More stories

  • in

    New Tata Ace Electric Detailed In First Official TVC

    Tata Motors has already signed a MoU to deliver 39k Ace EVs to Amazon, Flipkart, BigBasket and several logistics service providersTata Ace ElectricAfter establishing a strong foothold in electric car segment, Tata Motors is looking to replicate its success in commercial EV space. The company recently launched Tata Ace EV, especially designed for last-mile B2B and B2C deliveries. Apart from leading e-commerce players, ACE EV will also be supplied to logistics service providers such as City Link, DOT, LetsTransport and Yelo EV.Tata Ace Electric detailsTata had launched the Ace brand around 17 years earlier and it continues to be one of the most popular small commercial vehicles in the country. It is the preferred choice for e-commerce shipments and has penetration of more than 70%. Owing to these factors, the Ace nameplate emerged as the natural choice for Tata’s first small electric goods carrier. The company expects Ace EV to create a revolution, just as Ace petrol had achieved 17 years earlier.Ace electric utilizes Tata Motors’ EVOGEN powertrain that has a certified range of 154 km. It has a 21.3 kWh lithium-ion iron phosphate (LEP) battery pack with IP67 rating. Power is supplied to an AC induction motor that generates 36 bhp of max power and 130 Nm of peak torque. Tata Ace EV has 1,840 kg of gross vehicle weight and can carry a payload of 600 kg. Gradeability is 22%, which should be sufficient for most inclines.Charging options include both regular and fast charging, with separate ports for each. In a home environment, the EV can be charged via a standard 15A socket. When a regular charger is used, 20% to 100% charging can be achieved in 6-7 hours. With a fast charger, 10% to 80% charging will take 105 minutes.[embedded content][embedded content]Tata Ace electric is 3,800 mm long and has 2,100 mm of wheelbase. Turning radius is 4,300 mm and ground clearance is 160mm. It comes with a light weight container with hinged rear tailgate. Inner loading space is 208 ft³.Ace electric build qualityIn view of varying road and climate conditions in the country, Tata ACE EV features a robust design. It has an advanced battery cooling system, ensuring all-weather protection. It can take on challenges like bad roads and potholes with the same ease as possible with a petrol-powered Ace goods carrier. Moreover, Tata Ace electric is backed by 5 years+ battery life, dedicated service support and easy availability of charging infrastructure.Some of the advanced features on-board Tata Ace EV include regenerative braking. This recharges the battery during application of brakes and while coasting and moving downhill. Ace EV also has an aero deflector that improves range by reducing drag resistance. Other key features include a 7-inch infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity, tyre pressure monitoring system and rear parking camera.Ace EV is a significant milestone in Tata’s plan to achieve zero-emission cargo mobility in the country. In the years to come, Tata Motors will launch several more commercial EVs. These will be targeted at customers who are also looking to achieve net zero carbon footprint. More

