Electric Vehicles

Subterms

    More stories

    • 175 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Apple Electric Car Launch Planned For 2024 – Hey Siri, Will It Rival Tesla?

      by

      Apple electric car render by carwow
      Apple will develop its own battery technology that could reduce cost and to offer an extend vehicle range

      Apple, the makers of the iPhones, iPads, Macbooks and multiple accessories to support their tech products; has been reportedly eyeing to enter the automotive industry. The company will build self driving cars and is targeting launch sometime in 2024 as per a Reuters report.
      For this purpose, Apple is developing its own battery technology. The batteries will not only be more economical but will also extend vehicle range by a significant extent. Not much is known about their car battery and its optimization.
      But knowing Apple and their optimization levels, one can expect it to be surprisingly good. Apple recently shocked the tech world, when they doubled their laptop battery life per full charge, just with the introduction of M1 chip. Cars are completely different. But still, Apple is one of the leaders in battery optimization today.
      2024 Target
      The endeavour of Apple to enter the self driving car arena dates back to 2014 with ‘Project Titan’. The company designed its own vehicle from scratch but had to withdraw efforts to focus on software with the project being brought to a standstill in 2017. The aim is now to build a vehicle for consumer and produce self driving car technology and is targeting 2024 to introduce the passenger vehicle with its own breakthrough in battery technology.
      Tesla Model 3 – Apple electric car could rival Tesla
      With Apple not being any car manufacturer, there is a possibility that the company will rely on a manufacturing partner to build the Apple Car or it might just build the software and intelligence for the Apple self driving car and license this technology to partners more well versed with the automotive industry. With a target to introduce this autonomous vehicle by 2024, the current pandemic situation could push production operations to 2025 or even a few years ahead.
      Making an autonomous vehicle could even pose a problem to a company like Apple. While they have sound knowledge in electronics, the company has never ventured into the automobile arena and it even took someone like Tesla’s Elon Musk 17 years to gain sustainable profit making cars.
      Lidar Sensors and Monocell Design
      Apple is currently in talks with lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor suppliers, apart from the ones which already supply lidar sensors for their new iPhone released this year. Lidar sensors will deliver real time, accurate 3-D view of the world around their car. This will help the car execute multiple autonomous functions. Apple is also developing its own lidar sensors and related technology.
      The company is also mulling the chemistry for a battery called LFP – Lithium Iron Phosphate which is less likely to overheat and will hence be safer as against other types of lithium ion batteries. Also if Apple plans to use a monocell design, it will help to free up space inside the battery pack thus eliminating pouches and modules that hold individual battery material.
      The Apple self driving car project is being overseen by the team engineers headed by John Giannandrea, Apple Head of Artificial Intelligence who also oversees voice based digital assistant ‘Siri’.
      Source More

    • 150 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Ola Electric Rickshaw Patent Leaks – Gets Solar Panels To Increase Range

      by

      Ola Electric Rickshaw Patent Filed
      Ride hailing firm Ola seeks to double its current headcount of 2,000 employees in its EV business segment over the next 6 months

      The electric vehicle scenario in India is going from strength to strength. Every automaker, be it two, three or four wheeler, is making a bee line for this segment, which reports suggest could be a Rs.50,000 crore opportunity in India by 2025.
      Along with cars and two wheelers, the e-rickshaw has also emerged as a forerunner in the country and this market could shift to lithium ion batteries by as much as 40 percent over the next 4-5 years.Ola Electric, apart from planning launch of a new electric scooter in India as early as next year, is also scheduled to mark its entry into the e-rickshaw segment in India.
      Auto rickshaws form a major part of transportation in India and having a ride hailing service with zero tail pipe emissions could appeal to a larger set of customers. Mahindra has launched an all-electric e-Alfa Mini rickshaw while there are many startups that have electric 3 wheeler offerings in the country.
      Ola Electric Rickshaw Patent Leaked
      Ola has long been mulling entry into the two and three wheeler electric vehicle segment following the acquisition of Etergo BV of Netherlands earlier this year. The company recently announced an electric scooter range for New Zealand as a part of the Govt. of New Zealand’s target of around 64,000 new electric vehicles in the country by 2021.
      Ola Electric Rickshaw Patent Filed
      The company along with planning its e-scooter range in India and plans to set up the largest scooter factory in India is also set to enter the three wheeler EV segment as a recent patent image has revealed. The image show off the Ola electric three wheeler in similar proportion to the Mahindra Treo.
      It gets a raked windshield with wipers, circular shaped headlamps, roof rails and a flat roof so as to accommodate the solar panels. These solar panels will help charge the battery on the go, and will also increase the drive range. There is a bench for three occupants at the rear and a spacious area for the driver.
      Launch plans are set for sometime in 2021 for the cab sector and ride hailing services in the country as an extension of its taxi hailing service which Ola currently offers with cabs in the micro, mini, premium sedan, prime play and premium SUV and LUX segments.
      Ola E-Rickshaws
      The new Ola e-rickshaws will get a maintenance free lithium ion battery pack with long range while owners will be assured of a hassle free ownership along with low cost of maintenance and better rider and passenger comforts. Ola targets around 10,000 two and three wheeler electric vehicles along with electric four wheelers that will form a part of its ride hailing business.
      Earlier this week, Ola announced to invest Rs 2,400 crore to setup world’s largest scooter plant in Tamil Nadu, which will have production capacity of 20 lakh units per year. It will create 10,000 jobs. The electric rickshaw from Ola is also expected to be produced at the same plant. More

