Electric Cars

Subterms

    More stories

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Vinfast VF e34 Electric Car Debuts In Vietnam – Price 690m VND (Rs 21.6 L)

      by

      Vinfast Electric CarVF e34 uses a 42 kWh battery allowing for a range of 300 kms on full charge
      Vietnamese automotive startup, VinFast is currently developing a range of premium electric vehicles. Today they announced the global debut of Vietnam’s first electric car, called e34. Priced at 690 million VND (US$ 29,819 / Rs 21,63,174).
      Vinfast e34 is open for orders deliveries to domestic customers is set to commence from December. Vinfast has also set up a JV with Taiwan’s ProLogium for the production of Solid-State EV Battery Packs. By 2022, VinFast also plans to export premium electric car models in the D and E segments.
      Vinfast Electric Car
      VF e34 Features
      VF e34, announced earlier this year in Jan 21 under the code name VF31 is a C segment electric car. Early customers who place bookings prior to June 30, 2021 can take advantage of special pricing at 590 million VND (US$25,496 / Rs.18,49,679) along with a 1 year free battery subscription.
      This new electric car in Vietnam measures 4,300mm in length, 1,793mm in width and 1,613mm in height with a wheelbase of 2,611mm. It gets ground clearance at 180mm and commands a total kerb weight of 1,490 kgs.
      Vinfast Electric Car
      It comes in with several driver oriented features along with remote software update, remote customer support, emergency rescue services with location of nearest charging station and authorized dealerships, battery tracking status, vehicle operation history and theft alerts.
      E34 is powered by an electric motor and uses a 42 kWh battery making 110 kW power and 242 Nm torque and offering a range of 300 km on a complete charge. It receives MacPherson front suspension and rear suspension via a torsion bar.
      VinFast offers a 10 year warranty with the VF e34. Users have to pay a monthly battery subscription of US$ 62 per month for a travel distance of 1,400 kgs. As against selling cars with conventional batteries, VinFast is also entering into the battery rental service.
      Vinfast Electric Car
      This will benefit customers as VinFast will bear all risks of quality and battery life and if the battery receives charge below 70 percent, the same can be exchanged for a new battery. Battery charging can be done at the owner’s homes or at VinFast charging stations. 15 minutes of charge will allow for a travel distance of 180 kms.
      VinFast is going about setting up fast charging stations in Vietnam. The company targets around 40,000 electric car charging points in 63 provinces and cities by the end of this year.
      Vinfast Electric Car
      Global Automotive Brand
      VinFast is set to become a global tech automobile brand. Following only 3 years of operations, since inception in 2017, the company plans three smart EV models – VF31, VF32 and VF33 and will receive orders from global markets from the end of 2021. Each of these models will come in with AI and sport state of the art features and will mark an important milestone for the company in an endeavor to become a global smart EV manufacturer. More

