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      Electric Car Gets Stranded – As Battery Pack Falls Off While Driving

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      Electric car battery falls on roadMost new technologies take years to perfect, which seems to be the case with battery swapping systems in use with EVsWhen evaluating all that can go wrong with an EV, the first thoughts are about the vehicle catching fire. It’s only natural, as such cases are reported frequently. The other most common fear is about getting stranded with a drained battery pack.Now, a new problem seems to have emerged for EVs that rely on swappable battery tech. This latest incident involves a Geely Cao Cao 60 SUV that dropped its battery pack on the road while driving on a busy highway. Thankfully, no one was hurt in this incident. However, it raises questions about the safety of EVs that use swappable battery tech.Electric car battery falls on roadEV ejects battery pack while driving – what went wrong?This latest EV incident occurred in Chengdu on the Second Ring Road. It involved a Cao Cao 60 electric SUV. These EVs are being used as part of Geely’s ride-hailing service named Cao Cao Mobility. The battery pack can be seen lying on the road, while the SUV is left stranded in the middle of the highway. There’s nothing the driver can do except wait for assistance. Both the SUV and the battery pack will probably need to be transported to a repair shop or the nearest swapping station.There can be multiple reasons that could have caused this incident. The battery pack’s top and bottom surfaces seem to be using thick sheets of metal. It could also be a composite carbon fibre material to achieve a lightweight profile. Multiple holes can be seen, which indicates that the battery pack is secured to the EV’s underbelly using fasteners. It could even be a quick release clamping system to achieve faster battery swaps.[embedded content]It is likely that the battery swapping was not performed as per the instruction’s manual. The fasteners could be loose, which could have eventually loosened further due to vibrations. EV battery packs are quite heavy, which can put significant stress on the fasteners. For reference Tesla Model S battery pack weighs more than half a ton.Major accident avertedAn EV losing its battery pack while driving on a busy highway could have led to a serious accident. There could have been a multiple vehicle collision, as the SUV came to a halt in the middle of the highway. The large battery pack lying on the road is another risk factor. Thankfully, no such incidents happened.Battery swapping offers benefits such as quick refuelling. Users don’t need to pay for the cost of the battery pack. Battery swapping allows taxis to spend more time on the road, rather than waiting at a charging station. Hopefully, this case of the battery falling off while driving is just a one-time anomaly. Geely will probably find a permanent fix, after conducting the necessary investigations. More

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      Small Electric Car From France Spied In India – MG Comet Rival

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      Small Electric Car From FranceLigier Mygi electric car in its current state of European specifications delivers up to 123 km rangeIf you are a motorsport enthusiast, you must have heard of the French company Ligier. Especially for association with 24-Hour Le Mans races between 1970 and 1975 and Formula 1 racing between 1976 and 1996. Even though Ligier wanted to make a new sports car for the 50th anniversary, micro electric cars and CVs (Ligier Professional) are all they make right now.You must be wondering why we’re talking about a French company out of the blue. Reason is that Ligier seems to be willing to launch its most affordable model Mygi in India. Testing has commenced on Indian roads already. This is a 3-door micro electric car like the MG Comet. As of now, MG Comet is one of its kind in India and Ligier seems to have sniffed out an opportunity.Small Electric Car From FranceLigier Mygi Electric CarIndia is currently one of the fastest-growing countries in the world. Automotive market has seen unprecedented growth as well, with more people investing in personal vehicles than ever before. EVs are seeing spectacular growth too in 2W, 3W and 4W segments. As of now, there are 28 electric cars on sale in India.MG Comet is the smallest and the most affordable among these 28. Prices start from Rs. 7.98 lakh and go till Rs. 9.98 lakh (both prices ex-sh). This pricing is because MG assembles Comet in its Gujarat facility. This route only attracts 15% customs duty as opposed to 60% with CBU models. Also, MG has stressed on localisation too, which is up to 60% with Comet.Ligier Mygi electric carUnless Ligier is manufacturing Mygi or even assembling it in India, the price point is likely to be against it. Speaking of the Ligier Mygi electric car, it is currently the most affordable vehicle from the brand in PV space. Prices start from EUR 13,995 and go till EUR 21,695. In today’s currency conversion, it translates to Rs. 12.57 lakh to Rs. 19.49 lakh.What does it pack?Ligier Mygi electric car is on offer in four different trim levels in Europe. They are G.OOD, I.DEAL, E.PIC and R.EBEL. The first two trims get 63 km of range from a single charge. Base G.OOD offers 13” steel wheels, no audio system, but offers all-four disc brakes. I.DEAL adds 14” alloy wheels and a 1-DIN audio system.Top two trim levels feature an extended range of 123 km, 15” alloys, 10” touchscreen system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a reverse camera and a few design additions. Even the extended 123 km range is kind of short, especially when MG Comet offers 230 km of claimed range.Source More