    • 138 Shares199 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Smart ForFour Electric Car Spotted In Bangalore – Near Mercedes Showroom

      by

      Smart ForFour Electric Car Spotted In Bangalore
      While the Smart ForFour will thrive in a congested city environment, it is too expensive for India

      Smart, a popular European city car brand which was born out of a partnership between famed Swiss watch maker Swatch and Mercedes-Benz, has no official presence in India. The Smart ForTwo and ForFour micro-hatchbacks feel at home in congested urban environment with narrow seats and hard-to-find parking spots. These cars will excel in cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and so on, but they are deemed too expensive for our market.
      Smart ForFour in Bangalore
      A Smart ForFour with private registration plates has been recently spotted in Bangalore, by automotive enthusiast Paulson. The car was spotted near a Mercedes Benz showroom. A little bit of digging showed that the five-door micro-crossover-esque hatchback is registered to Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV). It has been registered in 2018 but interestingly there are no documented spotting prior to this instance.
      Perhaps the vehicle spent most of its time indoors as a part of an internal project. After all, Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) is based in Bangalore and plays a significant role in the automaker’s global R&D network.
      It is also possible that, as the registration details suggest, one of DICV’s top expat officials wished to use the Smart ForFour as their official company car instead of a swanky Mercedes in a bid to beat the infamous Bangalore traffic.
      Smart ForFour Electric Car in Bangalore
      So, the ForFour could be a private import as a company car. The proper registration suggests that the vehicle is not here for testing purposes and hence we don’t expect Smart to make its Indian foray anytime soon.
      Smart ForFour at a glance
      Introduced in 2014, the current generation of Smart ForFour shares its platform with the Renault Twingo small car. The entry-level model is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine which puts outs a modest 70 hp while higher variants get a 0.9-liter turbocharged three-pot petrol unit which is good for 90 hp. There is also a EQ ForFour, a pure electric variant which has 82 hp on tap.

      In terms of equipment, the Europe-spec Smart ForFour features a touchscreen infotainment system, multiple airbags, ABS, ESP, alloy wheels, dual-tone exterior color theme and so on. The ForFour is a zippy and nimble urban runabout.
      India’s Smart ForFour equivalents
      The Smart ForFour is for the European market what the Maruti Ignis is for India. The SUV-ish hatchback a.k.a. micro-crossover is an emerging concept in our market with three new models in the pipeline namely the Tata HBX, Citroen CC21 and Hyundai AX1 (all are codenames). More

    • 113 Shares149 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Daimler Plans To Launch First Electric Truck In India

      by

      Image for reference
      India could soon gets its first ever electric truck – Thanks to Daimler