    • 163 Shares109 Views

      in Electric Cars

      China’s Mini Electric Car Overtakes Tesla Model 3 – Becomes Best Selling EV

      by

      Wuling Hong Guang Electric CarChinese automaker Wuling Motors sold over 56,000 Hong Guang Mini EVs in the first two months of 2021
      China is not just the biggest car market but also the biggest consumer of electric vehicles (EVs) in the world. This is the reason why Tesla, world’s most popular EV brand, has a lion’s share of its business coming from China. However, Chinese auto brands are now slowly catching up with the American EV giant in their own backyard.
      Sales In January, February 2021
      In a recent development, Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV has trumped Tesla’s Model 3 electric sedan as the highest-selling EV for the months of January and February. This is no small feat considering Model 3 is the best-selling electric car across the globe. As per reports, a total of 36,000 units of the micro electric hatchback have been sold cumulatively in January 2021.
      Wuling Hong Guang Electric Car
      In comparison, 21,500 units of Model 3 were sold during the same period. For February 2021, the numbers stood at just over 20,000 units for the Chinese micro hatch while the American brand was able to retail just under 13,700 units of Model 3.
      Despite being inferior in terms of performance, battery capacity and range to Tesla’s electric sedan, the mini EV ticks the right boxes with respect to convenience and affordability in comparison to its American arch nemesis.
      Wuling Hong Guang Electric Car
      Hong Guang Mini EV Specs
      Hong Guang Mini EV is currently retailed at a price of CNY 28,800 (approximately INR 3.20 lakh). The car is claimed to provide a range of 170km on a single charge while it can clock a top speed of 100 kmph.
      Wuling Hong Guang Electric Car
      Power is obtained from a single electric motor which delivers an output of 17.4 bhp and 85 Nm of peak torque. In terms of dimensions, it measures 115 inches long, 59 inches wide, and about 64 inches tall. It offers a wheelbase of 76.4 inches and tips the weighing scales at just 665kg. Despite its ultra compact dimension, the carmaker claims that it can seat four people at ease.
      Tesla Model 3 Specs
      On the other hand, Tesla Model 3 measures 185 inches in length, 73 inches in width and 57 inches in height. It offers a wheelbase of 113 inches and weighs around 1,587kg. On a single charge, Model 3 could run up to 423km. The base variant of Model 3 carries a price tag of USD 40,000 (equivalent to INR 28.93 lakh). Tesla offers three powertrain options on Model 3 namely Standard Plus, Long Range and Performance. The latter two are offered with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup.
      For reference, Wuling is a subsidiary brand of a joint venture between US auto giant General Motors and China’s state-owned SAIC Motor. Tesla is also planning to bring Model 3 to India later this year as a completely built unit (CBU) which is expected to carry a price tag of Rs 60 lakh (ex-showroom). More

    • 125 Shares99 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV India Launch Price Rs 1.06 Crore

      by

      Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUVJaguar I-Pace accelerates from 0-100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds hitting a top speed of 200km/h
      Even as the electric vehicle space in India is still in its nascent state, there are many automakers both Indian and Global set to add new models to this segment. Tesla is one such global automaker planning launch of their electric cars this year, while Jaguar Land Rover has announced the launch of I-Pace electric SUV today.
      Jaguar I-Pace was opened for bookings in November 2020 with deliveries to commence from March 2021. The luxury electric car has been the recipient of over 80 awards among which is 2019 World Car of the Year, World Car Design of the Year and World Green Car. The I-Pace has been well received in global markets.
      Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV
      Jaguar I-Pace Features
      New I-PACE electric SUV will be offered in three variants that include S, SE, and the top of the line HSE variant. Highlights on the outside include Atlas Grey grille, LED lighting all around, 19 inch alloy wheels and a luxurious Bright Pack option offered on all three variants of the I-Pace. Buyers are also offered the option to select from a body coloured or a panoramic glass roof. A flap hides the charging port located on the front left fender.
      The interiors boast of a novel feature. It receives cabin air ionization with PM 2.5 filteration to capture ultrafine air borne particles and allergens and this can be done even before the journey begins.
      Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV Specs and Features – 1
      The cabin itself is loaded with features such as head up display, Pivi Pro touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, a multifunction steering wheel and a 12.3 inch HD interactive instrument cluster. The windscreen and front windows come in with acoustic laminated glass so as to reduce outside noise from filtering into the cabin.
      Jaguar I-Pace Charging
      Jaguar I-PACE is fitted with a 90 kWh lithium ion battery pack producing 294 kW power and 696 Nm torque. This translates into acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. It offers a claimed range of 480 kms.
      The battery can be charged upto 80 percent in just 40 minutes via a DC fast charger. The battery comes in with an 8 year/1,60,000 km warranty and owners are offered a complimentary 5 year service pack along with 5 year Jaguar roadside assistance. Charging can be carried out via a 47.4 kW AC wall mounted charger.
      Jaguar I-Pace Electric SUV Features – 2
      Jaguar I-Pace Launch, Price and Competition
      Priced from Rs 1.06 crore for the base variant (ex-sh), the new Jaguar I-Pace will compete with the Mercedes Benz EQC luxury electric SUV, which is also priced in a similar range.
      Rohit Suri, President & Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover India Ltd. (JLRIL) said, “Jaguar I-PACE is the first all-electric SUV that we’ve launched in India and it marks the beginning of our electrification journey. With our electrified products we look forward to playing a significant role in India’s electrification drive into the future. Jaguar I-PACE will appeal to people who look for and purchase the latest in technology and design, to express their personalities and stay ahead of the curve. We and our Retailer network are fully prepared to cater to the demands of these customers.” More

