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      in Electric Cars

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

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      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

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      in Electric Cars

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

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      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

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      in Electric Cars

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

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      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

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      in Electric Cars

      Hyundai Kona Electric owner does 403 kms Road Trip in Kerala – With AC On

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      Even after completing the journey of over 400 kms, the car showed that there was still enough charge to do another 40 kms
      Even though costly as compared to their fossil fuel powered counterparts, electric cars offer a range of benefits. There are not many electric car owners in India, but there are many who aspire to become one. The main reason holding most buyers back, is the range curiosity and charging infrastructure.

      To help consumers understand the range of electric cars in India, some owners have shared detailed videos about real world drive range, service costs, etc. Now, a Hyundai Kona electric owner from Kerala, via YouTube Channel ‘Kona Kerala’ has shared their experience of driving the car from Trivandrum to Calicut, a distance of around 400 km.
      Trivandrum to Calicut – Journey details
      The journey begins at a Hyundai dealership in Trivandrum and ends at a Hyundai dealership in Calicut. The purpose of this journey was to find out the actual range of Kona EV. The ARAI-claimed range of Kona is 452 km, making it the longest range EV in the country. In comparison, Tata Nexon has a range of 312 km whereas MG ZS EV can travel 340 km on a single charge. Recently, a Nexon EV owner had posted their range experience with the car, which came out to be 170-180 km on a single charge.

      Hyundai Kona EV owner shares stats / experience
      Talking about Kona’s 400 km journey, the car starts with a full charge from the Trivandrum dealership and reaches the bypass road after travelling for 69 km. Most roads in Kerala are two-lane and the ones near cities and towns are usually crowded. To save battery, the vlogger utilizes Kona’s special feature where the driver’s side AC can function independently. This saves battery without compromising comfort when driving alone. After driving for 103 km, the battery was at 80 percent.
      At 161 km, the battery consumption was at 34 percent and the available range showed 209 km on the instrument cluster. As the car enters Kochi, it is faced with traffic jams. However, it does not have any major impact on battery consumption, as energy use is low when the car is idling. When the battery level showed 50 percent, Kona had travelled a distance of 233 km. Available range was displayed at 160 km. Watch the detailed video below.

      [embedded content]

      When it started getting dark, Kona was around 112 km away from its destination. The car performed well in night time conditions and reached the Hyundai dealership in Calicut with 7 percent battery still remaining.
      Cost-effective in the long run
      Overall, Kona travelled 409 km in this journey on a single charge. If we consider the 7 percent remaining battery, it shows that Kona’s real world range is quite close to its claimed range of 452 km.
      However, Kona may not be for everyone, as it is quite expensive at Rs 26 lakh, on-road. Nonetheless, Kona can still be cost-effective in the long run, as charging and maintenance cost is significantly less in comparison to that of ICE powered cars. More

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      Valid PUC a must for Renewing Car and Bike Insurance

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      Effective immediately, all vehicle insurance renewals and claims will require a valid PUC
      Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI) says insurers must take into account PUC certificate at the time of renewal of Insurance of Vehicle as per directions given by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in WP(C) No.13029 of 1985 in the matter of M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India.
      WP(C) No.13029 of 1985 in the matter of M.C. Mehta Vs. Union of India.

      Supreme Court’s direction outlines that insurers mustn’t renew a motor policy until vehicle owner provides a valid PUC certificate. The directive is to be followed strictly with focus on compliance in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR). The development is in reference to the Authority’s Circular No. IRDA/NL/CIR/MISC/104/ 07/2018 dated 06th July, 2018 that advised general insurance companies to comply with the direction issued by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in Writ Petition (Civil).
      Central pollution control board (CPCB) raised concerns regarding compliancy of above direction in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR), and is to be followed scrupulously. For customers, this means your insurance company will need to view valid PUC or pollution under control certificates at the time of motor insurance policy renewal.