      In a first, Daimler India Commercial Vehicle (DICV) is prepping up for the launch of an electric truck in the Indian market. The update was revealed by Union Minister, Nitin Gadkari. While electric buses are already operational here, electric trucks are still to make their debut.
      More details about Daimler’s first electric truck for India will be revealed during the ‘Future Mobility’ event, which is scheduled to be held next year. Daimler already has revealed Mercedes electric truck in Europe. It could be the same Mercedes electric range that is brought to India. Or, they can get the Fuso electric truck too.
      In international markets, Daimler currently has the light-duty Fuso eCanter electric truck. As per plans, the second-gen version of this electric truck will be launched next year. The current model can run 100 km on a single charge. Its payload carrying capacity is up to 3,200 kg.
      First mover advantage
      If DICV can execute its plans in a timely manner, it could have the first-mover advantage in the electric truck segment. As of now, most of the leading automakers in the country such as Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Ashok Leyland, and VE Commercial Vehicles are focused on electric buses in the CV segment.
      Daimler Mercedes Electric Truck
      Some of these have already launched electric buses whereas others are in the process of developing such vehicles. There are some China based companies as well such as Beiqi Foton and BYD, who are backing India based firms to manufacture electric buses.
      Daimler’s electric truck launch will support government policies that aim to make India a hub for electric vehicle manufacturing. In the long term, the shift to electric will help the country to reduce its dependence on oil imports.
      Bullish on Indian market
      Daimler understands the potential of Indian market, which is why it has always taken an aggressive approach in terms of new product launches and technology integrations. As may be recalled, the company had earlier launched Bharat Stage 5 (BS-V) trucks even though the requirement was only for BS4. As per the government’s decision, automakers in the country have shifted directly to BS6 from BS4. The plans for an electric truck yet again reveal the company’s positive expectations from the Indian market.
      DICV’s current portfolio comprises Fuso and BharatBenz range of trucks and buses. Even though the company’s wholesale numbers were down by 36% to 14,500 units in 2019, the company has announced fresh investments worth Rs 2,277 crore. This was as per an agreement with the Tamil Nadu government signed earlier this year in May.
      DICV will be using the investments to increase commercial vehicle production at its Oragadam plant in Chennai. It is expected that around 400 jobs will be created with the expansion plan. Daimler India’s retail sales last year were 15,200 units, which is YoY de-growth of 29% in comparison to 2018. Market share in 9-ton plus category has also dipped from 6% in 2018 to 5.8% in 2019.
      Source More

    • 163 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Renault ZOE Electric Car Spied In India – Best Selling eCar In Europe

      by

      Old Gen Renault Zoe Electric Car spied in India. Credit – Naveed
      Renault Zoe sales in Europe have scaled over 84,000 units since January 2020, double the count as seen between January to November 2019

      The Renault Zoe electric car has emerged as the company’s bestselling EV model in Europe since the start of this year. Sales have doubled to over 84,000 units in the Jan-Nov 2020 period as compared to sales in the same period of the previous year.
      Third gen Zoe EV
      The third generation Zoe, launched in 2019, is the leading electric car sold across France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Portugal. To date around 2,68,000 units of the Zoe electric vehicle have been sold.
      While the need for zero emission vehicles is on the rise, particularly so in global markets, the more urgent need for safe private vehicles in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with substantial government subsidy on EVs seems to be the cause for this outstanding sales.
      The main markets for Renault Zoe are France and Germany which has seen sales of 33,000 units and 25,000 units respectively in this year. This electric car offer a range upto 390 kms on a single charge and receives two output versions of 110 hp and 135 hp. The Renault Zoe can be charged upto 80 percent via a DC fast charger in 1hour and 10 minutes and via a 7.4 kWh wall charger in 9.5 hours.
      New gen Renault Zoe Electric Car
      Speaking about the new Renault Zoe, its exteriors has been sighted with a curved roof line, roof mounted spoiler, LED head and tail lamps and LED DRLs along with electronically adjustable ORVMs, blacked out B Pillars and sporty alloy wheels. Distinct ZOE lettering was seen on its tailgate.
      The 5 seater cabin is done up in a two tone colour scheme and will receive features such as a heated steering wheel, automatic climate control and wireless charging. It will sport a digital instrument cluster and a 9.2 inch touchscreen infotainment system with connectivity features and safety via a host of airbags, rear parking camera, blind spot sensors and ABS and EBD.
      Renault Zoe EV Launch in India
      Renault had showcased the battery powered Zoe hatchback at the 2020 Auto Expo earlier this year. More recently a test mule of the old gen Zoe EV has also been spotted on test with a red licence plate. Despite of the car being showcased in India, and spotted testing on Indian roads, chances of it getting launched here are very low.
      Kwid Electric
      Instead of the Zoe, what India will get from Renault in the form of an EV, is the Kwid electric car – which made its debut earlier this year. Compared to Zoe, it will be a lot more affordable. Once launched, Kwid EV will compete with the likes of upcoming EVs – Maruti WagonR EV, Tata HBX EV, Hyundai AX1 EV, Citroen EV, etc.
      Currently the Renault lineup in India consists of the Kwid hatchback, Triber MPV and Duster SUV. The company recently discontinued the Captur and while it has electric vehicles such as the Twizy, Kangoo and Master besides the Zoe in global markets, it has no electric offering in the country as on date. More

