planning to enter India in April 2025, with an affordable EV priced at Rs 21-22 lakh.
    The company has reportedly chosen Mumbai and Delhi as its initial showroom locations. Tesla Inc. will be shipping a few thousand cars to a port near Mumbai in the coming months, reports Bloomberg. The US automaker plans to begin sales in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore around the third quarter of 2025.
    Other Automakers Show Interest
    Hyundai and Volkswagen have also expressed interest in the policy during government discussions, but their investment plans remain uncertain. With the government fast-tracking EV adoption, this policy could open doors for global EV players, boost local manufacturing, and make premium EVs more accessible to Indian buyers.
    Source 1, Source 2 More

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    Honda Rebel 300 And ADV 160 Scooter India Launch Confirmed – Details

    Honda Rebel 300 and ADV 160 India LaunchHonda Motorcycles and Scooters India is on the verge of expanding its premium motorcycle portfolio in the Asian subcontinent. As per recent reports, the obvious candidates for this expansion plan are Honda Rebel 300 cruiser motorcycle and ADV 160 maxi scooter along with an India-specific 500cc platform. Let’s take a look.
    Honda Rebel 300
    The company’s premium lineup is sold via their BigWing dealerships. Currently, Honda has a few premium motorcycles on sale in India. These include Hornet 2.0, CB200X, CB300F, CB300R, CB350, H’ness CB350, CB350 RS, NX500, CB650R, CBR650R, Transalp and the flagship Goldwing.
    Honda Rebel 300
    The new entrants in Honda’s premium segment are Rebel 300 cruiser/bobber style motorcycle and ADV 160 maxi-style sporty scooter. Reportedly, there are two new 500cc motorcycles in the development based on a new India-specific platform. Codenamed MLHJ and MLWA, these motorcycles are likely to make a bigger splash in the middle-weight segment.
    Rebel 300 is expected to launch by the end of 2025 or early 2026. It will be powered by the same 286cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine as CB300R, which has been localised for cost efficiency. After the major price cut, CB300R is now priced at Rs 2.4 lakh (Ex-sh) and Rebel 300 could be positioned even lower, similar to global pricing strategies.
    Honda Rebel 300
    Rebel 300 is built to be a comfortable cruiser for long hauls and it gets a low 690 mm seat height and it weighs around 170 kg. Retro styling cues are likely to work in its favour, positioning it as a high-tech alternative to Royal Enfield’s old-school 350cc motorcycles. The 500cc bikes, on the other hand, might use the same 471cc parallel twin engine as NX500 sold in India and will rival Royal Enfield’s 650cc portfolio.
    ADV 160 Scooter
    Sporty high-performance scooters are getting traction in India. Yamaha Aerox 155 was a stellar scooter and Hero jumped into this segment with the newly-launched Xoom 160. India’s biggest scooter manufacturer by volume, Honda, aims to carve a piece of this pie with the launch of a new large capacity high-performance scooter.
    2024 Honda ADV 160
    Codenamed K4LA, this scooter is highly likely to be ADV 160, or a version based on ADV 160. Either way, it will be powered by a liquid-cooled 157cc engine 16 bhp of peak power and 14.7 Nm of peak torque. ADV 160 gets large wheels (14-inch front, 13-inch rear) and packs an 8.1L fuel tank, which is larger than Aerox 155 and Xoom 160. Launch is likely in 2026 and pricing is expected to be on the higher side as this engine doesn’t do duty on any other products in India.
    Honda ADV 160
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    Mahindra Announces Prices and Delivery Details of All Variants – BE 6, XEV 9e

    Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9eBookings Open for XEV 9e & BE 6 from February 14 – Deliveries to Begin in Phases Starting Mid-March 2025
    Mahindra is set to open bookings for its highly anticipated Electric Origin SUVs – XEV 9e and BE 6 – across all nine variants on February 14, 2025, at 9 AM. The move follows an overwhelming response from customers seeking multiple price options for these cutting-edge EVs.
    Starting February 6, 2025, at 10 AM, customers can express their model and variant preference via the official Mahindra Electric SUV website (mahindraelectricsuv.com), allowing them to streamline their booking process ahead of time.
    Pricing and Delivery
    To efficiently manage demand, Mahindra has structured a phased production ramp-up, ensuring timely deliveries. The BE 6 starts at Rs 18.90 lakh for the base Pack One variant with a 59 kWh battery, while the XEV 9e starts at Rs 21.90 lakh for the same pack. For those opting for the Pack One variant with a larger 79 kWh battery, the BE 6 is priced at Rs 20.50 lakh, while this option is not available for the XEV 9e. Deliveries of Pack 1 variants will start in Aug 2025.
    Pack Two variant with a 59 kWh battery is priced at Rs 21.90 lakh for the BE 6 and Rs 24.90 lakh for the XEV 9e, with deliveries set to begin in July 2025. This variant is only offered with 59 kWh battery pack, and does not get the larger 79 kWh battery pack.
    Pack Three Select is the one with 59 kWh battery pack. BE 6 is priced at Rs 24.50 lakh while the XEV 9e is priced at Rs 27.90 lakh. Delivery of Pack Three Select variants will start June 2025. Top of the line variants, which are under the Pack Three and get only 79 kWh option, BE 6 is priced at Rs 26.90 lakh, while the XEV 9e costs Rs 30.50 lakh, with deliveries beginning in mid-March 2025.
    Charging & Pricing Details
    – The ex-showroom price does not include charger and installation costs. Buyers can opt for:– 7.2 kW charger at an additional Rs 50,000– 11.2 kW charger at an additional Rs 75,000– Institutional orders (two or more vehicles) come with an optional charger.– Final pricing at the time of delivery will be applicable to all variants.
    Mahindra’s Electric Origin SUVs are positioned as premium, future-ready EVs with world-class technology and performance. With structured bookings and phased deliveries, Mahindra aims to cater to growing demand while ensuring a seamless customer experience. More

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    Ola Gen-3 Scooters Launch Price Rs 80K – 320km Range, 17.4bhp, 141 Km/h Speed

    Ola Gen-3 Scooters LaunchedIndia’s leading electric scooter manufacturer, Ola Electric, has just taken the veil off its next generation scooters. Sticking to their 18-month period update, Ola has moved on to the Gen-3 platform, which is a significant upgrade over Gen-2, launched around 18 months ago. However, Gen-2 will continue to be on sale, with significantly more affordable prices.
    Ola Gen-3 Launched
    The company’s portfolio now includes Gen-2 and Gen-3 products sold alongside operating from a price point between Rs 69,999 (S1X Gen-2 2 kWh) and Rs 1,69,999 (S1 Pro+ Gen-3 5.3 kWh) (prices effective Ex-sh). Speaking of pricing, the new Gen-3 products have been launched at a starting price of Rs 79,999 (effective Ex-sh).
    Ola Gen-3 Scooters Launch Price
    The company has commenced sales on their website and authorized dealerships starting today. Deliveries will begin mid February, within the next 15 days. As seen in the picture above, Ola S1 Gen-3 range now includes S1X in 2 kWh, 3 kWh and 4 kWh battery options, S1X+ with 4 kWh battery pack options, S1 Pro with 3 kWh and 4kWh options and the new flagship S1 Pro+ with 4 kWh and 5.3 kWh battery options.
    Ola Gen-3 Scooters Colours
    The price of Ola’s new flagship, S1 Pro+ 5.3 kWh is Rs 1,69,999 (effective Ex-sh). It has to be noted that these are introductory prices and are valid for the next 7 days. Post which, prices will increase at Ola Electric’s discretion. There are new colours, new graphics on side body panels, premium grab handle, decals on wheel rim and other new elements with Gen-3.
    Ola Gen-3 Brake-By-Wire
    What’s new with Gen-3?
    With the Gen-3 range of electric scooters, Ola is introducing Brake-By-Wire technology across the board claiming 15% more range than Gen-2. This uses a patented brake sensor that provides more seamless regen braking and combined with single-channel ABS, Ola is promising what they’re calling “Dual ABS”.
    With Gen-3, Ola has gotten rid of the hub motor on its affordable variants and is offering a mid-mounted motor across the range. Yes. Even the base S1X Gen-3 now gets a mid-mounted motor. Also, the drivetrain is now shifted from belt-drive to chain-drive, promising equal refinement when compared to belt-drive.
    Ola Gen-3 Scooters
    There’s a single integrated board to control all the vehicular electronics, increasing the manufacturing efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs by up to 31%. Move OS 5 was announced on the stage with DIY mode where granular control over regen braking and throttle response. Smartwatch App integration has been introduced along with Roadtrip Mode, Bharat Mood and more.
    Ola S1X Gen-3
    Variants Breakdown
    Even with the base S1X Gen-3, Ola is offering a segmented colour LCD display 4.3-inch in size. If you opt for S1X Gen-3 4 kWh battery pack variant, Ola is promising up to 242 km range on a single charge, 7 kW (9.38 bhp) peak power and 123 km/h top speed. With S1X+, top speed is bumped to 125 km/h and the motor now gets a 11 kW peak power (14.75 bhp). S1X+ also gets a front disc brake to sweeten the deal.
    Ola S1X+ Gen-3
    Moving to the S1 Pro Gen-3 4 kWh, performance and equipment are similar to S1X+ with 11 kWh power, 242 km range, 125 km/h top speed. There are more features, though. Pro gets the 7-inch touchscreen, rear disc brakes, single-channel ABS along with all the new and premium design elements. There are more attractive colour options with S1 Pro Gen-3.
    Ola S1 Pro Gen-3
    Now, we get to the new S1 Pro+ Gen-3, which is the new flagship from Ola Electric. S1 Pro+ has been launched for the first time. It gets dual-channel ABS, 13 kW (17.43 bhp) peak power and a 5.3 kWh battery option with Ola’s indigenous 4680 cells. Promised range is 320 km (IDC) on a single charge. Top speed is 141 km/h and a 0-40 sprint comes up in just 2.1 seconds.
    Ola S1 Pro+ Gen-3
    This 5.3 kWh battery pack and 320 km range is the highest are now the highest on any electric scooter in India. 13 kW peak power is the most powerful and top speed of 141 km/h is the fastest of any other mainstream scooter in India (ICE and EV). More