      File photo
      The move in 2018 was in response to concerns about vehicular pollution. Focus on Delhi-NCR isn’t difficult to decipher considering the region continuously finds itself to be a regular mention whenever pollution matters are discussed.
      IRDAI has written to all insurance companies in India – “Central pollution control board (CPCB) has raised concerns regarding status of compliance of above direction of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR). Please ensure that the direction of the Supreme Court of India is followed scrupulously with special focus on compliance in National Capital Region of Delhi (Delhi – NCR).”
      PUC certificate
      PUC certificate lists compliancy to emission norms, and needs to be updated at regular intervals. Renewals must be concluded prior to certificate expiration date or the offence is fined. A PUC certificate is required even at a routine stop and check if the officer so requests.
      While such a fine may not serve as a deterrent to all, the risk of not being able to rebid a vehicle insurance policy is no small matter, and isn’t something folks will slide under the carpet. Pollution emission levels are fixed for all motor vehicle types. New cars/vehicles are not required to get a PUC certificate until a year after vehicle registration.
      As PUC certificate isn’t issued if a vehicle isn’t emission compliant. For newer cars, timely service can nip the problem at the bud. Deferring regular vehicle servicing as a cost saving measure are woeful. Those with older cars may also see emission compliancy issues develop. This is aggravated when old vehicles are fitted with certain parts.
      With PUC certificate now a requirement for policy renewal insurance, one can hope a number of secondary problems too will be addressed. As a pattern, PUC certificate renewal will now be a more mainstream concern because of its requirement to renew policies even if one isn’t particularly concerned about the effects of pollution. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Takes A Road Trip – Shares Real World Drive Range

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      Electric Vehicles(EVs) are gradually gaining popularity in various automotive industries across the world
      However, with all the benefits EVs come with, there are many other requirements that need to be fulfilled beforehand. One of them is a proper battery disposal facility which is still missing in many markets and the other being a sufficient number of charging infrastructure. Developed countries where EVs have been adopted in large scales have added a charging infrastructure at almost every refuelling station in and outside the cities.

      In India, however, the case is different. Charging stations are as rare as the sight of a sparrow these days. While many private and government firms have joined hands for the development of related infrastructure in the recent past, it is still at a very nascent stage. Hopefully, in the near future, we get to see more charging stations come up to the ease of EV consumers.
      One of the main concerns out of lack of sufficient charging stations is the driving range of an EV on a single charge. While it is a given that the claimed range provided by the company is nowhere near the driving range, the question arises what is the real-world range of an EV and how much far can you travel on a single charge. We might have an answer to that here.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Currently, there are only not many EVs on sale in the passenger vehicle segment in India. The three popular ones are Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon EV. Here, we have an example of the Nexon EV being tested for its real-world driving range. The video uploaded by Hemank from ‘Northway MotorSport EV R&D’ on YouTube gives us an idea of what the real-world range of a Nexon EV would look like if driven in normal driving conditions. The creator is an EV enthusiast who had previously converted a Maruti 800 into an electrified car.
      Route of Journey
      The creator starts his journey from his place in Pune to Lonavala and then back for the return journey. The car has been driven for 418 km prior to this journey. The Nexon EV owner has made sure that he has charged his car to 100 percent before onsetting his trip. He makes sure he drives his electric car just like any other ICE (internal Combustion Engine) car.
      As its first impression, the creator mentions that the Nexon EV has a very well-balanced suspension, the car handling is smooth and the ride is comfortable as well. The Ac has been set on the 24-degree celsius mark. He then turns towards Lonavala joining the National Highway (NH)-4. During the course of his journey, he maintains the speed limit at every instance and follows the traffic laws diligently. Watch the full video below.

