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      in Electric Cars

      2021 Volvo XC40 Electric SUV Makes India Debut – Bookings Open In June

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      2021 Volvo XC40 Electric SUV
      Swedish carmaker-Volvo will launch the fully electrified version of its popular compact SUV- XC40 in India this year

      Volvo is looking to add the XC40 Recharge EV to its product line-up in India, making it the first electric vehicle(EV) offering by the Swedish manufacturer in India. Volvo XC40 Electric will be open for bookings from June 2021, while deliveries will start from October 2021.
      Design
      Visually, the XC40 Recharge will be very similar to its gasoline counterpart barring a few tweaks in design. The most noticeable change in the electrified version will be the new sealed front fascia which replaces the conventional mesh-like grille. It also receives a ‘Recharge’ badging at front and the battery charging port is placed at the same place where the fuel refilling cap is found.
      Performance
      The electric SUV will be powered by dual motor setup, one on each axle, and will be backed by a 78kWh battery. The twin motor setup produces a combined output of a huge 408 hp and 660 Nm of torque. It can reach 0-100 kmph in just under 5 seconds, however, top-speed is capped at 180 kmph just as rest of the Volvo cars.
      The battery pack is positioned under the floor with Volvo claiming a WLTP certified range of about 320 km and has a towing capacity of 907 kg. Battery could be charged via an 11kW AC charger or via a 150 kW DC fast charger which can fast-charge from 10 percent to 80 percent in approximately 40 minutes.
      2021 Volvo XC40 Electric SUV Launch Plan
      Mr. Jyoti Malhotra, Managing Director, Volvo Car India said, “Our first electric car XC40 Recharge has been received very well globally and we expect the same in India as well. Starting this year we will launch one electric car every year in the Indian market and by 2030 we aspire to become a fully electric car company. This will reinforce our values and commitment towards sustainability and climate safety.”
      Features on offer
      At the interior as well, design is similar to its petrol counterpart. The cabin provides enough storage spaces for water bottles, phones and other knick-knacks. When it comes to features, it gets a new Android-based touchscreen infotainment system- a first from Volvo.
      Other standard features included will be heated seats in front and back, a multifunctional steering wheel and an automatic climate control to name a few. On the safety front, it will offer a 360-degree parking camera, multiple airbags, lane assist and emergency braking system.
      It also comes with ‘Volvo On Call’- its in-car connectivity technology which is capable of Over-the-Air (OTA) updates. Internationally, the XC40 Recharge EV is set to compete against the electrified Mercedes Benz EQA SUV upon its launch. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Kia Electric Crossover EV6 First Official Teasers – LED Lights Detailed

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      Kia EV6
      The Kia EV6 adopts a brand new design philosophy which gets rid of the trademark Tiger Shark grille

      Kia has released a teaser of its first EV to be born of a dedicated electric vehicle platform. Dubbed as the Electric-Global Modular Platform or E-GMP, the flexible architecture is set to be the backbone of the South Korean automaker’s future product portfolio, starting with the EV6 crossover.
      Kia EV6
      The Kia EV6 is not only the first battery electric vehicle to be developed on E-GMP it is also the first vehicle to feature the brand’s new design philosophy which has been realigned with the shifting focus towards electrification. Speaking about the new design philosophy, Kia’s senior VP and head of Kia Global Design Center Karim Habib stated that the aim was to design the physical experience of Kia brand with bold, original and inventive electric vehicles.
      Kia has also unveiled its rather simple naming strategy for its upcoming range of fully electric vehicles. The common prefix EV leaves no doubt about the nature of powertrain while the number 6 denotes the position of the vehicle in the global portfolio. All the future BEVs from Kia will be featuring this alfa-numeric nomenclature.
      What to expect?
      The Kia EV6 is set to make its world premiere during the first quarter of 2021 and that means, we should be seeing the car in its full glory sometime before the end of this month. Details are pretty scarce as of now.
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      From what we see in the teaser, the new design language phases out the quintessential Tiger Shark grille element and replaces it with a narrow slot. With no IC engine to be cooled down, the designers could emphasis more on aerodynamic efficiency. Angular LED headlamps and curvy bonnet characterize the front fascia.
      The sporty silhouette a near flat roof and steeply raked C-pillar reminds us of the Toyota C-HR. Rear combination lamps appears to run across the width of the car and them some more. Finer details are under wraps but we will know soon. We expect the vehicle to have grounds up interior design as well. We won’t be surprised to see more than one display screens with wide range of functionalities.
      The Kia EV6 is expected to be offered with a range of pure electric powertrains with different outputs and ranges to cover a wide audience base. Keeping up with the trend, the EV6 is likely to be equipped with ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Park Assist, and so on.
      Kia’s next generation range of electric vehicles will eventually make it to India, but we don’t expect them to be here in a hurry. The next launch from Kia in India is going to be an MPV, which will be based on Seltos platform. This new MPV will launch sometime early next year. More

