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      Tata Nexon Electric Catches Fire In Mumbai – Official Statement

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      This is the first Tata Nexon EV fire incident that has been reported since its launchTata Nexon Electric catches fireEV fires are not a rare phenomenon these days. We have seen EV fires take place from time to time. Even in a country like India where EV market is still in the budding phase, we have seen EV fires in electric scooters produced by various startups.But that doesn’t mean that EV fire hazards are only confined to startups or inexperienced manufacturers only happen in a country like India. EV fire hazards occur in the US too. Most of these EV hazards come from esteemed EV manufacturers like Tesla Motors and General Motors.Tata Nexon Electric Catches Fire – MumbaiNexon EV is the highest selling electric car of India. Every month, about 2,500 to 3,000 units of the EV are sold. Until now, there has been no reported incident of Nexon EV catching fire. But yesterday, a Tata Nexon electric SUV caught fire in Mumbai’s Vasai area. Videos of the same have gone viral on social media.As per a reader, the owner of the car had charged his Nexon EV with a normal slow charger installed at his office. After driving about 5 km in slow traffic commute towards his house, he heard clicky sounds from the car. Soon he was treated with flashes of warnings on the instrument cluster which made him park it at the side and get out.[embedded content][embedded content]Video shared by Twitter user KamalJoshi108, we can see firefighters spraying water on the burning Nexon EV. Even though a burning electric car can’t be doused with water, it can be beneficial in controlling the fire from spreading to the surroundings. EV fires take a longer time to douse, as individual cells are subjected to a chain reaction and will burn individually or in small clusters.Tata Nexon Electric FireTata Motors official Statement – Nexon EV FireTata Motors notified Rushlane – “A detailed investigation is currently being conducted to ascertain the facts of the recent isolated thermal incident that is doing the rounds on social media. We will share a detailed response after our complete investigation. We remain committed to the safety of our vehicles and their users. This is a first incident after more than 30,000 EVs have cumulatively covered over 10 million km across the country in nearly 4 years.”Why did it happen?It is anyone’s guess as to why Nexon electric caught fire. Some of the reasons include – Battery overheating due to overcharging or fast charging can cause EV fires. A battery compromised in a crash also caused fire. Battery chemistry, design and cooling also form a paramount reason why EVs catch fires.There are a million permutations and combinations that could have led to the fire hazard that happened with the Nexon EV in question. We will have to wait for Tata Motor’s investigation report as to why it happened. More

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      OLA Electric Cars Teased Officially – New Premium Sedan, SUV, Hatch?

