Tata Motors reveal India’s First Electric SUV, the Nexon EV
Tata Motors revealed the Nexon EV on 19th December,2019 an aspirational SUV for personal car buyers looking for a thrilling, connected driving experience with zero emissions. Powered by the cutting-edge Ziptron technology, this vehicle promises an efficient high voltage system, zippy performance, long-range, fast charging capability, extended battery life and class leading safety features. Scheduled to be launched in January 2020, the Nexon EV is expected to be priced between INR 15 to 17 Lakhs. It is available in three variants – XZ+ LUX, XZ+ (both in 2 tone) and XM (in single tone), the NEXON EV will come in three exciting colour options – Signature Teal Blue colour, Moonlit Silver and Glacier White.
Tata Motors sees EV sales doubling in FY-21, to cross 1000 mark in FY-20
Tata Motors, which nudged ahead of Mahindra & Mahindra to grab a key government order for electric vehicles is banking on the new Nexon EV to grab the leadership position in the nascent yet growing local EV market.With the introduction of the compact Nexon EV SUV, which is targeted at personal buyers, the company is expecting its sales of EV models to double in the next fiscal year starting April 2020, president of electric mobility and corporate strategy Shailesh Chandra said. In the ongoing fiscal year, the company is set to cross the 1,000-unit sales mark for EVs, said people in the know. Tata Motors unveiled the Nexon EV on Thursday. It has begun taking bookings for the vehicle, which is likely to be priced Rs 15-17 lakh and will hit the roads in the next few weeks.The company, which has a market share of 40% in the EV segment of passenger vehicles, said it had studied the personal electric vehicle market and sliced its prospective customers into four archetypes — customers who give importance to health and fitness, tech geeks, the ones who are low-maintenance seekers and finally, a ‘wannabe EV owner’ who has seen the world and wants to have a “brag value” for owning an EV.
Isuzu Ties Up With Volvo To Develop Electric Vehicle
Japan’s Isuzu Motors will buy Volvo AB’s UD Trucks business, which has an enterprise value of $2.3 billion, and tie up with the Swedish firm to cut costs and develop electric and self-driving technologies. The tie-up is expected to help Volvo better compete with Germany’s Daimler, India’s Tata Motors and China’s Dongfeng Motor. For Isuzu, a maker of small and mid-sized diesel trucks, it would help achieve the goal of developing electric vehicles.Sweden’s Volvo, which has already begun marketing battery-electric trucks, said the transaction will add to its operating income by about SEK 2 billion ($208 million) and increase its net cash by SEK 22 billion. Volvo is the world’s fifth-largest truck-making group with brands including Volvo Trucks, Japan’s UD Trucks, France’s Renault Trucks and U.S.-based Mack Trucks. Isuzu shares rose 3 per cent on the news of the partnership, which was reported by Japanese newspaper Yomiuri before the companies announced it in a joint statement.
Tata Motors To Leverage Croma Outlets For Nexon EV
Tata Motors will use the group’s retail arm, Croma, to digitally showcase its Nexon EV. The car is scheduled to be unveiled in Mumbai on Thursday. The Croma drive will be part of its “non-traditional” efforts on the distribution front, said Shailesh Chandra, President – Electric Mobility Business & Corporate Strategy, in a recent interview.The idea has been conceptualised keeping in mind the kind of customers who visit Croma outlets. “If somebody is going to buy an Apple product, he/she could be thinking electric,” reasoned Chandra. The digital display will happen across a 6×8 feet area in select locations. These stores get considerable footfalls daily and if the desired results are achieved, Tata Motors will consider expanding this plan to more cities.
FASTags Effect: Wait Time At Toll Gates Up 2 Mins, NH Earnings Rise By 15%
The toll collection across national highways has increased by nearly 15% since the government pushed mandatory use of FASTags for paying toll. Sources said the average daily NHAI toll revenue has crossed Rs 80 crore against earlier average of Rs 65-68 crore in July and August. The revenue may increase further as the share of toll collection through FASTags increase as it is expected to completely plug revenue leakage. While officials admitted that there were reports of congestion at nearly 40-45 toll plazas out of the total 530 plazas, “Tolltimezero”, an IT firm which has been tracking the live traffic situation across 488 toll plazas, claimed that the average waiting time during Sunday was 12 minutes. “There were reports of technical glitch at some toll plazas. We have notified that in such cases the commuters will be allowed to travel free, if their tags have sufficient balance,” said an official. Meanwhile, considering that FASTag vehicles are still facing congestion at various toll plazas since non-tagged vehicles or the ones that have low balance in the tags block the way of others, now there is a proposal to collect double the user fee from such vehicles.
Upcoming Tata Altroz EV Spied Before Official Launch
Almost all the car manufacturers in India are working on upcoming electric models. Tata, one of the biggest car manufacturers in India is also working on a range of upcoming electric vehicles for the Indian market. While Tata is expected to launch the Nexon EV as their first vehicle in the market, the manufacturer will also bring in a range of other EV models in the future too. Tata has started testing the Altroz EV, which is expected to be displayed at the 2020 Auto Expo while the launch will happen at a later date. Tata Altroz EV was spotted under heavy camouflage on the roads.The upcoming vehicle is likely getting tested before the launch. This is the first time that the Altroz EV has been caught testing on camera. It should be noted that Tata officially showcased the Altroz EV at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show. However, the manufacturer did not reveal any details on the vehicle including the launch time or the range. The car was spotted testing somewhere in Pune, Maharashtra.This will be the first Electric Vehicle that will be based on the ALFA platform. However, before the launch of the Altroz EV, Tata Motors will bring out the Nexon EV in the Indian market. The upcoming Altroz EV might get a liquid-cooled battery pack that will power the electric motor for a maximum range of around 300 km. It should be noted that the Altroz EV could become one of the first premium electric hatchbacks in India.
With Make In India, BYD Looks To Make Country EV Hub For The Region
V Rishi KumarBYD Co Limited, the diversified business conglomerate based in Shenzhen, China, is on expansion mode in India through the ‘Make in India’ drive. It is in the process of stepping up its engagement in India in the entire electric mobility chain and electronics, while also seeking to transform it as a hub for the region. The company is evaluating the possibility of introducing pure electric passenger vehicles and exploring business prospect for rail transit. During this correspondent’s recent visit to BYD headquarters in Shenzhen, and its facilities, Zhang Jie Ketsu, Executive Director of BYD India, said the company has made India a strategic market by not only offering its products and solutions, including offerings in the electric mobility space, but also wants to turn it into a hub for the region. In the Chennai manufacturing facility, located on a 35 acre site, the company plans to expand to manufacture electric buses by almost tripling the capacity and stepping up its battery assembly line.
Hyundai Begins Feasibility Study For Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle in India
Hyundai Motor India today announced that it plans to expand its green mobility portfolio in India which currently only has the Kona EV. Hyundai has had its share of success with the Kona EV in the country and even managed to bag a small order from EESL. Hyundai today announced that it is evaluating the feasibility of bringing fuel cell electric vehicles for India. Hyundai was planning to launch a fuel cell vehicle in the country and the Nexo will very much be part of the company’s portfolio soon and this news only cements what we had said back then. While a timeline for the launch for the Nexo has not been charted out yet, we wait to see, when these plans reach fruition.