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      Tata Nexon Electric Celebrates 50k Sales Milestone In 3 Yrs

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      Tata Nexon EV Cross 50K Sales markThe highest-selling electric car in India is Tata Nexon EV – sales recently crossed 50K units milestone signifying its immense popularityIn a country like India where there is very little exposure to electric mobility, EV sales have grown substantially in recent years. We have observed a similar growth pattern in both 2W, 3W and 4W vehicles used for both commercial and private applications. At the forefront of this EV revolution in 4W space, is Tata Nexon EV.Since its launch in Jan 2020, Nexon EV has been the most popular 4W EV by a big margin. Sales numbers stand testament to this unprecedented growth as it recently touched the 50K sales mark since the past three years. Tata Motors proudly celebrates #NexonEV50KCommunity.Tata Nexon EV Sales – 50K Strong and countingNexon EV has managed to transform the perspective of EVs in India. There was a time when EVs were considered too small and not at all desirable. But not anymore. Tata Nexon EV is a daily-driveable vehicle with a real-world range of 150 to 300 km from a single charge. ICE Nexon’s familiar design made the transition that much smoother.With time, Tata Motors has taken good strides in expanding the Nexon EV lineup. It now includes Nexon EV Max with a larger 40.5 kWh battery with a real-world range of around 300 km. Tata has introduced a less expensive base trim with Nexon EV Max – making the EV accessible to a wider audience.New Updated Nexon EV Max XZ+ LUX TrimCommenting on this milestone, Mr. Vivek Srivatsa, Head, Marketing, Sales and Service Strategy, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd., said, “The Nexon EV was introduced as India’s own electric SUV with the aim of offering a cool, stylish, practical and real-world solution for faster EV adoption in India. The Nexon EV customers have grown to 50K in just 3 years.This is a testament to how India has embraced EVs as the mobility of the current times. We would like to thank the early adopters, who believed in the promise of the Nexon EV and in-turn allowed the EV ecosystem to build and become what it is now. We hope more people experience the promise of an EV and evolve to electric.”How far has India’s EV infra arrived?Even though there are still voes with EV owners in India, India’s EV charging infrastructure has come a long way as well. There are around 6,000 charging stations in the country today and growing fast. Growth rate is around 1500% between FY21 and FY23, which signifies faster expansion of the charging network.On average, Nexon EV owners drive around 6.3 million km in a month including city commutes and outstations. That will increase in the future. As of now, Nexon EV has contributed to 15% of total Nexon sales, which is commendable considering Nexon ICE is the highest-selling SUV in India. Tata Motors holds around 80% of 4W EV market share in India with MG in second and Mahindra in third place. Tata Motors is set to launch an electrified version of Altroz, Punch, Curvv, Harrier, Safari and Sierra in the future. More

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      Maruti EVX Electric SUV spied for first time – Launch in 2025