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      Hyundai Kona Electric Owners Affected By Recall – Get Their Car Back After 2 Month Wait

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      Image – Akhil Krishnan
      The shift to electric is inevitable, but new challenges are emerging for EV makers

      A recent example is that of Hyundai Kona, which had to undergo a large-scale recall across the globe. The recall was extended to India last year, applicable for Kona units manufactured between the period April 2019 to October 2020. Hyundai had sold a total of 456 units during this period, all of which were covered under the voluntary recall notice.
      Kona battery issue
      Kona recall was carried out to check potential issues with the car’s high-voltage battery management system (BMS). Some users had reported that their Kona would stall after a warning on the MID that asks them to check electric vehicle system. In such cases, most owners had to get their Kona towed to the service centre.
      There were conflicting reports as well, wherein a user had said that the problem could be fixed by restarting the engine. However, even if true, such temporary solutions cannot be expected to be the norm for a premium EV like Kona.
      An expensive recall
      Customers in India have started getting back their Kona after spending several weeks at the workshop. It’s taking longer to patch up the EV, as the entire battery unit is being replaced by Hyundai. It’s not certain if all Kona units will have to undergo the same process, but a significant percentage will have to be updated in this manner.
      Hyundai Kona Electric delivered to owner after getting fixed
      Akhil Krishnan is one such owner, who recently got his Kona back after the fix said that Hyundai has replaced the entire battery unit. His Kona had to spend two and a half months at the service centre while it was being fixed.
      Globally, around 76,000 Kona units are covered under the recall. This will make this recall an expensive exercise for Hyundai. The company has said that it will carry out all the needed updates completely free of cost.
      Recalls are not only expensive, but they also impact customer trust and confidence in an adverse manner. EVs are supposed to make things easier for users, but if there are persistent issues, it may prevent people from switching to electric.
      Hyundai Kona Electric battery replacement
      Kona specs
      Hyundai Kona electric gets its power from a 39.2 kWh Lithium-ion Polymer battery pack. Power is send to a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) that generates 136 ps and 395 Nm of torque. Kona has ARAI certified range of 452 km, which is the highest in its class. The range varies based on the drive mode selected – Eco, Comfort and Sport. Kona can accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in 9.7 seconds.
      In terms of safety, Hyundai Kona offers six airbags, vehicle stability management, hill start assist control, electronic stability control, virtual engine sound system for pedestrian safety and ISOFIX child seat mounts. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Volvo XC20 Electric SUV Planned For Launch – Hyundai Kona EV Rival

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      Volvo XC20 Render by Auto Express
      Volvo is soon expected to launch the all-new XC40 Recharge in fully electric and plug-in hybrid configurations in global markets as well as India

