Car News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 113 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Driving Experience Improved With Software Update

      by

      There could be marginal improvement in driving range as well
      The Tata Nexon EV, India’s best selling electric passenger car, has received a new software update that is aimed at improving the overall driving experience. The latest software version 2.07 can be installed by taking the vehicle to the authorized service center.
      Tata Nexon EV software update – what’s new?

      The Nexon EV’s V 2.07 software update is reported to have improved the vehicle’s creep function by reducing the response time between releasing the brake pedal and the vehicle moving forward. The overall operation is said to be smoother than before.
      Another significant upgrade comes in the form of improved brake energy regeneration which was considered to be intrusive by some owners when the state-of-charge (SoC) is less than 20%. The brake pedal effort has also been reduced and this could be partially due to the changes made to the regeneration operation.
      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Furthermore, Tata Motors’ engineering team has brought forth improvements in sensor calibration to achieve more accuracy in energy consumption (Wh/km) reading. The coasting function has also been optimized for better driving experience on the highway. The overall changes are expected to improve the range marginally but there is no data to prove at this point.
      Nexon EV Performance
      Priced from Rs 14 lakhs, ex-sh, Nexon Electric is powered by an PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) which is powered by a 30.2 kWh lithium ion battery pack. Power delivery is rated at 129 PS while torque output is 245 Nm. Two drive modes are on offer called Drive and Sports. The system is powered by Tata Ziptron technology.
      Drive range of Nexon EV on a fully charged battery is claimed to be at 312 kms. But real world drive range is a lot lesser. Some owners have reported getting range of 170 kms while some have even managed to get 250+ kms. It largely depends on how you drive the car, in what conditions.
      Nexon EV Sales
      Since its launch, Nexon has been the best selling passenger electric car in the country. In the current fiscal year, Nexon EV sales have reached almost 850 units. While sales of other passenger EVs – MG ZS was at 387 units while Hyundai Kona was at 71 units. It is also to be noted here that Nexon is the most affordable of the three.
      Along with Tigor EV and eVerito, the total passenger E-Car sales in India for April 2020 to Aug 2020 stood at 1,408 units. Nexon EV has lion’s share in the market, which is at 60.23%. In the future, Tata plans to launch electric Altroz as well as electric HBX. This will help the company improve their market share in the electric car segment even further.
      Source More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Delhi Govt to deposit Electric Vehicle Subsidy in bank account of EV buyers

      by

      Under this new EV Policy, the Delhi Government will provide subsidies to buyers of electric vehicles
      Delhi Government is set to become the first state government in India to implement its Electric Vehicle policy. The state is likely to roll out the subsidy schemes under the new electric vehicle (EV) policy next week.

      The Delhi Government had notified the EV policy for the national capital last month after a formal announcement by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. The policy was adopted with the aim to boost economy and reduce pollution levels in Delhi which is considered to be one of the most polluted cities in the world.
      At the time of the announcement, CM Kejriwal said that the new policy aimed at registering five lakh new EVs in the next five years. Officials of private nationalised bank- ICICI demonstrated a software to Transport Minister Kailash Gehlot which would be used for the disbursement of subsidies under the policy.
      Ather e-scooters will soon launch in Delhi. File photo
      Provisions Under This Policy
      This new EV policy will provide incentives up to Rs 30,000 for two-wheelers, three-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws while offering a massive incentive of up to Rs 1.5 lakh for electric cars. This new EV policy will be valid for three years after which the government will review the conclusion of the policy. All the benefits offered under this policy will be relevant over and above the already existing Central Government’s FAME 2.0 policy.
      According to the payment mechanism of this policy, the subsidy will be transferred to eligible owners within two days to their bank accounts after confirmation from concerned motor licensing officers. Also, the dealers of EVs need to be self-registered with the Transport department of Delhi government so that they are able to transfer the subsidies to the beneficiary’s bank account.
      Also, the road tax and registration fee will be waived off by the state government under this scheme. Financial institutions will also provide low-interest loans to commercial EV owners. Not only this but the government will provide a 100 percent subsidy for purchasing charging equipment priced under Rs 6,000 for the first 30,000 charging sockets across the city. The new policy also mandates new residential societies and offices to reserve 20 percent parking space for EVs.
      After introduction of the new EV policy, Delhi is set to become the nerve centre of electric vehicles in India. Until the previous month, over the 11 million vehicles plying on Delhi roads, currently, only 83,730 are electric vehicles out of which majority are e-rickshaws. A similar policy in other states would definitely boost the EV movement in India. More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric PDU of Rs 1 Lakh Replaced For Free During 1st Service

