Source : PTI | The Supreme Court has emphasised the need to improve transport access for persons with disabilities (PwDs) and opined that cabs should be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs and other assistive devices.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said apps can have a provision for specified cabs which have been accordingly modified for PwDs. Continue reading “Cabs should be equipped to accommodate wheelchairs: SC”
Source : PTI | The Centre is set to approach the Cabinet with a proposal to reduce the allocation of broken rice in grains distributed under the public distribution system (PDS) from 25 per cent to 10 per cent, a move that would free roughly 90 lakh tonne of broken rice annually for the ethanol sector, Food Secretary Sanjeev Chopra said on Tuesday.
Speaking at the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) conference, Chopra said the proposal was aimed at providing the ethanol industry with a stable, year-round feedstock supply, reducing its dependence on whole grain stocks of the Food Corporation of India (FCI).
Continue reading “Govt to cut broken rice in PDS to free up ethanol feedstock, says Food Secretary”
Showcases 14 electrified vehicles from leading OEMs, highlighting next-generation smart mobility solutions
New Delhi, 24th March 2026: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) has showcased its dedicated pavilion, the “Smart Integrated Automotive Mobility Lab (SIAM Lab)”, at Bharat Mandapam during the ongoing Smart Mobility India Expo 2026, being held from March 23–25, 2026.
Curated by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), the Smart Integrated Automotive Mobility Lab (SIAM Lab), located in Hall-1, brings together leading OEMs, component manufacturers, research institutions, and technology providers to demonstrate the scale, depth, and innovation shaping the future of mobility in India. Continue reading “SIAM Highlights Future of Smart and Sustainable Mobility at Smart Mobility India Expo 2026”
New initiatives introduced at Autoverse’s Motor Mechanic Day 2026 to drive trust, accessibility, and future-ready capabilities across the ecosystem
Bangalore, 24th March 2026: Autoverse Mobility, a leading auto parts digital distributor, providing on-time deliveries and exceptional service to garage owners and vendors, has announced a suite of new initiatives and product launches aimed at strengthening trust, improving access to genuine parts, and building future-ready capabilities across India’s rapidly evolving automotive aftermarket. Continue reading “Autoverse Mobility Unveils Warranty Program, Digital Discovery and EV Certification to Transform India’s Automotive Aftermarket”
PTI | Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Saturday ruled out any immediate increase in bus ticket fares despite the recent surge in petrol and diesel prices, attributing the rise in fuel costs to global factors.
He said the state government would not burden commuters with higher fares at this stage and indicated that there was no move to initiate the process required for a revision. Continue reading “No bus fare hike despite fuel price surge: Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy”
PTI | New Delhi: India’s strategic oil reserves, designed to provide cover for about 9.5 days of supplies during disruptions or price shocks, are currently sitting at only two-thirds capacity, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Monday.
India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer and heavily dependent on imports for about 88 per cent of its crude oil needs, has built strategic underground storage facilities with a total capacity of 5.33 million tonnes across three locations — Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, and Mangaluru and Padur in Karnataka — to store crude oil used for producing fuels such as petrol and diesel. Continue reading “India’s strategic oil reserves about two-thirds full: Minister”
PTI | The total number of motor vehicles on roads in Delhi till 2025-26 is 87.61 lakh, showing an increase by 7.93 per cent compared to 2024-25, according to the economic survey report released on Monday.
As per the report, the number of vehicles per thousand population was 522 as of March 19, 2026. The total number of vehicles registered till 2025-26 was around 87.61 lakh, increasing from 81.18 lakh registered in the previous financial year. Continue reading “Delhi vehicle count rises 7.9 per cent to 87.6 lakh in 2025-26: Economic Survey”
PTI | GST reforms such as reducing tax rates on waste management services and biodegradable products will accelerate the adoption of eco-friendly manufacturing, strengthen waste treatment infrastructure and promote sustainable mobility solutions, the environment ministry said on Monday.
In September last year, the government introduced important changes to the GST, rationalising tax rates. While GST was reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent on services provided by common effluent treatment plants (CETPs), it was slashed from 18 per cent to 5 per cent on biodegradable bags. Continue reading “GST cuts to boost green mobility, lower cost of buses”
(Reuters) – Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future (FFAI.O), said on Sunday the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its investigation into the company with no action against it.
The closure would help the California-based company to pursue strategic financing and partnerships, after compliance concerns during the probe made it difficult to work with major banks and investors, the company said. Continue reading “US SEC concludes four-year-old probe into EV startup Faraday Future with no action”
SYDNEY – The European Union and Australia finalised a long-awaited free trade deal on Tuesday as the bloc seeks to diversify its export markets and expand ties beyond its traditional partners.
