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    Mahindra Electric SUVs To Use Volkswagen Components – XUV400, XUV900

    Mahindra has plans to launch as many as eight electric SUVs by 2027Image for reference.Mahindra has something big planned for its grand re-entry into the electric mobility segment. The homegrown carmaker has already teased its upcoming trio of electric SUVs ahead of their maiden official appearance slated in July later this year.While Mahindra continues to focus on IC engine models, it will spend significant resources on its upcoming battery-powered vehicles. The electric vehicles (EVs) teased by Mahindra recently will be based on a new Born electric skateboard hence they are being termed as Born EVs from Mahindra.Mahindra Volkswagen PartnershipToday, Mahindra and Volkswagen announced an interesting partnership. Mahindra intends to equip its ‘Born Electric Platform’ with MEB electric components such as electric motors, battery system components and battery cells. The Partnering Agreement evaluates the scope of collaboration – it indicates binding rules for the evaluation phase as well as the non-binding scope of supply.The binding supply agreement will be negotiated in a continued constructive and legally compliant way to conclude by the end of 2022. Designed as an open vehicle platform, the MEB electric platform and its components allows car manufacturers to build their portfolio of electrified vehicles, quickly and cost-effectively. The shared objective of the two companies is to electrify the Indian automotive market, one of the most important automotive growth markets and a key element in the global decarbonisation of the mobility sector.New Mahindra Electric SUVs – TeaserThomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board of Management member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, stated, “Mahindra is a pioneer in the electric mobility space in India and a great partner for our MEB Electric Platform. Together with Mahindra, we want to contribute significantly to the electrification of India, a huge automotive market with enormous growth potential and high relevance for climate protection. It’s another proof point that the MEB is both technologically state of the art and highly competitive in terms of cost. The MEB is thus progressively developing into the leading open platform for e-mobility, generating significant volume and economies of scale. That’s crucial for every company in the EV world and the key to competitive solutions for our customers.”Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto and Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., stated: “We are very pleased to have Volkswagen, a significant global investor in the electric mobility space, as a strategic partner in achieving our ambitious Born Electric Vison. The complementarity of their extensive technology, innovation, and vertical integration in supply chains, will provide a framework to develop our next gen “Born Electric Platform”, to be revealed soon in Oxfordshire UK. Our teams across India, UK and Detroit are passionately creating a breath-taking future.”Volkswagen’s MEB Electric Platform is used by the Group brands Volkswagen, Audi, SKODA and SEAT/CUPRA as well as external partners. Responsibility for these partnerships has been assigned to the “Platform Business” unit created specifically for this purpose.Mahindra Electric SUVs teasedThe company will be introducing three new fully electric SUVs under its new ‘Born Electric Vision’. All three SUVs have reportedly been designed and conceptualised by Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE) which is the brand’s new global design centre based in United Kingdom and headed by Pratap Bose. As per teaser videos released previously, the three born EVs consist of a compact SUV, a mid-size SUV and a Coupe SUV.All three SUVs will be underpinned by a new bespoke platform. First of them will be a compact SUV which is expected to be the battery-powered equivalent of XUV300. It is likely to be christened as XUV400 upon launch. Next will be a mid-size SUV that can share some similarities with XUV700. Last will be a premium coupe-style SUV which could wear a new name tag of XUV900. The company had filed a trademark for the same in the country earlier last year. More

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    Honda Prologue Electric SUV Teased – New Look Of Dealer Showroom