      by

      Owner of brand new Tata Nexon Electric has revealed that the service center replaced Power Distribution Unit or PDU for free
      Tata Nexon EV is priced between INR 13.99 lakh to 15.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Bangalore). It is currently the most affordable passenger electric SUV. It holds a 60% market share in the country’s electric four wheeler electric passenger car space for April-Aug 2020 period. The green crossover recently received a further INR 1.5 lakh subsidy from the Delhi government under its updated EV policy.

      With sales of the Nexon EV growing, more and more owners are sharing interesting facts about the new SUV. Some days ago, a Pune based owner shared real world mileage of Nexon EV. Now, Nexon EV owner from West Bengal, has shared the cost of first service.
      Nexon EV owner from Bengal (Youtube channel GodSpeed) gave his car for first service when the car had done about 1,500 kms. The service center said that they will need to keep the car for two days. They called him on the 2nd day and said that they will need to replace the Power Distribution Unit (PDU) of his Nexon EV.
      Tata Nexon Electric PDU replaced
      PDU is more or less the brain of electric car. It has multiple functions like battery charging and management system, electric motor control, air condition control system, electric steering system, short circuit protection, electric current leak protection, IP protection as well as control braking system.
      This is the reason that it does not come cheap. As per the service bill shared, PDU of Tata Nexon EV costs about Rs 1.02 lakhs. As the car was under warranty, this unit was replaced for free. The bill was Zero Rupees. It is to be noted here that the Nexon EV comes with an 8 years / 1.6 lakh kms warranty for battery and motor. It is not clear as to why the PDU was replaced, as the owner had not reported of any issues.
      [embedded content]
      Tata Nexon EV at a glance
      To recap, the compact electric SUV is powered by a PMSM which is rated at 129 hp and 245 Nm of torque. Battery pack is a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion unit which offers a range of 312 km. The Tata Nexon EV is claimed to accelerate from rest to ton in 9.9 seconds.
      The estimated regular charging time (from 10% SOC to 90%) stands at 8.5 hours via any 15 A plug point while fast charging takes 60 mins from 0 to 80%. The vehicle’s energy efficiency is rated at 100 Wh/km.
      Tata Nexon EV’s Ziptron Power Electronics
      Feature highlights include regenerative braking, hill ascent assist, hill descent assist, powered sunroof, leatherette interiors, alloy wheels, touchscreen infotainment system, smartphone connectivity, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and so on.
      With several noticeable improvements, the Tata Nexon EV software has made the crossover more appealing. With the festive season approaching, we expect the Nexon EV to maintain its segment leadership by garnering more sales. Competition comes from the Hyundai Kona EV and MG ZS EV. More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Shares Points on How To Get 250 kms Drive Range

      by

      With Tata Nexon electric owners not getting higher drive range, here are some pointers by a fellow Nexon EV owner
      In the last 1 year or so, Electric Vehicles have slowly started to become main-stream, thanks to the introduction of practical products like Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and the Tata Nexon EV. However, despite the drive range claims by the OEMs, most users and perspective buyers are still not very well convinced about the range of the EVs which are on offer in India.