    • 113 Shares119 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Ace Modified Into Electric Vehicle With 150Km Range

      by

      Tata Ace Electric by Northway Motorsport / Hemank DabhadeThis project has proved that small commercial vehicles could run on an electric powertrain at an affordable rate without the need for a vast fast charging network
      It has time and again been proven that the source of energy of future mobility will be electric. While focus has been primarily being laid on passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, the commercial vehicle segment also needs to be transferred to electric mobility in future, especially in a developing country like India.
      For this, a working unit of Tata Ace, the company’s most popular light commercial vehicle (LCV) has been fitted with an electric powertrain in place of a conventional Internal Combustion (IC) engine. The project vehicle has been converted for non-commercial, research and development purposes only.
      Powertrain Specs
      A video uploaded by Northway MotorSport on YouTube shows glimpses of this Ace Electric LCV. It gets an electric powertrain that features an 18 kWh lithium-ion battery pack paired with an electric motor.
      The Proprietary EV powertrain that has been designed and manufactured in-house by the Pune-based workshop generates 165 Nm of peak torque at the Motor Shaft. Take a look at the short video on Tata Ace Electric below.
      [embedded content]
      In its IC engine-powered model, the truck draws its power from a 2-cylinder, 700cc, naturally aspirated direction injection diesel engine that generates 20 bhp and 45 Nm of torque. It is also offered with a 694cc MPFI 4 stroke, water-cooled petrol engine with a rated output of 30 bhp and 55 Nm of peak torque. The same powertrain can also be run on CNG which returns an output of 25 bhp and 50 Nm of torque. In its IC-powered form, Ace could attain a top speed of 70 kmph.
      On the other hand, in this battery-powered spec, Ace Electric could clock a top speed of 140 kmph but has been electronically limited to 80 kmph as per government rules and regulations for commercial vehicles. It utilises the same five-speed gearbox as in the original Ace however it eliminates the use of a clutch pedal.
      The expanded torque band on the drivetrain lets the driver use just one gear (3rd or 4th) throughout 90 percent of the journey. The fifth gear is best used in long drives for better efficiency.
      Charging Options
      Not only emission has been cut down completely but the NVH levels of the cabin have also improved significantly. Charging is facilitated through either a normal single-phase 15A socket to charge at 3 kW or through a three-phase industrial socket at 12 kW. The smart on-board charger eliminates the need to have a fast charging network. The workshop claims that any three-phase connection could be used as a fast charger.
      Previous Attempts
      A similar project was initiated by Tata Motors where the automaker developed a battery-powered specifically for the UK market. It was later introduced in the UK as a mass-market LCV in 2012. However, a combination of changes in Government incentives and a sluggish take up of EV by the industry made the company discontinue Ace Electric. More

    • 113 Shares149 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Zyngo Electric Vehicles Battery Swapping Powered By Sun Mobility

