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      in Electric Cars

      Hyundai Kona Electric Recalled In India – Over Battery Fire Issues Reported Globally

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      File Photo.
      Hyundai Kona competes with other electric crossovers such as MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon EV in India

      While electric vehicles (EVs) have already established a wide footprint in many international markets, Indian consumers are still warming up to the idea of vehicles running on batteries and electric motors. However, since its technology is relatively new to the automotive world, we often get to see many defects come across with regards to EVs.
      Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on Tuesday stated that they will be recalling 456 units of its electric crossover Kona. The company added that the selected models have been manufactured between 1 April 2020 and 31 October 2020.
      Cause of recall
      The South Korean automaker added that it initiated a recall to inspect the problem with its high-voltage battery system in its electric crossover. This is in line with cases of Kona Electric catching fire recently. As many as 13 such incidents have been reported in overseas countries including one each in Canada and Austria. It is being speculated that the high voltage battery system in Kona might be the reason behind this fire.
      Hyundai has assured its customers that all defects will be checked and resolved free of cost. It further added that all Kona Electric owners will be notified about this in a phased manner after which customers can bring their cars to their nearest authorized Hyundai Electric vehicle dealers.
      Hyundai Kona getting charged at the PlugNgo electric car charging station in Delhi
      Other Cases of recall
      The safety recall has been deemed as a proactive response to a suspected defective production of high-voltage batteries used in the vehicles. Similar cases of recall might be issued in other countries where the electric UV is retailed.
      This is not the first time that Kona Electric has been issued a recall. Earlier this year, the brand had issued a recall in regards to software updates and battery replacements. This recall involved Kona electric crossover manufactured between September 2017 and March 2020.
      Batteries used in Kona Electric are made by LG Chem Ltd. LG said that it has conducted a joint experiment with Hyundai to recreate fire but it did not. Therefore, the fire could not be attributed to faulty battery cells and so the exact cause of fire is yet to be known.
      Kona EV in India
      Hyundai launched its first EV offering in India in April 2019 at a price of Rs 23.7 lakh (ex-showroom). The electrified crossover UV is powered by a 39.2 kWh battery pack paired with an electric motor which results in an output of 135 Bhp and 395 Nm of peak torque.
      It has an ARAI certified single-charge driving range of up to 452 km. Using a simple home AC charger, it takes around 6-10 hours for batteries to get fully charged. On using a DC fast charger it takes around 57 minutes for the battery to juice from 0 to 80 percent. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra e2o Electric Modified – Now Faster Than Tata Nexon EV

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      Image – Hemank Dabhade
      Mahindra e2o is no longer on sale and has been officially discontinued by the company

      Known for its expertise in transforming fossil fuel cars into pure electric vehicles, Northway Motorsport has created the fastest electric car in the country. This is something new because when talking about entry-level electric cars, the focus is usually on range and charging time. The automotive firm also specializes in carrying out tweaks that enhance the range of existing electric cars.
      For this project, an old Mahindra e2o has been used. As may be recalled, the e2o was discontinued and replaced with the larger e2o Plus in 2016. The automotive firm has also given a new name to its modified car by adding ‘Type-R’ suffix.
      Mahindra e2o Type-R by Hemank Dabhade
      Speed comparison with other electric cars
      Although the exact details of the modification have not been revealed, the firm has claimed that its Mahindra e2o Type-R custom car can achieve top speed of 160 kmph. This is double the speed of existing Mahindra e2o Plus that has top speed of 80 kmph.
      e2o Type-R also beats other electric cars in India such as Mahindra eVerito (86 kmph), Tata Tigor EV (80 kmph), and Tata Nexon EV (120 kmph). e2o Type-R is also faster than MG ZS EV (140 kmph) and Hyundai Kona Electric (155 kmph), which are imported as CKDs and assembled in India. Effectively making this the fastest electric car in India.