      What can possibly help change opinion are real-life reviews from other owners. One such interesting review has come in from Nirvik Banerjee, who shared his experience of ownership of a Tata Nexon EV with Electric Vehicle Web. Nirvik states that he managed to clock over 250 kms on a single charge with his Nexon electric.
      This is a pleasant surprise as many owners have claimed that they failed to get even 180 kms drive range on a full charge with Nexon EV. It is to be noted that the official range claimed by ARAI is of 312 kms, which is in ideal conditions. Hence, 250+ km on a single charge, is actually a good figure. Here are some excerpts from Nirvik’s experience with the Nexon electric.
      Nirwik achieves range of 250+ kms in his Nexon EV from a fully charged battery.
      Purchase Experience – Nirvik had booked a Nexon EV for himself back in December’19 however thanks to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery of his vehicle was delayed and he finally got his car in July’20. Because of the subsidies provided by Maharashtra Government, Nirvik didn’t have to pay road tax or any registration fees. Additionally, he also got a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh upon the ex-showroom price. Below are some tricks to extract the maximum drive range out of your Nexon EV, as per Nirvik.
      1. Take A Break
      Nopes, we aren’t trying to use a jingle of one of the famous chocolate brand in the country. Instead, Nirwik insists that after every 100-120 km or so, it is advisable to take a short break of around 5 minutes. From his experience he states that during long drives in his Nexon EV, the power consumption figure starts to increase slowly after a long stretch. Once he did not take a break after driving for over 120 kms non-stop, and his Nexon EVs MID flashed a message to stop the car and take a break. The battery consumption level at this point had reached 190 Wh/km.
      2. Using the AC Smartly
      Even if you haven’t personally driven an IC engine powered car, we are sure you would have had multiple experiences with drivers who would have insisted that using AC aggressively (extremely low temperature settings) directly reduces their earning potential, thanks to higher fuel consumption while use of an AC. Similar is the case with all EVs too.
      Nirwik usually has a goal to extract around 3 kms from every percentage point of his battery’s charge. Technically, gunning for around 300km against the ARAI claim of 312 km. In order to do so, he suggests that using AC in lower settings helps to conserve battery’s charge. During his city drives, he prefers to stick to 25 degrees Celsius as his preferred temperature setting and keeps the blower at the first point. He further adds that to understand more about the car and to figure out more ways to conserve charge, one should thoroughly read the 250 page long Car Manual.
      3. Right Speed
      Nirwik states that he ensured that his driving speed was around 70-80 kmph mark. It helped him to extract the best possible distance from a single-charge on his Nexon EV.
      4. Go Easy on the Gas
      Well, technically, there is no Gas pedal in an EV. However, just like a typical gasoline powered vehicle, EVs too land up draining energy/power (charge) when there is a requirement of sudden acceleration. Hence, it is advised to use a light-footed driving approach. The speed doesn’t matter significantly, if it is 50 kmph or 80 kmph. What will be critical is if there is no sudden acceleration which drains out battery really fast. Nirwik suggests that one should try to emulate the acceleration which a 1L NA petrol motor would provide with a light foot.
      In case you haven’t driven an EV in the past, we can assure that the new-age EVs have some really good acceleration capabilities, so it surely will be a difficult task to not to get tempted to push the accelerator pedal hard.
      5. Tyre Pressure
      Nirwik states that he used a tyre pressure of 34 psi against the recommended tyre pressure of 32 psi. We would like to add that 1-2 psi difference against the recommended tyre pressure can still be tolerable however inflating the tyres beyond the recommended mark isn’t a great idea, in light of safety risks which such practices come along with.
      6. Usage of the Correct Mode
      In Nirwik’s opinion, one of the most critical requirement to ensure a long-drive range from an EV is to use it in the ‘Drive’ mode, in other words, use the Eco mode and not a performance focused mode which is usually on offer in most EVs. This one is pretty intuitive, even if you have never driven an EV in the past. Talking about the Nexon EV, it comes with 2 drive modes, Sport and Drive and there is almost a 60% difference in the torque output figures between the two.
      Overall, Nirwik managed to complete his trip with two of his friends (more occupants = more weight = lesser mileage) and clocked 256.7 kms on a single charge on his Nexon EV. Additionally, he still had around 6% charge remaining in his battery. As a Nexon EV owner, Nirwik goes on to showcase that long-trips are possible in EVs too, however, one needs to be a little calculative and careful.
      Source More