    The Honda Prologue electric SUV does not try too hard to look outlandish or futuristic, but it does look goodHonda Prologue Electric SUV TeaserThe rapid shift in the paradigm towards electric vehicles has been giving rise to mergers and joint production developments which were almost unthinkable a few decades ago. One such partnership is between Honda and General Motors which involves electric vehicle platform sharing. The first Japanese derivative of this tie-up has been teased in the form of an official rendering.General Motors’ Ultium modular EV architecture will be underpinning the upcoming Honda Prologue SUV. With North America as its primary target market, the Prologue is an imposing crossover with a bold new front fascia which speaks the “neo-rugged” design language. The front is characterized by narrow LED headlamps and grille, trapezoidal secondary airdam and vertically oriented foglight enclosures.Honda Prologue Electric SUV TeasedThe longish profile is composed of an accentuated waistline, prominent tyres, flared wheel arches, sleek greenhouse, and contrast ORVMs and door handles. The rear is not visible but expect it to be sculpted and sporty.The Honda Prologue’s design process commenced during COVID-19 and its creators mostly worked from home. Developed at the brand’s Los Angeles design studio in collaboration with Honda Japan, the Prologue benefited from Virtual Reality.Honda Prologue Electric SUV TeaserWe expect the Japanese automaker to tease the interiors sometime in the near future. Keeping up with the trend, the electric Honda SUV for North America is likely to be equipped with a simple, uncluttered cockpit with a good amount of colour displays. One can expect the vehicle to come packed with the latest in terms of connectivity, ADAS and safety.PowertrainGM’s Utltium architecture benefits from a floor-mounted modular battery design which allows the engineers to setup a capacity ranging anywhere between 50 kWh to 200 kWh with an autonomy starting from 300 miles (480 kms) depending on the top-hat. As per definition, a modular EV architecture should be capable of FWD, RWD or AWD configurations depending on customer preference, product and target segment.Being an SUV primarily targeting the Americans, Honda is likely to go for an AWD setup with plenty of power and torque to boot. In addition to teasing the new electric SUV, Honda has also revealed the look of their dealer showrooms and service centers of the future.Honda dealer showroom – New lookHonda Prologue Electric SUV LaunchThe Honda Prologue electric SUV is slated to be launched in North America sometime in 2024. While there is no official announcement made yet, industry reports strongly indicate the presence of an Acura derivative of the Ultium platform which is also in the works for a 2024 debut. While Honda declined to comment on possible production locations for its upcoming EV, it is being said that GM’s Mexico plant will produce it.It remains to be seen what other markets will receive the Prologue but given electrification is the talk of the town pretty much everywhere, we expect the crossover to eventually enter markets like Europe and select Asian countries. Honda’s future in India appears to be challenging to say the least, and the Prologue doesn’t appear to make a good business for our country as a CBU or CKD. More

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    Kia EV6 Electric Spied In Red, Silver, Black, White Colours – New Teaser

    To be imported as CBU, Kia EV6 could be launched at a starting price of around Rs 50-60 lakhNew Kia EV6 Electric CarKia EV6 marks the start of the company’s EV journey in India. First launched last year in March in South Korea, EV6 is the first all-electric model manufactured by Kia. It is expected to be launched in India by June 2022. Ahead of that, bookings will officially open on 26th May. EV6 has been widely appreciated for its advanced features and was rated 2022 European Car of the Year.Kia EV6 Colours SpiedBased on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), Kia EV6 has a sleek design that emanates luxurious vibes. The curvy, aerodynamic surfaces are among the key elements that define the car’s innate beauty. In addition, it will be offered with attractive colour options, some of which have now been spied. These are Red, Black, White and Silver.Kia EV6 key features include LED multi-reflector headlights with DRLs, gloss black front grille, matte black accents, wheel arch moulding, blacked-out pillars, gloss black window surrounds, flush body coloured door handles and sporty alloy wheels.On the inside, Kia EV6 has dual curved panoramic 12.3 inch screens that provide a combined display of 24 inch. The wide display ensures an immersive experience, as users access navigation, entertainment, vehicle diagnostics and other vehicle information features. The screen is equipped with a blue light filter to reduce eye strain as well as driver fatigue.New Kia EV6 Electric CarAnother key feature is augmented reality head-up display (HUD) that shows navigation and key safety information. For folks who find parking a challenge, Kia is offering Virtual Valet Parking Assist. With this feature, EV6 can automatically park and exit by autonomously controlling vehicle speed, steering wheel and gear shifts. EV6 also offers a comprehensive range of connectivity features that can be accessed via Kia Connect app.Kia EV6 powertrain, range and specsFor Indian market, Kia may offer EV6 with the 58 kWh battery or 77.4 kWh battery pack or both. These options are offered in rear wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) formats. With the smaller battery pack, the RWD variant is equipped with a 170 hp single-motor. The AWD variant has a dual-motor setup that generates 235 hp.With the larger battery pack, the RWD variant is powered by a single 229 hp motor. The AWD variant gets a dual-motor setup generating 325 hp. Range topping GT Line utilizes a dual motor AWD setup that churns out 585 hp and 740 Nm. Range varies based on the variant, maximum being 310 miles (~499 km), as per EPA estimated range. EV6 can accelerate from 0-60 miles per hour (0-100 kmph) in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is at 162 mph (260 kmph).[embedded content][embedded content]In terms of safety, EV6 offers a range of drive assist features. It includes forward collision avoidance assist, blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic collision avoidance, lane keep assist, machine learning-based cruise control, surround view monitor and parking collision avoidance system. Other standard safety features include front and side airbags, traction control system, electronic stability control, vehicle stability management and hill start assist control.EV6 will be followed by multiple new EV products in India by both Kia and Hyundai. By 2024, a total of 6 new all-electric cars are planned to be launched. Kia’s EV portfolio will be expanded to include the new e-Niro as well as a mass market electric SUV. Hyundai will be launching Kona Electric facelift, a mass market electric SUV and Ioniq 5. More