      Volvo is amplifying its plans of expanding its electric vehicles (EVs) portfolio by teasing a potential lineup of future electric crossovers. The Swedish automaker had earlier made its intentions clear that its entire lineup would turn fully electric by 2030. The company pushes ahead in its plans to convert half of its total sales volume to fully electric cars.
      The teaser image shows the prospective line of electric SUVs in the company’s lineup with the range-topping XC100 flagship. In addition to this, the company has also filed trademarks for entry-level models such as XC10 and XC20 that will be fully electric crossovers sitting below the electrified XC40.
      All-new XC20 as a pure EV
      While Volvo hasn’t confirmed any development, it has positively indicated that the upcoming XC20 will be its next big launch. The Swedish brand had earlier confirmed this new electric crossover will be underpinned by the new pure-electric platform developed by its parent company Geely. The Chinese manufacturer unveiled the pure EV-specific architecture underpinning the Lynk & Co Zero Concept at the 2020 Beijing Auto Show which is called Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA).
      XC40 is currently underpinned by the CMA platform which is a combination platform for EVs and combustion-engined cars and is not very suitable for smaller size cars. SEA, on the other hand, has been developed in China from materials sourced from Chinese suppliers which would make the car very cost effective.
      Volvo XC20 Render by Auto Express
      It would also make use of a battery smaller than XC40 Recharge which would be good enough to provide a single-charge range of around 350 km. Upon its debut, it will be directly rivaling the likes of Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia e-Niro at international markets. More details are expected to be furnished in months to come.
      New Volvo Flagship XC100
      Meanwhile, Volvo’s lineup will be topped by its upcoming flagship electric SUV- XC100. The next-generation SUV is expected to make its debut in 2022 and will be based on the second generation of its large-car platform, named SPA2, which is currently under development. This new platform will allow Volvo to build cars longer than its current flagship full-size SUV XC90.
      The new SPA2 architecture could underpin models measuring up to 5.5 metres in length. As for XC100, it will be around 300mm longer than XC90 and significantly longer than BMW X7 and Mercedes Benz GLS with a three-row seating layout, a long wheelbase and a very spacious boot.
      It will be offered in fully-electric as well as plug-in hybrid powertrain options while a mild-hybrid powertrain could also be offered in lower-specced trims. It will be exclusively sold in larger and developed car markets of the US, China and Europe.
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      Tata Nexon Electric Removed From Delhi EV Policy Subsidy List

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      Tata Nexon Electric Subsidy Removed
      Tata Nexon EV de-listed from Delhi EV Policy subsidy eligibility until further notice

      There’s no denying that if one were to opt for an electric car, the options in India are limited to the point of being disadvantageous for the buyer. You either buy this, that, or that. Nothing more. And now trouble seems to be brewing in this limited scope. 
      The matter first surfaced in February 2021 when the company was given the opportunity to counter complaints raised. When it comes to EVs, Delhi has for long been wanting to lead the charge where EV adoption is concerned. This translates into actual benefits for electric car buyers.
      One is offered a purchase incentive of 10 grands per kWh of battery capacity. The max incentive is capped at Rs 1.5 lakhs and is available to the first 1,000 electric cars to be registered in Delhi. Additional benefits include Road Tax, and reg fee waivers. Under the Delhi EV incentive policy, Tata Nexon EV ZX+ was approved.
      ARAI test result
      As is rampant in marketing material, and media information, Nexon EV single charge drive range is stated at 312 kms. A vehicle owner refuted the claim saying his car never provided a range of more than 200 kms. He did follow all advice offered by the dealership (Treo, Safdarjung Enclave) in question. No amount of effort resulted in range improvement. Tata Motors was issued a show cause notice, and a rep countered the matter at hand.
      Mr Gahlot, Cabinet Minister, Govt of NCT of Delhi
      In short, Tata says the Tata Nexon EV got 312 kms on a single full charge during mandatory testing by ARAI. There’s no subjective representation of range of kms on a single charge. Its vehicle has a minimum range of 140 kms as per norm, which also serves as an eligibility criteria for said Policy. Actual range varies on independent factors including use of AC, driving pattern, real-time traffic conditions, and on-ground conditions, User familiarity with new tech is also mentioned. Tata Motors implies that as customers get familiar with the EV, results improve in 4-6 weeks. 
      Tata Motors assertions
      Reasoning furnished by Tata Motors was found to be non-satisfactory.  The body determined that while ARAI testing of 312 kms has value, it’s not sufficient to undermine the complainant’s result, which is based on actual and real time experience. ARAI isn’t responsible for granting each and every Tata unit will function optimally and the particular piece and model could be faulty.
      Despite the situation having come to a head, Tata Motors hasn’t taken any corrective measure to disprove the component by involving any independent third party. A recent post on social media saw a Doc discuss the EVs range in an adverse manner. Which means, this is not an isolated incident, and the ruling body finds merit in the second complaint made by a responsible person in society.
      Pending further investigation
      In simple words, the ruling says, ‘Such a vehicle isn’t expected to perform in a manner, which isn’t in the interest of the very objective behind the said policy.’ Given the situation, the manufacturer can’t be allowed to benefit from the subsidy, as Tata Motor’s is essentially undermining it. The governing body’s stance is clear and looks to be safeguarding customer interest. As a conclusion, if strict action isn’t taken, general public maybe discouraged to rely on range claims made by OEMs. And this is a basic buyer expectation.
      Complainants’ claims as well as assertions made by Tata Motors will now be verified by a specially constituted committee before a final decision is made. In the meantime, until a final report is pending, and to prevent further adverse fallout on the EV policy and its clearly outlined objectives, the situation necessitates the suspension of the Tata Nexon EV listing.