    • 125 Shares179 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Suzuki Jimny based Electric Hybrid Concept – Created by Students

      by

      This design study has been created by students of IED Turin in association with Suzuki
      Over the decades, the Suzuki Jimny has grown into an iconic automobile, thanks to its simplicity, compact foot print and impressive abilities off the road. The Japanese automaker has managed to stick to the nameplate’s core characters every time it came up with a new generation of the mini SUV. No wonder that in most markets, the little Jimny has a waiting period stretching out to several months.
      Design students tribute to the Jimny

      Having a cult status with distinct design identity naturally puts the Suzuki Jimny in the radar of aspiring automotive designers. IED Turin students Raffaele Anile, Nicolo Bettinelli, Fiorenzo Fiorentino and Fabrizio Luciano found the Jimny’s raw character so fascinating that they decided to pay tribute to the vehicle through their dissertation design concept.
      The Suzuki U:man concept created by the IED team derives inspiration from both Jimny and Vitara. The brief was to design an Suzuki SUV concept made for everyone rather going after extreme performance or resorting to over-designing.

      U:man SUV concept
      The Suzuki U:man, just like the Jimny, adopts a simple boxy design. The roof section is kept simple with the B-pillar also doubling up as a roll hoop. A sporty front fascia with headlight displays represent modern technology while the bumper with neatly hidden tow hitch enhances functionality. The bulging wheel arches and six-spoke wheels add to the U:man’s character without going overboard. The whole glass roof gives a convertible feel while ensuring insulation from weather.
      While the exterior is all about preserving the classic identity, the interior is all about modern technology. The top part of the dashboard is made of displays that run across the full width of the cabin. The concept adopts an innovative HVAC which has blows air though gaps in the plastic panels of the dashboard. Features like wireless charging pad, advanced connectivity are on board.
      The team has opted for a four-seat configuration instead of a conventional five-seat setup in a bid to offer equal comfort to all the occupants. The place between the two rear seats has been used for luggage storage.
      The Suzuki U:man SUV concept is a design case study rather than a potential future model. So, the technical specifications of the vehicle have not been discussed by the creators aside from revealing that it has been designed for an electric hybrid powertrain.

      Source More

    • 150 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Electric car in China explodes while charging – Explosion caught on video

      by

      The incident took place in China, where demand for electric cars is on the rise – No one injured in this incident
      In yet another incident that raises questions about safety of EVs, an electric car can be seen exploding after it caught fire due to a potential battery malfunction. The incident happened at a charging station in Sanming, located in southern China. Electric cars are quite popular in China and there’s fierce competition between international players such as Tesla and local EV manufacturers.

      As per reports, the electric car was facing issues with charging. After a while, smoke started to come out of the car and it also caught fire. Fire fighters were called subsequently and they tried the conventional technique of cooling things off with water. All this while, the car was still plugged into the charger.
      However, this was not the right thing to do, as using water is generally not advised for fires involving batteries, especially the ones that have lithium. Watch the explosion video below.
      [embedded content]
      Potential cause of the explosion
      Lithium reacts violently with water, producing flammable gases and it also ignites upon contact with water. Another possible theory is that the electric current in the car could have reacted with water, producing hydrogen and oxygen via the process called electrolysis of water. As the car was already on fire, a few sparks could have easily ignited the combustible gases present inside the car.
      The explosion was quite powerful, as the doors and roof were ripped off in an instant. The explosion also produced a ball of fire, which clearly indicates towards presence of flammable gases. Both hydrogen and oxygen can explode if the required conditions are met. This is why water (H2O) is not recommended for dousing fires caused by gasoline. Putting water on a gasoline fire causes the fire to erupt even more violently, as the hydrogen and oxygen in water start to burn.
      In a split second, the electric car exploded
      It is not yet known which electric car was involved in this accident. Thankfully, the nearby area was evacuated after fire fighters rushed in. So, no one was injured in this incident.
      Other cases reported in the past
      This is not the first time that we are witnessing a car going up in flames. Over the years, several such cases have been reported involving both electric cars as well as gasoline powered cars. In 2019, A Tesla Model S had caught fire while it was parked. The incident had happened in China and was captured on CCTV camera.
      A similar incident had happened in Montreal, Canada in 2019, where a Hyundai Kona electric car had caught fire when parked in the garage. The owner had claimed that the car was not even plugged in to the charging board. The fire and smoke was followed by a powerful explosion that took out the garage door and ripped off part of the roof and walls.
      While electric cars are quite safe, such incidents show that there’s room for improvement. Users also need to follow prescribed usage and maintenance guidelines, as high powered lithium batteries can be dangerous if handled inappropriately. More