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    Honda India Dedicated Electric Motorcycle Plant To Start Production From 2028

    Honda Electric Motorcycle Concept – EV FunWhile Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India (HMSI) has been late to the electric scooter party, the company aims to be at the forefront where electric motorcycles are concerned. It is now revealed that Honda will start production of electric motorcycles in 2028, from a dedicated manufacturing plant in India.
    Honda Electric Motorcycle Plant In India
    In line with the Make In India initiative, HMSI has been on the verge of converting its Indian manufacturing facilities into a global export hub. Today, HMSI has emerged as the country’s second largest 2W manufacturer and is closing the gap rapidly with market leader, Hero MotoCorp.
    With a dedicated electric motorcycle manufacturing facility in India, HMSI aims to capture a major market share in the world’s largest 2W market. Alongside this dedicated electric motorcycle manufacturing facility, HMSI has also laid plans to enhance their battery charging network in the country to reduce range anxiety for buyers.
    HMSI has made decent strides to reduce TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) for buyers, which will strike as a major challenge associated with introduction of electric motorcycles. Honda mentioned that they’re striving to launch electric motorcycles at a price range where TOC of three years of ownership will be equal to that of its ICE counterparts.
    Honda Electric Motorcycle Concept – EV Fun
    As of now, Honda has not confirmed the exact models and model names of its upcoming electric motorcycles to be manufactured in India. The goal is to offer a wide variety of models with a common module, thus reducing development costs.
    Also, Honda is working with multiple battery manufacturers in India to design and develop batteries of the right specification and application. Ensuring stable procurements of parts is another challenge that OEMs in India face. With local suppliers, Honda can achieve high levels of localisation, taking the input costs down and gaining higher profits.
    Honda Activa e and QC1
    Honda Motorcycles & Scooters India Ltd just launched their maiden electric scooters in the form of Activa e and QC1. While QC1 is more budget-oriented, Activa e is the current flagship and is the only one to get swappable battery technology. QC1, on the other hand, has to make do with a fixed battery pack, but gets usable storage, which Activa e lacks completely.
    Honda Electric Motorcycle Concept – EV Fun
    With QC1 and Activa e, Honda is getting their foot into the EV game in India. Price starts from Rs 90K (Ex-sh) for QC1 and Rs 1.17 lakh (Ex-sh) for Activa e. Maximum range with these scooters is 102 km on a single charge (Activa e) with a max top speed of 80 km/h. Exact timeline for the Honda electric motorcycle plant has not been revealed yet. More