      [embedded content]

      The first reading comes at 4.7 km of travel with consumption of 4 percent charge The second reading is taken at 29.5 km consuming 21 percent charge. Between city and highway, the distance covered was 16 km, which means the car drove 16 km in city driving conditions. The third reading is noted at 57.3 km near the destination after eating up 43 percent of the battery with the MID showing a 160 km still left.
      In between his journey, there was a heavy bout of rain therefore he had to slow down his car to avoid hydroplaning, more so because the Nexon EV is not equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP). In Lonavala, after completing 60.8 km of his journey, the driver stops at a refilling pump which is equipped with a charging station suggested by the app on his phone. However, he finds out that the charging apparatus is broken and had to leave without recharging his EV. At this point in time, he still had 46 percent of battery life left.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Nexon Electric owner also suggests to all those seeking to buy an EV in India and wishing to go on a road trip must always take note of the charging infrastructures present on the route to be covered otherwise it might leave you in a very tricky situation. This shows that our country still has a long way to go in fully adopting electric vehicles as their primary mobility option. He finally recharges his EV on arriving at a recharging station near Pune where he uses a fast charger. At first, the quick charger at Tata Motors dealership fails to charge the battery as it disconnects after charging from 22% to 30%. After a few more attempts, the owner manages to start the battery charging process successfully.
      Final Summary
      His total journey counted for 110 km after consuming 80 percent of the battery. The owner says that he would expect the Nexon Electric to have a real-world range of 140 to 150km on a single charge, as opposed to the claimed range of about 310km. Therefore, the real-world driving range turns out to be half of the claimed range. The Nexon EV is powered by Tata Motor’s Ziptron powertrain technology which is equipped with a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery. It is rated to give an output of 129 PS of power and 245 Nm of torque.
      Update – Hemank has now uploaded another range test video of Tata Nexon EV. The difference now is that the Nexon EV firmware has been updated. Hemank says that this has helped the real world mileage to improve slightly, and he now expect the real world mileage to be about 170-180 kms for a full charge. “While cruising at a speed of 80 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 2 kms. If you cruise at 100 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 1.2 kms,” adds Hemank in his video. More

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      Tata rolls out 1,000th Nexon Electric SUV – Records 62% market share

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      Tata Nexon Electric production has crossed the milestone figure of 1,000 units today
      Tata Motors has rolled out its 1000th Nexon EV. The company confirms segment dominance with 62 percent market share in Q1 FY21. Nexon Electric SUV is manufactured at the company’s Pune plant. The feat has been achieved in a little over 6-months since commercial launch.

      Indian EV segments across the spectrum are still in a nascent stage of production, and competition with most manufacturers not yet participating. This leaves buyers with a small variety to pick from. With only 4 automakers offering EVs for now, and not all of them existing in the same segment, Tata Motors finds itself at an advantageous position in the segment.
      Tata’s other EV offering, Electric Tigor sedan is available with a drive range of 140 km and 213 km, and is offered as a fleet only vehicle. Nexon EV is offered as a personal mobility option with a drive range of 312 km on a single charge. With drive range anxiety being one of many reasons potential buyers are sceptical, Nexon EV range puts a stop to such concerns for anyone considering an EV purchase.

      Tata Nexon Electric being delivered to respective owners. File photo.
      Recently announced Delhi EV Policy outline will help guide EV adaption in Delhi-NCR, and includes a host of benefits for EV buyers. Shailesh Chandra, President – Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Acceptance of EVs is accelerating fast, and we are seeing growing interest in it from all parts of the country. The rollout of the 1000th Nexon EV in a short time span, despite the challenges of Covid-19, reflects the rising interest of personal segment buyers in EVs.
      Tata Motors will continue to innovate and develop comprehensive sustainable mobility solutions meeting global standards. EVs are the future and as the industry leader, we are committed to make them desirable and a mainstream choice for the customers.”
      Tata Nexon EV Subscription
      To expand its scope, Tata EV Subscription model has been introduced. The subscription plan begins at Rs.41,900 for a 3 year fixed plan. Customers can select from a 18, 24 to 36 month tenure. Subscription fee is inclusive of comprehensive insurance cover, road side assistance and end to end maintenance.
      For now, the service is available in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in collab with Orix Auto Infrastructure. Subscription rate is Rs.44,900 for a period of 24 months and Rs.47,900 for an 18 month leasing period.
      While a subscription plan is an easy road to car ownership, the finance model is fairly unexplored in the consumer segment. Tata uniEVerse e-mobility ecosystem looks to leverage Group company strengths to develop the EV environment. Customers can access e-mobility solutions, including charging stations, retail experiences and easy finance options. More