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    Ford Cancels Plan To Make Electric Cars In India – To Sell Both Plants

    Ford India drops plan to make electric vehicles here as part of the Champion OEM Incentive scheme, part of PLI schemeImage for reference.Ford India has been gulping down the humble pie for a while now. In 2019, the auto manufacturer announced an agreement with Mahindra to work on a JV. Less than 2 years later, the collaboration ended. The outline focused on cost effective vehicle development and production for emerging markets.While initial outlook pointed to Ford continuing with its own production plans in smaller UV segments, the manufacturer finally chose to exit manufacturing in September 2021. Ford was again back in focus having made it to the list of 20 carmakers that were part of the Champion OEM Incentive scheme, part of the PLI scheme. The announcement was made in February 2022. Plans pointed to EV manufacturing.Ford Does Not Want To Invest Any Further In IndiaDespite approval of its Production Linked Incentive (PLI) application, this plan has now been dropped. Ford’s decision is to not advance its EV manufacturing plans in India. While the auto manufacturer expresses gratitude for having its proposal approved, this option is now not being explored. The application won’t see the light of day as Ford isn’t investing in India.The Champion OEM Incentive Scheme has a budgetary outlay of about 26k crore. In the meantime, Ford has been partaking in dialogue with other Indian manufacturers regarding its 2 plants here. This is part of the initial plan wherein both plants are sold. Gujarat plant is all set to be sold to Tata Motors, claims unconfirmed reports.Ford Mustang ElectricIndian car manufacturersCurrent business undertones point to a shift to EVs. The goals set point to substantial transition by the end of the decade for electric two-wheelers, CVc, and passenger cars. To this end, Central and select State governments have announced specified incentives. While there has been much activity in the electric two-wheeler front, it’s not the same for cars.A large number of new manufacturers have either already entered the 2W segment or have announced their intent to do so. However, where passenger car manufacturing is concerned, the market has over time lost multiple manufacturers. Datsun being the most recent manufacturer to choose an exit. Prior to Ford, General Motors exited production for India. Somewhere along the way, Fiat stopped making cars here. In comparison, 3 new entrants have been working their way up – MG Motor India, Kia, and Citroen.Shift to electric carsFor now, the electric car market in India is small. This is wholly dominated by Tata Motors currently. Other manufacturers who are selling at least 1 electric car in India, do so in price tag variation that at best is a high price point. It would be interesting to see if India’s focused development of electric cars focuses on keeping things simple. The need of the hour is mass market EVs that are affordable. The world however has advanced manifolds and manufacturers are able to make available luxury electric cars.This makes sense because buying predictions are based on whether a buyer can afford the car. And, a luxury electric car always stands a chance because its buyers can afford the price tag. So, while a Tesla is everything one can want, this pricey proposition isn’t going to benefit buyers. For the market to grow, it’s an open playfield for manufacturers like Maruti, Hyundai and Honda to introduce budget EV cars.Source More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Vs EV MAX – Specs, Price, Range, First Look

