Corporate
British International Investment Invests ₹43 Crore in Turno to Boost EV Battery Infrastructure
•February 17, 2026
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Why It Matters
Surpassing the $1 bn pledge demonstrates strong investor confidence in India’s climate market and accelerates the country’s transition to zero‑emission transport and resilient energy systems.
Key Takeaways
- •BII exceeds $1 bn climate finance target in India
- •₹43 crore invested in Turno’s EV battery platform
- •Funding enables 34 intercity electric buses via ElectricGo
- •Climate projects now 40% of BII’s Asian‑African commitments
Pulse Analysis
British International Investment (BII), the United Kingdom’s development finance institution, announced that it has surpassed its $1 billion climate‑finance pledge for India, reaching roughly $1.1 billion. The milestone arrives as India accelerates its net‑zero pathway, targeting 2070, and seeks private‑capital partners to scale clean‑energy and mobility solutions. By exceeding the target, BII signals confidence in the Indian market’s ability to deliver measurable emissions reductions while generating economic returns. The achievement also reinforces the UK’s strategic use of development finance to influence climate outcomes in emerging economies.
The latest infusion of ₹43 crore into Turno, an Indian EV‑battery infrastructure firm, underpins the launch of ElectricGo, a new e‑bus business unit that will finance 34 intercity electric buses. Turno’s lifecycle‑intelligence platform extends battery life through second‑life applications, lowering capital costs for operators and making large‑scale EV financing viable. This investment not only expands BII’s 2024 foothold in the EV sector but also dovetails with national initiatives such as GreenCell Mobility’s 570‑bus rollout in Delhi. The cumulative effect is a faster transition to zero‑emission public transport across the country.
Beyond mobility, BII’s climate portfolio now accounts for more than 40 percent of its annual commitments across Asia and Africa, reflecting a strategic tilt toward resilient, low‑carbon assets. Recent backing of EnerGrid’s 360 MWh utility‑scale battery storage and Fasal’s precision‑agri tech illustrates a diversified approach that tackles grid stability and food‑system emissions simultaneously. For investors, the track record—1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ avoided in 2023—offers a tangible metric of impact, while policymakers can view BII’s model as a template for leveraging development finance to de‑risk large‑scale climate projects.
Deal Summary
British International Investment (BII) announced a fresh ₹43 crore infusion into Turno, an Indian EV battery infrastructure firm, to support its new ElectricGo e‑bus business and expand clean mobility financing. The investment marks BII’s continued climate finance commitments in India.
Article
Source: The Hindu BusinessLine – Companies
British International Investment’s climate commitments surpass $1 billion in India
DFI announces fresh ₹43 crore infusion into EV battery firm Turno
Updated – February 17 2026 at 01:46 PM
New Delhi, February 17
British International Investment (BII) said on Tuesday that it has exceeded its commitment to invest $1 billion in climate finance in India.
Coinciding with the start of Mumbai Climate Week, the UK’s development finance institution (DFI) also announced a ₹43 crore investment in Turno, an India‑based EV battery infrastructure company that uses lifecycle intelligence and second‑life battery deployment to make large‑scale EV financing more economically viable.
The new funding will support the launch of ElectricGo, Turno’s new e‑bus business unit, enabling the financing of 34 intercity electric buses across India. This builds on BII’s initial investment in 2024 and expands its support for India’s rapidly evolving EV sector.
Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of India at BII, said: “India is central to BII’s climate investment strategy. Reaching $1.1 billion in climate investments reflects both the scale of India’s opportunity and BII’s long‑term commitment to supporting its transition. Our partnerships, from clean mobility to smart metering and agri‑technology, show how climate investment can drive economic resilience, innovation and inclusive growth.”
India has set an ambitious goal to reach net‑zero emissions by 2070, and BII’s growing climate portfolio is directly supporting this transition by backing clean energy, electric mobility, sustainable agriculture and climate‑resilient infrastructure across the country.
Recent milestones include GreenCell Mobility plans to deploy 570 electric buses in Delhi, expanding zero‑emission public transport.
EnerGrid, following BII’s $110 million commitment, has scaled rapidly, including commissioning India’s first standalone utility‑scale Battery Energy Storage System with 360 MWh of capacity, BII said.
Similarly, Fasal, an agri‑tech company, has launched new precision‑automation tools to support farmers across India and South‑East Asia.
The climate agenda is central to BII’s mandate, with more than 40 percent of its annual commitments across Asia and Africa now supporting climate‑related projects. In 2023, BII’s renewable energy portfolio contributed to avoiding 1.5 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Published on February 17 2026
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