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      Ola’s first electric car will be made at the company’s upcoming mother plant in Tamil NaduOla Electric CarIt is no secret that Ola Electric, soon after the launch of its S1 electric scooter, has been eyeing the Indian electric four wheeler segment which is projected to have an immense potential. It appears that, even as the company is facing several complaints related to the quality, reliability and delivery timeline issues of its S1 scooter, developing activities of the upcoming electric car are proceeding in full swing.On the sidelines of the ‘Ola Customer Day’ event held at the site of the company’s upcoming facility near Krishnagiri, TN, the EV startup released a teaser video of its upcoming premium electric cars. The 30 second teaser shows teaser of more than one Ola electric car.OLA Electric Car – Hatch, Sedan, SUV Teased ?New Ola electric car teaser gives us a sneak peak of not 1, but 3 electric cars. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Snehal Praveen for the update. One of the upcoming Ola electric car, as the teaser indicates, could be a low-slung sporty sedan with a coupe roof-line and modern design. Other two could be an electric SUV / coupe and hatchback.The Ola sedan takes a lot of aerodynamic liberty in its exterior styling which would otherwise be challenging in a conventional IC engine car like an extremely low slung nose. Salient design features include a wedged shaped front fascia, an LED lighting signature that runs across the width of the car, a swooping roofline, and Kia-like rear fascia.[embedded content][embedded content]No further details have been shared as of now but Ola Electric’s CEO Bhavish Aggarwal stated that more details will be revealed on August 15. There were reports that Ola has hired ex-Mahindra designer – Ramkripa Ananthan, who designed the current XUV700, Thar, XUV300. Ola Electric’s venture into the passenger car segment is expected in about 2 year’s time. That said, the product development process is usually hurried in a startup setting compared to a traditional OEM.What to expect?For instance, basing the product on an already existing electric skateboard from any of the several international mobility players would considerably shorten the lead time. The powertrain configuration is anyone’s guess as of now, and we think it is going to be one motor at each wheel, supported by a lithium-ion battery pack with a capacity of around 60-80 kWh.Aided by an impressively low aerodynamic co-efficient and frontal area, such a battery pack could be good enough for a certified range of over 500 km. A 0-100 kph time of less than 7 seconds and a top-speed in excess of 150 kmph would be a nice place to start in terms of performance. These numbers might be similar for their sedan, hatchback and SUV, or they could be different.Ola electric cars teased – SUV, Sedan, and hatchback ?New Ola electric cars could be positioned in various segments of the Indian electric vehicle space. Ola hatchback could be the most affordable, above which could be their sedan and on top will be the electric SUV offering. One can expect a lengthy equipment list complete with ADAS features.Demand for electric vehicles is on the rise. Major OEMs like Tata, Kia, Mahindra, Hyundai have committed to launch more new EVs in India. Even premium brands like Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, etc have joined the EV revolution. With Tesla reportedly putting their India launch plans on hold, things could work in favour of Ola Electric cars. More

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      in Electric Cars

      2023 Jeep Electric SUV Spied – To Rival Mahindra XUV400?

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      Upcoming compact electric SUV from Jeep is likely to be underpinned by the STLA platform2023 Jeep Electric SUVEarlier this year, Jeep revealed its plan of launching its first fully electric SUV in the near future. The American brand has been very vocal about going green in future and its plans gained fresh impetus when the company, along with other subsidiaries from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) formed part of a new conglomerate called Stellantis in 2020.Electric mobility has gathered momentum in the last couple of years and every automaker is investing a part of its resources in battery-powered vehicles. The upcoming electric SUV from Jeep was recently spied under full disguise. The company has earlier revealed that the compact SUV will be making its global debut in early 2023.Jeep Electric SUV Spied: Exterior DesignLike the previous spy shots, the latest test mule of the electric SUV caught on camera has been completely wrapped under camouflage which makes it difficult to decode any specific highlight of its exterior. However, some highlights are still evidently visible like a rectangular LED headlight with a slim DRL unit above on each side.The faux grille with a traditional seven-slat arrangement takes centre stage with a small ‘e’ symbol to distinguish itself from its fossil fuel-powered siblings. Underneath the faux grille, it gets a slim opening followed by a wide air dam below it. It gets traditional Jeep characteristics including the flared wheel arches and muscular front and rear bumpers which lend it a brawny appearance.2023 Jeep Electric SUVRear door handles sit flush with the C pillar. A flat roofline and a flat tailgate further lend the SUV a boxy silhouette. The sculpted tailgate features a roof-mounted spoiler, wraparound LED taillamps and the Jeep logo at the centre. The test mule rides on 17-inch petal-shaped dual-tone alloy wheels. Rear bumper also looks muscular and sporty thanks to a faux silver-coloured skid plate.To be based on eCMP/STLA platformThis upcoming electric SUV holds more significance since it will be built on the eCMP architecture which is an electrified derivative of CMP (Common Modular Platform). This platform underpins the upcoming Citroen C3 crossover slated to be launched in India in June. Hence, it has a good chance of arriving on Indian shores sometime in future.However, the CMP architecture is best suited for an FWD configuration and offering an AWD/4WD setup in this platform will be a challenge. Therefore, it can also be the case where the upcoming compact electric SUV from Jeep could be based on the STLA platform developed by parent company Stellantis. There are four different iterations of this STLA architecture including- STLA Small, STLA Medium, STLA Large and STLA Frame.2023 Jeep Electric SUVThe upcoming Ram 1500 electric pickup truck will also be based on one of these STLA architectures. The electric SUV will likely go on sale in the US and European markets first followed by other international markets.India Launch, Rivals?Jeep has extensive plans for India, which may also include electric vehicles. The new compact Jeep Electric SUV is expected to be about 4.23 meter in length. It will be a litter longer than the Tata Nexon EV – the current best selling electric car in India. But the Jeep EV SUV will be about the same size as the upcoming XUV400 electric.Mahindra has plans to launch the XUV300 electric version, which will be a little longer than the current XUV300 petrol / diesel version. It will be called XUV400 upon launch. Mahindra is expected to unveil the new XUV400 electric SUV in the UK on 15th Aug. Apart from selling the XUV400 EV in India, Mahindra also has plans to sell their EVs in international markets.Source 1, Source 2 More

