5000-Kilometer All-Electric Expedition Kicks Off In Srinagar, India
Indian auto manufacturer Mahindra has kicked off the “Goodness Drive,” which will cover nearly the length of the country at over 5000 kilometers over the course of the journey, hitting 52 key locations along the way. That might not be notable on its own, though it does sound like fun… but Mahindra is bringing the Goodness by making the trip in 3 of its new EVs — the Mahindra e2o.
This little guy gets about 75 miles per charge, which it can recoup in just 5 hours on a standard 15A/220v outlet, which is impressive considering that this car was built for pennies when compared to every other mass-produced EV I’ve heard of. Wikipedia shares some of the impressive financials:
“The Mahindra e2o is manufactured at the company’s Bangalore factory. The company invested ₹100 crore (US$18.5 million) on the development of the car and construction of a manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of 30,000 units a year.”
Mahindra started this expedition to show people across the country that driving with zero emissions is possible — even for folks in India on a budget — and to highlight the importance of protecting the environment. It is obviously excited to show off its new EV as it shifts into full volume production… so there’s that as well 🙂
“It is the right opportunity for us to demonstrate car’s ability to traverse tough and difficult terrain, ability to accelerate instantly, shortest turning radius of the car and convenience of clutch free driving,” Arvind Mathew, Chief Executive Officer, Mahindra Reva
Mathew further shared that the e2o was even designed to meet European safety standards, which are far more stringent than the current standards in India.
“As a result, the e2o is one of the safest hatchback cars on Indian roads today”.
This not only shows that Mahindra built the car for the sizable and growing Indian car owner population, but also with an eye towards exporting it. The more competition and EV manufacturers, the better!
I will leave you with this seriously inspiring video. I love the optimism and hope that it embodies and wish more auto manufacturers around the world cared about the things I’m passionate about as much as Mahindra seems to. Seriously… this is worth watching. More on Mahindra’s youtube channel….
Mahindra Reva – Driven by Goodness from DO. Creative Labs on Vimeo.
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Cool, but how much would that car retail for?
And 30.000 units (per year?) sound great, but how many cars are sold in India per year?
I like all EV’s but we need a lot more!
It sounded like 30k per year, yes. Looks like average monthly sales in india are ~230k or 2760000/year. 30k is small potatoes but Mahindra is large so that’s a good sign that they have an EV and an inspiring vision (did you watch that video!?) I loved that thing.
Thanks for the info. But since it sound like they are looking at export as well, they may be able to ramp up production to say 150.000 to 500.000 units ? per year say in 5 to 10 years?
Its not much. Infact it isn’t even available in all places in India yet. I live in one of the 4 major Metros it isn’t available here yet. It costs around $12k. So its still out of the reach of the common man. Govt subsides. bring down the price a bit.
This is the website check it out.
http://mahindrareva.com/
Thanks for the info.
What are tee gov. subsidies in India for EV’s?
As for they not being available in all places of India, did even Tesla have the same problem (production limited).
But when it comes to EV’s production limited is a good problem, it shows me more people what them. 🙂
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/auto/news/industry/fame-india-scheme-launched-to-offer-sops-on-hybrid-e-vehicles/articleshow/46853934.cms
This is an article related to the subsidies.
Well, the problem isn’t really production limits. But what i consider a “wetting the feet” approach by Mahindra itself. EVs generally don’t get a good rep around here. And majority of them still view them as tiny slow goers. Which they aren’t off when you look at the options currently available in India. (i mean 2 wheeler EVs as well)
That in addition to lack of any competition is why EVs haven’t still kicked off yet. Mahindra is the only sole producer of electric production car in India and e2o is the only model currently although a couple of other models are in pipeline and have been showcased at a an event earlier this year. They will be only sold in fleets. And no other manufacturer is even looking to manufacture Electric cars in the near future.
Mild hybrids have slowly started to appear.
Currently these are the few cars which are covered under subsidies and most of them are overpriced Hybrids. (Which are imported fully as CBUs) So cost more than twice their price( Thrice even)
http://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/passenger-vehicle/cars/so-which-all-cars-can-you-buy-under-governments-fame-india-incentive-scheme-currently/48863968
But there’s hope. The new transportation minister seems very keen about EVs and has promised us to deliver low cost rechargeable indigenous batteries in a span of 2-5 years. So that should help kick start the transition.
http://www.businesstoday.in/current/economy-politics/means-of-transport-to-be-switched-to-electric-mode-in-2-years-says-nitin-gadkari/story/224599.html
pretty ballsy…