      by

      Zyngo Electric VehiclesA total of 500 Zyngo vehicles will use SUN Mobility Swap Points by the end of this year
      A host of EV startups are coming up with offerings ranging from last mile delivery services to setting up battery swapping stations in a bid to enhance the dependence on electric power and boost growth in the EV sector. The electric vehicle market in India is expected to register sales of over the 63 lakh unit mark by 2027.
      The Government of each state in India coming up with various initiatives to boost this growth. Some such Indian startups that have been revolutionizing the EV industry in India are Zypp Electric Mobility, Zyngo Mobility, Ather Energy and eBike Go.
      Sun Mobility and Zyngo Join Hands
      SUN Mobility, a Bengaluru based provider of universal energy infrastructure and services has entered into an alliance with Zyngo, is a hyperlocal delivery service catering to the needs of B2B and B2C consumers. Zyngo commenced operations in Jan 2020 and has since then partnered with various brands to provide last mile delivery.
      The partnership was announced in the presence of the Chief Minister of Haryana, Manohar Lal Khattar. Under the terms of the agreement, Zyngo will depoy 500 vehicles linked to SUN Mobility swapping network by the end of this year.
      Zyngo Electric Vehicles
      For a start, 120 vehicles have been deployed in Gurugram, Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad for last mile and middle mile delivery. The vehicles that will consist of e-loaders and carriers will use SUN Mobility Swap points in 2021 for its last mile delivery services.
      Zyngo’s fleet of e-loaders and carriers will utilize SUN Mobility’s services through the network of battery swap points being offered at Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) stations to boost last-mile delivery services.
      Sun Mobility’s swapping solution
      As per the terms of agreement, Zyngo vehicles powered by SUV Mobility’s swapping solutions will try to alleviate the key EV adoption challenges among which are high battery replacement costs, high battery maintenance charges and range anxieties along with charging time.
      Systemic growth in Gurugram is being projected by the Government especially in terms of electric mobility. The Government of Haryana expects to reduce pollution levels and generate employment opportunities in the state and this alliance between SUN Mobility and Zyngo is a step in this direction in turning Gurugram into the Smartest City in the country.
      Zyngo is the delivery partner for a host of e-commerce, FMCC, retail and pharma organizations. There has been a boom in e-commerce networks over the past 9-12 months causing a surge in last mile deliveries. Other players such has Amazon, Flipkart and Big Basket have also sought a shift towards electrifying their delivery fleet.
      Prateek Rao, Founder and CEO of Zyngo spoke about this alliance with SUN Mobility in their bid to offer pollution free and seamless delivery services to their end customers. It is the company’s endeavor to become one of the leading EV logistics service providers in the last mile sector. SUN Mobility platform has powered over 1 lakh deliveries covering a total of 2 lakh plus emission free kms in association with Zyngo. More

    • 213 Shares119 Views

      in Electric Cars

      BMW amps up EV plans, sees 50% all-electric sales by 2030 – Roadshow

      by

      The all-electric iX SUV pushes BMW’s controversial styling direction even further forward.
      BMW

      BMW is charging ahead with even more expansive electric vehicles and increased sustainability efforts, as outlined at its annual conference that kicked off Wednesday in Munich, Germany. The luxury automaker says it expects around 50% of its global sales to be battery-electric vehicles by 2030. Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board, made the following statement: “By the end of 2025, we will have delivered a total of around two million fully-electric vehicles to customers. We will also be growing our sales of fully electric models by well over 50% per year over the next few years — more than 10 times the figure for 2020.” BMW i4 sedanAs part of a broad portfolio of announcements, BMW showed the first images of its new i4 electric sedan and revealed that the model is three months ahead of schedule. Due for production this year, the 4-Series-Gran-Coupe-based i4 is predicted to offer up to 300 miles of range on the US EPA test cycle. The EV’s Munich-based production plant is powered by Bavarian hydroelectric plants. This is part of the automaker’s drive to curb factory emissions 80% by 2030.

      Climb in the driver’s seat
      Subscribe to Roadshow’s newsletter for the latest car news and reviews, delivered to your inbox twice weekly.