    Nexon EV sales could hit a new high with the Max variant effectively eliminating range anxiety and offering several new featuresNew Tata Nexon EV MaxWith focus on introducing continuous improvements across its portfolio, Tata Motors has launched Nexon EV Max at a starting price of Rs 17.74 lakh. The increased range of 437 km ensures reduced recharging frequency. Plus, inter-city travels will become a lot more convenient. Here’s a quick comparison between Nexon EV vs. Nexon EV Max to understand which model offers the best value.New Tata Nexon EV MAX Vs Nexon ElectricAs compared to the 30.2 kWh battery pack used with the standard model, Nexon EV Max has been equipped with a larger 40.5 kWh battery pack. Both battery packs are IP67 rated to provide effective protection against the elements. However, there’s a difference in that the larger battery pack weighs 100 kg more. Despite the larger battery pack, Max boot space is the same as that of the standard variant at 350 litres.Tata Nexon Electric Vs Nexon EV MaxTo ensure overall performance is not impacted by the heavier battery pack, power and torque output has been increased to 143 PS and 250 Nm. The numbers for standard variant are 129 PS and 245 Nm. Drive mode options have been expanded with Nexon EV Max to include a new Eco mode. This is in addition to Drive and Sports modes offered with standard model.Nexon EV Max is more agile, achieving 0 to 100 kmph in under nine seconds. The standard model takes 10 seconds to achieve the same. Another improvement relates to regenerative braking, which is available with 4 levels of adjustability with Max variant. The standard variant has non-adjustable regenerative braking. Take a look at the first look walkaround of new Nexon EV Max below, credit to 91 Wheels.[embedded content][embedded content]Talking about range, Nexon EV Max can travel 437 km on a full charge. Actual range in real world conditions could be around 300 km. Nexon EV standard variant has a certified range of 312 km. Based on user reviews, actual range comes at around 200 km. Range of electric cars can vary based on various factors such as outside temperature, traffic conditions, use of AC, driver skills, etc.Tata Nexon Electric Vs Nexon EV MaxNexon EV Vs Max – features, charging, pricingUsers can expect improved braking with Nexon EV Max, as it comes with disc brakes on all four wheels. The standard model has disc at front and drum brakes at rear. Nexon EV Max packs in a range of new features such as ventilated seats, gear selector knob with integrated active mode circular display, air purifier, wireless phone charger, cruise control, auto dimming IRVM and electronic parking brake.To ensure reduced charging time, Nexon EV Max comes with the option of a 7.2 kW AC wall box charger. This is in addition to the 3.3 kW charger that is also available with the standard variant. With the 7.2 kWh charger, Max variant can be charged in 6.5 hours. The standard model takes 8 hours to achieve 20-100% with the 3.3 kW charger.Tata Nexon EV vs EV Max PricesWarranty terms remain the same for both models. Vehicle warranty is 3 years or 1,25,000 km whereas battery warranty is 8 years or 1,60,000 km. Nexon EV standard variants are priced in the range of Rs 14.54 lakh to Rs 17.15 lakh. In comparison, Nexon EV Max variants are priced in the range of Rs 17.74 lakh to Rs 19.24 lakh. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Max Launch Price Rs 17.74 L – Range 437 Km

    With increased range and new features, Nexon EV Max has improved capabilities vis-a-vis rivals like MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona ElectricNew Tata Nexon EV Max – 437 Kms Range Electric SUVWhile Nexon EV is the topselling electric car in the country, its range of 312 km is not something that everyone feels comfortable with. This is especially true in a situation where charging infrastructure is yet to be fully developed. Another factor is that actual range in real world conditions is only around 200 km.Tata Nexon Electric Max PricesTo eliminate range anxiety and provide an improved overall experience to users, Tata Motors has launched all-new Nexon EV Max today. It is offered in two variants of XZ+ and XZ+ Lux. Prices start from Rs 17.74 lakh ex-sh, and go all the way to Rs 19.24 lakh ex-sh. Three colour options are on offer – White, Grey and Intensi-Teal. The latter is a new colour, exclusive to EV MAX.Tata Nexon EV Max PricesThe updated version gets a larger 40.5 kWh battery pack. Existing Nexon EV gets its power from a 30.2 kWh battery pack. In terms of battery capacity, Nexon EV Max is now ahead of Hyundai Kona Electric that has a 39.2 kWh battery pack. However, it still falls short of MG ZS EV that utilizes a 50.3 kWh battery pack.Tata Nexon EV vs EV Max PricesWith the larger battery pack, Nexon EV Max has achieved ARAI certified range of 437 km. That’s an impressive gain of 125 km. However, just like the standard Nexon EV, the Max variant’s real-time range is likely to be lower. True range of Nexon EV Max is expected to be around 300 km. Nexon EV Max is Rs 1.79 lakh more expensive than the Nexon EV, and is about 100 kgs heavier.Tata Nexon EV Max – Gets 30+ New FeaturesHowever, it could be higher if the company has carried out some targeted changes in the powertrain and other systems such as regenerative braking. Tata has ensured that the larger battery pack does not reduce boot space. It remains the same as earlier at 350-litre.With 437 km range, Nexon EV Max can emerge as an affordable alternative to MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona. Certified range of MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona are 461 km and 452 km, respectively.Tata Nexon EV Max – Two Variants on offerNexon EV Max power and torqueUsers can expect peppier performance with Nexon EV Max, as power and torque output has been increased to 143 hp and 250 Nm. That’s a gain of 14 hp and 5 Nm. Rival MG ZS EV numbers are at 177 PS / 280 Nm whereas Kona Electric generates 136 PS / 395 Nm.Tata Nexon EV Max at a glanceCharging options have been updated for Nexon EV Max. It includes a 3.3kWh portable charger that will be offered as standard. The limitation of this charger is that it will take around 15-16 hours to achieve a full charge. To get over this issue, Tata Motors is offering a more powerful 7.2kWh charger. Users have to pay an additional amount for this charger. It will reduce charging time to 6.5 hours.Tata Nexon EV Max SpecsNexon EV Max new featuresNew version of Nexon EV packs in a range of premium and hi-tech features. It includes illuminated gear knob with park mode, wireless charging, air purifier and cooled seats. Safety features include ESP, hill hold assist and electric parking brake. There will be two variants on offer, XZ+ and XZ+ Lux. Deliveries of Nexon EV Max are expected to commence soon. Bookings have opened, and first batch of Nexon EV Max is on its way to dealerships across India. More

