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    Tata Nexon Electric Delivered To Kolkata Police – World Environment Day 2022

    17 Tata Nexon EVs introduced to Kolkata Police fleet as part of World Environment Day 2022Tata Nexon Electric Kolkata PoliceKolkata PC, Binit Kumar Goel inaugurated 17 electric vehicles at a function organized at Police Athletic Club in Maidan on World Environment Day 2022. Kolkata Police will put the EVs to use on multiple fronts. In celebrating the occasion, it was announced a number of e-cycles will be introduced for use by Kolkata Police for beat policing, and regular patrols.The fleet introduction is part of a larger shift to EVs that was announced in 2021. In September 2021, it was announced that 226 Tata Nexon EVs will be leased to KP. The new cars will over time phase out the old diesel cars still part of the fleet. The cars are to be leased for an 8-year period.EV exemption in West BengalBased on utility, the EV fleet will be shared/distributed for use among multiple police units, including the traffic department. In September 2021, it was announced, Rs 8.82 crore was allocated for the 8 year lease plan to come into effect. The Nexon units will be distributed as best suited considering the need for a robust charging network, and need to charge daily.Last week, to further boost EV adoption, the government announced rebates and relaxations for a period of 2 years for those registering new electric cars and two-wheelers. The same courtesy is extended to CNG vehicles too.[embedded content][embedded content]EV adoption in IndiaEV adoption in West Bengal is currently quite small. State announced exemptions are expected to help improve numbers. In recent months, various state governments have gone on to introduce state rebates for EV purchases. The move is in tandem with long term goals of larger EV adoption in India. The goal for electric buses, two wheelers, transport vehicles, and electric cars by the end of the decade is significant.While electric car transition is still quite slow, the fault doesn’t lay with buyers. As of now, the availability of mass market electric cars that are affordable isn’t being catered to by most manufacturers. A transition boost will be more noticeable when the market becomes competitive.Tata Motors electric carsOnly recently, Tata Nexon EV Max with more range, more power and faster charging was launched. These however are not part of the growing electric fleet that Kolkata Police is using.Tata Nexon Electric Kolkata PoliceTata Motors is one of the first movers in the electric car business. In May 2022, the company reported EV wholesales at almost 3.5k units. It is only a matter of time until Tata Motors should be able to report EV sales at atleast 10 percent of total domestic passenger cars the manufacturer sells. More

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    Kia EV6 Electric Launch Price Rs 60 Lakh – Over 300 Bookings

    Kia EV6 shares its underpinnings with Hyundai Ioniq 5 which is also slated to arrive on Indian shores later this yearKia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia India has launched the EV6 electric car today. It is priced from Rs 59.95 lakh, ex-sh. EV6 will be brought to the country as a fully imported model via the CBU route. Only 100 units of the mid-size electric crossover will go on sale in India this year.Despite that, Kia has already received about 350 orders. Kia India is working on arranging the additional orders. EV6 will be available in two derivatives- GT Line and GT Line AWD. Prices are Rs 59.95 lakh and Rs 64.95 lakh, ex-sh. Deliveries start from Sep 2022. Bookings are open at Rs 3 lakh, cancellation of booking will be charged at Rs 50,000.Kia EV6 ElectricKia EV6 is based on the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture which also underpins Hyundai Ioniq 5. In India, it will only be offered with a single 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 528 km as per WLTP cycle. By using a 350kW fast charger, the battery pack can be juiced from 10 to 80 percent within 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. On the other hand, a 50kW fast charger takes 73 minutes to achieve the same.The battery supports ultra-fast charging which can add up to 100km of range in just 4.5 minutes. It will be available in two variants – GT Line and GT Line AWD. The former will be offered a single motor driving the rear wheels that churns out 225 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The latter on the other gets a dual-motor setup driving all four wheels and pushing out 321 bhp and 605 Nm of torque.Kia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia EV6 claims a 0-100 kmph acceleration time in just 3.5 seconds. In terms of dimensions, EV6 GT Line measures 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,550mm in height, while it offers a wheelbase of 2,900mm. The electric crossover will be offered in five paint options including Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Yacht Blue and Moonscape.Features on offerThe Korean brand is offering EV6 as a premium electric crossover, hence, it is loaded with all bells and whistles. This will include features like dual 12.3-inch curved displays for the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, full LED lighting, ventilated and powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, etc, as standard fitment across both variants.The top-spec GT-Line AWD variant offers additional creature comforts like an Augmented Reality heads-up display, a Meridian sound system with 14 speakers, automatic flush-fitting door handles and a powered tailgate. EV6 comes equipped with a wide range of safety features including eight airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS and Brake Assist, ESC, Hill-start Assist Control and Multi Collision Brake Assist.Apart from the standard safety tech, Kia is also offering a wide range of features under ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Blind-spot Detection and more.  More

