All posts tagged: EVs

MeitY orders removal of Chinese BAT-BMS after viral e-rickshaw disruption videos

MeitY orders removal of Chinese BAT-BMS after viral e-rickshaw disruption videos

Published by Webster

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has directed Google Play Store and Apple App Store to remove the Chinese BAT-BMS mobile application after concerns emerged over its potential misuse to remotely disrupt the operation of e-rickshaws, sources said on Friday.  The decision comes after a series of videos circulated on social media allegedly showed individuals using the BAT-BMS app to connect to nearby e-rickshaws via Bluetooth and remotely switch off their battery systems while the vehicles were in motion. The incidents have raised concerns over passenger safety as well as the security of battery management systems (BMS) used in low-cost electric vehicles. The ministry took cognisance of the matter after the videos went viral and has initiated action to restrict public access to the application, according to them. Moreover, the government is examining the broader cybersecurity implications of such vulnerabilities and is assessing further safeguards for connected battery systems used in electric vehicles. The BAT-BMS app — developed by Shenzhen Grenergy Technology — designed as a companion application for Bluetooth-enabled lithium-ion batteries. It …

What is Slate Auto, and how is its ,000 electric truck different from other EVs? | Technology News

What is Slate Auto, and how is its $25,000 electric truck different from other EVs? | Technology News

Published by Parlour News

4 min readJun 27, 2026 11:04 PM IST The electric vehicle (EV) market has largely focused on premium features, large batteries, and increasingly expensive SUVs. Slate Auto, a US-based startup backed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is taking a very different approach. Instead of building another high-tech electric SUV, the company is developing a simple, highly customizable electric pickup truck that starts at $24,950, making it one of the cheapest new EVs announced for the US market. Slate recently opened pre-orders for the vehicle with a non-refundable $300 deposit, although large-scale production is expected to ramp up only in 2027. What is Slate Auto? Slate Auto is an American EV startup founded with the goal of making affordable electric vehicles. The company has raised around $1.4 billion from investors, including Bezos’ family office, General Catalyst, and TWG Global. Rather than competing directly with premium EV makers like Tesla, Rivian or Lucid, Slate wants to serve buyers looking for a practical, low-cost electric vehicle. The company says its philosophy is similar to that of iconic affordable …

PM Modi cuts convoy size, pushes use of EVs as part of austerity measures

PM Modi cuts convoy size, pushes use of EVs as part of austerity measures

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has significantly reduced the size of his official convoy during recent domestic visits as part of a broader push for austerity and fuel conservation, official sources told PTI. The reduction was implemented during the Prime Minister’s visits to Gujarat and Assam shortly after his recent address in Hyderabad, where he appealed to citizens to adopt measures aimed at reducing fuel consumption and conserving foreign exchange. Sources told PTI that the downsizing of the convoy was carried out while maintaining all critical security arrangements mandated under Special Protection Group (SPG) protocols. Officials added that the security framework around the Prime Minister remains fully intact despite the reduction in the number of vehicles. EVs to be included in PM’s convoy In another step linked to the austerity drive, PM Modi has reportedly directed officials to include electric vehicles in his convoy wherever feasible. Sources said the move would be implemented without making any new vehicle purchases, indicating that existing resources would be utilised. The decision aligns with the government’s larger focus on promoting …

New I-T Rules: Benefits for meal vouchers to EVs, higher HRA limit for four more cities | Business News

New I-T Rules: Benefits for meal vouchers to EVs, higher HRA limit for four more cities | Business News

Published by Parlour News

Incorporation of meal vouchers for employees under the new income tax regime, revision of employer-provided perquisites, inclusion of electric vehicles as a tax benefit, and a hike in children’s education and hostel allowances, along with higher monetary thresholds for quoting Permanent Account Number (PAN) for deposits, withdrawals, and purchase of motor vehicles and property, are among the key changes under the new Income-tax Rules, 2026, set to come into effect from April 1. In a notification on Friday, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) also specified inclusion of four major cities — Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad — for 50% house rent allowance (HRA) benefit, bringing them at par with the metropolitan cities of Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai. The Income Tax Department has also notified a separate form for employees to furnish details of claims made at the time of tax deduction at source (TDS) by employers, making it mandatory for them to provide details of the landlord if they claim HRA. The PAN of the landlord has to be furnished if the aggregate …

‘Won’t Affect Common Man’: SC Suggests Ban On Luxury Petrol, Diesel Cars To Promote EVs | India News

‘Won’t Affect Common Man’: SC Suggests Ban On Luxury Petrol, Diesel Cars To Promote EVs | India News

Published by Webster

Last Updated:November 13, 2025, 22:41 IST The top court urged Centre to update its 2020 electric vehicle (EV) policy in line with technological and market changes over the past 5 years File photo of Supreme Court. (Image: PTI) The Supreme Court on Thursday urged the Centre to update its 2020 electric vehicle (EV) policy in line with technological and market changes over the past five years, suggesting that the revised plan could first be tested through a pilot project in a metropolitan city. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said that while the government had made progress with its National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020, the policy now required revision to reflect current realities and expanding EV options in India. “The policy needs to be revisited as several changes took place over the years and could be implemented through a pilot project starting from a metropolitan city,” the bench observed. Appearing for the Centre, Attorney General R. Venkataramani informed the court that an inter-ministerial group comprising 13 central ministries was already …

This Malayalam Sci-Fi Film Is A Wild Adventure With Aliens, EVs & Dystopia You Must Watch

