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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Subscription Plan Prices from Rs 42k per month

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      Owners can now enjoy possessing a Tata Nexon EV without having to pay the full price
      Tata Motors unveiled the Nexon EV in India in December 2019 and opened bookings soon after at a down payment of Rs.21,000. The Nexon EV entered a segment to compete with the Hyundai Kona electric and MG ZS EV and was priced at Rs.15 – 17 lakhs. It is is presented in three variants of XM, XZ+ and XZ+ Lux and offers an ARAI certified range of 312 kms.
      Tata Nexon EV with monthly plans

      With the ever increasing demand for electric vehicles, but the high costs involved, Tata Motors has introduced subscription plans for the Tata Nexon EV at a starting rent of Rs.41,900. Customers can select tenures from 18, 24 to 36 months and the rental amount include a comprehensive insurance cover, road side assistance and end to end maintenance.
      This monthly rental scheme on the company’s flagship electric vehicle is being offered initially in 5 cities of Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. The offer is in collaboration with Orix Auto Infrastructure Services Limited, a leading leasing company in the country. For a tenure of 36 months, the monthly subscription rate is Rs.41,900, going up to Rs.44,900 for a period of 24 months and at Rs.47,900 for an 18 month leasing period.

      It will not involve any vehicle registration, road tax, etc making it a hassle free acquisition for the user. The monthly subscription covers all benefits and also includes free maintenance with servicing and doorstep delivery. The customers will also be provided with their own electric chargers installed at their homes or offices for the entire tenure selected.
      Benefits
      The Tata Nexon EV with monthly plans will benefit corporate who would prefer the leasing option over outright purchase. It will also be found useful for individual in the event of intercity job transfers while expatriates coming into the country for a limited period would also find this subscription plan a viable option.
      The plans are flexible. Users can opt for extension of the plan or just return the vehicle after the completion of the rental tenure. They can also exit the plan with a 1 month notice and return of the vehicle. More details about the Tata Motors EV Subscription Program is available on official site.
      The Tata Nexon EV is powered by a 3 phase permanent magnet synchronous motor offering 129 hp power and 245 Nm peak torque mated to an automatic transmission. The electric vehicle has two driving modes of Drive and Sport. The motor is paired with a IP67 certified 30.2 kWh lithium ion battery. The fast charger can charge the vehicle upto 80 percent in 60 minutes while a regular charger can charge the Nexon EV upto 100 percent in 8 hours. More

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      in Electric Cars

      EESL to procure 250 electric cars – 150 sub 4 m and 100 above 4 m

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      After scaling back the 10,000 electric car order by 70%, EESL is now set to procure 250 electric cars
      EESL tender states ‘Procurement of 250 Electric Cars with 3-years Standard warranty and comprehensive AMC up to Eight Years – Design, Manufacture, On site Supply and Maintenance Support for Electric Cars Pan India Basis.’

      The requirement is for 100 Nos. of 4-wheeler E-Cars with more than 4M Length & range equal to or more than 300 KMs and 150 Nos. of 4-wheeler E-Cars with less than 4M Length & range equal to or more than 250 KMs.
      At the time, it was noted, ‘Open Competitive Bidding will be conducted in accordance with ADB’s Single Stage: Two-Envelope Bidding Procedure and there is no country restriction and universal procurement will apply.’ Submissions are to be completed by 3:00 pm, August 7, 2020.
      Bidder Restriction
      At roughly the same time, General Financial Rules 2017 was amended to impose restrictions on bidders from countries that share a land border with India on grounds of defence of India, or matters directly or indirectly related thereto including national security. The order defines that any bidder from such countries sharing a land border with India are eligible to bid if the bidder is registered with a registration committee to be constituted by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Political and security clearance from Ministries of External and Home Affairs respectively is mandatory.
      As per the tender, length requirement specifications determine, which manufacturers can bid for which category. However, the smaller cars do not have a drive range of 250 kms. When EESL first began placing orders, it was the Mahindra eVerito, and Tata Tigor EV in the limelight.
      Then came Hyundai Kona. With a battery almost three times of available EV cars competing for the EESL tender, Kona has a low running cost, and is a comfy drive. Hyundai Kona EV was launched in June 2019, and by October last year, an order for 10 units had been placed by EESL at a reported cost of Rs 23.71 lakhs. At the time, 4 units had been delivered.
      The following month, EESL scaled back its electric car order by 70 percent to 3,000 units. This was attributed to cancellation from Andhra the biggest customer, as there had been a change of guard in governance. In January 2020 soon after launch, when delivering the first unit to EESL, MG Motor India said it had received orders for 5 MG ZS EVs.
      In 2017, Energy Efficiency Services (EESL) had placed an order for 10k e-sedans from Tata Motors (Tigor) and Mahindra (Verito) to be supplied by March 2019. Range issues and not so robust demand, meant the supply date was extended to March 2020. At the time, about 2,000 units were supplied.
      With extension to March 2020 deadline, it was decided whatever units would be delivered by timeline would close the order. 1,000-odd units were expected by March 2020. With Covid-19 pandemic lockdown announced in March end, it’s not yet known how many vehicles were delivered, and what the final order closed at. EESL is aware that existing and new players have planned EV launches at varying price points. More