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    2025 KTM 390 ADV India Launch On 30th January – Official

    KTM 390 ADV India Launch DateKTM has officially announced via social media that the much-anticipated new 390 Adventure will launch in India on January 30, 2025. With an evolving Indian motorcycle market and a growing demand for premium bikes, KTM aims to strengthen its position with this latest offering, targeting enthusiasts seeking performance, adventure, and style.
    Expanding KTM’s 390 Lineup
    The new 390 Adventure is part of KTM’s expanded 390 lineup, which also includes the recently unveiled 390 Enduro R. Both motorcycles made their India debut at the India Bike Week (IBW) in Goa, where KTM showcased these models to an enthusiastic audience. The 390 Adventure S, a successor to the popular 390 Adventure, features significant updates, while the 390 Enduro R marks the introduction of KTM’s dedicated off-road lineup in India.
    Ahead of its official launch, select KTM dealerships across India have started accepting unofficial bookings for the new 390 Adventure S and 390 Enduro R. With excitement building among buyers, enthusiasts keen to be among the first to own these bikes are already reserving their units. Booking amounts vary by dealership, reflecting the high anticipation for these motorcycles.
    Key Features of the New 390 Adventure
    The new KTM 390 Adventure S gets a major generational update, including an all-new 399cc liquid-cooled engine producing 45 bhp and 40 Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. It features 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wire-spoke wheels, a tall windscreen, semi-fairing for enhanced wind protection, and a TFT instrument cluster for seamless navigation and information display. Designed as a versatile adventure tourer, the S variant offers a balance of performance and practicality.

    The 390 Adventure S also boasts non-adjustable suspension, making it ideal for highway touring and light off-road conditions. KTM has positioned this model below the fully loaded R variant, ensuring it caters to a wide audience of adventure enthusiasts.
    KTM 390 Enduro R: A True Off-Roader
    For off-road enthusiasts, the 390 Enduro R is a dedicated machine that promises exceptional performance on rugged terrain. It features fully adjustable suspension with greater travel, 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoke wheels, and a smaller instrument screen. This hardcore off-roader is designed for challenging trails, making it a unique offering in KTM’s lineup.
    KTM’s decision to launch both the 390 Adventure S and 390 Enduro R highlights its commitment to catering to India’s growing community of premium motorcycle enthusiasts. The new models are expected to strengthen KTM’s foothold in the adventure and off-road motorcycle segments, setting a new benchmark for performance and features. Stay tuned for January 30, when KTM will reveal the official prices and further details. More

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    New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Single Seat Variant Launched – Walkaround

    New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Single SeatA single seat might be more relevant in the Indian context, as it can accommodate more passengers and carry a variety of everyday loads
    Bajaj has introduced a new single seat variant of its popular Pulsar N160 motorcycle. Launched likely to fulfil family-oriented needs, the single seat Pulsar N160 will help access a new segment of users. This variant is around Rs 10,000 cheaper than the standard base variant.
    Bajaj Pulsar N160 single seat variant – Key highlights
    In addition to the single piece seat replacing the split seats, there are some other changes as well. For example, the split grab rails at the rear have been replaced with a more robust single-piece grab rail. This will be useful when there’s a need to accommodate more passengers. The thick grab rail also seems strong enough to support heavy loads. Earlier also, Bajaj had finetuned its products in line with practical necessities of users.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Single Seat
    A relevant example is Bajaj Freedom CNG bike that comes with an extra-long seat. A similar approach is probably being used for the Pulsar N160 as well. The single-piece seat of Pulsar N160 seems quite comfy for both the rider and pillion. The scooped front section should ensure extra comfort for the rider even during longer journeys. The seat is narrow at the front, making it easier for users to put their feet on the ground.
    Pulsar N160 single seat variant has standard 37 mm telescopic forks at the front and a Nitrox monoshock suspension at the rear. The bike has 300 mm and 230 mm disc brakes at front and rear, respectively. However, as compared to the standard base variant that has dual-channel ABS, the single seat variant gets a single-channel ABS.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Single Seat
    The top variant of Pulsar N160 is equipped with 37 mm USD forks in golden finish. Pulsar N160 has 17-inch wheels at both ends, wrapped in 100/80 front and 130/70 rear tubeless tyres. The bike has a ground clearance of 165 mm and a 14-litre fuel tank. Low seat height of 795 mm helps in achieving optimal control and handling.
    New Bajaj Pulsar N160 Single Seat
    Pulsar N160 performance
    Powering Bajaj Pulsar N160 is a 164.82 cc, single cylinder, SOHC, 2-valve, air cooled engine. It generates 16 PS and 14.65 Nm of torque and is mated to a constant mesh 5-speed gearbox. In terms of its visual profile, Pulsar N160 single seat variant is the same as the standard base variant. There are no changes to the colours and graphics. The bike has bi-functional LED projector headlamp with LED DRLs. At the rear, there’s a LED tail lamp with a glitter pattern. Turn indicators are halogen units.
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    Tech package includes a digital console with Bluetooth support. Users can access call alerts, message notifications and fuel alerts. A USB charging port is provided at the front. The top variant of Pulsar N160 has additional features such as turn-by-turn navigation and ABS ride modes of Road, Rain and Off-Road. More

