Car News

Subterms

    More stories

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Files Complaint In Transport Dept Over Low Range

      by

      Image for reference. Credit – Hemank.
      Tata Motors has been issued with a show cause notice by the Delhi Transport Department following a complaint filed by a Delhi resident

      The complaint states that the Tata Nexon Electric failed to perform as per standard. The vehicle owner, a resident of Najafgarh, purchased the Tata Nexon EV XZ+ variant and noted that while the company claimed a range of 312 km per charge, his vehicle was not offering more than 200 kms. This was despite the fact that he complied with every advice issued by the dealer.
      The Nexon EV was purchased from an authorized company dealership in Safarjung Enclave. It was registered on 3rd Dec 2020 and it was immediately noted to fail in meeting the required range as indicated. Though the owner stringently followed all directions, there was no improvement in the range and nowhere close to 312 kms per charge.
      Complaint Filed, Show Cause Notice Issued
      A complaint was filed by the owner of the Tata Nexon EV with Delhi Transport Department and a notice has been sent to the automaker. Tata Motors has been instructed to depute a representative to attend the office of the said department on 5th Feb 2021 at 12 noon.
      The notice also adds that the Delhi Government could consider removing the subsidy offered under the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2020, on the Tata Nexon EV, if it is proved that this contention is proved to be true.
      File Photo. Credit – AutoTown
      Under this Policy, a purchase incentive of Rs.10,000 per kWh battery capacity is offered on the purchase of an electric 4 wheeler with a cap of Rs.1.50 lakhs. Also, the owners of the first 1000 electric cars registered in Delhi, following the issuance of the policy, would be eligible for the incentive. The Nexon EV is an approved vehicle under these conditions of the EV policy.
      Tata Motors, on their part, have taken cognizance of the show cause notice and are taking measures to address the concerns of the owner. The range of 312 kms per charge is based on certification received from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
      ARAI is an apex body to test and certify vehicles under various standard test conditions prior to the vehicles going on sale. Tests conducted by ARAI are under special and ideal conditions and hence range are always on the higher side as compared to real world conditions.
      As is also seen in the case of conventional vehicles, electric vehicle range is also derived depending on certain factors. These include use of air conditioning, individual style of driving and real world conditions present at the time the vehicle is being driven. The range is also achieved according to familiarity with the new technology and customers report a marked improvement by around 10 percent in a time frame of 4-6 weeks once they are familiar with the vehicle.
      Tata Nexon EV Sales
      Tata Nexon EV is the best-selling electric SUV in India and most affordable car in its segment currently commanding a market share of 63.2 percent. Launched on 28th Jan 2020, sales have touched the 3,000 unit mark in the past one year while its affordable price tag allows it compete efficiently with its rivals such as the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.
      Source More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      New Tesla Electric Car Testing To Start This Year – Could Be Named Model 2

      by

      Tesla Model 2 render. Credit – JULIEN JODRY/TWITTER
      This compact electric car is likely to be positioned as an entry-level product from Tesla and will be based on the same platform as Model 3

      Tesla has reached a point in its business endeavours that it could very well project itself as a mass manufacturing mainstream automaker in the future. While its Model 3 sedan is currently the most popular electric car worldwide, its latest offering- Model Y, is set to overhaul the former to become even more popular.
      This could be further established by the company developing an affordable electric car worth $25,000 (equivalent to INR 18.22 lakh). Latest reports surfaced on the internet suggest that Tesla might soon commence testing trials for the upcoming compact car which has been labeled as a ‘Future Product’ in its Q4 FY 2020 Update Letter.
      Tesla Compact EV
      The company, however, has not yet officially confirmed the development of the said vehicle. As per a report published in a Chinese media outlet, Tesla is expected to begin road tests for this upcoming EV in the coming months, most probably in the latter half of this year in China. The report further mentions that this car could make an appearance at the Guangzhou Auto Show later this year.
      Specifications about this upcoming compact EV are still in the dark and are expected to be revealed in months to come. However, it has been revealed that it will be designed by locally hired talent in China. This would allow the EV giant to develop this model in a budget.
      2021 Tesla Model S
      In all likelihood, Tesla would target the working class as the primary consumer base for this product hence it requires to be cost-effective. The EV is expected to offer modest performance and a range of about 350-450 km on a single charge.
      Design-wise, this EV is likely to be positioned as a compact hatchback which is based on the platform as Model 3. This should provide the upcoming EV with ample space inside the cabin. Furthermore, reports mention that the car could be produced at Gigafactory in Shanghai although exact details as to the exact area where its assembly line will be set up are still unknown.
      Tesla In India
      This development comes in the backdrop of Tesla looking to expand its global footprints by setting foot in emerging markets like India. Last month, the company officially announced that it would enter the Indian market with its headquarter set up in Bangalore.
      While its manufacturing facility could be established in either of the two major ports of Kandla and Mundra in the state of Gujarat. The first product in India will be the Model 3 electric sedan which is expected to be followed by the launch of Model Y electric crossover. In 2020, Telsa manufactured and delivered about 5 lakh electric cars globally.
      SOURCE 1, SOURCE 2 More

