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      Bajaj Chetak based Husqvarna Electric Scooter launch in 2021

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      The Husqvarna E-01 electric scooter will have Europe as its primary market
      A leaked internal document has thrown light on short term plans of KTM and its sister brand Husqvarna. The latter is clearly gearing up to establish a strong presence in the affordable electric two wheeler segment. Husqvarna is planning two EVs in the next two years and both of them will have strong Indian connection.
      Husqvarna E-01 and Bajaj Chetak

      According to the leaked document, a Husqvarna branded electric scooter named E-01 and a motorcycled called E-Pilen are currently under development. The 4 kW electric urban runabout will be launched in 2021. While there are no further details about the Husqvarna E-01, we think it will be based on the Bajaj Chetak electric scooter’s platform. For the uninitiated, Bajaj Auto holds 48% stake in KTM which in turn owns Husqvarna.
      The Indian e-scooter also employs a 4 kW motor making it a viable platform for the Husqvarna scooter to adopt. It also comes with modern connectivity features that a premium offering like E-01 is expected to incorporate.
      Husqvarna electric scooter, motorcycle launch plans featured in company’s annual report to share holders
      Bajaj Auto’s Chakan production facility has already established itself as a global production base for sub-500 cc KTM and Husqvarna road-bikes. Taking advantage of the Chetak’s Indian vendor base and Bajaj’s cost-effective production operations is a no-brainer for Husqvarna.
      Design
      If the thumbnail image of the Husqvarna Electric scooter shown on the leaked image is to be taken as a reference, the premium urban electric scooter will have an edgy concept-like styling. The image does not detail the suspension system of the scooter but we expect the production version to employ telescopic front forks and single-sided rear shock absorber.
      The wheels are also expected to be conventional alloy units with front and rear disc brakes. Being a premium product primarily targeted at Europe, the Husqvarna E-01 will be packed with features such as dual-channel ABS, a color instrument console (probably even a touchscreen), smartphone connectivity and so on.
      India Launch
      Bajaj Chetak Electric
      As we said before, the Husqvarna E-01 is most likely to borrow the Bajaj Chetak’s 4 kW / 16 Nm electric motor and 4.08 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Husqvarna may opt to offer a higher capacity battery pack for an increased range. The Chetak has a claimed range of 95 kms. Top speed is a little over 60 kmph.
      Being made in India does not automatically guarantee that that the Husqvarna E-01 will be sold in domestic market. However, the future of premium electric scooter segment in India appears promising and Husqvarna would do well to be one of the early entrants. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Shares Points on How To Get 250 kms Drive Range

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      With Tata Nexon electric owners not getting higher drive range, here are some pointers by a fellow Nexon EV owner
      In the last 1 year or so, Electric Vehicles have slowly started to become main-stream, thanks to the introduction of practical products like Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and the Tata Nexon EV. However, despite the drive range claims by the OEMs, most users and perspective buyers are still not very well convinced about the range of the EVs which are on offer in India.