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      Tata Safari Spied With Green No Plates – First Safari Electric SUV?

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      Tata Motors is the leading electric vehicle maker in India – They have plans to launch many new electric SUVs in the futureTata Safari Electric SpiedTata Safari Electric! Already? Hold your horses. We know Tata Safari Electric is exciting news and it looks like a good proposition too. But not a lot is known about this mysterious vehicle that has been spotted somewhere in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It does look like a finished product, as good as any other Tata Safari bought from an authorized dealer. But we think that it isn’t the case at all.After a bit of searching the number plate across multiple vehicle databases, it was revealed that it still showed as XZA+ variant with 2.0L Kryotec BS6 engine. But the number plate is green, which indicates that it is an EV. So why is a Tata Safari that is registered as a diesel on the RTO database, wearing a green no plate? Here are some explanations for this confusing spy shot of Tata Safari Electric.Tata Safari Electric SpiedAs we all know, Tata Safari only gets a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Stellantis (formerly, Fiat-Chrysler) that makes 168 bhp and 350 Nm. Tata Motors has been testing the Safari with a petrol engine too and on the test mule, you will see a red number plate. It’s because in India, every single test mule, EV or not, is given a red number plate.  Only the finalised product that is sold for private use, get the usual number plates from RTO. White board with black font indicates a PV (passenger vehicle), yellow board with black font indicates LCV (light commercial vehicle) and HCV (heavy commercial vehicle). Whereas a black board with yellow font indicates self-driven rental vehicles. EVs get two different types of number plates where the board is green for both and if the vehicle has a white font, it is an electric PV and if the font is yellow, it is an electric CV.  Tata Safari EV Spied with green no plateThe Tata Safari electric spotted has a green board with white font indicating that it is an electric PV. But Tata never launched it. If you suspect that it is a prank of some sort or the owner is committing fraud, that does not seem to be the case as the number plate is a properly embossed number plate with non-removable bolts with RTO’s hologram too. It doesn’t look like a fake number plate at all.  Tata Safari EV – What is it?The car looks like it actually is an EV as registered by the RTO. But it is not a test mule undergoing testing by Tata as it doesn’t have a red number plate. This might be the work of a third-party that has developed an EV conversion kit for Safari. We don’t know the name of the company as of now. But developing an EV conversion kit is no mean feat.Electronics and electricals are one of the most complicated aspects of vehicle development. The entire electric harness has to be custom-built with proper voltage architectures in mind. Then comes the hassle of battery placement, motor placement, mass centralisation, weight distribution, centre of gravity, interior packaging with the new battery in place, battery weather sealing, battery cooling solutions, battery management system tuning, modifications to brakes and suspension to accommodate the extra weight and a million more aspects. It is not an easy task of just taking out the engine and stuffing batteries in its place.Tata Safari Electric Spied – New Safari EVWe have seen EV conversion kits like this before too. Our bet is that Tata Safari Electric conversion kit is being developed by someone, with good resources to back them up. The car in question seems to be a piece of demonstration for investors, bankers or even Government officials. This company seems like they first bought a Tata Safari XZA+ and then converted it into an EV and then got it re-registered as an EV from RTO. If that is the case, Tata Safari Electric range could be somewhere in between 300-500 kms. Whatever it is, it looks promising. If you happen to have more details, please get in touch. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Mahindra XUV900 Electric Coupe SUV Teased – 15th Aug Debut