OVERALL BENEFITS
Both sides will eliminate tariffs on almost 100% of EU exports of goods, with the exception of certain steel products and some EU farm produce. The European Commission says EU exports to Australia will be spared 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) of Australian duties, and the value of those exports should rise by a third over 10 years. Australia says the agreement will be worth about A$10 billion ($7 billion) annually to its economy. Continue reading “Highlights of EU-Australia trade agreement”
Summary
LOS ANGELES,Reuters) – SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA.O) will build two advanced chip factories at a sprawling facility in Austin, Texas, one to power cars and humanoid robots, and another designed for artificial intelligence data centers in space, CEO Elon Musk said on Sunday. Continue reading “Musk says SpaceX and Tesla to build advanced chip factories in Austin”
Summary
BEIJING, (Reuters) – The dominance of China’s open-source artificial intelligence is creating a “self-reinforcing competitive advantage”, allowing it to challenge U.S. rivals despite restricted access to advanced AI chips, a U.S. congressional advisory body said on Monday. Continue reading “China’s open-source dominance threatens US AI lead, US advisory body warns”
Summary
SYDNEY, (Reuters) – Australia and the European Union signed a trade deal on Tuesday that was eight years in the making, removing tariffs for almost all European goods and for nearly all exports of Australian critical minerals. Continue reading “Australia and EU seal trade deal, seek to cut reliance on China for critical minerals”
Summary
SEOUL, (Reuters) – South Korea’s transport ministry announced on Tuesday the recall of 58,000 Hyundai Motor (005380.KS) Palisade hybrid sport utility vehicles nationwide over safety concerns, following a fatal accident in the United States earlier this month. Continue reading “Hyundai recalls 58,000 Palisade SUVs in South Korea due to automatic seat problem”
Summary
DETROIT, (Reuters) – Sooren Moosavy wants to buy an affordable electric car in the U.S., motivated by environmental concerns and a preference for the EV’s smoother ride. But the 28-year-old Baltimore resident’s search has brought him to a trio of vehicles that are essentially unavailable – because they’re from Chinese automakers. Continue reading “Some US car buyers envy what they cannot have – affordable Chinese EVs”
(Reuters) – New car sales in Europe rose in February after falling in January, while sustained demand for electric vehicles helped Elon Musk’s all-electric brand Tesla (TSLA.O) resume growth for the first time since December 2024, official data showed on Tuesday.
Overall car registrations, a proxy for sales, in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association were up 1.7% to 979,321 vehicles sold in the month, according to the European auto lobby ACEA. Continue reading “European car sales rise modestly in February, Tesla reverses year-long skid”
(Reuters) – Ford Motor (F.N) is recalling 254,640 SUVs in the U.S. over software issues that may result in the loss of rearview camera image and some advanced driver assistance (ADAS) features, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Tuesday.
Here are some details:
Source : PTI | In a bid to strengthen the EV infrastructure, the Delhi government is likely to urge vehicle manufacturers to sup charging stations under its new EV policy, a senior government official said on Friday.
With the existing electric vehicle (EV) policy set to lapse by March-end, the government plans to finalise and notify the revised policy by then, looking to table the policy in the upcoming budget session. Continue reading “Delhi government eyes private push to expand EV infrastructure ahead of policy rollout”
Source : PTI | With West Asia in turmoil and crude oil prices rising, the All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) has offered to supply ethanol blends exceeding 20 per cent with petrol, saying the move could proportionally reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
In a letter to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, AIDA Deputy Director General Bharati Balaji said the ethanol industry was prepared to go beyond the E20 target already achieved by the country. Continue reading “Ethanol industry ready to supply more than 20% blending, can cut crude import bill: AIDA”
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor said on Friday it has reports of four minor injuries because rear power seats in new Palisade SUVs may trap a person as sales remained halted after an incident earlier this month in which a two-year-old girl was killed in Ohio.
Hyundai said on March 17 it was recalling 68,500 new Palisade SUVs in the United States and Canada over an issue with power seats following the child’s death on March 7. Continue reading “Hyundai says four more injuries tied to SUV rear power seat recall”
Summary
(Reuters) – The U.S. auto safety regulator on Friday rejected a petition seeking a sweeping recall of about 2.26 million Tesla vehicles, saying it had found no evidence of a safety-related defect.
The decision removes the immediate risk of a large-scale recall for Tesla, but regulatory overhang remains as authorities continue to scrutinize its Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system. Continue reading “US regulator closes defect petition covering over 2 million Tesla vehicles”
(Reuters) – Electric vehicle startup Faraday Future said on Sunday the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has concluded its investigation into the company with no action against it.