      What can possibly help change opinion are real-life reviews from other owners. One such interesting review has come in from Nirvik Banerjee, who shared his experience of ownership of a Tata Nexon EV with Electric Vehicle Web. Nirvik states that he managed to clock over 250 kms on a single charge with his Nexon electric.
      This is a pleasant surprise as many owners have claimed that they failed to get even 180 kms drive range on a full charge with Nexon EV. It is to be noted that the official range claimed by ARAI is of 312 kms, which is in ideal conditions. Hence, 250+ km on a single charge, is actually a good figure. Here are some excerpts from Nirvik’s experience with the Nexon electric.
      Nirwik achieves range of 250+ kms in his Nexon EV from a fully charged battery.
      Purchase Experience – Nirvik had booked a Nexon EV for himself back in December’19 however thanks to the ongoing pandemic, the delivery of his vehicle was delayed and he finally got his car in July’20. Because of the subsidies provided by Maharashtra Government, Nirvik didn’t have to pay road tax or any registration fees. Additionally, he also got a subsidy of Rs 1 lakh upon the ex-showroom price. Below are some tricks to extract the maximum drive range out of your Nexon EV, as per Nirvik.
      1. Take A Break
      Nopes, we aren’t trying to use a jingle of one of the famous chocolate brand in the country. Instead, Nirwik insists that after every 100-120 km or so, it is advisable to take a short break of around 5 minutes. From his experience he states that during long drives in his Nexon EV, the power consumption figure starts to increase slowly after a long stretch. Once he did not take a break after driving for over 120 kms non-stop, and his Nexon EVs MID flashed a message to stop the car and take a break. The battery consumption level at this point had reached 190 Wh/km.
      2. Using the AC Smartly
      Even if you haven’t personally driven an IC engine powered car, we are sure you would have had multiple experiences with drivers who would have insisted that using AC aggressively (extremely low temperature settings) directly reduces their earning potential, thanks to higher fuel consumption while use of an AC. Similar is the case with all EVs too.
      Nirwik usually has a goal to extract around 3 kms from every percentage point of his battery’s charge. Technically, gunning for around 300km against the ARAI claim of 312 km. In order to do so, he suggests that using AC in lower settings helps to conserve battery’s charge. During his city drives, he prefers to stick to 25 degrees Celsius as his preferred temperature setting and keeps the blower at the first point. He further adds that to understand more about the car and to figure out more ways to conserve charge, one should thoroughly read the 250 page long Car Manual.
      3. Right Speed
      Nirwik states that he ensured that his driving speed was around 70-80 kmph mark. It helped him to extract the best possible distance from a single-charge on his Nexon EV.
      4. Go Easy on the Gas
      Well, technically, there is no Gas pedal in an EV. However, just like a typical gasoline powered vehicle, EVs too land up draining energy/power (charge) when there is a requirement of sudden acceleration. Hence, it is advised to use a light-footed driving approach. The speed doesn’t matter significantly, if it is 50 kmph or 80 kmph. What will be critical is if there is no sudden acceleration which drains out battery really fast. Nirwik suggests that one should try to emulate the acceleration which a 1L NA petrol motor would provide with a light foot.
      In case you haven’t driven an EV in the past, we can assure that the new-age EVs have some really good acceleration capabilities, so it surely will be a difficult task to not to get tempted to push the accelerator pedal hard.
      5. Tyre Pressure
      Nirwik states that he used a tyre pressure of 34 psi against the recommended tyre pressure of 32 psi. We would like to add that 1-2 psi difference against the recommended tyre pressure can still be tolerable however inflating the tyres beyond the recommended mark isn’t a great idea, in light of safety risks which such practices come along with.
      6. Usage of the Correct Mode
      In Nirwik’s opinion, one of the most critical requirement to ensure a long-drive range from an EV is to use it in the ‘Drive’ mode, in other words, use the Eco mode and not a performance focused mode which is usually on offer in most EVs. This one is pretty intuitive, even if you have never driven an EV in the past. Talking about the Nexon EV, it comes with 2 drive modes, Sport and Drive and there is almost a 60% difference in the torque output figures between the two.
      Overall, Nirwik managed to complete his trip with two of his friends (more occupants = more weight = lesser mileage) and clocked 256.7 kms on a single charge on his Nexon EV. Additionally, he still had around 6% charge remaining in his battery. As a Nexon EV owner, Nirwik goes on to showcase that long-trips are possible in EVs too, however, one needs to be a little calculative and careful.
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      in Electric Cars

      Suzuki Jimny based Electric Hybrid Concept – Created by Students

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      This design study has been created by students of IED Turin in association with Suzuki
      Over the decades, the Suzuki Jimny has grown into an iconic automobile, thanks to its simplicity, compact foot print and impressive abilities off the road. The Japanese automaker has managed to stick to the nameplate’s core characters every time it came up with a new generation of the mini SUV. No wonder that in most markets, the little Jimny has a waiting period stretching out to several months.
      Design students tribute to the Jimny

      Having a cult status with distinct design identity naturally puts the Suzuki Jimny in the radar of aspiring automotive designers. IED Turin students Raffaele Anile, Nicolo Bettinelli, Fiorenzo Fiorentino and Fabrizio Luciano found the Jimny’s raw character so fascinating that they decided to pay tribute to the vehicle through their dissertation design concept.
      The Suzuki U:man concept created by the IED team derives inspiration from both Jimny and Vitara. The brief was to design an Suzuki SUV concept made for everyone rather going after extreme performance or resorting to over-designing.