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    Tata Styzor, Bovita, Auroar, Xiomara Names Registered – New Electric Cars?

    Tata Motors is currently the No 1 electric vehicle manufacturer in the passenger car segment – And they want it to remain this way in the future tooTata Curvv Production Spec – RenderThough some car manufacturers are still in two minds about the future being electric, not Tata Motors. India’s leading electric car maker already has great plans for the future, and they are all electric. They gave us a glimpse last month of what is in store.April 2022 saw Tata Motors unveil two electric car concepts. First being Curvv and the second being Avinya. Of the two, it is Curvv which is closer to production. Launch of Tata Curvv electric is expected in 2024, while that of Avinya is expected in 2025.More Tata Electric Cars IncomingTata Motors has been busy filing new names. Though not all that is trademarked gets launched or is showcased as a concept, some do. For example, a few days before the unveiling of Curvv, Tata Motors had filed a trademark for the name. Along with Curvv, they had also filed Sliq. But we are yet to hear anything about Tata Sliq.Now, the latest update from trademark filings is that Tata Motors has filed 4 new names. These are – Tata Styzor, Tata Bovita, Tata Auroar and Tata Xiomara. These names were filed by Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle division. It is highly likely that these are the names of their upcoming electric cars.Tata Motors Registers 4 New Names – Xiomara, Styzor, Bovita and AuroarTata Motors Electric Cars PlanIt is anybody’s guess what these new Tata car names could become in the future. What we do know is that Curvv will become the first car from Tata Motors to be launched with an electric powertrain first. Until now, Tata Motors launched the petrol / diesel ICE option first, and then modified these to get fitted with electric motor and battery. We saw this happen with Nexon as well as Tigor.That will not be the case with Curvv. It has been designed from the ground up to be an electric car. It will also be launched with a petrol / diesel engine option at a later date. But first, it will be launched as an all electric car. There are no plans to launch Curvv as a hybrid.After this, comes the Avinya concept. Current crop of Tata electric cars are referred to as Gen 1 EVs. Gen 2 will be Curvv, and Gen 3 will be Avinya. In the current scheme of things, Avinya will be the pinnacle of Tata Motors’ EV tech. It will come with advanced autonomous driving tech like the one seen on Tesla. Tata Avinya platform is flexible and can spawn into SUVs, sedans / estates, crossovers, etc.Tata Electric Car ProductionTata Motors has had a great start to the year 2022. From breaking their own sales record to launching new cars, the Indian car brand is getting close on becoming the 2nd largest car maker in the country. With demand rising, and plans to launch multiple new cars, Tata Motors is all set to take over Ford India plant in Sanand.Tata Motors currently sells three electric cars Nexon EV, Tigor EV and XPRES-T. Total orders stand at an average of around 5,500-6,000 units each month. Tata Motors, currently operating at 85 percent capacity at its existing PV plants, seeks to commence production of its electric vehicle lineup from the Ford factory with a target of between 5-6 lakh cars in FY 2023. The automaker also has plans to invest an additional Rs 2,000 crores into this plant for the manufacture of 2 lakh electric vehicles by 2026. More

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    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