Brands
Hero MotoCorp revs up EV ambitions with new chief
NEW DELHI: Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, has announced a significant leadership reshuffle, bringing in new talent to accelerate its push into sustainable, future-ready mobility. On 10 July 2025, the company appointed Kausalya Nandakumar as chief business officer for its emerging mobility business unit. She will report directly to Pawan Munjal, the executive chairman, and will be tasked with shaping the strategic direction and growth of Vida, Hero MotoCorp’s electric vehicle brand.
Nandakumar brings nearly two decades of leadership acumen from the automotive, electric mobility, and digital innovation sectors. Her appointment underscores Hero MotoCorp’s commitment to pioneering new technologies and growth platforms. She joins Hero MotoCorp after an illustrious 18-year tenure with the Mahindra Group, where she played a pivotal role in building and scaling new ventures.
Most recently, as chief operating officer of Mahindra Electric Automobile, she spearheaded the operational readiness and market entry strategy for the company’s electric SUV business, valued at $9.8 billion. Her extensive career also includes heading business transformation for Mahindra’s farm division and leading Glyd, Mahindra’s electric shared mobility business. Notably, she conceived and built SmartShift, one of India’s pioneering digital logistics platforms, transforming it into a multimillion-dollar enterprise.
This strategic appointment coincides with the departure of Swadesh Srivastava, who is stepping down due to health reasons. Srivastava will work closely with Nandakumar in the coming weeks to ensure a seamless handover. The company expressed its gratitude for his contributions and extended best wishes.
Nandakumar’s academic credentials include a master’s in business administration (marketing) from Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, and a bachelor’s degree in electronics & instrumentation engineering from Mumbai University.
She has further refined her leadership skills through programmes at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School.. Her background and expertise are set to reinforce Hero MotoCorp’s ambition to lead the next era of mobility, delivering innovation with impact and driving sustainable growth.
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Brands
KKR sixes to power EV charger rollout under VIDA campaign
Cricket meets clean mobility as big hits spark India’s charging growth
NEW DELHI: VIDA, the electric mobility arm of Hero MotoCorp, has teamed up with Kolkata Knight Riders to launch a campaign that turns cricketing flair into real-world impact.
Titled ‘6 for 6’, the initiative promises to install a 6kW fast EV charger for every six hit by KKR during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. The idea is simple but powerful, as each big hit on the field contributes directly to expanding India’s fast-charging infrastructure.
The campaign builds on VIDA’s growing network, which already spans over 5,300 fast-charging points across more than 430 cities. With EV adoption gaining pace, the brand is using cricket’s mass appeal to accelerate both awareness and infrastructure growth.
Explaining the thinking behind the move, Hero MotoCorp emerging mobility business unit chief business officer Kausalya Nandakumar said, “Cricket has an incredible ability to unite and inspire millions across the country. With the ‘6 for 6’ campaign, we are turning every big hit on the field into a step towards a cleaner and a more accessible mobility future.”
She added that VIDA’s expanding fast-charging network and removable battery technology are designed to make EV ownership more convenient and practical for everyday users.
From the franchise’s side, the campaign is also about giving on-field moments a larger purpose. Kolkata Knight Riders chief executive officer Venky Mysore said, “The ‘6 for 6’ campaign exemplifies the potential of sport as a platform for meaningful, real-world impact. By linking every six to the expansion of EV charging infrastructure, this partnership transforms fan excitement into tangible progress.”
As part of the rollout, VIDA has introduced co-branded charging stations in KKR’s signature colours, with a flagship installation unveiled alongside team players. The chargers are designed for quick top-ups, powering VIDA scooters from zero to 80 percent in about an hour, while also being positioned along key highways to support longer journeys.
The initiative also taps into VIDA’s removable battery system, which allows users to charge using standard household plug points, adding flexibility to the charging ecosystem.
By blending the thrill of cricket with the urgency of clean mobility, VIDA and KKR have found a neat way to make every six count twice, once on the scoreboard and again on India’s road to an electric future.