    • 188 Shares99 Views

      in Electric Cars

      2021 MG ZS Electric Launch Price Rs 21 L – Range Increased By 66 Kms

      by

      2021 MG ZS EV
      MG Motor India has announced the launch of updated ZS EV today – with a minor price hike

      With an unprecedented rise in fuel prices and the growing electric vehicle space in India, manufacturers have found the need to update their EVs in order to pitch them as compelling offerings to customers. In line with this, MG Motor has launched updated electric crossover today.
      First launched in India about a year back, in the early parts of 2020, it was the second offering from MG in India after Hector. The new ZS EV is similar to look at and comes with no design updates, but features a host of new features, including raised ground clearance.
      2021 MG ZS EV price and variants
      Older MG ZS EV was offered same two trims of Excite and Exclusive at Rs 20.88 lakh and Rs 23.58 lakh (ex-showroom). New prices are at Rs 20.99 lakh and Rs 24.18 lakh – making it more expensive by up to Rs 60k.
      Current Powertrain Specs
      ZS EV is the only EV offering front the Chinese-owned British brand in India. Older ZS EV was equipped with a 44.5 kWh battery pack which is paired to an electric motor capable of churning out 143 bhp and a peak torque of 353 Nm.
      2021 MG ZS EV updates
      The new ZS EV 2021 Model is offered with the same specs, but the battery is new, which MG calls HT (Hi-Tech) Battery. Thanks to this new battery pack, range has increased by 66 kms. MG claims a single-charge range of 419 kms on the new ZS EV, while the older one claimed 353 kms.
      The electric crossover is offered in FWD configuration and a single-speed automatic gearbox. The battery can be juiced up from 0 to 80 percent in just 40 minutes using a 50 kW DC fast charger and in 6-8 hours via a 7.4 kW AC home charger.
      Feature Updates
      In terms of features, it comes with the same set of top notch features which were already on offer. This includes 8 inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and MG’s i-Smart connected tech. The updated ZS EV will carry forward features such as a 360-degree camera, navigation system and a digital instrument cluster.
      2021 MG ZS EV cities
      One of the biggest update on offer is the increased ground clearance. MG ZS EV ground clearance has now been increased to 177mm. This makes the car even more capable on bad roads. Tyre aspect ratio is 215/55 wrapped around 17 inch alloys. In addition to this, MG has now launched the car in 31 cities of India.
      ZS EV currently does not have a direct rival in India, however, it competes with other electric crossovers including Hyundai Kona Electric and Tata Nexon EV. Other than this, MG is also expected to launch a petrol-powered version of ZS sometime later this year.
      2021 MG ZS EV More

    • 188 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Triton EV Plans To Launch Electric Car In India This Year – To Rival Tesla

      by

      Triton Electric Car Sketch
      With growing interest in electric cars in India, a number of products have been launched in recent times