      U:man SUV concept
      The Suzuki U:man, just like the Jimny, adopts a simple boxy design. The roof section is kept simple with the B-pillar also doubling up as a roll hoop. A sporty front fascia with headlight displays represent modern technology while the bumper with neatly hidden tow hitch enhances functionality. The bulging wheel arches and six-spoke wheels add to the U:man’s character without going overboard. The whole glass roof gives a convertible feel while ensuring insulation from weather.
      While the exterior is all about preserving the classic identity, the interior is all about modern technology. The top part of the dashboard is made of displays that run across the full width of the cabin. The concept adopts an innovative HVAC which has blows air though gaps in the plastic panels of the dashboard. Features like wireless charging pad, advanced connectivity are on board.
      The team has opted for a four-seat configuration instead of a conventional five-seat setup in a bid to offer equal comfort to all the occupants. The place between the two rear seats has been used for luggage storage.
      The Suzuki U:man SUV concept is a design case study rather than a potential future model. So, the technical specifications of the vehicle have not been discussed by the creators aside from revealing that it has been designed for an electric hybrid powertrain.

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      in Electric Cars

      Volta Reveals 16-Tonne Electric Truck For Cargo Deliveries

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      Volta plans to go into production by 2022 in the UK, with trails planned with some of the biggest cargo movers in Europe by early 2021
      As time goes by, we will get to read and learn more about electric mobility solutions. With two-wheelers and passenger vehicle cars already manufactured at mass scales, it is time that the commercial vehicle segment goes through an electrification process as well. While we recently saw the example of Hyundai developing an electric bus, now we get to see an electric truck.

      Swedish electric auto startup Volta Trucks has unveiled its first product and it is called ‘Zero’ which signifies zero emission. This 16-tonne electric truck is specifically designed for freight and parcel deliveries within city limits. The company expects to start production in the UK by 2022 and aims to have 500 units of Zero by the end of that year. Volta has forged many valuable partnerships that might help shape its future as an electric mobility solutions provider.
      Performance and Range
      The Volta will be powered by a 160-200 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack which will give a range of 150-200km. Its Swedish counterpart Volvo has also developed an electric truck that gives a much better range of up to 300km. It can attain a top speed of 90 kmph. It offers a space of 37.3 cubic meters and a maximum payload capacity of 8.6 tonnes.

      The company can also employ an innovative e-Axle to send power to the rear wheels instead of a traditional driveshaft setup and electric motor. To be specific, the transmission, axle and electric motor are contained within a single lightweight unit thus making it more efficient.
      Exterior body panels and some interior of the cabin are made from biodegradable resins and flax fibers. Inside the cabin, the driver sits in the middle on a swivel chair far lower than conventional trucks at about 1.8 metre (6 ft.). This makes it easier for the driver to communicate to the ones around the truck outside like pedestrians, cyclists, motorists etc.
      Features

      There are two touchscreens on each side of the driver instrument cluster which gives out information such as route planning, navigation, climate control, in-cab media, communication and more. The driver gets a 220-degree view thanks to the large windows which have been designed for reducing blind spots and optimum visibility. For making easier ingress and egress, the Volta Zero gets fast opening sliding doors on each side of the cabin.
      Instead of traditional side mirrors, Volta has used rear-view cameras. A 360-degree camera detects objects near the periphery at blindspots. Other notable safety features include reverse parking assist, active steering, lane assist and lane watch camera among many more. There’s also the AI-monitoring system which will enable fleet operators to run their vehicles on road for a longer duration.
      Driver is seated in the center
      Volta is planning to begin trails with some of the biggest parcel delivery and logistics companies in Europe in early 2021. The prototype vehicle features in the photos was built by UK-based company Prodrive Advanced Technology. Volta hasn’t yet revealed its price. More