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      Hyundai Kona Electric 1 year Service Cost is just Rs 1,043 – Owner shares details

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      Scheduled 10,000km service cost of the same Hyundai Kona EV (or Electric), done earlier, was zero rupees
      The Indian automotive industry is at a budding stage when it comes to all-electric powertrains. At the moment, two-wheelers (especially scooters) have the highest choices of ‘direct’ emission-free products. Bangalore-based Ather Energy has clearly set a high benchmark for made-in-India electric two-wheelers.

      On the other hand, India’s four-wheeler PV (passenger vehicle) segment has limited choices. The list currently includes Hyundai Motor India’s Kona Electric, MG Motor India’s ZS EV and Tata Motors’ Nexon EV. Mahindra & Mahindra is in the final stages of its eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric project. To the larger share of Indian buyers, electric vehicles still do not carry the desirability of a conventional ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) option.
      One of the main reasons for this is high pricing (relatively). Furthermore, at least in the present market scenario, electric four-wheelers seem viable only in urban environments where there is enough supporting infrastructure. Yet it appears that EVs carry some less-discussed benefits over a regular ICE alternative.
      Surprising maintenance cost
      Arun Bhat S (@arunbhats on Twitter) has shared the one-year service cost of his Hyundai Kona Electric, proving that low maintenance charges could make up for an EV’s high initial cost. Trident Automobiles, a Hyundai dealership in Bangalore, charged him just Rs 1,043 for the electric crossover’s yearly maintenance.

      Hyundai Kona Electric Service Cost
      The bill breaks down to ‘tubeless repair seals’, consumables, calliper guide rod grease, sanitisation (Hygiene Care), general checkup and tyre puncture repair. Labour cost was set at Rs 118. If we consider only the mandatory items, one-year service cost for the Hyundai Kona EV hardly crosses Rs 500. This is still higher than the previous scheduled-maintenance cost since Arun paid absolutely zero for 10,000km service.
      An electric vehicle has far less moving and wearing parts inside its power plant. Auxiliary systems such as lubrication, cooling, belts and pumps are also minimal. Thanks to regenerative braking (also known as ‘brake re-gen’ or ‘energy recovery’), pads last longer as well. Certain EVs including Tesla models feature a ‘single-pedal’ mode which virtually eliminates the use of a brake pedal under normal city driving conditions. The energy recovery is strong enough to retard the vehicle’s motion.
      Hyundai Kona – Specs
      The Indian-spec Hyundai Kona, priced from Rs 25.30 lakh ex-showroom, employs a 39.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Peak output stands at 134bhp and 395Nm while boasting of an ARAI-claimed range of 452km (289km on WLTP cycle). International variants now get a 64Wh battery unit capable of returning 449km range as per WLTP stats. The motor makes 201bhp. More

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      Supreme Court extends order barring registration of BS4 vehicles

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      File Photo. Credit – Achin

      Supreme Court states that its earlier directives issued on March 27 were violated – Next hearing set for August 13, 2020
      In June 2020, the Supreme Court had pulled up automakers in the country as there were several instances wherein adherence to the earlier order, when the court had granted 10 days time post the lockdown period for registration of BS4 vehicles, had been neglected. The bench, headed by Justice Arun Mishra had observed despite these stringent directives, automakers continued to sell BS4 vehicles post 10 days of lockdown relaxation.