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    2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Ready To Off Road – Render

    With electric being the future, how does an all electric Mahindra Thar sound, or look?2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderNew Mahindra Thar has been a run-away success. Despite being almost 1.5 years old, it still commands a long waiting period, which is something most other car brands can be envious about. Mahindra is also working upon a 5-door Mahindra Thar, which would focus a little more on comfort and interior space, without compromising on Thar’s iconic off-roading capabilities.While the 5-door Thar is still a few months away, interesting designers at Bimble Designs have envisaged how a 3-door Mahindra Thar would look like, if it lands up becoming a pure EV. If it does get launched, expect Mahindra Thar Electric to have a range in the region of 500 kms on full charge.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUVThe idea of a Thar EV is practical as we have already seen some massively powerful all electric pick-up trucks/SUVs getting launched in international markets in the last 2-3 years. Some of the names include Ford’s F-150 lightning, Hummer EV etc. Mahindra too has been working to re-enter the personal EV space, and an all electric Thar isn’t too much of a wild thought.Talking about the render, the model gets a clean futuristic design, along with some retro elements. Overall silhouette of Thar EV looks similar to that of standard Thar, however hard-core airless off-roading tyres and a heavy-duty suspension seem to have raised overall height of the off-roader.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderAt the front, the iconic Jeep inspired vertical slats get a design make-over and are all covered up, to suit the EV’s requirement. Large squared-off wheel arches and a reworked bumper make the SUV look dominating. Design of Headlamps and tail-lamps haven’t been changed much, possibly to retain the true Thar character.However, headlamps get a new LED element, which get complimented by LED bars present on the roof and front bumper. A functional roof rack along with ladders has also been added, to help users carry additional gears like a tent etc, during an off-roading trip.Mahindra Thar EV Rear DesignWhile Mahindra has some aggressive plans in the EV space, it remains to be seen if Mahindra will plan on bringing all-electric body-on-frame SUVs. As of now, most EVs in India are based on monocoque frames. If Mahindra can bring in an EV-setup on a body-on-frame platform, it will have the flexibility to spawn multiple models, like Thar EV, Scorpio EV and possibly even a Bolero EV.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderTalking about the standard Thar, it is offered with both petrol and diesel motor options. The diesel motor happens to be part of Mahindra’s iconic mHawk range and the 2.2 litre turbo diesel unit is capable of dishing out 130 hp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Customers opting for a petrol powerhouse get a 2 litre turbo petrol mStallion motor, which can churn out 150 hp and 320 Nm of max torque. Transmission options include 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearboxes. Select trims also get 4×4 capabilities.As of now, Mahindra is busy working for 2022 ScorpioN’s launch, which is scheduled to take place later this June. Post the ScorpioN, Mahindra might bring in an all-electric XUV300, which will land up becoming a direct rival to Nexon EV and Nexon EV max.Source More

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    Upcoming Mahindra XUV300 Electric To Take On Tata Nexon EV Max