  • in

    Mahindra Atom Electric Launch Soon – Variants, Battery Specs Leak

    First showcased as a concept at the 2022 Auto Expo, Mahindra Atom electric is expected to be launched in the coming weeksMahindra Atom ElectricThe Mahindra Atom electric quadricycle which made its debut at the 2018 Auto Expo is inching close to its launch, as suggested by this near-production prototype which was spotted testing in Bangalore. The compact and boxy urban runabout will be pitched as a last mile transport solution.Mahindra Atom electricThe Mahindra Atom was originally supposed to be launched sometime in the festive season 2021, but it looks that the lockdown has pushed the timeline by a few months. Despite the delay, the Atom is poised to become the first electric quadricycle in India. It will be competing with the Bajaj Qute which is currently available only with an IC engine. Bajaj Auto is working on an electric variant.Developed by Mahindra Electric, Atom was envisioned as an integral part of growing shared mobility apparatus in urban areas, feeding Metros and BRTS. However, the pandemic has tilted the balance heavily in favour of personal transport. It remains to be seen how Mahindra will market the Atom in this era where people are thinking twice before opting to use shared mobility solutions.Mahindra would be hoping to tweak its market strategy to target private buyers for the Atom electric but given that it was primarily conceived for shared mobility, pitching it as a compelling private mode of transportation would be easier said than done.Mahindra Atom Electric – Variants and SpecsMahindra Atom – Variants and SpecificationsAs can be seen in the above document, Mahindra Atom Electric has been homologated ahead of launch. It will be offered in a choice of 4 variants – K1, K2, K3 and K4. The base variants K1 and K2 will be powered by 7.4 kWh / 144 Ah battery pack while the top two K3 and K4 variants will be powered by 11.1 kWh / 216 Ah battery pack.Depending on the battery pack, range of Mahindra Atom will vary. Mahindra Atom K1 and K2 will deliver lower range as compared to K3 and K4. Battery pack weight for K1 and K2 is at 98 kgs while that of K3 and K4 is at 145 kgs. Electrical energy consumption for K1 and K2 stands at 90 Wh / Km, while that for K3 and K4 is at 106 Wh / Km.Kerb weight of the Mahindra Atom ranges from 434 kgs to 458 kgs – depending on the variant. Gross vehicle weight ranges from 832 kgs to 903 kgs. It is rated to have a seating capacity for 4 adults, including driver. Mahindra Atom electric range has not been revealed. It will be revealed at the launch event in the coming weeks. Govt has approved it for registration as a Non-Transport vehicle.Mahindra Atom Quadricycle on Test. Image – AshutoshExpect Mahindra Atom Electric range to be in the 80-100 kms. Wheelbase is at 1885 mm, width is 1452 mm, length is 2728 mm and height is 1576 mm. Top speed should be around 50-60 kmph. The primary target customers will be existing auto rickshaw owners who are looking to upgrade to a cleaner and fully enclosed workhorse.Launch and priceAs shown at the auto expo, interiors of the Mahindra Atom will be basic. The door panels and wheel arches are devoid of padding or sound deadening material to keep the cost in check. The simple plastic dashboard has a utilitarian appeal to it and higher variants will offer AC. The Mahindra Atom electric will be equipped with 4G connectivity to enable easy bookings and payments for the ride. There will also be an app for the drivers to monitor the vehicle status.Expected to be introduced sometime in mid 2022, the Mahindra Atom electric is estimated to have a start price point a little over INR 3 lakh (ex-showroom). The vehicle’s sales performance would prove to be a valuable insight for other players who are interested in this segment. More

  • in

    2022 Tata Nexon Electric MAX – Gets Illuminated Gear Selector

    Tata Nexon electric with a long-range battery is expected to come with some additional creature comforts as wellTata Nexon Electric MAX – Illuminated gear selectorTata Motors has been planning to launch an updated iteration of Nexon EV with more power and an extended range on offer. Test mules of the updated electric crossover have been spied testing on roads on multiple occasions in recent months. Recently, it was revealed that the updated Nexon EV would be launching on 11 May 2022.The homegrown carmaker is currently the leader of electric mobility in the passenger vehicle segment in India with two models under its umbrella- Nexon EV and Tigor EV. Ahead of its official launch next week, Tata Motors has announced the official name via teaser video. To be called NEXON EV MAX, select dealerships have started accepting unofficial bookings.Tata Nexon EV MAX Powertrain UpdatesThe new Tata Nexon MAX Electric with a more powerful battery pack will be sold alongside the current model. It is expected to receive minor cosmetic and feature enhancements over the regular model although there have been no specific details about any of those updates yet. Also, spy shots of test mules didn’t indicate any massive visual changes to the car’s exterior.Previous reports have indicated that the upcoming Nexon EV MAX will feature a larger 40kWh Lithium-ion battery pack that should offer a maximum range of around 400km on a single charge. At present, the battery-powered SUV features a 30.2kWh battery pack that is rated with a claimed mileage of 312km on a single charge. The larger battery pack is also expected to eat part of the boot space at rear.[embedded content][embedded content]Not only range but performance of the fully electric Nexon will also be amplified. According to a Delhi RTO document, the new battery pack will feed energy to a motor capable of dishing out 136 PS. In comparison, the present Ziptron powertrain in Nexon EV churns out 129 PS of power and 245 Nm of peak torque.Additional FeaturesA larger battery pack means the Nexon EV MAX will be heavier by around 100kg. The new Nexon Max Electric should support fast charging for ease of convenience. Increase in power will be compensated by more braking power with disc brakes on rear wheels. Apart from new alloy wheel designs, there aren’t noticeable visual changes made to the exterior styling of Nexon EV.As for features, Tata Motors will continue to offer creature comforts like a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, connected car tech, an electric sunroof, a semi-digital instrument cluster and automatic climate control.Tata Nexon Electric MAXFurther, it is also expected to witness some feature additions like electronic stability control, auto-dimming IRVM, ventilated front seats, an air purifier and cruise control. Also seen in the teaser above are electronic parking brake with auto hold, indicating the presence of hill hold feature. It also has adjustable regen levels.Currently, Nexon EV is priced between Rs 14.54 lakh and Rs 17.15 lakh (ex-showroom). The Nexon EV MAX is expected to start at a premium of Rs 2-3 lakh over corresponding variants and hence prices could start from somewhere around Rs 17 lakh (ex-showroom). More

