In the Indian automotive market, electric mobility is still at an infant stage. However, thanks to new players in the segment, the EV space is developing at a good pace. Mahindra & Mahindra group’s subsidiary, Mahindra Electric Mobility is one of the pioneers in the nation’s advancement to emission-free modes of transport.
The Indian automaker currently sells both four-wheelers and three-wheelers with electric powertrains. In fact, the company has also got the Atom quadricycle which was unveiled in its production-ready format at Auto Expo 2020. The Mahindra Atom is the only mainstream electric quadricycle on the Indian market and its closest rival, Bajaj Qute runs on petrol or CNG.
Mahindra Electric has now revamped its business strategy to concentrate on three-wheelers rather than four-wheelers in the years to come. The Mumbai-based company aims to sell 10,000 units of electric three-wheelers each month. To encourage sales, Mahindra Electric has been in talks with state governments and private bodies.
Mahindra XUV300 electric SUV at 2020 Auto Expo
Studies apparently show that India’s automotive future, in the EV sphere, is more rewarding for three-wheelers rather than well-packaged four-wheelers. The union government is also promoting this class of vehicles to reduce pollution in congested cities and towns, through FAME scheme. FAME stands for ‘Faster Adoption and Manufacture of (Hybrid and) Electric Vehicles’. Under this, authorities in concern have designated Rs 525 crore to achieve a sales figure of 5 lakh electric three-wheelers within two years from now.
Mahindra & Mahindra states that relatively higher price tags and lack of proper supporting infrastructure will retard the sales of desirable electric cars in the domestic market. Hence, it has chosen commercially viable electric three-wheelers as the way to go forward. On the other hand, Mahindra is readying the all-new eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric to take on Tata Motors’ Nexon EV.
At present, Mahindra has a well-rounded electric three-wheeler. Dubbed the Mahindra Treo, the e-rickshaw was launched back in 2019 at a starting price of Rs 1.36 lakh ex-showroom. It comes in four variants: SFT, HRT, Yaari SFT and Yaari HRT. Yaari variants can seat five (including the driver) as against four in the standard format.
The Mahindra Treo is powered by a 5.4kW/7.24bhp electric motor capable of making 30Nm of peak torque while coupled to a 7.47kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Its range figure is claimed to be roughly 170km on a full charge. The battery can attain 100% charge from empty in less than four hours. The e-rickshaw has a top speed of 45km/h.
Source
Source: Electric - rushlane.com
