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      Super Soco CPx electric scooter debuts with 140km Range

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      The new Super soco CPx 4kW (5.36bhp) electric motor capable of producing a peak torque of 171Nm
      Chinese electric two-wheeler manufacturer ‘Super soco’, owned by Jiangsu Super soco Intelligent Co. based in Shanghai, has introduced a new maxi-scooter for European markets. Dubbed Super soco CPx, the EV is claimed to be “a better alternative to 125cc petrol-CVT alternatives“.

      Prices in the UK start from GBP 3,599 (roughly INR 3.53 lakh) for the base single-battery variant. The higher dual-battery version costs GBP 4,699 (or INR 4.61 lakh). The new PCx is the second most premium offering in the lineup which also consists of electric commuter motorcycles.
      Super soco states that it is the most successful electric two-wheeler maker in the UK. Super soco UK has got six products in its 2020MY portfolio: CUx, CUx Ducati edition, TSx, TC, CPx and TC Max. It is worth mentioning that Super soco is one of the official suppliers for Ducati this year.

      Key features, equipment and dimensions
      Available in Black, Grey and Silver, the all-electric maxi-scooter sports a unique and quirky design philosophy in an all-black theme. It gets a pair of full-LED headlamps, large flyscreen, digital instrument console, USB charging, telescopic forks, rear monoshock, dual flat seat configuration, 8-spoke alloy wheels, etc. Overall dimensions (L x W x H) stand at 2022mm x 790mm x 1442mm. Seat height is a decent 760mm.

      Electronics are controlled by Super soco’s very own BMOS V3.3 central control system.Other highlights include an extra-functional pillion grab handle (made of carbon steel), reverse mode, smartphone connectivity (via dedicated Super soco app), disc brakes at both ends, combi-braking system, single-sided swingarm, etc. The EV made its initial debut back at EICMA 2019 — the 2020 edition of which was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
      Motor, specs and performance
      Powering the 2020MY Super soco CPx is a 4kW (5.36bhp) electric motor good for a peak torque output of 171Nm (rated RPM: 750). The single or dual 2.7kWh setup is placed under the seats. In the highest 5.4kWh format, the scooter promises a range of nearly 140km on a full charge (if ridden at an average speed of 45km/h). It takes around 3-4 hours to charge the battery pack from empty to above 90 per cent juice. On the other hand, it can touch a top speed just under 90km/h.

      The EV rides on 100/80R16 and 110/80R14 tubeless radial tyres at the front and rear, respectively. Combined with the single-sided swingarm, the hub-mounted motor boasts of impressive conversion efficiency of 91 per cent. The setup supposedly allows for a tyre-change time of just five minutes. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Nexon Electric Owner Takes A Road Trip – Shares Real World Drive Range

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      Electric Vehicles(EVs) are gradually gaining popularity in various automotive industries across the world
      However, with all the benefits EVs come with, there are many other requirements that need to be fulfilled beforehand. One of them is a proper battery disposal facility which is still missing in many markets and the other being a sufficient number of charging infrastructure. Developed countries where EVs have been adopted in large scales have added a charging infrastructure at almost every refuelling station in and outside the cities.

      In India, however, the case is different. Charging stations are as rare as the sight of a sparrow these days. While many private and government firms have joined hands for the development of related infrastructure in the recent past, it is still at a very nascent stage. Hopefully, in the near future, we get to see more charging stations come up to the ease of EV consumers.
      One of the main concerns out of lack of sufficient charging stations is the driving range of an EV on a single charge. While it is a given that the claimed range provided by the company is nowhere near the driving range, the question arises what is the real-world range of an EV and how much far can you travel on a single charge. We might have an answer to that here.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Currently, there are only not many EVs on sale in the passenger vehicle segment in India. The three popular ones are Hyundai Kona EV, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon EV. Here, we have an example of the Nexon EV being tested for its real-world driving range. The video uploaded by Hemank from ‘Northway MotorSport EV R&D’ on YouTube gives us an idea of what the real-world range of a Nexon EV would look like if driven in normal driving conditions. The creator is an EV enthusiast who had previously converted a Maruti 800 into an electrified car.
      Route of Journey
      The creator starts his journey from his place in Pune to Lonavala and then back for the return journey. The car has been driven for 418 km prior to this journey. The Nexon EV owner has made sure that he has charged his car to 100 percent before onsetting his trip. He makes sure he drives his electric car just like any other ICE (internal Combustion Engine) car.
      As its first impression, the creator mentions that the Nexon EV has a very well-balanced suspension, the car handling is smooth and the ride is comfortable as well. The Ac has been set on the 24-degree celsius mark. He then turns towards Lonavala joining the National Highway (NH)-4. During the course of his journey, he maintains the speed limit at every instance and follows the traffic laws diligently. Watch the full video below.