      The court asserted that while sale and registration of 1.05 lakh BS4 vehicles were permitted, the numbers were far in excess. The Court surmised that over 2.55 lakh BS4 vehicles were sold which was more than double the figure it had permitted in its order.
      Supreme Court Order Violated
      On July 8, 2020, the Supreme Court withdrew the order issued to automakers granting the 10 days period post the lifting of the COVID-19 lockdown to register BS4 vehicles and this has been extended till further notice. This order was issued so as to allow automakers to make up for six days lost due to the nationwide lockdown which was imposed on 25th March 2020 just a few days prior to the 1st April 2020 deadline for sale of BS4 vehicles.

      Screenshot of a chat between Regional Manager of an OEM to dealers from earlier this month.
      The Bench stated that sales during the lockdown period in the last week of March and even after 31st March were undertaken via the company online portals, and now registration is being sought. Barring registration of such vehicles, the court has extended the order, and next date of hearing is now fixed at 13th August 2020. An unusual number of vehicles have been sold despite an order outlining what was permitted.
      Supreme Court stated that it would study the data offered by automobile associations and then the next order will be released. The Court has also sought information from Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) on the number of BS4 vehicles sold after the lockdown came into effect. A surge in sales is documented for the last three days of March 2020.
      Sale of vehicles to be uploaded on e-Vahan Portal
      The Supreme Court had directed automakers to upload all BS4 vehicles sold, 10 days post the lifting of the lockdown, onto the e-Vahan portal of the Government of India. The Bench stated that they would be checking this portal for vehicle details that were uploaded prior to 31st March 2020 and after that for registration.
      FADA had earlier requested that dealers be allowed to return unsold BS4 stock to manufacturers so that manufacturers can take the lead and export such cars to countries they do business with where BS4 cars are still sold. The Bench announced that manufacturers were well aware of the deadline. More

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      Electric Hummer SUV and Pickup Truck teased – 15,591 Nm Torque

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      Hummer Electric SUV and Pickup truck claims 1,000 hp / 15,591 Nm ; 0-100 in 3 seconds
      The ongoing pandemic has impacted almost anyone and everyone around the world, including the unveiling plans of one of the most awaited car of the year, the 2020 Hummer. GM had teased the upcoming electric version of the iconic nameplate earlier towards the start of the year.

      The American manufacturer was supposed to unveil the new generation Hummer around May’20 but had to postpone it to Autumn of 2020 due to delays caused by the Corona Virus. However, the good news is that the company believes that it is on track to commence sales of the electric beast in Autumn 2021 as per initial plans.
      Out of the World Specs
      What makes the Hummer EV so interesting is its specs. It will have an electric power train which will be able to dish out 1,000 bhp and 11,500 lb ft (15,591 Nm) of torque. This high torque figure is the peak motor output and does not entirely translate to real-world performance (in terms of wheel torque). The powertrain will help the Hummer, the huge SUV, clock a 0 – 100 kmph in less than 3 seconds. It will be drawing power from GM’s new Ultium battery pack which will come along with Super Fast Charging and offer a commendable range of around 400 miles (643 kms) on a full charge.

      Hummer Electric battery pack
      Speaking about design, General Motors is planning to model the 2020 Hummer based upon the iconic Hummer H2 which went out of production in 2009, due to bankruptcy filings by GM. The 2020 iteration can be considered as a rejuvenation of the iconic brand, but with an electric power plant this time.
      More Details
      Latest teaser video has further given us more information about the 2020 Hummer. The top-spec Hummer will come along with a new feature called ‘infinity roof’ which will be a removable glass panel. This will help customers to get an open-air driving experience, whenever they wish.

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      The electric pick up will also have an Adrenaline mode, which can be compared with Tesla’s Ludicrous mode. Reports also reveal that GM is planning to add on a Crab mode which will provide some type of 4-wheel steering functionality, but more details are still awaited.
      Production Plans
      GM will be manufacturing the 2020 Hummer at its Detroit-Hamtramck factory in Michigan. GM has planned to invest a whopping 7.7 billion USD in next 4 years to upgrade its factories to build electric vehicles. The Detroit plant where the production of the 2020 Hummer EV is expected to commence is getting upgrades worth 3 billion USD. Production will start in the second half of 2021.
      Post launch, the Hummer EV will be priced to compete with yet to be launched rivals like Tesla’s Cybertruck and the upcoming Rivian R1S. More

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      Hyundai Kona Electric Wonder Warranty options now include 3, 4 and 5 years

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      Hyundai Kona electric is available in two variants with prices starting from Rs 23.85 lakhs
      Hyundai Kona EV was introduced in India in mid 2019. Here, Hyundai Kona features a 39.3 kWh battery pack and 136 hp electric motor. ARAI approved drive range is listed at 452 kms on full charge. The lithium-ion polymer battery is fully charged in 6 hours and 10 minutes through a AC charger. A DC fast charger takes 57 minutes to charge up to 80 percent. 0 to 100 kmph takes 9.7 seconds.