The closure would help the California-based company to pursue strategic financing and partnerships, after compliance concerns during the probe made it difficult to work with major banks and investors, the company said. Continue reading “US SEC concludes four-year-old probe into EV startup Faraday Future with no action”
The leader in driving dynamics and safety sets new benchmarks in the Indian market by truly democratizing the range for its customers
Mumbai, March 21, 2026 – Škoda Auto India has announced prices and the start of customer deliveries for the refreshed and upgraded new Kushaq. Unveiled in January this year, the new Kushaq moves the goalposts when it comes to value, safety, driving dynamics and furthers the brand’s strategy of democratising European technology across the range. With segment-first technologies like an all-new eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission, Rear Seat Massager, and numerous all-new features as well as standard equipment, the new Kushaq 1.0 TSI and new Kushaq 1.5 TSI both follow Škoda Auto India’s strategy of making European engineering and 5-star safety more accessible on Indian roads. The new Kushaq is available across five trims: Classic+, Signature, Sportline, Prestige and Monte Carlo, offering a choice of turbocharged petrol engines paired with manual and real automatic transmissions. Customers have a choice between eight colours – Candy White, Carbon Steel, Brilliant Silver, Lava Blue, and Deep Black – including three all-new ones: Shimla Green, Steel Grey, and Cherry Red. Continue reading “Škoda Auto India redefines value, performance and safety with launch of the “Easy to Love” new Kushaq”
Summary
(Reuters) – Tesla is looking to buy equipment worth $2.9 billion for manufacturing solar panels and cells from Chinese suppliers including Suzhou Maxwell Technologies two people familiar with the matter said, as CEO Elon Musk aims to add 100 gigawatts of solar capacity in the United States.
Musk said in January that solar power could meet all of the electricity needs of the United States – including the ever-increasing demand from a growing number of data centres. Job postings on the Tesla website said it aims to deploy 100 GW of “solar manufacturing from raw materials on American soil before the end of 2028”. Continue reading “Exclusive: Tesla in talks with Chinese firms to buy $2.9 billion worth of solar equipment, sources say”
BEIJING, (Reuters) – Electric vehicle maker Xpeng said on Friday it aims to double overseas sales this year to raise the contribution from international markets to 20% of revenue, as it prepares to launch its G6 and G9 models in Mexico on March 25.
The Mexico launch marks the company’s latest step in an overseas expansion drive as Chinese EV makers look abroad for growth amid intense competition and slowing demand at home. Continue reading “Electric car maker Xpeng aims to double overseas sales, to launch EVs in Mexico”
Summary
(Reuters) – The U.S. auto safety regulator on Friday rejected a petition seeking a sweeping recall of about 2.26 million Tesla vehicles, saying it had found no evidence of a safety-related defect.
The decision removes the immediate risk of a large-scale recall for Tesla, but regulatory overhang remains as authorities continue to scrutinize its Full Self-Driving driver-assistance system. Continue reading “US regulator closes defect petition covering over 2 million Tesla vehicles”
Source : PTI | New Delhi: The Centre on Thursday said it has sold a record 200 mineral blocks in 2025-26, the highest ever in a single year, with Tamil Nadu conducting auctions for the first time and Uttarakhand entering the fray by selling its maiden magnesite block.
Out of the 200 auctioned blocks, 123 are mining lease blocks and 77 are composite licence blocks, indicating a balanced mix of operational and exploration-focused opportunities.
Additionally, notices inviting tenders (NITs) for 70 mineral blocks — 38 mining leases (ML) and 32 composite licences (CL) — are currently underway which is likely to further boost the total number of successful auctions in the financial year. Continue reading “Centre auctions record 200 mineral blocks in FY26, highest ever”
Summary
(Reuters) – Global delivery company FedEx said on Thursday that global demand is holding steady at the start of March despite the war in Iran, while fuel surcharges are sheltering profits from surging fuel costs.
U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran quickly spiraled into a regional conflict that has turned parts of the Middle East into disaster zones. The world is monitoring the impact on global businesses and FedEx is seen as an important barometer of business activity. Continue reading “FedEx CEO says global demand holding amid Iran war, annual profit outlook up on record holiday profit”
Summary
MILAN, (Reuters) – Italian sports carmaker Lamborghini on Thursday reported weaker 2025 earnings despite record revenue, after U.S. tariffs, currency moves and charges related to scrapping its announced first fully electric vehicle weighed on the results.
Revenue at the Volkswagen-owned luxury brand rose 3.3% to 3.2 billion euros ($3.7 billion) as deliveries hit a record 10,747 units. But operating income slipped to 768 million euros from 835 million euros in 2024. Continue reading “Lamborghini 2025 profit dented by US tariffs and EV U-turn”
Summary
SAN FRANCISCO,(Reuters) – Uber will invest up to $1.25 billion in electric vehicle maker Rivian as part of a deal in which the ride-hailing firm will start deploying 10,000 fully autonomous R2 SUVs as robotaxis from 2028, the companies said on Thursday.
