India EV Weekly Roundup: Tata Motor’s Mini Electric SUV, Cheaper Charging Rates, & Much More

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India’s electric mobility sector is rapidly changing. Here are the top 7 developments from last week.

Mr Ramesh Subramanyam, CFO & President of New-Biz, TPL & Mr Shaile. Image courtesy Tata Motors

#1 Tata Motors Plans Four New Electric Cars

One of India’s leading electric car companies, Tata Motors, announced plans to launch four new electric cars. The company will launch these models over the next 12 to 18 months. One of these models will be the electric version of the company’s mini-SUV Nexon. An electric version of the premium hatchback Altroz is also expected to be launched next year.

#2 Tata Group Companies Plan 300 EV Charging Stations

Two subsidiaries of the Tata Group have entered an agreement to set up 300 electric vehicles charging stations by March 2020. Tata Motors and Tata Power will set up 300 fast-charging stations in major cities including Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad. The stations will be located at outlets of other Tata company brands, like Croma, Titan, and Star Bazar. The charging stations are expected to charging points using Bharat and CCS2 standards.

#3 Import Duties Too High For Electric Vehicles, Says Elon Musk

Tesla CEO Elon Musk answered yet more queries from Indians eagerly awaiting the launch of Tesla cars in the country. One of the Twitter users asked about the timeline for the launch of Tesla cars in India. Musk responded by saying that the current rate of import duties are too high to make electric cars attractive to the mass market. Musk further explained that his company has an option to set up a local assembly line to reduce exposure to import duties, but funding for such plants remains difficult under current Indian laws. However, Musk did share some optimism regarding the recent reduction in sales tax rate.

#4 Indian Army Inducts 10 Electric Mini-sedans

Indian Army inducted into its fleet 10 Mahindra eVeritos thanks to the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). This is part of an initiative to encourage government companies and entities to use electric vehicles. EESL had procured at least 500 electric cars from Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric through a tender process. These cars are being used by several government departments located in Delhi.

#5 Maruti Suzuki Bets On CNG, Hybrid Cars

India’s largest car manufacturer, Maruti Suzuki, has announced plans to focus on CNG and hybrid cars as the consumer market prepares an affordable electric car ecosystem. The company also offers several CNG variants of its petrol and diesel-powered cars. Maruti is reportedly testing an all-electric variant of its highly-popular hatchback WagonR. Maruti has lost significant ground to early-movers Tata Motors and Mahindra Electric in the EV market.

#6 50 New Charging Stations In Hyderabad

As the city of Hyderabad in southern India is preparing to add 40 electric buses and the city has entered an agreement with the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) to set up 50 new charging stations. The company is expected to launch 40 eBuzz K9 buses manufactured by Olectra-BYD soon.

#7 Charging Rates Reduced In Delhi

The Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) in a move to make electric vehicles more affordable reduced the tariff for charging them. The regulator announced more than 18% reduction in the tariff applicable on electric vehicle charging at homes and by 20% at public charging stations.


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Saurabh

An avid follower of latest developments in the Indian renewable energy sector.

Saurabh has 1037 posts and counting. See all posts by Saurabh