      This EV will cost you Rs 23.85 lakhs for single tone colour option and Rs 24.11 lakhs for the dual tone option. Warranty on offer till date was 3 years / unlimited kms along with battery warranty of 8 yrs / 1.6 lakh kms. Now, Hyundai India has today announced the launch of two more warranty options, under the Wonder Warranty program.
      Hyundai India is offering customized warranty packages for their new cars for some time now. This helps customers to chose the best warranty package for their driving needs. With the Kona, till date only 3 yrs / unlimited kms warranty option was on offer. But from today, customers will also be able to chose from either 4 years / 60,000 kms or 5 years 50,000 kms.
      Depending on how the owner plans to use the car, these customized warranty packages will help them maintain their car more effectively. No matter the warranty package you chose, price is included in the car’s price. Hyundai is also increasing the EV charging network in India. Till date they have installed AC 7.2KW chargers at more than 50 dealerships in 30 cities of India.
      Kona Electric 1 lakh Global Sales

      2020 Hyundai Kona
      Earlier this month it was announced that Hyundai Kona sales globally had crossed the 1,00,000 units mark. Sales totalled to 1,03,719 units by June 30, 2020. The feat was achieved in just over 2 years of sales. Kona EV popularity is widespread, with more than three-quarters total sales having been reported outside its home market, South Korea. Sales in Europe has been noteworthy
      Hyundai has plans to sell over 5,60,000 battery powered vehicles by 2025. Among Hyundai’s prodigious EV lineup, Kona electric SUV plays is destined to play a key role in achieving target sales. Going forward, Hyundai’s BEV platforms will focus on ultra fast charging, and long drive range models.
      2020 Hyundai Kona
      The 2020 model for Europe has an improved drive range, up to 484 kms from 449 kms. This is for the top-end model that features a 64 kWh battery pack and 204 hp electric motor. Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech (HMMC) plant in Nosovice, Czech Republic is charged with building the more powerful Kona EV for the European market. This is an important development and requirement to accomplish Hyundai’s EV targets over the next 5-years.
      Production in Europe helps manage delivery schedules to European customers in a more efficient manner. Kona EV supplies from its Ulsan plant to Europe will also be increased. Hyundai had targeted selling upward of 60,000 Kona EV units in Europe alone through 2020. Hyundai’s Czech Republic factory is capable of manufacturing 30,000 Kona EV units annually for the European market.

      Hyundai Kona getting charged at the PlugNgo electric car charging station in Delhi
      And while Europe is making a smarter and responsible choice that doesn’t hurt the earth further when choosing Hyundai Kona EV, in India the offering is a lifestyle product for those who can afford an ex sh price at just under 25 lakhs. The units are imported to India as CKD kits from South Korea.
      Localisation is being undertaken for non-critical components. This includes interior trims and select plastic bits. In 2019, 280 units were sold in India. Hyundai had aims to sell about 500 Kona EV units in 2020. However, under current pandemic conditions that number maybe revised. In tandem with a global move to switch to electric variants, India too harbours what for now appears to be a pipe dream. The electric shift dialogue doesn’t define a plan as to how the country is going to adapt to EVs. However, when such an outline is more definitive, Hyundai will expand its EV lineup in the country to include a sub-10 lakh electric vehicle. More

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      Zoomcar to offer electric 3 wheelers on their platform – Partners with Eto Motors

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      Zoomcar and Eto Motors have signed an agreement to make available a range of platform services for Eco’s electric, and three-wheeler biz
      Henceforth, Zoomcar’s platform will be used to access Eto Motors’ operated electric three-wheelers for shared, first and last mile passenger commute needs. One will also be able to book transport vehicle for goods movement within cities.

      Zoomcar has for the longest time been making available private cars on its platform to for private rentals. Those who offer their car as part of the Zoomcar fleet are compensated by the company, and have to follow guidelines so the cars are worthy of being rented. For Zoomcar rentals, the company also has manufacturer tie-ups that enables it to list a wide ranging and sufficient fleet to be able to meet customer demand.
      Zoomcar and Eto
      With this new association, Eto Motors will be able to introduce a fleet of smart electric vehicle mobility solutions. Eto already has its brand smart vehicles for first mile and last mile connectivity service in Noida Metro. The company is focused on expanding its footprint, and widen its reach based on opportunities in the first mile, last mile, and intracity passenger, and goods movement segments.