      Modified e2o Type-R delivers 750 Nm of torque at wheels and has been equipped with 4-speed semi-automatic gearbox. Even when the vehicle has been redesigned for speed, it is still cost effective at just Rs 1 per kilometre.
      Northway Motorsport has also said that most of the components used in this modification project have been sourced from within the country. The modified car meets OEM standards in terms of quality of parts and fitment.

      Key upgrades
      Some of the key hardware changes include 6 pot brakes, drilled and slotted rotors, adjustable suspension, 9J forged wheels, and stretch fit low profile tyres. The car has also been equipped with internet connected smart features that can be accessed via an app or voice controls.
      Mahindra e2o Type-R also gets a stylish makeover with changes such as black mesh grille and eye-catchy fluorescent yellow strips at top of the grille and on front bumper. On the inside, upgrades include a large floating touchscreen infotainment system and bucket seats.

      This modification project is non-commercial and has been carried out purely for research and development purposes. So, if you own an e2o and want similar results, it’s unlikely that such modifications would be road legal. Just like its other project vehicles, e2o Type-R was tested on private tracks in a controlled environment.
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      Old Volkswagen Beetle Modified Into An Electric Vehicle By IIT Delhi

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      1948 Volkswagen Beetle converted into an EV
      An old vintage VW Beetle has been successfully converted into an electric car

      Setting an example of how a fully electric ecosystem can be achieved much faster, folks at IIT Delhi have successfully converted a 1948 Volkswagen Beetle into a fully electric car. The project was executed by Center For Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA), which functions as the academic think tank of the premier educational institute.
      If this technique can be improved further and made available commercially, existing fossil fuel car owners won’t have to invest in buying an electric car. The existing high cost of ownership of electric vehicles can be reduced significantly with this conversion technique.
      1948 Beetle electric project details
      One of the notable aspects of this project is that it has been executed with minimal changes to the 1948 Volkswagen Beetle. Only the engine and some components have been removed to make way for the battery and electric powertrain.
      This has ensured that the car can be easily switched back to its petrol format if the need arises. This would be sufficient to take care of any concerns that people may have about questions such as ‘what if something goes wrong with their car’s conversion to electric’.
      Team at IIT Delhi with the modified 1948 VW Beetle
      The ability to convert fossil fuel cars to electric would also be a great help to collectors who own classic cars. Parts for such cars are often difficult to source and there may be issues with the engine or it may have stopped functioning.
      An electric powertrain would be useful, as the exteriors and interiors of the car can be retained in their original form. Another benefit of electric powertrains is that they produce minimal vibrations. This can help prolong the life of vintage cars that are several decades old.
      Environmental gains
      The biggest gain of converting existing fossil fuel cars to electric will be the positive impact it will have on the environment. Adverse weather events are on the rise and most of it can be attributed to global warming linked to human activity. Vehicular emissions are among the biggest sources of pollution on earth, which is why we need to switch to an all-electric ecosystem as soon as possible. By converting existing fossil fuel cars to electric, we can reduce the time to reach that goal.
      The combination of renewable energy sources (solar, wind, hydro, etc.) and electric vehicles can transform the planet like never before. Electric cars have zero emissions and if their batteries are charged using renewable power sources, it would create a completely pollution free ecosystem. More

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      MG Hector, Hector Plus, ZS Electric – Discount Offers / Benefits For 1st Time

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      Image – Ram
      This is for the first time MG Motor India cars are on offer with any sort of discount or benefit