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

      Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy More

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      in Electric Cars

      Strom R3 Electric 3 Wheeler Launch Price Rs 4.5 L – Drive Range Up To 200 Kms

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      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      Strom R3 electric three-wheeler possesses a claimed range of upto 200 km on a single charge

      Mumbai based Strom Motors have opened bookings of their new Strom R3 electric 3 wheeler in India. Launch date was initially set for earlier this year but got delayed due to the pandemic that struck in early March 2020.
      Now the company has opened bookings for the R3, a 100 percent electric three wheeler at Rs.10,000. Introductory launch price is Rs 4.5 lakh. The new Strom R3 will be offered in three variants – R3 Pure, R3 Current and R3 Bolt.
      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      Dimensions and Features
      Strom R3, an eco-friendly, three wheeler, 2 seater electric car offers a compact personal mobility solution. It measures 2,907 mm in length, 1,450mm in width and 1,572mm in height with kerb weight at 550 kgs. It comes in with 100 liters boot space in the front and 300 liters at the rear and receives features such as round shaped headlamps, a distinctive front grille with the ‘Strom’ logo, sloping bonnet, rounded wheel arches and a tapering roofline.
      It also gets a raked rear windshield, and rides on 13 inch alloy wheels with wheels placed in a reverse orientation as compared to that seen on an auto-rickshaw, sporting two wheels in the front and one at the rear. Strom R3 will seat 2 passengers with a two door configuration and will be presented in four exterior colour options of Electric Blue, Neon Blue, Red and Black.
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      The interiors receive a host of state of the art features. It sports a 12 way adjustable driver seat, 4.3 inch touchscreen digital instrument cluster and a 7 inch vertically oriented touchscreen head unit with IOT enabled Continuous Monitoring System with 4G connectivity.
      Features also include voice control and gesture control, a 20 GB onboard music storage system with a smart music playlist. The three wheeler electric vehicle also gets mobile connectivity, turn by turn navigation and a 2.4 inch touchscreen.
      Range and Top Speed
      Strom R3 will get powered via a 15 kW electric high efficiency AC motor offering 20 hp power and 90 Nm torque along with a lithium-ion battery. The engine will get drive by wire electric throttle and get mated to a single speed gearbox.
      Strom Electric 3 Wheeler
      It will get three driving modes of Eco, Normal and Sport and will command a top speed of 80 km/h with a claimed range of 80 kms on the Strom R3 Pure and Current variants while the R3 Bolt will get 200 kms as standard on single charge.
      The batteries can be charged in 3 hours via an on board charger. The R3 gets disk brakes on its two front wheels while the rear wheel gets drum brake. It also supports regenerative braking while suspension is via dual shock absorbers. The R3 gets 185mm ground clearance. Strom Motors is offering a 3 year/1 lakh km warranty on the R3. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Driven Till 0% Battery In Real World Conditions – Range Details

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      Image – Auto Town
      Tata Nexon EV is available in three variants namely- XM, XZ+, and XZ+ Lux at a price range of Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom)

      With an exorbitant rise in fuel prices in recent times, people in India have been contemplating on shifting to electric vehicles (EVs), however, inhibitions remain. The biggest of them being range anxiety as in how much can an EV travel on a single charge.
      This anxiety is multiplied when one takes into account that EV technology and infrastructure in the country are still limited and at a very nascent stage. Therefore, range assurance becomes a very key marketing strategy for manufacturers, especially in the passenger vehicle segment since options are very limited.
      The most affordable EV in the country is Tata Nexon EV, available at a starting price of Rs 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Powered by the company’s Ziptron technology the company claims a single-charge range of 312 km although in a real-world scenario it is almost impossible to achieve this figure. However, with recent updates made to its software, customers admit that the electric crossover is now traveling greater distances on a single charge.
      Real-World Range Test
      This fact has been established by a video uploaded on YouTube by Auto Town, the vlogger conducts a test where he is seen riding through heavy traffic of Bangalore. This proves to be ideal conditions for daily commuting to evaluate a real-world range.
      [embedded content]
      At the start of the drive, the instrument console on Nexon EV showed a battery percentage of just over 50 percent remaining. The vlogger intentionally keeps the air conditioner running to emulate as close to real driving conditions.
      On battery diminishing to 25 percent, it is noticed that the vlogger could not drive the car in Sport Mode although power delivery remains consistent. There is a significant drop in power delivery felt when the battery levels drop to 10 percent and also the AC stops cooling even though the blower is still functional.
      At 6 percent charge, the car stops, urging the driver to restart the car by turning off the AC controls. The remaining distance is covered at a snail’s pace with constant emergency beep in the background to immediately recharge the battery.
      At the end of the journey, with zero percent battery levels, the trip meter reads 124 km. This roughly means that for each percentage charge of battery, the car could travel up to 2.5 km. The range was also helped by the presence of regenerative braking which replenished the battery on every occasion possible. This means on a full charge, the battery on Nexon EV could offer a real-world range of around 240-250 km on a single charge.
      Powertrain Specs
      This is a significant improvement to earlier range evaluation on Nexon EV which provided a single-charge range of below 200km. Powered by Tata’s Ziptron EV technology, Nexon EV features a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is paired to an electric motor capable of generating 127 bhp and 245 Nm of peak torque. The battery pack gets an 8-year standard warranty and an IP67 waterproof pack. More