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    New Royal Enfield Scram 440 Launch Price Rs 2.08 Lakh

    New Royal Enfield Scram 440The Royal Enfield Scram 440 has officially been launched in India, marking the brand’s entry into the competitive ADV crossover motorcycle segment. Available in two variants—Trail and Force—the Scram 440 replaces the Scram 411 in Royal Enfield’s portfolio and promises enhanced performance, a more powerful engine, and a host of adventure-ready features.
    Design and Pricing
    In terms of design, the Scram 440 retains much of its styling cues from the Scram 411 while incorporating key upgrades. Built on the same chassis, the Scram 440 sees slight increases in dimensions and weight. The Trail variant is offered in Blue and Green color options, while the Force variant adds a Teal shade to its lineup.
    New Royal Enfield Scram 440
    Pricing starts at Rs 2,08,000 for the Trail variant and goes up to Rs 2,15,000 for the Force variant (ex-showroom). These prices are marginally higher—by Rs 2,000-3,000—compared to the outgoing Scram 411.
    Feature Upgrades
    The Scram 440 comes packed with adventure-specific features to enhance its all-terrain capabilities. Key highlights include:
    – New LED headlamp for improved visibility– Digital-analogue cluster with optional Tripper navigation– 15-liter fuel tank for extended rides– Tubed spoke wheels with tube tires for Trail variant and 19/17-inch tubeless alloy wheels for Force variant– Switchable ABS and balanced ergonomics
    New Royal Enfield Scram 440
    With a seat height of 795mm and 200mm ground clearance, the Scram 440 offers a rider-friendly setup for both off-road and urban environments. It also includes a 10 kg payload capacity for top boxes, making it practical for touring.
    Upgraded 443cc Engine
    At its heart, the Scram 440 is powered by a 443cc air-and-oil-cooled single-cylinder engine, delivering 25.4 hp at 6,250 rpm and 34 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox, a significant improvement over the 5-speed unit on the Scram 411. This new setup ensures better performance, improved NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) levels, and smoother highway cruising.
    Enhanced Braking and Suspension
    Braking duties are handled by a 300mm front disc with a larger piston caliper for improved responsiveness and a 240mm rear disc, complemented by switchable ABS. The suspension system, borrowed from the Scram 411, features telescopic front shocks with 190mm travel and a monoshock at the rear with 180mm travel.
    B Govindarajan, CEO, Royal Enfield, said, “The new Scram 440 is a crossover engineered to have fun with anything, anytime, anywhere. Our purpose with the Scram 440 is to give the community a motorcycle that stands true to its purpose; it is our ‘take’ on scramblers, blending legit functionality with playfulness and accessibility. The Scram 440 has been designed to meet the aspirations of our customers and now offers them even more value addition! It offers a mix of real-world off-road capabilities and accessibility for both everyday commuting and weekday hustles, and we are confident that this motorcycle will enable adventure and fun for a lot of riders!”
    The Royal Enfield Scram 440 enters a competitive scrambler segment and will rival the likes of the Yezdi Scrambler, Triumph Scrambler 400X, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. With the launch of the Scram 440, Royal Enfield is gearing up for an aggressive expansion in 2025, with plans to introduce new models in the 450cc, 650cc, and 750cc categories. This marks an exciting phase for the brand as it continues to solidify its position in the mid-capacity motorcycle segment. More