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      Bajaj to make Husqvarna electric motorcycle in India – Leaked

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      The Husqvarna E-Pilen is most likely to have India as its primary production location
      KTM and its sister brand Husqvarna are betting big on electric mobility in the long term. Following an electric scooter, the Swedish two wheeler brand Husqvarna is also working on a zero emission motorcycle called E-Pilen which is most likely to employ the modular electric platform which is being developed by KTM in association with Bajaj.
      Husqvarna E-Pilen

      The existence of Husqvarna E-Pilen came to light, thanks to an internal document which was shared at an investor meeting organized by Pierer Mobility AG (KTM and Husqvarna’s parent company). The document not only shared an early concept sketch of the Husqvarna electric motorcycle but also revealed some key details. For starters, the compact street fighter will be available with modular battery pack and two power levels – 4 kW and 10 kW.
      The document also indicates that the Husqvarna E-Pilen will be ready for a launch in 2022. Further details are scarce but considering that the Bajaj-KTM modular electric platform is being developed to cater to power outputs ranging between 3 to 10 kW, this product is most likely to be one of the first beneficiaries.

      What does the image say?
      The low resolution image of the Husqvarna E-Pilen appears to be that of a tentative concept. As the development process nears completion, the final design and equipment are expected to change. From what we can see from the photograph, the E-Pilen derives its design inspiration from the IC-engined Vitpilen and Svartpilen street fighters. The trellis frame, USD front forks, rear monoshock, alloy wheels and tyres are likely to be shared with its siblings.
      The fuel tank is there only for aesthetic purposes and the space occupied by IC engine will accommodate an electric motor and modular battery system. It remains to be seen if the rear wheel is driven by chain or belt.
      To be made in India
      The aforementioned modular electric platform for compact premium motorcycles will have India as its primary production base. Like the compact displacement KTM and Husqvarna products, the upcoming electric models up to 10 kW will be made by Bajaj at its Chakan facility. We can expect the e-mobility platform to also spawn KTM and Bajaj branded products in due course.
      Rivals
      The Husqvarna E-Pilen will be positioned as a lifestyle urban mobility solution for young audience in Europe. In India, it will be a premium alternative to the likes of the Revolt RV400 and upcoming Tork T6X. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Electric car in China explodes while charging – Explosion caught on video

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      The incident took place in China, where demand for electric cars is on the rise – No one injured in this incident
      In yet another incident that raises questions about safety of EVs, an electric car can be seen exploding after it caught fire due to a potential battery malfunction. The incident happened at a charging station in Sanming, located in southern China. Electric cars are quite popular in China and there’s fierce competition between international players such as Tesla and local EV manufacturers.

      As per reports, the electric car was facing issues with charging. After a while, smoke started to come out of the car and it also caught fire. Fire fighters were called subsequently and they tried the conventional technique of cooling things off with water. All this while, the car was still plugged into the charger.
      However, this was not the right thing to do, as using water is generally not advised for fires involving batteries, especially the ones that have lithium. Watch the explosion video below.
      [embedded content]
      Potential cause of the explosion
      Lithium reacts violently with water, producing flammable gases and it also ignites upon contact with water. Another possible theory is that the electric current in the car could have reacted with water, producing hydrogen and oxygen via the process called electrolysis of water. As the car was already on fire, a few sparks could have easily ignited the combustible gases present inside the car.
      The explosion was quite powerful, as the doors and roof were ripped off in an instant. The explosion also produced a ball of fire, which clearly indicates towards presence of flammable gases. Both hydrogen and oxygen can explode if the required conditions are met. This is why water (H2O) is not recommended for dousing fires caused by gasoline. Putting water on a gasoline fire causes the fire to erupt even more violently, as the hydrogen and oxygen in water start to burn.
      In a split second, the electric car exploded
      It is not yet known which electric car was involved in this accident. Thankfully, the nearby area was evacuated after fire fighters rushed in. So, no one was injured in this incident.
      Other cases reported in the past
      This is not the first time that we are witnessing a car going up in flames. Over the years, several such cases have been reported involving both electric cars as well as gasoline powered cars. In 2019, A Tesla Model S had caught fire while it was parked. The incident had happened in China and was captured on CCTV camera.
      A similar incident had happened in Montreal, Canada in 2019, where a Hyundai Kona electric car had caught fire when parked in the garage. The owner had claimed that the car was not even plugged in to the charging board. The fire and smoke was followed by a powerful explosion that took out the garage door and ripped off part of the roof and walls.
      While electric cars are quite safe, such incidents show that there’s room for improvement. Users also need to follow prescribed usage and maintenance guidelines, as high powered lithium batteries can be dangerous if handled inappropriately. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon EV is No 1 selling Electric car in India – With 60% Market Share