    Mahindra might name the upcoming electric SUV, XUV400 instead of Electric XUV300 as it will be a larger vehicleMahindra Funster Electric Concept. Image for reference.Mahindra was the first mainstream Indian manufacturer to venture into electric mobility for the masses. They acquired Reva, an electric car manufacturer, and launched the E2O, E2O Plus and E Verito in the Indian market. Mahindra was going to be a shining example with a very early start it had with electric vehicles. But the plan didn’t materialize as Mahindra expected.E2O and E2O Plus looked polarizing, had underwhelming performance and had questionable safety and integrity. E Verito on the other hand was too inferior as a product for the price it commanded. Despite the headstart, Mahindra didn’t become the mass-market EV leader that it hoped for. Instead, that title is held by Tata Motors, deservingly so. Tata Motors based their EVs on already popular and desirable cars like Tigor and Nexon unlike Mahindra with Verito and Reva cars.Mahindra XUV300 ElectricMahindra wants to get back in the EV game and XUV300 Electric will be its first product of the eight passenger EVs it plans to launch by 2027. The company is also considering a partnership with Volkswagen as the German automaker has a successful EV portfolio.Mahindra recently revealed that their first EV will be launched in the first quarter of 2023 and it will be around 4.2 metres in length. We expect the product to be unveiled by the end of 2022. Mahindra might name its first electric XUV400 instead of Electric XUV300. This shift in naming scheme might be due to the fact that the upcoming electric SUV will share its dimensions with SsangYong Tivoli instead of XUV300.2023 Mahindra XUV300 Electric aka XUV400 EV SpiedSsangYong is a South Korean automobile manufacturer that is a subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra. Tivoli is a compact MPV by SsangYong that measures a little over 4.2 metres in length. XUV300 SUV in India, is a chopped-up Tivoli with more ground clearance. Mahindra intends to retain Tivoli’s dimensions on their upcoming electric SUV and as it is bigger than XUV300, XUV400 name makes sense.With larger dimensions, XUV300 Electric will have a proportionate design and a decent boot capacity, unlike XUV300. Mahindra has also stated that XUV300 Electric will source high energy-dense NMC cells from LG Chem. NMC cells are superior to the cylindrical LFP cells found on Nexon EV and EV Max. With this move, XUV300 Electric might be more powerful and have a longer range than Tata’s EVs.Launch and CompetitionMahindra has officially announced that the electric version of XUV300 will be launched around first quarter of 2023. Even though the car was showcased at 2020 Auto Expo, supply scarcity for battery cells and other EV components specifically designed for XUV300 Electric has delayed plans. The uncalled Covid crisis is another factor for the delay.As EVs in India aren’t taxed as much, Mahindra isn’t bothering to trim down the Tivoli to fit sub 4-metre constraints. With the bigger size, it will be larger than Nexon EV and Nexon EV Max. It will be more comparable to MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona which are similarly sized. We can expect the upcoming Mahindra electric SUV to be priced in similar range as Nexon EV Max. If Mahindra delivers a good product with more range than the Nexon EV Max, it will be a very compelling product for the Indian EV market. More

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    Electric Scooters, CNG Cars At Zero Regn, Taxes – In W Bengal