    • 200 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon EV is No 1 selling Electric car in India – With 60% Market Share

      by

      Tata Nexon EV has been the best selling passenger electric car in the Indian auto industry by some distance
      Electric Vehicles(EVs) are the future of mobility solutions across the world. This fact has been well-established in various automotive markets across the globe. While several developed countries have raced forward in EV technology, the same isn’t the case with India. In the Western and European countries, EVs have been adopted by the masses, unlike India where EV segment hasn’t been able to reach masses.

      Even though the EV segment is at a nascent stage in our market, work has commenced in terms of development and policies to adopt more EVs into our ecosystem. This can be seen in a few years from. Currently, the highest selling electric passenger vehicle has only been able to breach a three-figure number.
      Nexon EV Tops The Chart
      The Tata Nexon EV is currently the most affordable electric SUV in India and has been performing well despite a minuscule demand. In the month of August, Tata Motors was able to sell 296 units of Nexon EV across the country, the highest by a safe margin. This comes after a decent outing in June and July with numbers of 188 and 286. No wonder it is the market leader in its segment with a share of over 60 percent.
      Electric Car Sales in India from Apr-Aug 2020. Credit – Jato Dynamics India.
      ZS EV and Kona EV do not have much impact
      Following Nexon EV, is its counterpart from MG Motor- the ZS EV. A total of 119 units of ZS EV were sold last month, less than half of Nexon EV’s figures. Its sales figures were better for the month of June at 145 but dipped considerably in July at 85. The next to follow is Hyundai Kona which sold only 26 units in August. Its sales in the previous two months too weren’t impressive with 16 and 25 units of it being sold in June and July respectively.
      Tigor EV, e-Verito
      Electric car market share in India from Apr-Aug 2020. Credit – Jato Dynamics India.
      Apart from these three mainstream EVs in the passenger vehicle segment available to the general public, there is also the Tata Tigor EV and Mahindra e-Verito exclusively available to fleet and cab operators. Tigor EV sold a meager nine units and total sales for 2020-21 fiscal adds up to a paltry 95 units.
      On the other hand, it is difficult to verify e-Verito’s existence after it didn’t sell a single unit last month and its cumulative sales for the current fiscal year stands at a negligible 7 units. Its ICE counterpart, Verito didn’t make the cut in the BS6 transition and was dropped from Mahindra’s product line-up.
      The current figures might seem very modest because of the fact that EV’s are sold only in a selected few urban hubs of the country. This is mainly due to the lack of charging facilities across the country and also the hefty premium one has to pay over an ICE counterpart. With more charging infrastructure installed in the coming years, large scale EV production can be undertaken which would ultimately reduce its production cost and could become more affordable.
      Also READ – CAR SALES AUG 2020
      EVs
      Apr-20
      May-20
      Jun-20
      Jul-20
      Aug-20
      YTD
      Market share
      Market share
      FY-21
      Aug-20
      FY-21
      Nexon
      0
      78
      188
      286
      296
      848
      66%
      60.23%
      ZS
      0
      38
      145
      85
      119
      387
      26%
      27.49%
      Kona
      0
      4
      16
      25
      26
      71
      6%
      5.04%
      Tigor
      0
      25
      37
      24
      9
      95
      2%
      6.75%
      eVerito
      0
      0
      1
      6
      0
      7
      0%
      0.50%
      Total
      0
      145
      387
      426
      450
      1408 More

    • 150 Shares189 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Skoda Enyaq iV Electric Variants and Drive Range – Specs, Top speed

      by

      The new Skoda electric car derives its name from the Irish word – Enya; which means ‘Source of Life’
      Skoda tradition to affix the letter ‘Q’ after the name of their cars, is seen on the new Enyaq too. This was seen in the Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq. The iV is reserved for its electric models like the Citigo-e iV.