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      Tata Nexon EV has been the best selling passenger electric car in the Indian auto industry by some distance
      Electric Vehicles(EVs) are the future of mobility solutions across the world. This fact has been well-established in various automotive markets across the globe. While several developed countries have raced forward in EV technology, the same isn’t the case with India. In the Western and European countries, EVs have been adopted by the masses, unlike India where EV segment hasn’t been able to reach masses.

      Even though the EV segment is at a nascent stage in our market, work has commenced in terms of development and policies to adopt more EVs into our ecosystem. This can be seen in a few years from. Currently, the highest selling electric passenger vehicle has only been able to breach a three-figure number.
      Nexon EV Tops The Chart
      The Tata Nexon EV is currently the most affordable electric SUV in India and has been performing well despite a minuscule demand. In the month of August, Tata Motors was able to sell 296 units of Nexon EV across the country, the highest by a safe margin. This comes after a decent outing in June and July with numbers of 188 and 286. No wonder it is the market leader in its segment with a share of over 60 percent.
      Electric Car Sales in India from Apr-Aug 2020. Credit – Jato Dynamics India.
      ZS EV and Kona EV do not have much impact
      Following Nexon EV, is its counterpart from MG Motor- the ZS EV. A total of 119 units of ZS EV were sold last month, less than half of Nexon EV’s figures. Its sales figures were better for the month of June at 145 but dipped considerably in July at 85. The next to follow is Hyundai Kona which sold only 26 units in August. Its sales in the previous two months too weren’t impressive with 16 and 25 units of it being sold in June and July respectively.
      Tigor EV, e-Verito
      Electric car market share in India from Apr-Aug 2020. Credit – Jato Dynamics India.
      Apart from these three mainstream EVs in the passenger vehicle segment available to the general public, there is also the Tata Tigor EV and Mahindra e-Verito exclusively available to fleet and cab operators. Tigor EV sold a meager nine units and total sales for 2020-21 fiscal adds up to a paltry 95 units.
      On the other hand, it is difficult to verify e-Verito’s existence after it didn’t sell a single unit last month and its cumulative sales for the current fiscal year stands at a negligible 7 units. Its ICE counterpart, Verito didn’t make the cut in the BS6 transition and was dropped from Mahindra’s product line-up.
      The current figures might seem very modest because of the fact that EV’s are sold only in a selected few urban hubs of the country. This is mainly due to the lack of charging facilities across the country and also the hefty premium one has to pay over an ICE counterpart. With more charging infrastructure installed in the coming years, large scale EV production can be undertaken which would ultimately reduce its production cost and could become more affordable.
      Also READ – CAR SALES AUG 2020
      EVs
      Apr-20
      May-20
      Jun-20
      Jul-20
      Aug-20
      YTD
      Market share
      Market share
      FY-21
      Aug-20
      FY-21
      Nexon
      0
      78
      188
      286
      296
      848
      66%
      60.23%
      ZS
      0
      38
      145
      85
      119
      387
      26%
      27.49%
      Kona
      0
      4
      16
      25
      26
      71
      6%
      5.04%
      Tigor
      0
      25
      37
      24
      9
      95
      2%
      6.75%
      eVerito
      0
      0
      1
      6
      0
      7
      0%
      0.50%
      Total
      0
      145
      387
      426
      450
      1408 More

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      Skoda Enyaq iV Electric Variants and Drive Range – Specs, Top speed

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      The new Skoda electric car derives its name from the Irish word – Enya; which means ‘Source of Life’
      Skoda tradition to affix the letter ‘Q’ after the name of their cars, is seen on the new Enyaq too. This was seen in the Kamiq, Karoq and Kodiaq. The iV is reserved for its electric models like the Citigo-e iV.