    West Bengal announces exemption of registration fees, Motor Vehicle tax and additional taxes for EVs and CNG vehicles from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024Image for referenceBetween ex-sh price and on road price, lies a convoluted path burdened by taxes and additional costs. All borne by the buyer. Such additional charges are being waived to some degree by various states. This aligns with government policy that outlines a positive shift to personal EVs by the end of the decade.West Bengal is the latest state to join this dialogue. An announcement made points to exemption of registration fees, MV and additional taxes. This is applicable to all CNG vehicles, and e2Ws and electric cars. Any new electric scooter, electric motorcycle, electric car, electric two wheeler, electric rickshaw, electric three wheeler or CNG vehicle purchased in the period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024 – will not have to pay any taxes.On Road Prices ReducedA waiver of this nature translates to decreased on road price for a wide variety of sustainable energy vehicles. Vehicles already registered in this fiscal, the financial incentive is being issued as an extension of tax validity equating to the exact number of days for which tax has been paid. The move incentivizes investments in battery operated electric vehicles. In the long run, a large-scale shift would eventually reduce dependency on petrol/diesel. And is part of the budget announcement spanning FY23 and FY24.Where a transition to EVs is concerned, there is a segment that powered through despite its unorganised nature in West Bengal. The electric rickshaw has been serving suburbs and despite initial resistance from unions and government, the Toto refused to slow down, and silently powered through. However, that’s pretty much where the state’s EV commitment has remained in recent years.New Tata Nexon EV MaxCar ownership in West BengalThe state has multiple other unique transport patterns. For one, it has a dependable Metro network. The public commute bus service runs across distances. Trains carry large populaces from the suburbs to the capital. Even its ageing yellow and black taxis operate efficiently. And this is easily supported by the state’s dependence on passenger cars. Reliance on cycles is high. The National Family Health Survey – 5 (2019-21) also points to two-wheeler ownership at 28.5 percent. Car ownership in the state is as low as 2.8 percent. So, for a state that respectfully values its wide-ranging public transport system, are citizens going to make a transition sheerly based on a waiver? This can only be answered in 2024.Electric vehicles in West BengalFor now, as with many new developments, New Town is the pilot city for new initiatives, including those aligned to electric vehicles. The capital is no stranger to electric transport. Back in 1902, Kolkata introduced its first tram line, a sheer electric transport brilliance. 120 years later, only two lines still operate to support nostalgia over profitability. So, while a waiver on new electric vehicle purchases is the way to go, maybe introducing subsidies on electric tram fares could be considered, phase by phase.It would get a large population that depends on public transport to support electric network seamlessly. As it stands, the city took apart an opined to be space occupying network that was truly pollution free transpiration, one cobblestone after another, one tramcar after another. Not to mention poor management and maintenance. De-reservation of tram tracks dealt a two prong blow. Everyone could use them making them good ole tramcars even slower. And commuter safety became a concern cause getting on and off a tram in city traffic became deliberately difficult.As of January 2021, West Bengal Transport Department reported 35,999 e-Rickshaws, 1,240 e2Ws. There were 93 electric cars and 93 electric buses. 24 electric trucks made it to the low EV count. At the time, there were less that 6k petrol hybrid cars, and less than 4.3k diesel hybrid cars. But because electric is the next big thing, EV purchases are being supported. This in a city that has shown no real interest in buying cars. More

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    Tata Electric Cars Waiting Period – Nexon EV, MAX, Tigor EV, XpresT

    Tata Motors is the leading electric car manufacturer of India – Waiting period is up to 4 monthsTata Nexon ElectricTata Motors is one company that delivers on their vision. Under the able Ratan Tata, Tata Motors has achieved a lot of difficult feats in India. Tata launched the Indica in 1998 which was the first indigenously developed car in India. A car so good, it revolutionized Indian automotive history.Ratan Tata’s vision was brought to life in the form of the Tata Nano in 2008 which was the cheapest production car in the world. Tata Nexon has its fair share in Tata Motor’s legacy as it was the first Indian vehicle to score 5-stars in Global NCAP’s crash tests. Now, Tata Motors seems to have achieved a legacy feat when it comes to electric mobility with the Nexon EV and Nexon EV Max.Tata Electric Car Waiting PeriodMahindra tried to capture the EV market in India with polarizing products like E2o, E2o Plus and the eVerito which failed. Tata Motors began its EV journey with the Tigor EV catering to Government tenders and fleet owners. Then it launched the Nexon EV with decent performance and range and was an overall well-rounded product. It was so good, that it soon became the best-selling electric car in the country. Making Tata Motors, the largest selling EV manufacturer in India.Today, Tata Motors has on sale 4 electric cars. These are Nexon EV, Nexon EV Max, Tigor EV and XpresT. The first three are for the passenger market, while the latter is for the commercial segment only. Depending on the variant and city, the waiting period extends up to 4 months.Tata Electric Car waiting period. Hat tip – Motor Arena India.Tata Nexon EV MaxNexon EV sells in good numbers and has very high demand from Indian customers. Tata Motors recently launched the Nexon EV Max with a bigger 40.5 kWh battery, better performance, better features and most importantly, a better range of 437 km on a single charge. It costs around Rs. 1.5 lakh to 2.0 lakh (ex-sh) over the standard Nexon EV.In just 6 days from the launch of the Nexon EV Max, it has garnered a lot of bookings which has driven the waiting period of the Nexon EV Max to 4 months. Demand for the standard Nexon EV is also high. We have seen absurd waiting periods for internal combustion engine-powered vehicles of up to 20 months. Garnering this type of demand in EVs in a developing country like India with poor charging infrastructure is remarkable.Price and LaunchTata Nexon EV is priced between Rs. 14.7 lakh (ex-sh) for the XM variant and Rs. 17.4 lakh (ex-sh) for XZ Plus Lux Dark Edition. Whereas the Nexon EV Max is priced between Rs. 17.74 lakh (ex-sh) for the XZ Plus 3.3 kW charger and Rs. 19.24 lakh for XZ Plus Lux 7.2 kW charger.While the Nexon EV still poses as the better choice for users with less highway use, The Nexon EV Max appeals to the users with occasional or daily highway use. Tata Motors is expected to start deliveries of the Nexon EV Max in the month of June. With Nexon EV and Nexon EV Max, Tata has established itself as a mainstream EV manufacturer for the masses. More