      MG Motor India, has recorded sales of 3,625 units of the Hector, Hector Plus and ZS EV in October 2020, the highest sales numbers ever since the automaker made its debut in the Indian market in June 2019. MoM sales increased 47.81 percent over September 20 sales which had stood at 2,537 units.
      This success was marked increased sales, normally seen during the festive season. However, this was mostly a pent-up demand and the real test of the auto industry sales is expected to start now – post the festive season. This has now resulted in MG Motor India dealers offering their cars Hector, Hector Plus and ZS EV at attractive benefits and discount offers.
      Never before have MG cars been offered with any sort of discount or offer earlier. Ever since the brand launched their first car in mid 2019, their cars have enjoyed a really good demand; always with waiting period. But now, demand is not like earlier, and authorized dealers are offering discounts and free benefits with MG cars for the first time.
      MG Car Discount / Benefits – Nov 2020
      There are offers on the Hector, Hector Plus and ZS EV. There is no offer on the new Gloster which is a recent addition to the company lineup in the country. The benefits depend on stock available at dealerships and are restricted to certain variants only.
      MG Hector Plus
      Benefits on Hector and Hector Plus
      Benefits on the Hector and Hector Plus extend upto Rs.25,000 as an exchange bonus scheme; while customers making bookings during the said period will be offered a 3 year AMC maintenance pack for FREE. Waiting period for MG Hector and Hector Plus is no longer multiple weeks, as it was at the start (up to 10 months in some cases). Post lockdown, the waiting periods have comparatively reduced.
      Benefits on MG ZS EV
      The electric MG ZS SUV comes in at a discount of Rs.40,000, an exchange offer of Rs.25,000 along with a 3 year AMC maintenance pack. Earlier this year, when the ZS EV was launched, MG Motor India had to close the bookings due to tremendous demand. Bookings had crossed the 2,800 mark in a few days. As per sales data available, MG Motor has not delivered 2,800 units of their electric SUV till date.
      MG ZS Electric
      The ZS EV is priced from Rs.20.88-23.58 lakhs and comes in with a 44.5 kWh lithium ion battery and a 3 phase permanent magnet synchronous motor that develops 142.76 hp power and 353Nm torque. The SUV offers an ARAI claimed drive range of 340kms.
      The company’s new Gloster full sized premium SUV is not a part of these discount or exchange schemes. In fact, the company has received such demand for the new Gloster that it is all sold out for 2020. Deliveries for the new Gloster have commenced.
      Disclaimer – Discounts are offered by dealers, and they vary from dealer to dealer, depending on the stock. Please check with company authorized dealers in your city for exact amount of discount / benefit offered. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Hyundai Mistra Electric Sedan Debuts With Creta Inspired Front Look

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      Hyundai Mistra Electric With Creta Inspired Headlight setup
      The Guangzhou Motor Show is being held from 20-29 November 2020

      2020 Guangzhou Motor Show is currently underway. It is one of the few automotive shows which has been held this year, as most others have cancelled due to the ongoing pandemic. Several automakers are in attendance at the 18th Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, being conducted under the theme of “New Technology, New Life”, where they show off their latest models and technologies.
      Hyundai Mistra
      The new Hyundai Mistra is in attendance at the auto show. This electric vehicle is in the mid size sedan segment and has been designed exclusively for the Chinese market. It will be officially launched sometime in early 2021 and promises to come in with a travel range of approximately 520 km.

      Hyundai Mistra is being made by Beijing-Hyundai, the joint venture between Hyundai and BAIC. It receives sleek styling with a front fascia dominated by a wide front grille with chrome finish, LED headlamps and flowing body work.
      It is smaller in dimensions as compared to the Hyundai Sonata standing 4,780mm in length, 1,815mm in width and 1,460mm in height with a 2,770mm long wheelbase commanding extensive interior space which the company states is the best in its class.

      Interior Features
      Hyundai Mistra gets several cabin comforts and technologies. It boasts of a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3 inch infotainment system and driver assistance systems. Interior highlights also include a panoramic sunroof and a surround view monitor while safety equipment includes forward collision avoidance system, highway driving assistance and navigation based cruise control along with rear cross traffic alert etc.
      Engine specs include a 1.8 liter engine that offers 141 hp power and 176 Nm torque while buyers will also receive an option of a 1.5 liter engine making 168 hp power and 252 Nm torque. The electric variant gets its power via a 56.5 kWh battery pack with power and torque figures at 181 hp and 310 Nm respectively.