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      Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedMaruti Suzuki EVX electric SUV will have a 60-kWh battery pack, with range of up to 550 kmInternally codenamed YY8, Maruti Suzuki had showcased the EVX electric SUV concept at 2023 Auto Expo. It will be the company’s first born-electric car and is expected to debut next year. It will go on sale in 2025. One of the key rivals will be upcoming Hyundai Creta EV.Ahead of its launch, a Suzuki EVX electric SUV has been spotted at a charging station in Krakow, Poland. The test mule wears a black camouflage, not intending to reveal the finer details. However, the tight wrapping does show a close resemblance to the concept version.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedSuzuki EVX electric SUV featuresAs compared to the heavily muscled concept, the test mule appears to have a relatively toned-down styling. However, quite a few features have been carried forward such as the butch front fascia, sculpted bonnet design and thick body cladding. The SUV has a tapering roofline, which helps achieve a sporty profile. At rear, Suzuki EVX will have a layered spoiler, rugged bumper and edgy tail lamps with full-width connecting LED strip.Suzuki EVX test mule can be seen with temporary lighting all across. It has a standard set of alloy wheels, which are likely to be changed onboard the production version. The concept version had aerodynamic alloy wheels, especially designed to reduce drag. Other noticeable features include C-pillar mounted rear door handles, shark fin antenna and rear wiper.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedInside, the test mule has a number of wires dangling around. It clearly shows that this test vehicle is largely a work-in-progress. A significant section of the dashboard has been camouflaged. It does appear to have a simple, minimalistic design.Maruti EVX Electric SUV interiors spiedSome features that are clearly visible include a two-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel, steering mounted controls and a rotary control dial on the centre console. The showstopper is a large, horizontally mounted touchscreen infotainment system and digital instrument console.Suzuki EVX electric SUV performanceAs compared to other OEMs that are converting existing ICE cars into electric, Maruti Suzuki will move directly to born-electric vehicles. Suzuki EVX electric SUV is based on an entirely new platform. It will be used to develop a range of future EVs. Overall performance of Suzuki EVX electric SUV will closely match that of similar-sized ICE SUVs such as Hyundai Creta.Maruti EVX Electric SUV spiedSuzuki EVX electric SUV will be equipped with a 60-kWh battery pack, offering a range of up to 550 km. The electric motor is expected to deliver around 138-170 hp of max power. Both 2WD and all-wheel drive options will be available.With a dedicated EV platform, Suzuki EVX will have spacious interiors. It will be 4,300 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,600 mm tall. Wheelbase is expected to be best in segment. The SUV will have large wheels, which will ensure a strong street presence and high ground clearance.Source More

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      Electric SUV Accelerator Pedal Breaks While Driving – Owner Shares Pictures

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      Nexon EV Accelerator Pedal breaks while drivingAlthough not common, cases of accelerator pedal breaking off have been reported in the pastWith car components being manufactured in hundreds of thousands, it is likely that a small percentage will turn out to be defective. This can happen even when there are strict quality control measures in place. If the problem is found across multiple cars, the OEM may choose to announce a recall.In a recent case, the owner of a Nexon EV has reported a broken accelerator pedal. This seems like a relatively new issue, although some cases have been reported earlier as well. The owner has notified Tata Motors and requested a resolution.Nexon EV Accelerator Pedal breaks while drivingNexon EV accelerator pedal breaks into twoAccording to the Nexon EV owner, the accelerator pedal broke randomly while driving. There was no impact or anything of that sort, which could have possibly caused the breakage of the accelerator pedal. The owner is certainly not happy, as no one would expect such things to occur. One of the reasons why people buy Nexon and Nexon EV is because these vehicles have received 5-star safety rating in Global NCAP crash tests.However, it is important to understand that crash tests do not measure the strength of individual components. Moreover, this specific case of accelerator pedal breakage may be due to an inherent flaw in the material used for making the pedal. It could be also due to poor workmanship. A closeup of the broken accelerator pedal reveals that the point of breakage is where the pedal connects to another part inside the vehicle. The pedal rod itself is intact.Nexon EV Accelerator Pedal breaks while drivingThis shows that the problem could also be due to a bad connecting mechanism or one that is not installed properly. Over a period of time, stresses on the material may have caused it to collapse completely.Expecting effective resolution from Tata MotorsIt is expected that Tata Motors and/or Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Limited in this case will carry out a thorough investigation. While replacing the accelerator pedal will be the easy thing to do, the more important goal will be to find out the root cause of this problem. Subsequently, it needs to be investigated if there’s a probability of other cars having the same issue. It may not have happened yet, but the risks can be there.It was fortunate that nothing untoward happened in this case of accelerator pedal breaking. There can be various scenarios in which sudden breakage of accelerator pedal can be a trigger for an accident.Nexon EV Accelerator Pedal breaks while drivingFor example, it would have been a difficult situation if the pedal had broken off when the vehicle was overtaking at high speeds. Thankfully, nothing of that sort happened. We hope the Nexon EV owner gets a resolution soon and such cases do not occur again. More