      And the complete development focuses on EV adaption. For Zoomcar the opportunity comes in the form of EV adaption, and new segments. As the brand is identified primarily as a car rental company, with Eto Motors’ vehicles on offer, its operations expand to shared mobility, CVs, and transport.
      How quickly India is able to make noticeable EV adaption a norm depends on a range of bottlenecks that need to be addressed. As such, for now, public transport vehicles seem one way to do it.
      Transformation of mobility industry
      Greg Moran, CEO & Co-Founder, Zoomcar, in a statement said, “The mobility industry is going through a transformational phase globally due to the pandemic. At Zoomcar, we strive to be at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that can help shape this transformative shift. Through this partnership with ETO Motors, we aim to leverage our AI-based platform to enable large fleet operators to better manage their assets through greater vehicle safety and lower total operating costs. We are delighted to partner with ETO Motors on the next phase of their growth journey in India’s rapidly expanding EV market.”
      Biju Mathew, CEO, ETO Motors, said, “The next phase of collaboration between our respective companies with respect to the development of the co-branded digital platform will undoubtedly mark a significant step forward for the industry.” More

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      Maruti 800 electric RWD with 378 Nm torque – Watch owner having fun

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      Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade has reached the final stages of his Maruti 800 EV conversion project
      Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) discontinued the iconic Maruti 800 in 2010 as the hatchback could not meet the then-new emission norms and safety regulations. In the minds of Indian automotive enthusiasts, the ‘800’ holds a special place since it has got a strong nostalgia factor associated with it. We are sure that your family or someone close to your family might have had a Maruti 800 back in the day.

      In its last iteration, the Maruti Suzuki 800 came with a 796cc MPFI three-cylinder petrol motor churning out just about 37bhp and 59Nm while mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The higher 5-speed variant made roughly 47bhp and 62Nm of torque. Clean examples of the car still find decent value in the used car market. On the other hand, the original SS80 generation has already become a collector’s item.
      The current-gen Maruti Suzuki Alto BS6 fails to match the Maruti 800’s charm despite being its closest successor. This is purely due to the emotions surrounding the ‘800’ since the Alto is much more technically improved. Maruti Suzuki might never bring back the ‘800’ nameplate (at least in the foreseeable future), yet many Indians look forward to a modern-day avatar of the hatchback.

      Loaded with sports seats, sports steering, touchscreen and a lot more – Modified Maruti 800 electric
      How about an Maruti 800 modified Electric?
      It has been a while since Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade started working on an all-electric Maruti 800 with his team at Northway Motorsport. The project, dubbed ‘Maruti 800 EV’, has reached its final stages and Hemank has documented the same (one of four parts) on his YouTube channel. Over the months, we have also shared Hemank’s other interesting projects such as the Chevrolet Beat EV and Honda Activa EV.
      Northway Motorsport’s Maruti 800 modified Electric is essentially a two-seater RWD city car that promises ample performance and driving fun (watch the owner perform powerslides, thanks to 378 Nm torque, towards the end of the video below). Its real-world driving range is claimed to be about 150km on a full charge. This is purely a developmental or research project aimed to showcase the potential of electric powertrains in a familiar platform.

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      The four-part YouTube series gives a rough idea of what goes into making an electric vehicle. It covers how the stock powertrain is stripped out from the petrol-powered Maruti 800, alterations done to the donor chassis, electric powertrain packaging, minor hiccups along the way, cosmetic enhancements (new six-spoke rims, front grille, steering wheel, etc.) and more.
      Key highlights
      Episode 4 starts with a brief recap of the processes mentioned above. The main electronics, battery-pack (an extra set lies in the ‘frunk’) and their cooling systems are placed at the rear, in place of a bench seat. This is covered by a flat luggage floor. At the front, Northway Motorsport has installed a custom touchscreen panel based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer. It incorporates real-time battery usage, motor and control temperature; output calibration and the basic drive modes: Forward, Neutral and Reverse.
      The main highlight is the addition of HHA (synonymously used with ‘Hill-start Assist’ nowadays). It helps the car remain stationary on a downward slope until the accelerator pedal is pressed. Finally, Hemank does some powerslides in his Maruti 800 EV — proving that small RWDs can be fun irrespective of the powertrain type. More