      After Tata Nexon EV, Tigor EV, Hyundai Kona, and MG ZS EV, world’s leading EV manufacturer Tesla has also set up its office in India. We are also witnessing a number of startups in this space, who are currently working on their respective prototypes.
      Triton-EV N4
      The newest entrant is American company Triton-EV that has announced plans to launch its first product in the Indian market. Named N4, the electric sedan will be rivalling Tesla Model 3 in the Indian market. However, N4 will be a lot cheaper at a starting price of Rs 35 lakh.
      In comparison, Tesla Model 3 is expected to be launched in India at around Rs 50 lakh. Pre-bookings for Triton-EV N4 sedan are currently open at the company’s website.
      From a visual perspective, Triton-EV N4 looks futuristic with its aerodynamic, fluid design. Some of the key features include sleek headlamps with DRLs, blacked-out grille with Triton logo, sporty red accents on the front bumper, sculpted bonnet, edgy rear tail lamps and stylish rear bumper. However, the car’s design is currently in development phase. So, production variant could be different from what we can see right now.
      Triton Electric Car Sketch
      On the inside, N4 will pack in a fully digital instrument console that seamlessly connects to the wide touchscreen infotainment system. The sedan will offer all the luxuries and comforts that one can expect from a premium electric car.
      Other key features include a panoramic sunroof that will have integrated solar panel. The power generated from the solar panel can be used for on-board systems and for charging the battery.
      Triton-EV N4 powertrain
      Customers will have the option to choose a 75Kwh or 100 Kwh battery pack, with range of 523 km and 696 km, respectively. The car will support fast charging, allowing zero to 80% charge in around one hour.
      Triton Electric Car Sketch
      Triton-EV N4 will be produced in USA and there will be a total of four variants on offer. A high-performance GT edition will also be launched, which will be limited to just 100 units.
      For the Indian market, the company is looking to collaborate with Bharat Electronics Ltd. If the deal goes through, the two companies can work together to develop electronic systems and batteries for N4 and other EVs planned for the Indian market.
      It is to note that Triton EV is a subsidiary of New Jersey based Triton Solar, a leading player in solar panels, battery technology and portable lighting. The company caters to renewable energy requirements of both households and enterprises. More

    • 138 Shares189 Views

      in Electric Cars

      MG ZS Electric Subscription Offer Launched At Rs 50k Per Month

      by

      MG ZS Electric Subscription
      One of the best selling electric car in India, MG ZS EV is now available via subscription

      To make it easier for customers to experience its pure electric SUV without the hassles of ownership and paperwork, MG Motor has launched subscription plans for ZS EV. This is part of ‘MG Subscribe’ platform, which already has Hector SUV available on subscription.
      Addition of ZS EV on the subscription platform is in line with the company’s focus to provide dynamic mobility solutions to customers. It is part of MG’s long-term strategy of CASE (Connected – Autonomous – Shared – Electric), which is designed to suit evolving customer needs and industry trends.
      MG ZS EV subscription plan details
      Subscription plans for MG ZS EV have been launched in partnership with Zoomcar and Orix. A self-drive car rental company, Zoomcar has presence in 45 cities across India. It will be providing high-end technology solutions that will power the ‘MG Subscribe’ platform.
      Orix will function as MG’s vehicle deployment partner and will make available ZS EV to customers on subscription. It is to note that Orix is India’s largest shared mobility platform.
      MG ZS Electric Subscription
      Initially, subscription plans for MG ZS EV will be available in four cities – Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune. Based on market response, the service can be introduced in other cities as well.
      Customers who subscribe soon stand to gain, as the subscription plans for ZS EV are currently available under an inaugural offer of Rs 49,999 per month in Mumbai. This is applicable on 36-month subscription plan. Similarly, there are flexible tenure options of 12, 18, and 24 months.
      Customers will have the option to choose between self-use subscription plans and shared subscribe. In the former, customers will be using the car for their own use and bear the entire cost of subscription. In shared subscribe, customers can share the car with others when they are not using it. This will allow them to reduce their monthly subscription fee in a proportionate manner.
      MG ZS EV subscription plan – key benefits
      Subscription plans for MG ZS EV are designed to eliminate all the hassles of owning and operating a car. That means no worries about insurance, maintenance, vehicle taxes, and paperwork. Customers don’t even have to pay down-payment when they choose the subscription plan. They also don’t have to stress about things like selling a used car. Moreover, users can avail tax benefits on the monthly amount paid as subscription fee.
      With evolving customer preferences, car subscription plans are gaining popularity across the country. As of now, most carmakers such as Tata Motors (Nexon EV subscription starts from Rs 30k per month), Maruti Suzuki, Toyota, Mahindra, Renault, Volkswagen, and Hyundai have dedicated subscription plans for their customers. More