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    BMW i4 Electric Sedan India Launch Price Rs 70 L – Range 590 Kms

    BMW Group launched their third electric car today in India – It is the i4 sedan, which comes with longest rangeBMW i4 India LaunchAfter having successfully launched two new electric vehicles (EVs) in India earlier this year with iX and Mini Cooper Electric, BMW Group launched their third fully electric offering in the form of i4. The i4 is the first electric sedan from BMW which made its global debut in June last year. It is priced from Rs 69.9 lakhs ex-sh, and comes in a single variant of BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport.BMW i4 Unveiled: Exterior HighlightsBased on the same platform as the current 4-Series Gran Coupe, i4 is a fully electric derivative of the 4-door Coupe sedan. Overall design and proportions of i4 remain similar to its IC engine-powered sibling barring subtle variations. It borrows most of the latter’s design elements including the signature tall kidney grille up front.The only difference is that in i4, the grille is sealed off and with a textured panel. Apart from this, highlights like reprofiled front and rear bumpers, 20-inch M light-alloy wheels for smoother aerodynamics, door handles integrated into the recess and blue accents provide a distinct identity to the electric sedan. At rear, it features Wrap-around taillamps and a shark-fin antenna.Few other notable exterior highlights borrowed from 4-series Gran Coupe include narrow projector LED headlights integrated with dual LED DRLs, a muscular bonnet, a sloping roofline, frameless doors and a sharp shoulder line along its side profile.BMW i4 InteriorsInterior Highlights & FeaturesSimilarities between i4 and 4-Series Gran Coupe continue inside the cabin as well where one is greeted with a sleek, minimalistic dashboard with all of BMW’s up-to-date technologies. The dashboard is dominated by a twin-screen setup with a curved display comprising a 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display. The infotainment unit is laced with BMW’s latest i-Drive 8 user interface.The new operating system comes with a wide range of digital and customisation capabilities that may be accessed by touch or voice commands. The center console gets a carbon fiber treatment along with blue accents on the gear shifter. Ambient lighting on dash and door trims enhances the in-cabin experience of occupants. Other prominent creature comforts include a glass roof and ventilated seats.Powertrain Specs & PerformanceBMW offers two variants of i4 globally including eDrive40 and M50. The former is offered with a single motor, rear-wheel-drive setup while the latter is available with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration. Both variants feature an 83.9 kWh battery pack. The standard i4 eDrive receives an output of 335 bhp and 430 Nm of peak torque and returns a range of 590km on a single charge.BMW i4 SpecsOn the other hand, i4 M50 receives a mammoth 537 bhp and 795 Nm of peak torque. It returns a minimum range of 521 km on a single charge as per WLTP cycle. Performance on both variants is more than impressive, with eDrive40 doing a 0-100 kmph acceleration run in 5.7 seconds while M50 takes a meagre 3.9 seconds to achieve the same. More