      The electric Mistra offers a range of 520 kms. Charging from 30-80 percent is possible in 40 minutes while full charge via a slow charger can be accomplished in 9.5 hours.
      There is soon to be a shift in favor of electric vehicles in China which is set to make up 20 percent of China’s new car sales by 2025 from a current 5 percent as on date. The State Council states that a policy paper is part of the country’s 14th 5 year plan and the Chinese government is set to improve green car quota system to guide automakers to produce more environmentally friendly vehicles. Companies such as Tesla and Volkswagen along with Nio Inc are boosting production of their electric vehicle lineup in China; with sales set to touch 1.1 million this year. More

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      Hummer Electric SUV Unofficially Revealed During Investor Meet

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      Hummer Electric SUV
      General Motors had revealed its plan for reviving the ‘Hummer’ moniker some time back in a fully electrified avatar

      GMC officially unveiled the first part of its highly ambitious project of fully electrified vehicles last month. The Hummer electric pick-up truck revealed that it has nothing to do with its predecessors and it is indeed a start of a new revolution by the American auto giant.
      Now, GMC has unofficially given us a sneak peek at the second part of this mega project- Hummer Electric SUV and visually it shares a lot of commonalities with its sibling. Images of the SUV were inadvertently revealed during an investor conference recently.
      Common Design & functionalities
      The SUV prototype is seen parked behind the company’s presenter’s, Executive Vice President, Doug Parks and CEO Mary Barra. The long roof derivative of the Hummer EV seems to be a near final production-spec model.
      The SUV shares its front end and bloated fenders with the pickup truck model while its overall silhouette is identical to the latter. It also shares the blacked-out roof and white colour scheme from the pick-up truck revealed earlier which is the limited-edition first-year Edition-1 model.
      Hummer Electric SUV Teaser
      Edition 1 Hummer EV went on sale a few days back and was completely sold out for the entire year in a few moments. As expected, the SUV is essentially the pickup truck rebadged with a permanent roof over the bed area. In all probability, the SUV version will share most of its features and mechanicals with its SUT sibling. This means the SUV will carry similar design elements such as center LED headlights with each letter of ‘HUMMER’ embossed in individual panels.
      Expected similar 35-inch alloy wheels with the option of 37-inchers like the military Humvees. Rear of the SUV has not been revealed yet but expect it to be in line with the design of Hummer electric pick-up truck so is the case with its interiors. It is also expected to be provided with a body-armour underneath to protect it from all sorts of damages which is set to protect the vehicle essentials while venturing off the tarmac.
      Functionalities of the pick-up truck too are also set to be retained in the SUV with a large central screen and a digital gauge cluster. It is offered with tonnes of off-roading features which enhances its off-roading prowess, the highlight being a ‘crab walk mode’ which enhances its maneuverability on a tricky path by moving diagonally.
      Expected Launch
      Hummer Electric SUV is also likely to draw energy from General Motors’ all-new Ultium batteries paired to a three-motor setup. This powertrain can generate up to a humongous 1000 bhp and 15,600 Nm of torque. While GMC has already revealed that the pickup truck will be launched late next year, the SUV will be made available a year later in 2022 as a 2023 model.
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      in Electric Cars

      New Hyundai Micro UV Spied First Time – Maruti WagonR Electric Rival?

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      Hyundai Micro UV
      Hyundai’s mass market electric car for India is expected to be ready by 2023

