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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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      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

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      Tata Nexon Electric Delivered To Kolkata Police – World Environment Day 2022

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      17 Tata Nexon EVs introduced to Kolkata Police fleet as part of World Environment Day 2022Tata Nexon Electric Kolkata PoliceKolkata PC, Binit Kumar Goel inaugurated 17 electric vehicles at a function organized at Police Athletic Club in Maidan on World Environment Day 2022. Kolkata Police will put the EVs to use on multiple fronts. In celebrating the occasion, it was announced a number of e-cycles will be introduced for use by Kolkata Police for beat policing, and regular patrols.The fleet introduction is part of a larger shift to EVs that was announced in 2021. In September 2021, it was announced that 226 Tata Nexon EVs will be leased to KP. The new cars will over time phase out the old diesel cars still part of the fleet. The cars are to be leased for an 8-year period.EV exemption in West BengalBased on utility, the EV fleet will be shared/distributed for use among multiple police units, including the traffic department. In September 2021, it was announced, Rs 8.82 crore was allocated for the 8 year lease plan to come into effect. The Nexon units will be distributed as best suited considering the need for a robust charging network, and need to charge daily.Last week, to further boost EV adoption, the government announced rebates and relaxations for a period of 2 years for those registering new electric cars and two-wheelers. The same courtesy is extended to CNG vehicles too.[embedded content][embedded content]EV adoption in IndiaEV adoption in West Bengal is currently quite small. State announced exemptions are expected to help improve numbers. In recent months, various state governments have gone on to introduce state rebates for EV purchases. The move is in tandem with long term goals of larger EV adoption in India. The goal for electric buses, two wheelers, transport vehicles, and electric cars by the end of the decade is significant.While electric car transition is still quite slow, the fault doesn’t lay with buyers. As of now, the availability of mass market electric cars that are affordable isn’t being catered to by most manufacturers. A transition boost will be more noticeable when the market becomes competitive.Tata Motors electric carsOnly recently, Tata Nexon EV Max with more range, more power and faster charging was launched. These however are not part of the growing electric fleet that Kolkata Police is using.Tata Nexon Electric Kolkata PoliceTata Motors is one of the first movers in the electric car business. In May 2022, the company reported EV wholesales at almost 3.5k units. It is only a matter of time until Tata Motors should be able to report EV sales at atleast 10 percent of total domestic passenger cars the manufacturer sells. More

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      Kia EV6 Electric Launch Price Rs 60 Lakh – Over 300 Bookings

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      Kia EV6 shares its underpinnings with Hyundai Ioniq 5 which is also slated to arrive on Indian shores later this yearKia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia India has launched the EV6 electric car today. It is priced from Rs 59.95 lakh, ex-sh. EV6 will be brought to the country as a fully imported model via the CBU route. Only 100 units of the mid-size electric crossover will go on sale in India this year.Despite that, Kia has already received about 350 orders. Kia India is working on arranging the additional orders. EV6 will be available in two derivatives- GT Line and GT Line AWD. Prices are Rs 59.95 lakh and Rs 64.95 lakh, ex-sh. Deliveries start from Sep 2022. Bookings are open at Rs 3 lakh, cancellation of booking will be charged at Rs 50,000.Kia EV6 ElectricKia EV6 is based on the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture which also underpins Hyundai Ioniq 5. In India, it will only be offered with a single 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 528 km as per WLTP cycle. By using a 350kW fast charger, the battery pack can be juiced from 10 to 80 percent within 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. On the other hand, a 50kW fast charger takes 73 minutes to achieve the same.The battery supports ultra-fast charging which can add up to 100km of range in just 4.5 minutes. It will be available in two variants – GT Line and GT Line AWD. The former will be offered a single motor driving the rear wheels that churns out 225 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The latter on the other gets a dual-motor setup driving all four wheels and pushing out 321 bhp and 605 Nm of torque.Kia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia EV6 claims a 0-100 kmph acceleration time in just 3.5 seconds. In terms of dimensions, EV6 GT Line measures 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,550mm in height, while it offers a wheelbase of 2,900mm. The electric crossover will be offered in five paint options including Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Yacht Blue and Moonscape.Features on offerThe Korean brand is offering EV6 as a premium electric crossover, hence, it is loaded with all bells and whistles. This will include features like dual 12.3-inch curved displays for the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, full LED lighting, ventilated and powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, etc, as standard fitment across both variants.The top-spec GT-Line AWD variant offers additional creature comforts like an Augmented Reality heads-up display, a Meridian sound system with 14 speakers, automatic flush-fitting door handles and a powered tailgate. EV6 comes equipped with a wide range of safety features including eight airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS and Brake Assist, ESC, Hill-start Assist Control and Multi Collision Brake Assist.Apart from the standard safety tech, Kia is also offering a wide range of features under ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Blind-spot Detection and more.  More

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      2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Ready To Off Road – Render

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      With electric being the future, how does an all electric Mahindra Thar sound, or look?2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderNew Mahindra Thar has been a run-away success. Despite being almost 1.5 years old, it still commands a long waiting period, which is something most other car brands can be envious about. Mahindra is also working upon a 5-door Mahindra Thar, which would focus a little more on comfort and interior space, without compromising on Thar’s iconic off-roading capabilities.While the 5-door Thar is still a few months away, interesting designers at Bimble Designs have envisaged how a 3-door Mahindra Thar would look like, if it lands up becoming a pure EV. If it does get launched, expect Mahindra Thar Electric to have a range in the region of 500 kms on full charge.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUVThe idea of a Thar EV is practical as we have already seen some massively powerful all electric pick-up trucks/SUVs getting launched in international markets in the last 2-3 years. Some of the names include Ford’s F-150 lightning, Hummer EV etc. Mahindra too has been working to re-enter the personal EV space, and an all electric Thar isn’t too much of a wild thought.Talking about the render, the model gets a clean futuristic design, along with some retro elements. Overall silhouette of Thar EV looks similar to that of standard Thar, however hard-core airless off-roading tyres and a heavy-duty suspension seem to have raised overall height of the off-roader.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderAt the front, the iconic Jeep inspired vertical slats get a design make-over and are all covered up, to suit the EV’s requirement. Large squared-off wheel arches and a reworked bumper make the SUV look dominating. Design of Headlamps and tail-lamps haven’t been changed much, possibly to retain the true Thar character.However, headlamps get a new LED element, which get complimented by LED bars present on the roof and front bumper. A functional roof rack along with ladders has also been added, to help users carry additional gears like a tent etc, during an off-roading trip.Mahindra Thar EV Rear DesignWhile Mahindra has some aggressive plans in the EV space, it remains to be seen if Mahindra will plan on bringing all-electric body-on-frame SUVs. As of now, most EVs in India are based on monocoque frames. If Mahindra can bring in an EV-setup on a body-on-frame platform, it will have the flexibility to spawn multiple models, like Thar EV, Scorpio EV and possibly even a Bolero EV.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderTalking about the standard Thar, it is offered with both petrol and diesel motor options. The diesel motor happens to be part of Mahindra’s iconic mHawk range and the 2.2 litre turbo diesel unit is capable of dishing out 130 hp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Customers opting for a petrol powerhouse get a 2 litre turbo petrol mStallion motor, which can churn out 150 hp and 320 Nm of max torque. Transmission options include 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearboxes. Select trims also get 4×4 capabilities.As of now, Mahindra is busy working for 2022 ScorpioN’s launch, which is scheduled to take place later this June. Post the ScorpioN, Mahindra might bring in an all-electric XUV300, which will land up becoming a direct rival to Nexon EV and Nexon EV max.Source More