    • 138 Shares169 Views

      in Electric Cars

      Pravaig Extinction Electric Car Spied On Public Road – Interiors Revealed

      by

      Pravaig Electric Car
      For a vehicle that is slated to enter series production next year, the Prvaig Extinction has quite a long distance to cover in terms of development

      If you have been keeping a close tab on the fast-evolving e-mobility startup scene in India, you probably must have heard about Pravaig Dynamics and its ambitious plans to make a premium electric sedan that rivals Tesla in terms of technology and performance, and Mercedes S-Class in terms of luxury.
      However, the recently unveiled prototype of the company’s first model, Pravaig Extinction MK1, seems to be quite a distance away from fulfilling the company’s tall claims.
      Pravaig Electric Car Exteriors
      Pravaig Extinction MK1 spotted in Delhi
      Automotive enthusiasts from Delhi (Pragun Dua, exoticcarsdelhi and ncrspottings) have spotted the Pravaig Extinction MK1 being driven on public roads. The short video shows the prototype being driven at a slow speed of around 20 kmph. Well, the fact that it is driveable is a good start!
      The prototype has a quirky design which is neither elegant or sporty but the company has said the design is still evolving and the final version would be a 4-door sedan with a sleek profile. So, we will reserve our judgement until the market-ready version is unveiled before it enters production in November 2021.
      [embedded content]
      Tall claims on specifications and safety
      During the official presentation of the Extinction MK1, Pravaig Dynamics made some really strong claims which we hope will be followed through. For starers, the production version of Pravaig Extinction is claimed to have a range of 504 km from its 96 kWh detachable lithium-ion battery pack. The electric motor is rated at around 200 hp and the company says that the electric sedan can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 5.4 seconds enroute to a top-speed of 196 kmph.
      Pravaig Electric Car Interiors – Steering wheel
      That is not all. The Pravaig Extinction is claimed to offer 5-star levels of safety although, for now, it only remains as an unproven declaration. While the company says the final product will incorporate 8 airbags, the absolutely barebones cockpit of the MK1 prototype did not have even one.
      Pravaig Electric Car Interiors – Instrument cluster and Infotainment system
      The basic interior features a flat metallic center console that has elevator buttons for drive mode selection and several unknown roof-mounted controls. Pravaig has stated that the car will be offered with bespoke interior which can be designed by the customer in collaboration with renowned architects and designers. The rear left passenger seat can be reclined to offer 165-degree seating posture.
      Unrealistic target and timeline
      To be honest, given the current state of the prototype, we are skeptical that the company will be able to meet its promises on luxury, safety and technology fronts while sticking to its launch timeframe. Oh, did we mention that Pravaig’s upcoming product will also incorporate some self-driving functions?
      Pravaig Electric Car Interiors – Gear selector
      Engineering a tech-laden electric car that delivers the level of performance and safety that Pravaig claims would take full-fledged multidisciplinary teams with extensive experience and world-class skill sets.
      Moreover, testing, validation and homologation alone will take a several months with a decent sized fleet of prototypes. Can the company put its money where the mouth is? Well, we will know in under a year from now.
      Pravaig Electric Car Interiors – Roof mounted buttons More

    • 175 Shares159 Views

      in Electric Cars

      MG ZS Electric Retail Sales Cross 1,000 – New Battery Recycle Tie Up Announced

      by

      MG ZS Electric SUV
      Following a partnership, TES-AMM will recycle MG ZS EV batteries responsibly