    • 138 Shares179 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Ozone Alice Electric Car Teased Ahead Of India Debut In 2021

      by

      Ozone Electric Car Prototype
      Yet another Indian startup is getting ready to showcase a made in India electric car this year

      In what could be a game changer for the electric car segment in the country, Ozone Motors will be unveiling its first product in 2021. Named Alice Urban, the EV has been especially designed for urban commutes.
      Ozone Alice electric car promises to solve the current set of challenges in this segment such as high cost of acquisition and long charging time. It has been in development for the past few years, and now the first teaser of the prototype has been shared.
      Ozone Motors Alice Urban design and styling
      As can be seen in the teaser image, Alice Urban has a compact, aerodynamic design. The front grille stretches all the way to the edges, where it is flanked by LED headlamps and boomerang shaped LED DRLs.
      As the focus is more on practicality, Alice Urban is expected to have a minimalistic look and feel. It is likely to use lighter alloys and composite materials to reduce weight and extract more miles from the battery. More details about the electric car will be revealed in the coming days.
      Hat tip to Rushlane Infolane member Bhargav Patel
      Ozone Motors Alice Urban tech specs
      As compared to other electric cars available for sale in the country, Alice Urban has relatively modest numbers in terms of range and top speed. The top speed is rated at 70 km/h whereas range is 150 km. This has been purposely done to keep the pricing affordable.
      As of now, the cheapest electric car available in the country is Tata Tigor EV, which retails in the range of Rs 9.58 lakh to Rs 9.90 lakh. Top selling Tata Nexon EV is available at a starting price of Rs 13.99 lakh. Others like MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona are priced above Rs 20 lakh. The high pricing of these cars has made them inaccessible to a large number of customers who may be interested in buying an EV.
      Alice Urban can be expected to be offered at lower prices. The price difference would be significant enough to motivate customers to switch to an electric vehicle. With lower cost of acquisition, Alice Urban will also appeal to first time car buyers as well as youngsters who are more willing to contribute to environmental causes.
      Ozone Electric Car Prototype
      With its smaller battery setup, Alice Urban has a faster charging time. It can achieve a full charge in just 180 minutes. This will be useful when charging the vehicle at a recharging station in the city.
      Advanced tech features
      Alice Urban will be equipped with a range of internet connected smart features. Below is a short video of the Ozone Alice electric car early prototype in action.
      [embedded content]
      Ozone Motors is a leading provider of vehicle tracking and safety systems and it will be an easy job to equip Alice Urban with the same set of features. Expect Alice Urban to have smart features such as real-time vehicle tracking, vehicle speed monitoring, vehicle location update, remote engine on/off, unauthorized vehicle movement detection, and SOS button. More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Maruti Dzire Electric Modified By Owner – Range 250 Kms, Petrol To EV Conversion

      by

      Maruti Dzire Electric by – Hemank Dabhade / Northway Motorsport EV
      On a full charge, the modified DZire EV can do 250 kms when driven at moderate speeds

