ABB Bought the Major Stakes in Chinese Electric Vehicle Charging Company
ABB has bought stakes in Shanghai Chargedot New Energy Technology Co. Ltd, in majority. It is a Chinese electric vehicle charging company. Chargedot has 185 employees, it makes software platforms and charging stations to allow vehicles to get charged via electricity. ABB has currently installed an electric vehicle charging network across Netherlands and in Singapore and has bought over 67% stake in Chargedot, it also has the option to increase its stake, however the price of the takeover was not disclosed. The intention of ABB was to increase its presence in the rapidly growing Chinese electric vehicle market, also to nurture the company’s bond with the makers of electrically – powered trucks and cars.
EV Charging Stations to Start Across Mumbai-Pune Expressway
Magenta Power, a Mumbai based start-up is ready to set up charging stations for electric vehicles across the Mumbai – Pune expressway it has further planned to set up a same electric corridor across the Pune-Bangalore and Bangalore-Mysore highways by March. Since, the maximum range that EV offers in today’s era is 120 km they have built a charging station after every 60 Km. They have four charging stations with the chargers AC – 001 and DC – 001.
Highrises, malls might have to offer EV-Charging facilities: Bengaluru
Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) will soon issue a policy to make EV Charging facilities mandatory for the highrises, shopping malls and apartment complexes in their parking lots, based on a request from Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom). This request is in order to boost electric vehicle mobility in the city. The notification will be issued as an amendment to the Conditions of Supply of Electricity of Distribution Licensees in Karnataka, following which it will be adopted in the state’s building bylaws. In January, the one of the department under the ministry of housing and urban affairs issued guidelines according to which, commercial complexes and residential complexes would have to allocate 20% of the parking spaces for EV charging facilities.
Lectro launched an electric bicycle, Townmaster priced at Rs. 30,999
Lectro launched an electric bicycle Townmaster which is priced at Rs. 30,999. This bicycled is focussed on urban consumers who are environment conscious. The Lectro Townmaster is a throttle e-bike which can be charged from a regular plug point. It doesn’t need any special charging stations like the other products under the Lectro range, according to the company. The e-cycle can ride up to 30-40 km on a single charge of around 3 hours, making it a highly viable alternative mode of transport for inter-city commuting.
Electric cycle rickshaws are driving the e-mobility boom in West Bengal
E-Rickshaws have become very famous in West Bengal. Alongside it is the battery-operated version of the ‘desi’ cycle-rickshaw, a breed that is growing in number by the day. These peddle operated cycles now run on rechargeable lead-acid batteries. This retrofitted ‘e-cycle rickshaws’ have accelerator, a headlight, a tail-light, indicators, and have wind shields as well. These e-rickshaws are majorly found on the roads of tier – II and tier – III towns in Bengal, in the city of Kolkata. Both the e-rickshaws and battery operated cycle rickshaws are gaining popularity. Sources say that India is a home to around 1.5 million battery powered three wheel rickshaws with the majority of them operating in Bihar, Bengal, North- Eastern, National Capital region, Uttar Pradesh and parts of Madhya Pradesh. Hence the e-rickshaw segment is growing between 10 – 20 per cent with unorganised players, mostly small local assembly ones, ruling the roost.
Maruti Suzuki: Wagon R electric not to be launched in India in 2020
Maruti Suzuki has announced that it will not launch Wagon R electric commercially in India, in 2020. The company has observed that there is a lack of infrastructure for charging the vehicle and high cost as one of the major reasons to postpone the launch of its first electric vehicle in the country. The company had announced that it will launch its electric vehicle in 2020. Currently, a batch of 50 Wagon R EVs was being tested extensively. These vehicles will be going for trail and testing next year and will not be at a stage where it can be sold commercially.
Bajaj Qute EV could be India’s Most Affordable Electric City car
With the support of the government policies on charging along with the launch of various electric vehicles in the Indian market, the electric car market will expand in 2020. However, there are electric cars being launched like MG Ezs, XUV300 Electric and Nexon EV, affordability is not a factor many have looked into. Bajaj Qute which is a quadricycle has the potential in Indian electric market. Â According to reports, Bajaj might launch Qute in 2020 at a premium over the Qute CNG. Its estimated price is quoted to be Rs. 2.84 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This left hand drive comes with a 216.6cc DTS-i engine, which makes 13PS and 19Nm of torque. However, the specs are unknown.
A Battery that can solve India’s electric car problems
Ten minutes charging time to add 200 miles of driving range claims the scientists from US which would resolve one of the key concerns revolving around all-electric vehicles. The Pennsylvania State University researchers said that such speedy charging rate will require a battery that can charge up to 400 kilowatt of energy rapidly. Currently, the vehicles are not capable of this potential as it risks the lithium plating, which could deteriorate the battery life severely. However, upgrading the design and launching it in the market may take a decade. Makers will need to make sure that this rapidly raising of the temperature is safe and stable to avoid explosions with such a high energy being passed.
Electric Vehicles sales in India face challenges of affordability, charging
Throughout August, only 130 Kona SUVs were sold to dealers. The Kona costs around $35,000 while the average Indian earns about $2,000 a year. There are challenges in the sales of electric vehicles. There’s also a lack of charging infrastructure, a reluctance by banks to finance purchases and an unwillingness among government departments to use EVs as directed.  Currently, the nor the government nor the car companies expect any real buying of electric vehicles. Maruti’s not introducing its first EV until next year. Tata Motors Ltd. and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. build some base-level electric cars, yet they have a limited range or are exclusively for government use.
Mass market electric cars for India, Toyota confirms
Toyota has reiterated its commitment to introducing battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the Indian market. Shigeki Terashi, Chief Technology Officer, confirmed that Toyota will be co-developing the all-electric car with Maruti. According to sources, this new EV, which will be co-developed with Maruti Suzuki and will share its platform and powertrain with the upcoming Wagon R-based electric hatchback, is expected to be launched in India in 2021.
