India To Float Another Tender To Procure 10,000 Electric Cars

More details have emerged about the planned tenders for electric vehicles in India.

Government-owned Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has announced that it will procure 10,000 electric cars through a global tender to supply them to the government of Andhra Pradesh. EESL has already given orders for 500 electric sedans last year and is planning to float additional tenders. 

The order for 500 electric sedans was part of the first tender to procure 10,000 electric vehicles. Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric secured orders to supply 150 and 350 electric sedans respectively. Updates on orders for the balance of 9,500 sedans is awaited.

It remains unclear if EESL would float two tenders for 10,000 electric vehicles each or just one. EESL had announced a tender last year itself. The possibility of a second tender has emerged after the state government of Andhra Pradesh expressed interest to procure 10,000 electric cars.

Andhra Pradesh has signed a memorandum of understanding with EESL wherein the former will procure electric cars and the latter would provide support in the installation of charging stations. The states of Gujarat and Maharashtra have also a shared interest to acquire 4,000 and 2,000 electric vehicles, respectively.

Mahindra & Mahindra has delivered the first electric sedan to EESL in a grand ceremony. The Mahindra e-Verito sedan has a 20.5 kWh battery and a driving range of 170-180 kilometers on a single charge. Tata Motors delivered an electric version of the Tigor sedan.

The push for electric vehicles from state governments has come following a policy target by the federal government to stop sales of fossil fuel-powered cars by 2030. With this target in mind, the EESL has announced plans for several tenders to procure electric vehicles as well as set up charging stations.