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      XUV900 will likely be the new flagship of Mahindra – It will be manufactured in India, but will be pitted as a global SUVMahindra XUV900 Electric SUV – New TeaserMahindra has been teasing us with their ‘Born Electric’ range of concept SUVs for some time now. The Indian automaker aims to electrify its vehicle portfolio and while doing so, aims to take its EVs to the world too.Mahindra was the first mainstream Indian automotive manufacturer to venture into EV space. They bought electric car manufacturing company Reva and introduced a few uninspiring vehicles. But Indian EV space was still very young and not very mature, and Mahindra failed big time. But Mahindra has completely revamped its EV aspirations. With Mahindra’s acquisition of Italian design firm Pininfarina, they have successfully managed to create one of the fastest EVs in the world, Battista.Pininfarina Battista is a 1900 bhp electric hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph under 2 seconds putting cars like Bugatti’s to shame. With the newfound expertise in EVs, Mahindra has set a roadmap for its EV portfolio in India and the world. They are set to launch 7 e-vehicles under the Born electric range of SUVs. This will further plaster Mahindra’s image as an SUV maker rather than a carmaker.Mahindra XUV900 Coupe electric SUVPratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra took to social media to tease us about the upcoming electric SUV that will be a part of Born Electric SUV range. Designed at Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE), the upcoming SUV will not only be Born Electric, it will also be a global SUV.[embedded content][embedded content]The teaser goes on to show how Mahindra has been incorporating their learnings at Formula E, on their new SUV. Looking at the video released by the company in the past, we can see the fighter jet cockpit-like interior with giant screens behind a futuristic steering wheel.The SUV also gets a new design language which will be a complete departure from some of the polarising designs Mahindra has today. The Indian manufacturer has given the upcoming SUV aerodynamic wheels that will reduce air resistance. With decreasing air drag, we can see an increase in the range of this EV. It will likely have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any cars manufactured in India.Mahindra claims that they are creating an all-original design philosophy with this upcoming electric SUV. They also claim that it will be just as exhilarating on the road as it is on the race track.Launch & CompetitionWhen Mahindra says that they’re putting ‘Sport’ back in electric SUVs, we can’t help but think about the rumoured XUV900 Coupe. Mahindra is all set to unveil their new electric SUV range on 15th Aug, in the UK. Launch will be in a few years. We expect to see the production version of this sporty electric SUV in 2023 or 2024. Mahindra is also set to reveal the electric version of XUV300 in Indian market soon. More

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      New MG Mulan Electric Car Debuts – 5G Internet, 0 To 100 Kmph In 4s