This Malayalam Sci-Fi Film Is A Wild Adventure With Aliens, EVs & Dystopia You Must Watch

Published by Parlour News

This Malayalam Sci-Fi Film Is A Ride To 2040(Photo Credit –Prime Video) Imagine a post-apocalyptic world where fossil fuels like petrol, diesel, and other internal combustion derivatives are no longer available. Everyone drives electric vehicles. Aliens have invaded this world. The state has complete control over what people do, eat, drink, and even think. To top it all off, an alien. Who appears as a girl, lives with a few bachelors, hiding away from the government. Where would a film like this be made? Hollywood, maybe? The concept clearly fits the mold previously laid out by other Hollywood films. Or perhaps Bollywood? But no, it’s a Mollywood film called Gaganachari. Yes, it’s a Malayalam-language film. The concept is high, but the budget was low. Yet, it doesn’t look cheap. It’s really impressive what they managed to do with the resources they had. Sci-Fi Adventure Malayalam Film Directed by Arun Chandu, the film heavily uses AI-generated imagery, which is quite noticeable but actually adds to the charm. Set in the 2040s, the film has only a …

Tesla to Delay Production of Cheaper EVs Including Low-Cost Tesla Model Y: Report

Tesla to Delay Production of Cheaper EVs Including Low-Cost Tesla Model Y: Report

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The production launch of Tesla Inc.’s more affordable cars, including the stripped down version of the Model Y, has been delayed, Reuters reported Friday. The electric carmaker planned to roll out its lower-cost Model Y, known internally as E41, in the first half of the year. Now production will be pushed back by at least three months, people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. The news outlet didn’t cite a reason for the delay. The news of the setback comes ahead of the carmaker’s hotly anticipated earnings call Tuesday, where the plans for its newest vehicles will be scrutinized by investors. The cheaper mass-market EVs are a major focus for the company following the carmaker’s weakest quarterly vehicle sales since 2022. In the first quarter, its deliveries fell to a three-year low, and its market share has fallen from over 75% in 2022 to under 50% as of 2024. Tesla’s earnings may also pressure Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk to address criticism that his political involvement, including his contentious dismantling of federal agencies, will …

Maharashtra to withdraw proposed 6% tax on EVs priced over 30 lakh: CM Devendra Fadnavis | Mumbai News

Maharashtra to withdraw proposed 6% tax on EVs priced over 30 lakh: CM Devendra Fadnavis | Mumbai News

Published by Parlour News

The Maharashtra government has decided against a budget proposal to impose a 6 per cent tax on electric vehicles (EVs) priced above Rs 30 lakh. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced this decision in the Legislative Council Wednesday. The government, in Budget 2025-26, planned to levy a tax on EVs priced above Rs 30 lakh, categorising them as luxury vehicles. However, after reconsideration, it was determined that there is currently little demand for EVs in this price range. Story continues below this ad Fadnavis said, “We thought it would not make sense to impose a tax that could discourage the adoption of electric vehicles. Therefore, we have decided not to levy this tax. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar will officially make this announcement.” Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Anil Parab raised the tax issue in the Legislative Council. In the budget, the government proposed to increase the tax rate by 1 per cent on individually owned four-wheelers (non-transport) operating on compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This tax increase was subsequently passed in both …

Safe harbour rules threshold raised; to include lithium ion batteries for EVs | India News

Safe harbour rules threshold raised; to include lithium ion batteries for EVs | India News

Published by Parlour News

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) notified amendments to Income-tax Rules on Tuesday to expand the scope of safe harbour rules by including lithium-ion batteries for use in electric or hybrid electric vehicles and increasing the threshold for availing safe harbour to Rs 300 crore. Experts said this will help reduce transfer pricing disputes for imported EV components. The CBDT said it will provide tax certainty to the assessees opting for safe harbour and the amendments will apply for two assessment years 2025-26 and 2026-27. As per the CBDT statement, the threshold for safe harbour has been raised to Rs 300 crore from Rs 200 crore. Also, ‘Lithium ion batteries for use in electric or hybrid electric vehicles’ have been included in the definition of core auto components. Safe harbour rules are defined under Section 92CB of the Income-tax Act, 1961 for the determination of arm’s length price under section 92C or section 92CA. Safe harbour means circumstances in which the income-tax authorities accept the transfer price as declared by the assessee. Transfer Price …

Luxury EVs set to become costlier in Maharashtra after state’s tax hike

Luxury EVs set to become costlier in Maharashtra after state’s tax hike

Published by Parlour News

Premium electric vehicles (EVs) are set to become more expensive in Maharashtra after the state’s government announced its decision to levy 6% as a motor vehicle tax. However, it can also potentially hurt EV sales. For instance, when Telangana did something similar, EV penetration halved.(Representational Image/Unsplash) This was part of the state budget proposals for the financial year 2025-26 for EVs priced over ₹30 lakh. Also Read: Indian-origin Amazon VP who oversaw flagship AI product steps down: Report Currently, Maharashtra does not levy any motor vehicle tax on EVs. The government has also raised the motor vehicle tax by 1 percentage point on individual-owned non-transport four-wheeler CNG and LPG vehicles. Currently, such vehicles attract a 7-9% tax depending on the type and price. Also Read: Elon Musk loses $29 billion in a day as Tesla shares take a hit The tax increase will increase the state government’s revenue by ₹320 crore in the next fiscal year, according to an Economic Times report. However, it can also potentially hurt EV sales. For instance, when Telangana took …