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      The first reading comes at 4.7 km of travel with consumption of 4 percent charge The second reading is taken at 29.5 km consuming 21 percent charge. Between city and highway, the distance covered was 16 km, which means the car drove 16 km in city driving conditions. The third reading is noted at 57.3 km near the destination after eating up 43 percent of the battery with the MID showing a 160 km still left.
      In between his journey, there was a heavy bout of rain therefore he had to slow down his car to avoid hydroplaning, more so because the Nexon EV is not equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP). In Lonavala, after completing 60.8 km of his journey, the driver stops at a refilling pump which is equipped with a charging station suggested by the app on his phone. However, he finds out that the charging apparatus is broken and had to leave without recharging his EV. At this point in time, he still had 46 percent of battery life left.

      Tata Nexon EV – Hemank
      Nexon Electric owner also suggests to all those seeking to buy an EV in India and wishing to go on a road trip must always take note of the charging infrastructures present on the route to be covered otherwise it might leave you in a very tricky situation. This shows that our country still has a long way to go in fully adopting electric vehicles as their primary mobility option. He finally recharges his EV on arriving at a recharging station near Pune where he uses a fast charger. At first, the quick charger at Tata Motors dealership fails to charge the battery as it disconnects after charging from 22% to 30%. After a few more attempts, the owner manages to start the battery charging process successfully.
      Final Summary
      His total journey counted for 110 km after consuming 80 percent of the battery. The owner says that he would expect the Nexon Electric to have a real-world range of 140 to 150km on a single charge, as opposed to the claimed range of about 310km. Therefore, the real-world driving range turns out to be half of the claimed range. The Nexon EV is powered by Tata Motor’s Ziptron powertrain technology which is equipped with a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery. It is rated to give an output of 129 PS of power and 245 Nm of torque.
      Update – Hemank has now uploaded another range test video of Tata Nexon EV. The difference now is that the Nexon EV firmware has been updated. Hemank says that this has helped the real world mileage to improve slightly, and he now expect the real world mileage to be about 170-180 kms for a full charge. “While cruising at a speed of 80 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 2 kms. If you cruise at 100 kmph, the battery consumption is about 1% for 1.2 kms,” adds Hemank in his video. More

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      TVS iQube electric scooter vs Bajaj Chetak Sales – July 2020

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      In July 2020, Bajaj Auto sold 120 units of the Chetak EV while TVS Motor Company sold just 23 units of the iQube e-scooter
      The Indian automotive industry is focusing more on all-electric powertrains than ever before. In fact, the Indian government offers several incentives and benefits for EV owners, especially in urban environments where electric vehicles showcase the best potential at present. Recently, the Delhi government announced price cuts up to Rs 1.5 lakh for a specific number of fresh EV registrations.

      If we take the four-wheeler segment, there are only three desirable choices: Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and Tata Nexon. Meanwhile, Mahindra is almost ready with the all-new eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric. Once launched, it will be a direct rival to Tata Motors’ Nexon EV subcompact crossover. The Indian automaker has already rolled out the 1000th Nexon EV from the dedicated facility in Pune. This is quite impressive for a segment that was once alien to the wider majority of buyers.
      Among scooters, our market has a host of affordable choices from Hero Electric, Ampere Electric and Okinawa Scooters. Mainstream brands Bajaj Auto and TVS Motor Company have also joined the party at a higher price bracket with the all-new Chetak EV and iQube, respectively.

      Bajaj Chetak vs TVS iQube Electric Sales
      In July 2020, Bajaj Chetak sales hit 120 units while the iQube could garner only 23 units. If we take the April-July quarter, sales touched the same 120 units for the Chetak and 50 units more for the iQube.
      Priced from Rs 1 lakh ex-showroom, the Bajaj Chetak is powered by a 3kWh battery coupled to a 4.8kW (6.44bhp) motor good for 16Nm of mechanical torque. Range figures cross 95km on a full charge. It takes the e-scooter almost five hours to completely charge from empty, using a standard wall charger.
      Carrying a starting price of Rs 1.15 lakh on-road (Bangalore), the TVS iQube has a 4.4kW (5.9bhp) hub motor rated at 140Nm of ‘motor torque’. Charging times are roughly the same but maximum range drops to almost 75kms.

      India’s EV scenario
      It is quite evident that electric powertrains work best in the scooter segment. In fact, one could argue that modern e-scooters are much better than conventional petrol-CVT examples. Premium e-scooters such as Ather Energy models have set a high benchmark in the industry in terms of design, features, performance and most importantly, their ability to remain relevant thanks to OTA updates.
      The fact that certain electric vehicles are capable of upgrading itself with new features and functions just by connecting to the internet is something which the market did not anticipate a few years back. For the average ‘non-car’ person who just wants to travel from one point to another, EVs have started making more sense. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata rolls out 1,000th Nexon Electric SUV – Records 62% market share

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      Tata Nexon Electric production has crossed the milestone figure of 1,000 units today
      Tata Motors has rolled out its 1000th Nexon EV. The company confirms segment dominance with 62 percent market share in Q1 FY21. Nexon Electric SUV is manufactured at the company’s Pune plant. The feat has been achieved in a little over 6-months since commercial launch.