      Hyundai has gone on record to state that they are studying the possibility of a mass market EV for India. With the help of its Namyang R&D HQ, Hyundai’s Indian team has already commenced a study to arrive at optimal key parameters (range, power, price, etc) for a mass market EV.
      Hyundai AX1 micro UV spied in Korea
      Prototypes of what could eventually emerge as a mass market electric vehicle for the Asian markets have been spotted on a truck in South Korea. The Venue-style low-mounted headlamps and a prominent grille give away Hyundai’s identity. International media reports claim that these are Hyundai AX1 (codename) micro UV prototypes.
      The camouflaged test mules appear to have near-production body panels. From what we can see, the vehicle features an SUV-ish tall-boy design with a compact footprint. The angular design elements gives the car an interesting and unconventional shape. Finer elements are under wraps but it is reasonable to expect radical design conforming to the brand’s current language.
      Specifications
      The technical details of the new Hyundai AX1 small car are scarce for now but the tall wheels and narrow tyres are indicative of a configuration which is commonly preferred for an electric vehicle.
      Hyundai Micro UV Codenamed AX1 – Rival to Maruti WagonR Electric in India?
      With global automotive markets including India scrambling to adopt electric mobility at the earliest, it would be prudent for any upcoming mass market product to prioritize pure electric powertrain during the development phase even if it has to adopt conventional IC power units at the beginning of its life cycle.
      If the Hyundai AX1 is to be propelled by fossil fuel, then the most likely powertrain candidate is the 1.0-liter three-cylinder unit which is available in both NA and turbocharged guises. As far as electric propulsion system goes, Hyundai is likely to have multiple motor and battery configurations to suit different markets.
      Will it come to India?
      It would be surprising if a car of this size and shape from Hyundai does not make it to India. We expect it to be showcased in the form of a concept at Auto Expo 2022 before its market launch sometime later that year or in 2023. Hyundai’s mass market electric vehicle will be pitted against the upcoming Maruti WagonR EV, Mahindra eKUV100, Citroen sub Rs 8 lakh EV for India, etc.
      Just like Hyundai India’s current mass market products, the upcoming electric vehicle will have over 90% localization in order to achieve a competitive price point. The future is electric and Hyundai knows it very well.
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      India-Made Pravaig Extinction Mk1 Electric Car Debut Next Month

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      Pravaig Extinction Electric Car
      The Pravaig Extinction Mk1 will be revealed later this year with launch sometime in late 2021

      In global markets, while Tesla is a leader in the electric vehicle segment with models such as Model 3, Model S, Model X and Roadster, electric vehicle technology in India is still in its nascent stage. However, automakers such as Hyundai, MG and Tata Motors have the Kona, ZS EV and Nexon EV respectively in this segment and several other electric cars are being tested. Even as these mainstream automakers make their entry into the electric vehicle segment, there are also some startups making inroads into this cleaner and greener electric vehicle space.
      Pravaig Extinction Mk1 features
      Earlier this year, Bangalore-based mobility startup Pravaig Dynamics had revealed details of the new electric car called Pravaig Extinction Mk1 which the company expects to put on the global map. It is an electric car which is set for a reveal next month, and launch date scheduled for sometime in 2021.

      Extinction Mk1 sports a two door coupe design with a swooping roof line while in its production stance it will come in as a 4 door electric sedan. It will receive a low slung profile, projector LED headlamps, well designed front bumper and sleek LED strips connecting both headlamps with a similar LED bar connecting the tail lamps as well with side indicators on fenders.
      The electric car will also see ‘Pravaig’ lettering on the rear and will ride on multi spoke alloy wheels. It will also come in with disc brakes at the front and rear while multiple drive modes. Regenerative braking and smartphone connectivity would also be among its features.

      Pravaig Extinction Mk1 504km range planned
      As per the company’s website, Pravaig Extinction Mk1 could draw its power via a 96 kWh li-ion battery pack. It will generate output of little over 200 hp and will have a top speed of 196 km/h and an electric range up to 504 km. This range, if proved correct at the time of launch will make it the longest range electric car in the Indian market.
      It will also come in with fast charging facility with up to 80 percent charge in 30 minutes. The company could also introduce Mk1 in a range of variants with varying battery packs offering different levels of performance.

      Launch Date, Pricing & Availability
      No fixed date of launch has been revealed though a late 2021 launch is what is estimated. Pravaig Extinction Mk1 has a sales projection of 250 units per year and will be sold in Delhi and Bangalore for a start. It will then be extended for sale in cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad. No prices have been announced as on date as the company is looking at a leasing model.
      As is seen with other automakers, Pravaig Dynamics does not plan to set up any dealership or showroom but will instead offer the Extinction Mk1 via the online platform with service stations planned in metro cities. More