      BMW iX SUVPerhaps more importantly, given global sales trends, BMW also unveiled its new iX crossover SUV during the two-day conference. Riding atop a new platform, the iX has been developed on a foundation of greener materials, including greater use of recycled plastics and aluminum, as well as leather tanned via olive leaf extracts and floor mats made from used fishing nets. The all-electric challenger to Tesla’s Model X flagship and Audi’s growing E-Tron range is confirmed to deliver 300 miles of range. It’s expected to arrive in the US in early 2022, carrying a starting price tag of around $85,000. The two-motor iX xDrive50 model will offer in excess of 500 hp and hit 62 mph in under 5 seconds en-route to a governed top speed of 124 mph. Even BMW’s entry-level, single-motor iX xDrive40 will still deliver over 300 horsepower, enabling 0-62mph acceleration runs in just over 6 seconds. It’s not immediately clear, however, whether this less-powerful variant will be offered in North America.While certainly swift, it’s worth noting that neither of these iX models would appear to offer specifications that best Tesla’s Model X Long Range — the SUV’s base model — which delivers an estimated 360 miles of range and hits 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. (It’s worth noting that repeated real-world tests have shown Tesla’s mileage figures to be best-case scenarios while legacy automakers have been conservative in their calculations, routinely overdelivering on range by a substantial margin.)BMW will open US pre-orders for the new iX SUV in July.BMW Neue KlasseAs part of the two-day conference, BMW also confirmed a previously unknown generation of vehicles, the Neue Klasse (or “New Class”) coming from 2025. Boasting new modular powertrains and higher degrees of automated driving, these EVs will incorporate next-generation batteries and software, as well as a “sharply increased” amount of recycled materials, the automaker said in a statement. Details are few, but BMW says the Neue Klasse has “the ultimate aim of matching the range and manufacturing cost of state-of-the-art combustion engines.”It’s also worth noting that Neue Klasse is also the name of a series of groundbreaking BMW models, which began in 1962 with the 1500 sedan.

      Mini goes all-in on EVsAs had been rumored, the BMW Group’s Mini brand will transition to be 100% electric “by the early 2030s.” The company’s last new model to debut with a combustion engine will bow in 2025. BMW’s retro-styled small-car city brand has struggled for relevance in recent years, with slipping sales exacerbated by a lack of SUV models. Today, Mini only offers one all-electric model, the low-cost, city-focused Cooper SE, which has been a sales sales bright spot for the brand.BMW still investing in hydrogenWhile BMW’s focus will be on expanding its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) range, the automaker also confirmed plans to release a small series of BMW i Hydrogen NEXT models, though it isn’t clear where those vehicles will be made available, or how. In a press statement, the company noted “we could also imagine it as a production vehicle,” which suggests that the i Hydrogen NEXT might be a part of a pilot program, not a traditionally manufactured vehicle available for purchase or lease. BMW previously showed an X5 SUV-based i Hydrogen NEXT concept with fuel-cell technology developed with Toyota, a brand it’s been working with on the tech since at least 2013.BMW iDrive 8As part of the run-up to its annual conference, BMW also revealed details of its next-generation iDrive 8 infotainment system. The new 5G-capable hardware will arrive first in the automaker’s range of EVs, and it includes an unusual curved display and improved tech, including an avatar-like presence when a user summons the digital voice assistant. The system will bow on the new i4 and iX models.Despite these massive ongoing investments in electrification and digitalization technologies, BMW is boosting profit predictions for 2021 to 6% to 8%, more than double the 2.7% profit return in pandemic-stricken 2020. More

    • 213 Shares189 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Strom R3 Electric Gets Orders Worth Rs 7.5 Cr From Mumbai, Delhi – In Just 4 Days