      The 2021 Skoda Enyaq iV is based on the MEB architecture. It was showcased as the Skoda Vision iV concept at 2019 Geneva Motor Show. In its production ready format, Enyaq iV gets a ‘Crystal Face’, and a new design direction, which will be seen on all future Skoda models. The front features an illuminated crystal grille with 130 LEDs.
      Headlamps and taillamp are LED units. Skoda is also offering Matrix LED headlamps as an option. Enyaq iV gets a curved roofline, and rounded bonnet. While base models sit on 19 inch alloy wheels, the top spec variants get 21 inch alloys. Design elements at the rear include angular brake lamps, ‘SKODA’ badging on its bootlid and silver, black or body coloured plastics on the lower rear bumper and side skirts.

      2021 Skoda Enyaq iV interior is minimal and boasts of a clutter free look. Customers will be able to personalize interiors with a choice of natural, processed and recycled material in a range of 10 theme packs. It gets a 5 inch driver display unit and a 13 inch touchscreen infotainment system which shares its user interface with other Skoda cars and a virtual cockpit. The touchscreen offers controls to in-cabin climate while it also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto along with Skoda’s latest ‘Laura’ personal assistant.
      There are some advanced features with voice recognition software which picks up commands from the user. The command ‘I’m Hot’ will automatically reduce cabin temperature. Updates to the system are done via a built in internet connection so owners no longer need to visit company dealerships for software updates.

      There’s a new 3-spoke steering wheel, several storage spaces, including 18 litre storage space under driver arm rest. There is also a large boot of 585 litere capacity, and an adjustable boot floor to accommodate charging cables.
      Specs and Charging
      Skoda will offer the Enyaq in 3 battery and 5 output choices. Entry-level Skoda Enyaq 50 iV is powered by a 55 kWh battery. It features a rear-mounted electric motor, that delivers 109 hp and max torque of 220 Nm. 0-100 kms acceleration time is 11.4 seconds while drive range is 340 kms.
      Enyaq 60 iV features a larger 62-kWh battery that delivers 177 hp and maximum torque of 310 Nm. 0-100 kmph is achieved in 8.7 seconds and drive range is 390 km. Enyaq 80 iV gets 82 kWh battery that delivers 201 hp and 310 Nm. It has a drive range of 510 km while 0-100 kmph is achieved in 8.5 seconds.

      Enyaq 80x iV has the same battery as the 80, but has two electric motors, which deliver 261 hp and 425 Nm. This improves acceleration of 0-100 kmph to 6.9 seconds, but drops drive range to 460 kms. Top of the line Enyaq RS iV delivers even more power and torque – 302 hp and 460 Nm. It does 0-100 in 6.2 seconds and has top speed of 180 kmph. Drive range is same as the 80x, at 460 kms.
      The batteries will be charged via a 50 kW DC charging system or via a 100 kW DC fast charger; for the models with 62 kW batteries. The larger 82 kW batteries get a 125 kW DC charger. Charging from 5 to 80 percent will be completed in 38 minutes via a 125 kW fast charger, while a 11 kW wall charger will take 6-8 hours for a full charge.
      2021 Skoda Enyaq iV Price

      Skoda Enyaq iV will go on sale in UK markets from later this year. The Enyaq iV 60 will be priced from £33,450 (Rs. 32,71,648). Taking advantage of Government grants for electric cars, the price will dip to £30,450 (Rs. 29,77,801). Skoda Enyaq iV 80 will cost £38,950 (Rs. 38,10,156) while the Skoda Enyaq iV 80 Founders Edition (limited Edition) will go up to £49,995 (Rs. 48,90,597). Founders Edition is limited to 1,895 units and is a tribute to the brand’s 125-year history. More