  • in

    Tata ACE Electric Launched – 36 Hp, 130 Nm, 154 Kms Range

    After taking lead in the electric PV segment, Tata Motors is looking to strike early in commercial EV spaceNew Tata ACE ElectricWhile the electric 2-wheeler and 3-wheeler segments have attracted dozens of companies, the commercial EV space has remained largely untapped. In overall EV sales in 2021-22, the percentage share of electric goods vehicles was just 0.24%. This is exactly where Tata Motors is sensing a significant opportunity to be explored.Tata Ace electricTata Motors is placing its bet on Ace brand, which is one of the most popular mini trucks in the country. Tata Ace is currently available in petrol, diesel and CNG options. This range will be expanded to include an all-electric Ace. At an event today, Tata Motors has officially launched the new ACE electric small cargo vehicle. Prices of Tata Ace Electric will be announced when delivery starts.Tata Ace Electric LaunchedIn terms of design, Tata Ace electric is largely the same as its fossil fuel powered counterpart. However, it gets a dedicated EV branding for proper differentiation. At the unveiling, Tata showcased a fully covered cargo cabin with ‘ACE EV’ branding in big, bold lettering.Speaking about features, on the inside it gets a 7 inch infotainment system with bluetooth connectivity. Instrument cluster is mounted on the center dash, just about the infotainment system. It gets a rear parking camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, etc.New Tata ACE ElectricMr. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors, said, “E-mobility is an idea whose time has come. At Tata Motors, we are moving with speed and scale to lead this change – in passenger cars, commercial vehicles and Jaguar Land Rover. I am delighted today that with the launch of the Ace EV, we are entering a new era of e-cargo mobility. Tata Ace is India’s most successful commercial vehicle ever. It has revolutionised transportation and created millions of successful entrepreneurs over the years. It will further build on this legacy by providing a technologically-advanced, clean and smart mobility solution. I am excited about the electrification of commercial vehicles.”Tata Ace Electric SpecsTata Ace electric SpecsThe Ace EV is the first product featuring Tata Motors’ EVOGEN powertrain that offers an unparalleled certified range of 154 kilometres. It delivers a safe, all-weather operation with an advanced battery cooling system and regenerative braking system to boost the driving range.The vehicle allows regular and fast charging capabilities for high uptime. It is powered by a 27kW (36hp) motor with 130Nm of peak torque, to ensure highest cargo volume of 208 ft3 and grade-ability of 22% allowing easy ascend in fully loaded conditions. The Ace EV’s container is made of light-weight, durable materials that perfectly suit the requirements of e-commerce logistics.Tata Ace Electric SpecsAce electric prospectsWith growing awareness and government’s push for EVs, Tata Ace electric could emerge as a popular choice for B2B and B2C operators. In recent times, there have been calls to step up focus on electrification of the commercial vehicle segment. Petrol/diesel powered trucks are among the key contributors to vehicular pollution.Companies like Tata Motors have the capability and resources to promote the use of electric commercial vehicles. Tata already has a robust EV platform, which has been successfully deployed with its Nexon EV. Tata also happens to be the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the country. All these advantages can help the company to emerge as a leader in the commercial EV segment.Tata Ace Electric LaunchedTata Motors also announced signing of strategic Memorandum of Understanding with leading e-commerce companies and logistics service providers – Amazon, BigBasket, City Link, DOT, Flipkart, LetsTransport, MoEVing and Yelo EV. This includes delivering 39,000 units of the Ace EV; setting up dedicated Electric Vehicle Support Centres for maximum fleet uptime; deployment of Tata Fleet Edge – the next-gen optimal fleet management solution; and support of Tata UniEVerse, the proven enabling eco-system of relevant Tata Group companies. More