      by

      Strom R3 Electric VehicleDeliveries of Strom R3 are set to commence in early 2022 with a limited production run
      Strom Motors, a Mumbai-based electric vehicle startup, commenced pre-bookings for its maiden product, the R3 personal 3-wheeled electric car. Set to have a limited production run, the quirky Strom R3 has already garnered orders worth USD 1 million (~Rs 7.5 crores) in just four days.
      Strom R3 – Order books open
      Pre-orders of the Strom R3 will be open for a few more weeks. It is to be noted that the company neither revealed the number of bookings nor the price of the vehicle. Customers can order one for INR 10,000.
      It is unclear on what basis the company arrived at the USD 1 million figure – based on the booking amount alone or on the full vehicle price which is estimated to be INR 4.5 lakh. It is most likely the latter, considering that the pre-orders are only available for Mumbai and Delhi as of now.
      Overview
      The Strom R3 is an unconventional urban runabout with compact footprint and a single rear wheel. The two-door two-seater electric vehicle is aimed at working professionals, families and fleet operators for journeys that are 10 km or less. The made-in-India mini EV is comparable to a quadricycle in terms of size and looks like a micro car when viewed from front.
      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      When viewed from the side, there is nothing conventional about the R3. The profile lines are angular and the single rear wheel makes for a curvy rear fascia.
      The compact cabin seats two people and the car-like dashboard gets triple touchscreen interface. Things should be comfortable enough during short urban commutes. The driver seat is 12-way adjustable and both seats are equipped with 3-point seat belts.
      Feature highlights include power windows, AC, voice and gesture controls, smartphone connectivity, audio system with 20 gb storage, turn-by-turn navigation, and 4G connectivity with vehicle health monitoring (SOC, brake pads, motor and power electronic status, etc). In the future, the company proposes to add automatic vehicle following system and park assist to the equipment package.
      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      Powertrain
      Powering the little three-wheeled electric car is a 15 kW AC induction motor which generates a healthy 90 Nm of torque. Transmission system involves a single reduction gear. Three drive modes are on offer namely Eco, Normal and Sports. The regenerative braking also has three modes – aggressive, normal, off.
      The vehicle is equipped with a 48 v lithium-ion battery (kWh unspecified) which claimed to last for over 1,00,000 km. It can be charged in 3 hours and is claimed to offer a maximum range of 200 km, representing a running cost as low as INR 0.40 per km. Top speed is electronically limited to 80 km.
      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      The vehicle tips the sales at 550 kg. As far as storage space is concerned, the Strom R3 has a 300 liters of boot space at the rear in addition to a 100 liter compartment at the front. More

    • 188 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT Delhi – Will Help Students Research Autonomous Tech

      by

      MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT DelhiThe alliance will help to further the research being conducted in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles
      MG Motor India has formed an alliance with IIT Delhi – Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology (CART). This partnership is being forged for extensive research in the field of electric and autonomous vehicles.
      The focus of IIT Delhi will be in furthering the MG Motor endeavor on Connected – Autonomous –Shared – Electric (CASE) through research in deployment of electric and autonomous vehicles through urban India.
      In keeping with the new research subject, MG Motor has also donated a ZS EV to IIT Delhi and the research will also include Connected Mobility in terms of Route Planning and Navigation, Obstacle Detection, Seamless and Natural Human Interaction and AI for Inferring and Decision-making.
      Child Car Safety Seat Project
      This is not the first such study conducted by IIT Delhi for MG Motor. Earlier the automaker had worked with IIT Delhi to boost in-car child safety seat project via geofencing. The study also extended to innovation challenge Hackathons in partnership with IIT Delhi for a safer and greener most of travel.
      MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT Delhi
      It may be recalled that the MG ZS EV is the first internet electric SUV while the Gloster is the first autonomous Level 1 premium SUV. Both these cars make ideal case studies in developing the future of autonomous vehicles, especially so in an institute that is ranked among the top in terms of technology in the world.
      CART offers high end research into areas such as battery operated electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles along with storage and alternate energy sources and autonomous and connected vehicles.
      MG ZS EV and Gloster
      With electric vehicles becoming popular in our markers, the MG ZS EV competes with the Tata Nexon EV and Hyundai Kona EV. More recently, at the Green Car Award by ICOTY, the Tata Nexon, Hyundai Kona and ZS EV were in the top 3 spots, scoring 106 points, 99 points and 93 points respectively.
      MG ZS Electric Car Donated To IIT Delhi
      The MG Gloster and ZS EV have also been contributing heavily to company sales. In Feb 21, MG Motor India recorded their highest production, booking and sales with 4,329 units sold relating to a 214 percent YoY growth. The company attributed this growth to the ZS EV and Gloster.
      MG Motor India is now working on extending their charging infrastructure and localization of powertrains. MG Motor recently clocked its 50,000th unit production milestone with the Hector and plans to produce 1 lakh units annually by 2022 from its Halol plant. Current production stands at 80,000 units with the Hector 6 and 7 seater, Gloster and EV while the company also plans a fourth car – Model K in the third quarter of this year. More