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      MG Mulan is a new gen Global Electric car – Safety to match stringent EU standards for sales in Europe2022 MG Mulan ElectricMG Motor is keen on global expansion. And the world is now more receptive to electric cars. Sales target for Europe is in the region of 1.2 lakh units this year, and this will include MG Mulan, the manufacturer’s newest electric car offering.Built on the Nebula electric platform, the 5-door unit is MG’s first global EV for Europe. Known as Mulan in China, it would wear the MG 4 moniker in export markets. The hatch sits at 4,300 mm, slightly smaller than Nissan Leaf. Mulan EV goes from 0-100 km/h in 4 seconds.New MG Mulan Electric CarOn the design front, MG Mulan Electric is sharp and stylistic. The elements come together with its LED headlight, and taillights, sporty rear spoiler, and panoramic sunroof. Black elements for contrast are visible in almost all aspects of exterior design including the front air intake grille.The logo in front is positioned on the lip above the front grille. In the rear, it’s positioned in the middle of the wraparound taillight system. A high-density battery shaves off volume from the unit for reduced battery thickness. This in turn translates to increased cabin space.2022 MG Mulan ElectricIn keeping with stringent EU norms, MG Mulan fortifies its battery zero thermal runway to prevent it from catching fire or an incident of thermal runaway. The latter occurs in case of battery cell short circuit causing intense heat up, leading to fire. The Nebula platform caters to electric cars. MG Mulan / MG4 fits the slim LBS (Lithium Battery System) under the car’s floor.MG CyberE, Mulan EVPatented as MG CyberE, Mulan EV sales are expected to contribute significantly to volume increase in the years to come. Designed for Level 3 autonomous driving, Mulan features a smart cockpit with 5G connectivity. The link rear suspension has been deeply cultivated in driving control.While the MG ZS EV is available overseas as a FWD, Mulan / MG4 will be available as a RWD. This in turn helps keep up with quick petrol-powered AWD hot hatches in European markets. While RWD is mentioned, no details regarding motor (s) in use are yet available. MG aims to take in mid range electric cars from Tesla with the new Mulan.2022 MG Mulan ElectricSAIC Nebula platformSAIC had announced new battery systems and vehicle platforms to advance vehicle tech. They include SAIC Nebula pure electric only platform, SAIC Everest for oil and electricity integrated vehicle architecture, and SAIC Xinghe for electric and hydrogen integrated vehicle architecture.MG ZS EV is currently sold in India too. Through 2021, the auto manufacturer reported 2.8k units sold here. Despite a single offering which isn’t in the entry price point segment, MG’s EV sales in India have been positive. In April 2022, MG EV sales were just shy of 250 units. More

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      2022 Hindustan Contessa Name Trademarked – Launch As Electric Car?

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      It is not yet confirmed whether Peugeot will launch the Contessa, as the trademark for the car is still owned by Hindustan MotorsHindustan Contessa Electric – Render by MightySeedWhat if I told you that an iconic muscle car is set to launch in India? Your mind must be hovering around iconic American muscle cars like Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger. What if I told you that it had 4-doors? Now your mind is filtering 2-doors and has finalised around Cadillac CTS-V, Chrysler 300C or Dodge Charger. What if I told you that it was manufactured in India by an Indian company? There’s just Contessa, isn’t it?Even though Contessa didn’t have a V8 heart beating under the bonnet that is typically associated with muscle cars, it had the looks and stance of a muscle car. Due to this attribute, it soon earned the term, ‘Desi muscle car’. Back in those days, it was pitched as a luxury car in India which was an instant hit.Contessa was manufactured by Indian company Hindustan Motors based out of West Bengal. Whilst it made Ambassador appeal to the masses, Contessa was a favourite among rich and elites. This soon made it a status symbol in India.Hindustan Motors ContessaWith the decline of Hindustan Motors, both Ambassador and Contessa were believed to be dead for good. But situation soon turned in company’s favour when Peugeot bought the rights for Ambassador in 2017 for Rs. 80 crores. Ambassador has been approved for revival under the joint venture of Hind Motor Financial Corporation of India (HMFCI), which is a subsidiary of Hindustan Motors and PSA Group (Peugeot S.A. Group, France). The company recently revealed that designs for the engine are close to finalization.Hindustan Motors trademarks the name ContessaThe same powertrain of upcoming Ambassador will make it on Contessa too. HMFCI is very hush regarding fine details of the engine but we can expect it to be a modern engine on par with modern standards. Recent developments also show us that HM has trademarked the name Contessa in India. HM might also launch the Contessa as an EV as it has stepped into EV realm.Contessa LegacyEven though Contessa was manufactured in India by Hindustan Motors during 1984 to 2002, it was based on Vauxhall cars. The earlier Contessa was based on Vauxhall Victor FE and the later model was based on Vauxhall VX. It was powered by a measly 1.5L petrol engine making 50 bhp coupled with a 4-speed gearbox.HM later partnered up with the engine maker, Isuzu and used its 1.8L petrol engine and a 5-speed gearbox and named it Contessa Classic. Then in the 1990s, Contessa got a 2.0L Isuzu 4FC1 and the torquey nature of diesel engines popularized the Contessa further.HM Contessa Electric RenderLaunch TimelineAmbassador is likely to launch by the year 2023 or 2024. Contessa launch to follow soon. Both Ambassador and Contessa will see minor design revisions and a complete interior overhaul. HM products were fairly ahead of their time offering a modern monocoque architecture. The main sore points were the trashy interiors and questionable fit and finish.The company will equip these cars with modern amenities and features that are expected with modern cars from the price bracket. HM should also work on the safety and crashworthiness of the car to make it stick in the Indian market. Price is another factor which can make or break a product in India. If HM gets everything spot on, there’s nothing holding back nostalgic Indian customers and enthusiasts that are willing to pay the price of a modern-classic car. More