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    Kia EV6 Electric Scores 5 Star Safety Rating – ANCAP Crash Test

    Bookings of the new Kia EV6 will open on 26th May 2022 in India – While launch date is set for 2nd JuneKia EV6 Crash TestKia India is set to open its order books for the new EV6 sporty electric crossover on May 26, 2022. The EV6 was unveiled last year and is the first exclusive electric offering from Kia in India. To be launched in India as a CBU, the new Kia EV6 has now been crash tested by ANCAP.Kia EV6 Safety Rating – ANCAPKia EV6 has managed to score a full 5 star safety rating, scoring 34.48 points out of 38 available for adult safety. For child safety, it has scored 42.96 points out of 49. Road user protection was rated at 64% while safety assist features were rated at 88%.Speaking about the crash test performance of the new Kia EV6, ANCAP stated, “The passenger compartment of the Kia EV6 remained stable in the frontal offset (MPDB) test. Dummy readings for the driver indicated MARGINAL protection for the driver’s chest and lower legs. Dummy readings for the front passenger indicated ADEQUATE protection of the lower legs. Protection was GOOD for all other critical body regions for both the driver and front passenger.In the full width frontal test, protection of the driver dummy was GOOD for all critical body areas. Protection was ADEQUATE for the chest of the rear passenger. GOOD protection was offered to all other critical body regions for both the driver and rear passenger. Take a look at the Kia EV6 crash test video below.[embedded content][embedded content]In global markets, Kia EV6 is available in five trims. These include Light (RWD): 58.0 kWh battery with 167 HP, Wind (RWD): 77.4 kWh battery with 225 HP, Wind (e-AWD): 77.4 kWh battery with 320 HP, GT-Line (RWD): 77.4 kWh battery with 225 HP and GT-Line (e-AWD): 77.4 kWh battery with 320 HP.‘Opposites United’ Design PhilosophyKia EV6 is positioned on a dedicated EV platform E-GMP. It will boast of styling showcasing the new ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy of the brand. It gets a Kia’s signature tiger face along with a sporty roofline, muscular wheel arches and increased ground clearance. Its V shaped DRLs are incorporated into the LED headlamps while features also include a full length rear light bar and a distinctive roof spoiler. The EV6 rides on 19 inch alloy wheels finished in a dark grey and black colour scheme.Being positioned in a premium segment, the Kia EV6 will see an updated cabin with a host of driver and passenger comfort, convenience and safety features. It will receive a 12.3 inch dual screen curved display unit, a floating central console with wireless charging facilities, rotary dial for drive mode selection and a new steering wheel design. Features will also include floor mats, door pockets made of recycled plastic and upholstery in an option of vegan leather.Kia EV6 Crash TestKia EV6 Twin Battery Pack OptionsIn India, the Kia EV6 is set to receive a 77.4 kWh battery pack which will work along with an electric motor to offer 325 hp power and 605 Nm torque sending power to both axels. It claims a driving range of 510 kms on single charge as per the WLTP cycle. The Lithium-ion battery also gets a RWD configuration making 229 hp and 350 Nm torque with the smaller 58 kWh battery making 170 hp and 350 Nm torque in RWD and at 235 hp and 605 Nm on the AWD trim. The smaller battery claims a 373 km range. Kia EV6 will use an 800V charging system allowing fast charging from 10-80 percent in 18 minutes.Given the fact that Kia EV6 will not be built in India and will instead come in as a CBU, it is slated to attract hefty import duty. Hence a price ranging from Rs 40-60 lakh is what can be expected. It will rival the Volvo XC40 Recharge once launched while it will also share some common features with the Hyundai Ioniq 5. Following the launch of Kia EV6, the automaker also plans to launch many more electric cars. This is a part of Kia India plan to introduce 6 new electric vehicles in India by 2024. More