      The electric vehicle culture in India is on the rise as every automaker is making some headway into this segment. Tata Motors Nexon EV has crossed the 2,200 sales mark since launch and the MG ZS EV got 200 bookings just in December 2020 alone. The Hyundai Kona Electric has also seen its share of success in Indian markets.
      Maruti Suzuki is yet to launch any electric vehicle in the country. There was some talk of Maruti WagonR EV some time last year but there have been no further updates even as the company had been actively testing the model in India. In international market, Suzuki already sells the electric WagonR.
      Maruti Suzuki DZire VXI Electric
      Northway Motorsport EV has now modified a brand new Maruti Dzire into an all electric car. The car was purchased last year, only to modied as an electric car. The company has been noted for converting several other petrol and diesel powered vehicles into electric models, but this DZire VXI by far excels them all.
      Developed in-house, the Maruti DZire now receives a 15 kW motor that can peak upto 35 kW. It produces 170 Nm torque that goes up to 842 Nm at the wheels. Even as the team has developed several battery packs, the DZire received 3 options each mounted on the fuel tank, transmission tunnel and extension exhaust area respectively.
      Maruti Dzire Electric
      The pack on the fuel tank is at 13 kWh while that in the tunnel stands at 15 kWh and at 1 kWh in the exhaust area. The Maruti DZire is water sealed at IP67 rating and receives a 5 speed manual transmission. Yes, a manual transmission. This is the first electric car in India to have a manual transmission.
      Modifications made to the vehicle for conversion to electric power sees a reduction in overall weight by 3 kgs from 950 kgs to 947 kgs. This changes see a lighter fly wheel and usable reverse gear. The new DZire also gets VCU compatibility and full integration with all CAN functions.
      Apart from minimal changes, all other features such as instrument cluster, throttle peddle and power steering along with safety equipment of ABS, EBD and airbags remain unchanged. For its air conditioning system, the DZire EV uses a Brushless Direct Current Motor (BLDC).
      [embedded content]
      The radiator fan works to keep battery and other electronics cool and he instrument cluster now gives off all vital EV information. The tachometer indicates motor RPM and the fuel gauge details the battery level. Temperature gauge shows off the temperature of the battery while charging level is also indicated on the instrument cluster when the engine is switched off.
      DZire EV Charging and Top Speed
      The new Maruti Suzuki DZire EV can be charged via a CCS 2 Port. It is positioned in the place of the fuel nozzle behind the fuel filling lid. Charging from 0-100 percent is done via a 15 Amp socket in 8 hours while the team is also devising a fast charging system.
      Top speed is at 160 kmph while the EV can also take on a gradient of 34 percent and can tow a 3 tonne vehicle with free rolling. In full charge, the EV claims a 250 km range when driven at moderate speeds.

      Source More

    • 175 Shares129 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Nio ET7 Electric Car Launched To Take On Tesla – Claims 1,000 Kms Range

      by

      Nio ET7 Electric car
      NIO’s ET7 all-electric ET7 sedan to take on Tesla Model S in China

      Tesla faces some serious competition in China as NIO has launched the ET7 electric sedan that promises an every higher range as compared to Tesla’s Model S. The new ET7 electric sedan was unveiled at the Sichuan provincial capital of Chengdu by NIO’s Chief Executive William Li Bin. Bookings are now open.
      The ET7 electric sedan will be ready for delivery from 2022. Pre-orders open in China with the company not yet confirming launch in other markets. ET7 is offered in Standard, Premium and Extended Editions and priced at 448,000 Yuan (approximately $69,160) or at 378,000 Yuan without the battery.
      Driving Range
      The Standard Edition offers a range of 500 kms with a 70 kWh battery pack which is around 7 percent higher than that offered by the Tesla Model S. This goes up to 700 kms on the Premium Edition with a 100 kWh battery while the Extended Edition has a range of 1000 kms with a 150 kWh battery.
      These figures are as per China’s NEDC testing standards while on Europe’s WLTP test it could give a lower figure. The Premium Edition is priced at 536,000 yuan while no price details of the Extended Edition have been revealed as on date.
      Nio ET7 Electric car
      ET7 Design
      The ET7 is a large sedan measuring 200.7 inches in length making it around 5 inches longer than the Tesla Model S. It comes in with a single screen serving as an instrument cluster and one with a portrait orientation serving as an infotainment hub. This can be controlled via a digital assistant known as “Nomi’.
      NIO ET7 gets Nio autonomous driving or NAD with a self-driving system with sensing technology, control software and computing power. The system consists of 33 sensors with radar, lidar and high resolution cameras along with 4 NVIDIA Drive Orin computers and vehicle to infrastructure communication and a capability to process 8 gigabytes per second. Buttons are very few and the steering wheel sports a two-spoke design.
      Battery And Motor Options
      NIO’s ET7 electric sedan will be powered by a single powertrain. This dual motor system offers a combined 644 hp power and 626 lb/ft (850 Nm) torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph is achieved in 3.9 seconds.
      Nio ET7 Electric car
      As is also seen with other NIO electric vehicles the battery of the ET7 can be swapped via the company’s network or power battery stations. The owner can drive into any of the stations wherein the automated system handles the swap.
      The NIO ET7 is the company’s first electric sedan. They already have ES8 and ES8 models in the SUV segment. The ET7 electric sedan is aimed squarely at the Tesla Model S, and could be launched in global markets to take on the US electric car giant. More