      MG ZS EV was launched in India in early-2020. To date, the company has reported retail sales at over 1,000 units. This makes it the second best selling UV in the segment, after Nexon EV – which has reported sales over 2,200 units till date.
      MG eZS goes from 0 to 100 kmph in 8.5 seconds. The smart car can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in about 50 minutes. With rather little available in the name of electric cars in India, MG Motor India began operations in India fairly recently, and is building an integrated EV ecosystem.
      This is necessary if the company is to sell electric cars and nurture EV adoption, and minimise total ecological impact of EVs. As time progresses, and the Indian electric vehicle market matures, one can expect more government involvement in facilitating end to end solution that are necessary if the EV industry is to grow. MG Motor India has a partnership with Umicore for safe and secure battery disposal. The TES-AMM tie-up is the fourth such association here for the automaker.
      MG Motor India and TES-AMM partnership
      With Electric vehicles being presented as the future of mobility, it’s essential that sustainable practices are introduced at the onset. This, or the world will be left with a whole lot of equipment that may not be disposed responsibly. An issue that’s even more rampant and plaguing in poorer countries where focus on any sort of recycling is low, leave alone batteries.
      [embedded content]
      MG Motor India has announced its association with TES-AMM India for responsible recycling of EV batteries. Building EV infra here is a multifaceted one where development is required as an end-to-end solution. With the transition to green mobility being a focus area, EV adaption is being presented as the next big mobility move.
      The partnership with TES-AMM, a global e-waste recycling and end-to-end service provider ensures environmentally-sustainable and secure recycling of MG ZS EV batteries. For customers choosing an electric vehicle, there’s a certain predilection to care for the environment. Knowing how a battery is disposed is a big part of the thought process. Now, ZS EV owners on India can track their ecological footprint in this aspect too.
      TES-AMM Li-ion battery recycling
      TES-AMM is the only Asian entity that operates a Li-ion battery recycling plant. It’s one of a handful of companies certified in multiple management systems including 18001:2007/R2 (Responsible Recycling), among other related processes. The company employed a unique mechanical-hydrometallurgical process for asset recovery that’s environmentally superior and safer.
      Rajeev Chaba, President and Managing Director, MG Motor India said, “At MG, we are on a mission to develop a comprehensive EV ecosystem that supports India’s drive towards its greener and cleaner future. We strongly believe that battery management is a critical area that needs focus. Our partnership with TES-AMM builds along these lines and ensures that batteries not only re-enter the value chain, but are also recycled while following the most eco-friendly protocols. We believe it will go a long way in India’s sustainable e-mobility future.” More

    • 175 Shares109 Views

      in Electric Cars

      New Singham Electric Rickshaw Launch Price Rs 1.85 Lakh – FAME Subsidy Rs 37k

      by

      Singham Electric Rickshaw
      The new Li-Ion e-rickshaw is available at all company dealerships priced at Rs.1,85,000

      Rising concerns over the degradation of the environment coupled with deteriorating air quality levels has given rise to demand for electric vehicles in India. New laws have come into effect to conserve energy and protect the environment through the use of fossil fuel powered vehicles.
      U.P Telelinks Limited, a leading manufacturer of electric rickshaws, with manufacturing facilities in Ghaziabad and Rudrapur, has introduced a new model called Singham Li-ion. This auto styled e-rickshaw is priced at Rs.1,85,000 and buyers will be eligible for subsidy of Rs.37,000 under the FAME II scheme of the Government of India.
      Features and Design
      The new Li-ion e-rickshaw comes in with an attractive design and outstanding features and comes in with a 3 year warranty period. It gets LED lights, an advanced BMS and a powerful 1,500 watt motor. This lithium battery offers mileage of 100 kms per charge.
      Offered on sale via all of Singham dealerships, the company has also tied up with several private and public finance agencies for easy finance facilities to its buyers. The company claims to have received over 300 pre-orders and deliveries are slated to commence from 15th December 2020.

      Running Costs
      New Singham Electric Rickshaw measures 2,575mm in length, 1,740mm in height and 998mm in width while wheelbase measures 2,180mm. It receives a front glass with wiper, a spare wheel and hard stepney cover and rides on alloy wheels fitted with 3.75-12 tyres.
      The interiors get curtains along with floor mat, FM player with USB and SD card and an anti theft alarm system. It gets cabin lights and comfortable die cut seats. The e-rickshaw offers a range of 100 kms per charge relating to running costs of 30 paise per km and thereby offering savings of over 20 percent. The LED lighting not only uses less power but looks attractive while equitable weight distribution among wheels offers improved balance and heavy duty suspensions offer a comfortable ride.

      Power to the Singham Power Li-ion e-rickshaw is via a high efficiency brushless DC motor 1.5 kW power and 48V voltage. Suspension and braking is through telescopic hydraulic suspension 43” at the rear and lever operated drum brake in the front and foot pedal operated drum brake at the rear.
      Along with the Li-ion e-rickshaw the company is also launching three cargo variants of the Power Li-ion – Flat Bed, delivery Van and Cargo Van, each of which are designed to cater to the different delivery demands of buyers. The company also has the Singham Deluxe, Singham Comfort and Singham Super among its lineup and also offers customers the option to customize their vehicles as per demand. More