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      Tata Motors Gets A Record Order For 10,000 Tigor Electric XpresT

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      10k Tata XPREST EV fleet order placed by BluSmart Electric Mobility to build on fully-electric ride hailing service networkImage – MotorHubTata Motors signed an agreement with BluSmart Electric Mobility. The manufacturer will deliver 10k XPREST EVs to the latter. For Tata Motors, this is its biggest ever EV fleet order in India. XpresT EV is the name for the commercial segment Tigor Electric. Deliveries will start soon, and are in addition to a previous order of 3.5k XPRES T EVs. The first order was signed in October 2022.BluSmart is using the EV fleet for commuters with the intent of minimising carbon emission. Tata XPRES brand was launched in July 2021. The platform is dedicated to fleet customers. And through this venture, XPRES-T EV is the first vehicle on offer. XPRES-T electric sedan is available in 2 ride range options – 213km and 165km (ARAI certified range under test conditions).XPRES-T fleet carsThe fleet editions run on a high density battery of 21.5 kWh and 16.5 kWh. They can be charged from 0- 80 percent in 90 mins and 110 mins, respectively. Charging options include fast charging or normal charging on a 15 A plug point.Tigor Electric XpresT offerings come with zero tail-pipe emission, single speed automatic transmission, dual airbags, ABS with EBD as standard across variants. EXPRES-T cars are decked in premium black theme interior and Electric Blue accents on the inside and out. The colour theme is specifically used to differentiate the fleet cars from Tata PVs.(L-R), Mr. Anmol Singh Jaggi, CoFounder, BluSmart Electric Mobility and Mr. Shailesh Chandra, Tata MotorsTata Motors Dominates EV PV SegmentIn the e-mobility space, Tata Motors dominates the market space. In FY22, its EV share stood at 87 percent at over 25k Tata EVs on road in personal and fleet segment. Tata electric cars have also been introduced in government/police fleets in recent years.The current market space dominance is largely supported by the fact that the electric car segment has rather few players. So, while buyers are scouring the market, their choices are largely limited to Tata electric cars, the only offerings in the entry price point segment.Network of EV chargingShailesh Chandra, Managing Director, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd., and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. said, “Tata Motors is taking active steps towards the rapid electrification of mobility, and it is heartening to see renowned fleet aggregators joining the green mobility wave with us. Our XPRES-T EV fleet offers an optimal battery size along with a captive fast charging solution and has already set benchmarks in its category.”According to Mr. Anmol Singh Jaggi, CoFounder, BluSmart Electric Mobility, “With our $50M in Series A fundraise, we are supercharged to rapidly expand across Delhi NCR and the metro cities. We are building a large-scale integrated EV mobility ecosystem in India – from the country’s largest fully-electric ride hailing service to the largest network of EV charging super hubs. With the increasing fleet size we are leading India on the path to reliable, sustainable and zero-emissions mobility and also creating more inclusive and economic opportunities for driver partners.” More