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      Hyundai IONIQ 5 Electric Car Debuts With 470 Kms Range

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      Hyundai IONIQ 5 Electric Car
      Hyundai Ioniq 5 goes on sale later this year in developed countries

      Hyundai has revealed its ambitious Ioniq 5 electric vehicle which is the first offering under the Korean automaker’s electric sub-brand. The mid-sized electric crossover is expected to spearhead the Ioniq brand of EVs in future. The company had earlier revealed its intention of launching 23 new electric cars between now and 2023.
      Exterior Styling
      Available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive configurations, Ioniq 5 sports a futuristic design with a contrasting blend of retro-inspired styling which derives most of its elements from the Hyundai 45 concept. This includes its overall silhouette and angular creases running across its profile.
      It marks a departure from the traditional design of Hyundai cars and features pixelated headlights and taillights, unique daytime running lights and a clamshell bonnet which is a first for the Korean brand. Ioniq 5 rides on aero-optimized 20-inch alloy wheels that further resonate with the Parametric Pixel design theme. Its unique proportions and short overhangs are due to an extended wheelbase which also translates to ample space inside the cabin.
      Speaking of proportions, Ioniq 5 measures 4635mm in length, 1890mm and 1605mm tall in addition to a very generous wheelbase of 3000mm. It is built on an Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that will also underpin future EVs from both Hyundai and Kia.
      Hyundai IONIQ 5 Electric Car
      The upcoming Ioniq 6 saloon and Ioniq 7 SUV will be underpinned by the same architecture. As usual with most electric cars, it features a skateboard layout giving a flat interior floor.
      Interior & Features on offer
      Hyundai carries forward the minimalist approach of its exterior design to its interior and yet is in line with all modern premium cars around. The dashboard is dominated by a twin-screen setup which includes a large 12-inch touchscreen infotainment unit and an equally large digital instrument cluster. Majority of the components inside the cabin have been made from wool, recycled plastics, eco-processed leather, and other sustainable sources.
      Another interesting feature in its equipment is a head-up display compatible with augmented reality. This functionality projects information on navigation on the windscreen.
      Hyundai IONIQ 5 Electric Car
      Furthermore, the infotainment features the latest version of Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car tech which offers new functionalities such as Routing and Last Mile Navigation. It also displays information on the nearest charging station including availability and estimated charging time.
      Powertrain Setup & Performance
      Coming to its powertrain, it features a single or twin (in AWD variant) electric motor setup which draws its power from either of the batteries- a 58 kWh or a 72.6 kWh. When paired with the former, it can produce an output of 167 bhp and can clock a 0-100 kmph sprint in 8.5 seconds.
      Hyundai IONIQ 5 Electric Car
      On the other hand, when paired to the larger battery pack it returns a massive output of 302 bhp and 605 Nm of peak torque. This version of the SUV could accelerate 0-100 kmph in just 5.2 seconds and can clock a top speed of 185 kmph.
      The maximum single-charge range offered in Ioniq is claimed to be around 470-480 km according to WLTP cycle. Its charging time is one of the quickest in modern contemporary EVs. Using a 220kW DC fast charger, it takes only 18 minutes to replenish the battery from 10% to 18 percent. Hyundai claims that to obtain a range of 100km users need to charge for only 5 minutes. More