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      Ola Electric Sedan Takes Shape – Patent Design Registered

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      Ola electric sedanAfter multiple teasers and concept videos, Ola electric sedan finally takes shape and features digital cameras instead of mirrorsOla Electric has been at the forefront of EV revolution in India. This electric scooter startup has had an amazing run and in little time has established itself as the No 1 electric scooter brand in the country. In May 2023, Ola sold 35K electric scooters, making them the highest-seller in 2w EV space by a large margin. Apart from 2W EVs, the company has revealed intentions of launching electric cars too.There have been multiple teasers and concept videos. But now, Ola has patented the design of its first-ever electric car. Ola seems to have taken Tesla as its main inspiration and has stepped into the 4W EV realm with an electric sedan. Let’s take a look at what’s what.Ola Electric Sedan Takes Shape – Aerodynamic DesignLooking at its design, we can say that it is unlike any other among 28 electric cars India gets. For starters, Ola has gone with an organic and aerodynamic design language. This is evident in how smooth all the body panels look. There is not a single sharp edge on this vehicle and this should ensure less air drag.Ola has stuck with a basic teardrop signature. Low set bonnet, steep rake A-pillars, sloping roofline and a neat rear-end ensure maximum aero efficiency. Along the sides, we can see subtle body lines that will ensure air is smoothly passing through the sides. There are neatly integrated air guides on the bonnet too.Ola electric sedan patent detailsFront bumper has two crevices that are likely to be functional. These crevices will channel air into the front wheels. These create a teardrop path for air to flow and will cool brakes as well. There is a small air intake in the front bumper that will function to cool batteries. Sticking with aerodynamics, wheels look like they facilitate minimum air drag.Design-wise, there will be a wide LED DRL bar in the front that will establish a smiling friendly face. There are sleek headlights with two ‘U’ LED DRL signatures, similar to concept video. We hope windshield wipers were hidden as they create quite a lot of turbulence. Door handles are probably in the pillars to keep a clean profile.Will this car revolutionize Indian 4W EV?We don’t see ORVMs in this patent. So, Ola is likely to go with digital cameras completely. LED tail light bar will probably take a similar shape as the front. Patent shows a dual-tone appeal with black roof and pillars along with dual-tone wheels as well.New Ola Electric Car interiorsEnthusiastic Ola Electric CEO Bhavish Aggarwal has revealed that Ola’s maiden electric car will be an indigenously designed and developed vehicle including its battery. We would reckon a battery size between 50 to 80 kWh with a real-world range between 300 and 600 km would be the ideal bet. On the inside, Ola will offer two-spoke steering, and a central infotainment screen as shown in the teaser. Steering wheel is not round and takes an octagonal shape. There is a wide and short instrumentation screen that might even offer a HUD. More

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      Toyota Crown EV Prototype Expectation – 1,353 Km Range

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      Toyota’s next-gen solid-state batteryToyota’s Crown EV prototype demonstrated the company’s bipolar solid state batteries that will be the next big thing with EVs in the futureRange anxiety! The one hindering factor in EV growth. Regardless of range anxiety, EV sales are clocking higher numbers with every month. Advances in Battery tech and aero efficiency will go a long way in extracting a longer range than what is currently possible. Advances are underway in EV tech in the form of solid-state batteries that will ensure more range and less cost.Toyota wants to be at the forefront of solid-state batteries as it has dived head-first into this realm. Facing criticism for slower EV adoption, Toyota is showing the world that it means business when it does adopt. The automotive giant showcased its new-gen solid-state battery with a Crown sedan concept with 1,353 km of range on a single charge.Toyota’s Crown EV Prototype Has 1,353 Km RangeYes! You read that right. In a “Let’s Change the Future of Cars” workshop, Toyota revealed key details about its electrification roadmap. For starters, the company intends to offer both affordable EVs for the masses and enthusiast EVs with better capabilities. Toyota is comparing BZ4X, an EV it currently sells, with its next gen battery.For performance versions, Toyota will stick with monopolar NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) batteries and promise 200% range of BZ4X. 200% of 615 km (range of BZ4X) is 1,230 km. This next-gen battery will grace the markets in 2026 with a 20% increase in cost efficiency as opposed to BZ4X’s battery cost. Charging time will be around 20 minutes for 10-80%.Toyota’s next-gen solid-state battery ExplainedToyota is working on a new type of bipolar LFP (Lithium Ferrous Phosphate) battery for mass market offerings. This is likely to storm the market by 2026 and 2027. This battery promises 20% increase in range when compared to BZ4X’s 615 km range. This translates to 738 km of range.For the mainstream market, this is phenomenal considering charging time of 30 minutes for taking SOC (State Of Charge) from 10% to 80%. These new bipolar LFP batteries aim to be 40% more cost-effective than BZ4X’s batteries.Ushering new era of Battery tech and vehicular engineeringIf you observed closely, performance batteries are still monopolar in 2026. That will change till 2028. Toyota promises a high-performance bipolar solid-state battery promising a 10% increase in range and 10% increase in cost efficiency when compared to next-gen performance battery’s 1,230 km. This means a total range of 1,353 km and charging times for 10-80% is still 20 minutes.Toyota’s electric axlesToyota is not aiming to achieve this by the virtue of batteries alone. Reduction in weight, a smaller rear electric axle, more efficient aerodynamics based on a rocket’s hypersonic aerodynamics and other attributes. Toyota has already begun work on its bipolar solid-state batteries and showcased the same in a Crown sedan. The company intends to take charging time close to gasoline refueling times and cut down on range anxiety and cost associated with EVs. More