  • in

    Ola Electric Car May Be Designed By Mahindra XUV700 Designer

    Ola is working on an electric car for India, which is expected to be launched within 2 years – In under Rs 10 lakh rangeRamkripa Ananthan with Mahindra XUV700While Ola Electric continues to fend off online complaints and trolls regarding quality issues in its scooter and delivery delays, they have become No 1 electric scooter maker of India. They have also announced future plans. After venturing into the two-wheeler, the company intends to hit big in the passenger vehicle segment of electric mobility.The Bengaluru-based EV startup revealed that it is developing a mass-market electric car that could be launched within two years. This electric car will be equipped with some autonomous tech which will offer it self-driving capabilities.Ola Electric Car DesignIt has now come to light that Ola Electric car is being designed by Krux Studio. This is a design studio which is being led by none other than Ramkripa Ananthan, the former Mahindra Head of Design. She played an important role in the transformation of Mahindra passenger vehicles. She and her team helped design the new Thar, XUV700 and the upcoming Scorpio.It is also likely that she was involved in the designing of upcoming Mahindra electric cars based on KUV100 and XUV300. ET Auto now reports that Ramkripa recently visited Ola Electric head office, likely to discuss the involvement of Krux Studio in the designing of the upcoming Ola Electric car. It is not clear if Krux Studio will also be involved in the next gen Ola electric scooters.Ramkripa Ananthan with Krux Studio’s Two2 electric carOla Electric Self-Driving CarThis development was confirmed by company CEO and founder, Bhavish Aggarwal who revealed that the upcoming electric car will cater to the mass market. He further revealed that the EV manufacturing firm started testing an autonomous vehicle nearly six months ago. Ola showcased the tech in the form of self-driving demo vehicle / modified golf cart.It featured an autonomous driving technology that comprised two Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) cameras, a video camera and GPS. It detected obstacles ahead, stopped for people and found its way around turns autonomously. The cart can be used in hospitals, malls, offices and public places and will be exported to overseas markets as well.While the technology is still in its initial stages of development, it can be considered as a concept vehicle on which future vehicles can be developed. The upcoming electric car is slated to make its global debut by the end of this year or early next year. Slokarth Dash, Head of Strategy and Planning at Ola Electric, has suggested that this upcoming electric car could be a sub-Rs 10 lakh offering.Ola Electric Car teaserEarlier this year, Ola took over a Pune-based geospatial services provider named GeoSpoc. This acquisition will help Ola Electric to build high-res maps that would prove to be useful in autonomous tech and is most likely to feature in the forthcoming electric four-wheeler. Upon its launch, the Ola electric car will compete against entry-level EVs like Tata Tigor EV and the upcoming Mahindra eKUV100.Ola Electric in United KingdomIn another development, Ola Electric revealed that it will be aiming to enter the UK electric vehicle market by 2025. Its initial lineup for the UK market will comprise its two electric scooters- S1 and S1 Pro and its upcoming autonomous electric car. The company also has some interesting long-term plans that include more electric four-wheelers.Ola Electric will reportedly invest £100 million (around INR 981 crore) over the course of the next five years in its Warwickshire facility in England, which will employ over 200 automobile designers and engineers. For the uninitiated, the EV manufacturer has earlier established a technical centre in Coventry, England that became operational in January this year.Source More