      The 2021 Skoda Enyaq iV is based on the MEB architecture. It was showcased as the Skoda Vision iV concept at 2019 Geneva Motor Show. In its production ready format, Enyaq iV gets a ‘Crystal Face’, and a new design direction, which will be seen on all future Skoda models. The front features an illuminated crystal grille with 130 LEDs.
      Headlamps and taillamp are LED units. Skoda is also offering Matrix LED headlamps as an option. Enyaq iV gets a curved roofline, and rounded bonnet. While base models sit on 19 inch alloy wheels, the top spec variants get 21 inch alloys. Design elements at the rear include angular brake lamps, ‘SKODA’ badging on its bootlid and silver, black or body coloured plastics on the lower rear bumper and side skirts.

      2021 Skoda Enyaq iV interior is minimal and boasts of a clutter free look. Customers will be able to personalize interiors with a choice of natural, processed and recycled material in a range of 10 theme packs. It gets a 5 inch driver display unit and a 13 inch touchscreen infotainment system which shares its user interface with other Skoda cars and a virtual cockpit. The touchscreen offers controls to in-cabin climate while it also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Skoda’s latest ‘Laura’ personal assistant.
      There are some advanced features with voice recognition software which picks up commands from the user. The command ‘I’m Hot’ will automatically reduce cabin temperature. Updates to the system are done via a built in internet connection so owners no longer need to visit company dealerships for software updates.

      There’s a new 3-spoke steering wheel, several storage spaces, including 18 litre storage space under driver arm rest. There is also a large boot of 585 litere capacity, and an adjustable boot floor to accommodate charging cables.
      Specs and Charging
      Skoda will offer the Enyaq in 3 battery and 5 output choices. Entry-level Skoda Enyaq 50 iV is powered by a 55 kWh battery. It features a rear-mounted electric motor, that delivers 109 hp and max torque of 220 Nm. 0-100 kms acceleration time is 11.4 seconds while drive range is 340 kms.
      Enyaq 60 iV features a larger 62-kWh battery that delivers 177 hp and maximum torque of 310 Nm. 0-100 kmph is achieved in 8.7 seconds and drive range is 390 km. Enyaq 80 iV gets 82 kWh battery that delivers 201 hp and 310 Nm. It has a drive range of 510 km while 0-100 kmph is achieved in 8.5 seconds.

      Enyaq 80x iV has the same battery as the 80, but has two electric motors, which deliver 261 hp and 425 Nm. This improves acceleration of 0-100 kmph to 6.9 seconds, but drops drive range to 460 kms. Top of the line Enyaq RS iV delivers even more power and torque – 302 hp and 460 Nm. It does 0-100 in 6.2 seconds and has top speed of 180 kmph. Drive range is same as the 80x, at 460 kms.
      The batteries will be charged via a 50 kW DC charging system or via a 100 kW DC fast charger; for the models with 62 kW batteries. The larger 82 kW batteries get a 125 kW DC charger. Charging from 5 to 80 percent will be completed in 38 minutes via a 125 kW fast charger, while a 11 kW wall charger will take 6-8 hours for a full charge.
      2021 Skoda Enyaq iV Price

      Skoda Enyaq iV will go on sale in UK markets from later this year. The Enyaq iV 60 will be priced from £33,450 (Rs. 32,71,648). Taking advantage of Government grants for electric cars, the price will dip to £30,450 (Rs. 29,77,801). Skoda Enyaq iV 80 will cost £38,950 (Rs. 38,10,156) while the Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Founders Edition (limited Edition) will go up to £49,995 (Rs. 48,90,597). Founders Edition is limited to 1,895 units and is a tribute to the brand’s 125-year history. More