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      Mahindra BE.05 Electric spied along with XUV700 – Rear design revealed

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      Mahindra BE.05 rear designMahindra BE.05 eSUV will be the smallest and the least expensive SUVs among other Born Electric BE rangeIndian homegrown brand Mahindra is entering a new era of futuristic EVs. We’re not talking about the ICE spinoffs that XUV.e8 and XUV.e9 will be. Instead, we are talking about the Born Electric BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09. Mahindra designed these from the ground up, to be electric vehicles and will feature a wild design language.Mahindra showcased all five of its EVs and their expected design language on August 15th, 2022 at M.A.D.E HQ in UK. We had expressed how BE.05 will be the most important vehicle among the five showcased. Within a year, we can see Mahindra commencing testing for BE.05 on Indian roads. Now, for the first time, the rear profile has been caught on camera in Chennai, where it was seen testing along with XUV700.Mahindra BE.05 Rear Design SpottedWe have seen the front profile and its interiors before. Now, with rear design out, we can compile a basic silhouette to see how BE.05 might look like. For starters, we like what we see. At their debut, Mahindra had promised most of the design elements of the concept will make it to production phase.Looking at the production-spec body under testing, Mahindra is living up to its promise. Mahindra BE.05 looks just as wild as it did in its concept form. We can see how organic and animalistic BE.05’s design aesthetics really are. The rear gets massive LED tail light signatures that not only get connected-type elements, but they also extend further down as well.Mahindra BE.05 electric SUVIn effect, these LED tail lights are so dominating, they eat into the rear windshield quite a bit. This makes the rear windshield very small. Mahindra is offering a massive roof spoiler too, which is very stylistic in its appeal. But it further eats into the rear windshield area. Visibility at the back will not be BE.05’s forte.There is a vent-like element in the center of the rear bumper, which is highly likely to be for styling purposes only. BE.05 will not feature Mahindra’s Twin Peaks logo. Instead, there is an illuminated BE logo in rear tail lights. Rear haunches are immense and tyres look to be 235-section, which lends a lot of muscle to this SUV.What do we know so far?Mahindra is sticking to its plan and roadmap with INGLO platform that the company divulged at its debut event. This is a derivative of Volkswagen’s scalable and modular MEB platform, rebranded. Capacity will be between 60 and 80 kWh. INGLO platform is compatible with both single-motor and dual-motor layouts as well.Mahindra BE.05 electric SUV coupeMahindra BE.07 is a Creta-sized compact eSUV measuring 4370 mm in length, 1900 mm in width, 1635 mm in height, and boasts a wheelbase of 2775 mm. This will be the smallest and the most affordable electric SUV with Mahindra’s new INGLO platform. Vehicles in this segment top out at 50 kWh battery (MG ZS EV). It will be interesting to see how BE.05 fares in India and in global markets. XUV.e8 will be the first to launch, though. More