  • in

    Tata Electric Cars May Get Tesla-Like Autonomous Driving Feature

    Tata Motors could offer self-driving autonomous technology on future EVs based on the Avinya concept underpinned by a new Born Electric platformNew Tata AvinyaTata Motors has been on a roll as far as electric mobility is concerned. The homegrown carmaker has laid down its grand vision for the electric vehicle (EV) space for India and overseas markets as well. The carmaker’s electrification strategy will be headed by the Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM) division which is responsible for all EV-related developments.In this regard, the company has recently unveiled pre-production concepts Curvv and Avinya which are going to form the base of upcoming Gen 2 and Gen 3 EVs from the brand respectively. The Avinya concept is based on a new ‘Born Electric’ skateboard platform purely dedicated to future EVs.Autonomous Driving in future EVsIt has also come to light that Tata Motors is envisioning autonomous driving technology for models based on the Avinya Concept. Anand Kulkarni, VP- Product Line and Operations, TPEM, revealed that Tata Motors is looking into this aspect. The architecture is fully capable of incorporating Level 3 or even higher levels of autonomous technology.He further added that fully autonomous driving is also possible for this platform but there needs to be enough demand in global markets. Currently, there are a few car manufacturers who offer higher levels of autonomous driving features. One of them is Tesla, who also has plans of launching their electric cars in India.New Tata AvinyaAvinya Concept Based On Full EV platformThe Avinya Concept measures 4.3 metres and the platform can accommodate cars between lengths 4.1 metres to 4.5 metres. This architecture is versatile in adopting a wide range of body styles as well as drivetrains. Models based on this platform can be front-wheel driven, rear-wheel driven or all-wheel driven. According to Kulkarni, it is important that this architecture meets all safety regulations for autonomous driving. This platform will be laced with modern connectivity features that will play a crucial role in autonomous tech.He further highlighted that there is nothing common between this Born Electric platform and internal combustion engine (ICE) platform. In his words, it is a pure ground-up EV only platform and cannot ever take an IC engine. This skateboard architecture has been created by moving the wheels to the farthest points and creating a space in the middle to fit in the battery pack.Expected Range, Battery Swapping tech & moreTata Motors is working on its elaborate plans that include launching ten new electric cars by 2026. The company isn’t working on a battery swapping technology in this segment as of now, however, this platform offers a provision of such a setup to be added later. Large EVs based on the Avinya concept are likely to have a claimed range of 500km on a single charge that should translate to a real-world range of around 370km.It also came to light that Tata Motors isn’t looking to dive into hybrid powertrains and will instead work to provide a ladder to customers for EVs with a specific range and features built into them according to market demand. The first product based on this new Born Electric platform is expected to be a large SUV which is likely to be an electric equivalent of Safari or Harrier. More

  • in

    Tata AVINYA Electric Concept Makes Global Debut – New Tata Logo

    This is the second electric vehicle concept to be unveiled by Tata Motors after covers from the Curvv Concept were lifted earlier this monthTata AVINYA Electric ConceptTata Motors is going all guns blazing when it comes to electric mobility. Currently, the largest electric vehicle manufacturer in the passenger vehicle segment, Tata Motors aims to cement its place in the future as well. The company is planning to come out with a number of EV offerings in the coming years.The homegrown brand has taken its biggest step in the electric mobility space by unveiling a new concept electric car called AVINYA. This EV concept will be underpinned by the company’s first ‘Born Electric’ platform that will incorporate a wide range of body styles with two- and three-row seating configurations.New Tata Avinya Electric – New Logo of Tata MotorsTata Motors ‘Born Electric’ VehicleModels based on this platform are expected to start hitting showrooms from 2025 onwards. Tata AVINYA is a future ready electric car, which will pave the way for Tata becoming a global car manufacturer. Tata says that they are benchmarking to becoming the best, not only the India – but across the globe.Avinya Electric Concept is aimed at showcasing flexibility and versatility of Tata Motors’ new electric skateboard which is understood to have been born out of the same philosophy as the Audi Urbansphere. Avinya has IN at its center – IN standing for India. It has been designed from inside out with a focus on its interior. The vehicle’s exterior design is crossover-ish in nature with a blend of SUV and MPV body styles.New Tata AvinyaNew Skateboard ArchitectureNew Tata Born Electric vehicles will be underpinned by a new skateboard architecture, specifically dedicated to battery-powered vehicles. Usually, skateboard platforms have a long wheelbase that can accommodate a large battery pack. One of the first products to be built on this skateboard is likely to be an electric equivalent of Safari or Harrier.New Tata AvinyaPetrol-powered iterations of both SUVs are based on the OMEGA Arc platform that has been derived from Land Rover’s D8 platform. This platform is extremely difficult to electrify and hence we have not seen a fully electric Land Rover built on this platform yet. Moreover, the new skateboard could be shared with JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) as part of a collaboration between the parent company and the British brand.[embedded content][embedded content]New Tata Motors Logo for EV lineupFurther, it has also come to light that with Avinya electric concept, the company has unveiled a new logo for Tata Motors’ electric car range. The upcoming electric cars will come out of Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEML), the EV division of the brand that was recently set up. The new Tata logo is an illuminated ‘T’ that stretches across the rear of the car.Tata AVINYA Electric ConceptA fully electric version of Tata Harrier that has been internally codenamed Eturna. The carmaker is aiming for a production date of this electric SUV in early 2025. More