San Francisco-based Uber will make an initial investment of $300 million, and will fund the remaining amount through 2031, subject to Rivian meeting certain autonomous milestones, the companies said. Continue reading “Uber to invest up to $1.25 billion in Rivian as part of robotaxi deal”
Summary
NEW DELHI, (Reuters) – India’s automakers and parts suppliers are bracing for production slowdowns and assembly-line disruptions as the Iran conflict chokes gas availability, threatening growth in the world’s third-largest car market.
Some parts suppliers to India’s leading carmakers like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Mahindra are already reporting a shortage of gas to power operations, an early sign that supply chain issues are developing, according to two dozen executives at car companies, part makers and dealers. Continue reading “India’s auto boom at risk as Iran-Israel war chokes gas supplies, straining supply chains”
WAF THINK TANK
SUV vs Sedan vs Hatchback: Which Fits Your Life? CarPhD
CarPhD – Bulk Buying Simplified! CarPhD
Continue reading “WAF Auto News | The Auto World This Week (20th March 2026)”
The tragic loss of lives in Indore due to an EV charging-linked fire is not just an isolated incident—it is a systemic warning. As India accelerates towards electrification, safety cannot lag innovation.
This is not about blaming EVs. It is about fixing the ecosystem gaps—in infrastructure, regulation, product standards, and user behavior.
Let’s get brutally honest.
Early indicators from such incidents typically point to a combination of:
Improper home charging setups
Substandard wiring / overloading
Thermal runaway in batteries (especially 2W/3W)
Lack of fire isolation in parking areas
No early warning systems (smoke/heat sensors)
In India, EV adoption is outpacing safety readiness.
Continue reading “5 Reform Pillars for EV Safety | Indore EV Fire Tragedy Is a Wake-Up Call”
Source : PTI | Financial services firm Navi on Tuesday announced its foray into the motor insurance segment with the launch of a fully digital, zero-commission offering for cars and two-wheelers.
The direct-to-customer product, available on the Navi app, eliminates intermediary commissions to offer competitive and transparent pricing, the company said in a statement. Continue reading “Navi forays into motor insurance with zero-commission digital offering”
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee wants to collect funds from electric vehicles to help pay for U.S. highway repairs as part of a surface transportation bill.
Representative Sam Graves, a Republican, said he plans to take up a multi-year bill in early April. Last year, House Republicans proposed a new $250 annual fee on EVs and $100 for hybrid EVs but it was not included in a massive tax and spending bill. The current five-year surface transportation law expires on September 30. Continue reading “US House transport committee head wants to collect EV fees for highway repairs”
(Reuters) – General Motors hasn’t seen much shift in sales following gas price increases as a result of the war in Iran, the automaker’s finance chief said on Wednesday.
CFO Paul Jacobson said weather and lower inventory, especially of trucks while GM is prepping to launch new full-size versions, affected first-quarter sales more than other factors. Continue reading “GM says gas price hikes not impacting sales”
Summary
GUILDFORD, England/RICHMOND, Virginia, (Reuters) – The rising price of gasoline from the Iran war has triggered angst and uncertainty for carmakers, dealers and vehicle owners at the pump. For Martin Miller, it presents an opportunity.
Miller owns a used electric-car dealership southwest of London and logged his busiest Saturday ever one week after the war began on February 28 with the bombing of Iran by Israel and the United States. The conflict has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil supplies are transported. Continue reading “Gasoline price hike from Iran war could push consumers toward EVs, hybrids”
MUNICH, Germany, (Reuters) – Prices are stabilising in China after a period of heavy discounting in the electric vehicle market, BMW sales chief Jochen Goller said on Wednesday.
He was speaking after the German premium carmaker revealed its new i3 all-electric sedan, the latest launch on BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ technology platform, with which the company plans to overhaul its model lineup to catch up in a rapidly changing and tech-driven auto market. Continue reading “BMW eyes stabilisation in China with latest ‘Neue Klasse’ launch”
Summary
JOHANNESBURG,(Reuters) – Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor (GWM)is weighing whether to share a manufacturing facility with another carmaker in South Africa or acquire an existing plant if available and has held talks with Mercedes-Benz as it considers its options, regional executives said on Wednesday.
Chinese automakers seeking global growth have built more car factories in overseas markets to protect themselves as foreign regulators consider imposing measures against imports of Chinese-made vehicles. Continue reading “Great Wall Motor eyes plant options in South Africa”
(Reuters) – Billionaire Elon Musk said late on Wednesday that his companies SpaceX AI and Tesla expect to continue ordering Nvidia chips at scale.
Continue reading “Musk says SpaceX AI, Tesla will keep ordering Nvidia chips at scale”