  • in

    Tata Electric Car Production Target At 80k This Year – Nexon, Tigor

    Following phenomenal EV sales growth in FY22, Tata Motors has even more ambitious goals for EV production in FY23Tata CURVV Electric SUV Coupe ConceptA Reuters report sheds light on Tata Motors’ ambitious EV plans for the current fiscal. Sources say the auto manufacturer has a production target of 80k units for the current fiscal. This is vastly magnified from the 19k units sold in the fiscal just concluded.This would help meet demand. The volume estimate for FY23 is larger than life but provides an insight into the enquiries and interest Tata Motors EVs are receiving. As it stands, Tata leads from the front where EVs being sold in India are concerned. This scene however would get a lot more interesting and competitive once a larger number of manufacturers sell EVs here. More importantly, they need to be affordable.Electric cars, fleet and busesTata Motors currently accounts for over 90 percent of all EVs sold here. Earlier in the month, Tata Curvv concept was showcased. This week itself, Tata further strengthened its EV journey by announcing a sizable order for EV fleet cars. The same market penetration is being seen where electric buses are concerned. This will see Tata fulfill an order worth 5 crores for 5,450 electric buses.In its EV journey forward, Tata is leaving no stone unturned. And having seen results being an early mover, it’s only expected that Tata will continue to strike while the iron’s hot. While electric car sales only make up a very small percentage of total car sales here, these numbers are expected to have a bigger impact by the turn of the decade. Late in 2021, Tata announced its future EV plans. This includes 10 new EVs by 2026.Tata Nexon Electric Production. Image – National GeagraphicCurrently its electric passenger car lineup consists of Nexon EV and Tigor EV. Soon, they will launch long range version of both Nexon as well as Tigor. Apart from that, Tata is also likely to launch electric versions of Altroz and Punch this year. EV versions of Nexon, Tigor, Altroz and Punch are likely to help Tata achieve their aim of 80,000 electric car sales in FY 2023.The company has a new electric car concept unveiling scheduled for today. This will be their first car built on the ground up EV platform. These new gen all-electric Tata cars will be built on PURE EV architecture. It will be a modular platform, which will deliver cars in various shapes and sizes, as well as battery capacities.Pure EV architectureUntil now, Tata’s EVs haven’t been built from the ground up. Nexon and Tigor, and its EV fleet offering are a derivation of existing ICE platform cars. The recently shown Curvv is built on a Gen 2 platform that’s capable of supporting a range of electric powertrains. This would support ICE and electric powertrain options. Which would mean, Curvv when in production would be available first as an electric vehicle, and then in ICE variants. But that is going to change soon.Tata is ready to build on its first EV only platform called Pure EV architecture. Last year, a billion dollar investment was made by TPG. While today’s global unveiling will further strengthen Tata’s EV goals, the manufacturer is already on the leading track as of now. Currently, India targets 30 percent electric car penetration of total cars sold by 2030.Source More