      Indian EV segments across the spectrum are still in a nascent stage of production, and competition with most manufacturers not yet participating. This leaves buyers with a small variety to pick from. With only 4 automakers offering EVs for now, and not all of them existing in the same segment, Tata Motors finds itself at an advantageous position in the segment.
      Tata’s other EV offering, Electric Tigor sedan is available with a drive range of 140 km and 213 km, and is offered as a fleet only vehicle. Nexon EV is offered as a personal mobility option with a drive range of 312 km on a single charge. With drive range anxiety being one of many reasons potential buyers are sceptical, Nexon EV range puts a stop to such concerns for anyone considering an EV purchase.

      Tata Nexon Electric being delivered to respective owners. File photo.
      Recently announced Delhi EV Policy outline will help guide EV adaption in Delhi-NCR, and includes a host of benefits for EV buyers. Shailesh Chandra, President – Passenger Vehicle Business, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “Acceptance of EVs is accelerating fast, and we are seeing growing interest in it from all parts of the country. The rollout of the 1000th Nexon EV in a short time span, despite the challenges of Covid-19, reflects the rising interest of personal segment buyers in EVs.
      Tata Motors will continue to innovate and develop comprehensive sustainable mobility solutions meeting global standards. EVs are the future and as the industry leader, we are committed to make them desirable and a mainstream choice for the customers.”
      Tata Nexon EV Subscription
      To expand its scope, Tata EV Subscription model has been introduced. The subscription plan begins at Rs.41,900 for a 3 year fixed plan. Customers can select from a 18, 24 to 36 month tenure. Subscription fee is inclusive of comprehensive insurance cover, road side assistance and end to end maintenance.
      For now, the service is available in Delhi/NCR, Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru in collab with Orix Auto Infrastructure. Subscription rate is Rs.44,900 for a period of 24 months and Rs.47,900 for an 18 month leasing period.
      While a subscription plan is an easy road to car ownership, the finance model is fairly unexplored in the consumer segment. Tata uniEVerse e-mobility ecosystem looks to leverage Group company strengths to develop the EV environment. Customers can access e-mobility solutions, including charging stations, retail experiences and easy finance options. More

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      PureEV ETrance Plus electric scooter launch price Rs 57k – 65 kms range

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      Hyderabad based PUR Energy Pvt Ltd, aka PURENERGY has launched yet another scooter in India today
      The new scooter is – Pure EV ETrance plus electric scooter launch price is listed at Rs 56,999, ex-sh. Etrance Plus features a 1.25 KWH portable battery with 65 kms on-road drive range. Classified as a low-speed electric scooter, with speed likely to be limited to 25 km/hr, full charge should take about 4 hours. Available in 4 colour options, Pure EV says, the new scooter is built on a robust chassis, and body design to suit Indian road conditions.

      Mr. Rohit Vadera, Chief Executive Officer of PuREnergy, said, “ETrance+’ comes with a robust chassis design, body parts built for Indian road conditions and advanced features like regenerative braking, eABS and a SOC indicator shows the percentage of battery capacity remaining. We are confident that this model will meet the requirements of the majority of customers looking to buy EVs for their daily short commutes.”
      Features include regenerative braking, eABS, and SOC indicator to display remaining battery capacity percentage. With a product range that comprises bikes/cycles, and mopeds, and scooters, Etrance Plus is now the brand’s entry level e-scooter. Below is the official video.

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      Other electric two wheelers on offer by the company are Epluto, Etrance, Egnite and Etron+. The newly launched ETrance+ is a scooter, while the existing ETrance is a moped. Etrance offers 60 km range on the back of a 1KWH battery. For the Etrance+ scooter range is now enhanced, thanks to 1.25 KWH battery.
      Etrance moped featured a storage box upfront but this will not be used in Etrance Plus scooter. The new electric scooter houses battery storage and regular storage areas below the seat.

      Electric scooter and two-wheeler industry progression
      Pure EV depends on in-house manufacturing of lithium batteries designed to work in varied environmental conditions, and a strong mechanical product design team. Working with various suppliers aids fabrication of critical components at affordable costs. With a new announcement from MoRTH pertaining to portable batteries for easy charging and swapping, companies like EV Pure could find themselves making strides.
      The govt now considers listing EV scooter and two-wheelers prices without battery cost to effectively reduce upfront product price. This means buying a battery may soon be a thing of the past. A new business model could soon be developed to rent a battery for a fee, and swap it for another when in need of charge. Swappable batteries need to be type approved should essentially be available for purchase or rent from the OEM, or from an energy service provider.
      PureEV electric scooter warranty
      Third party-backed extended warranty schemes are curated for comprehensive warranty coverage for three years to offer long-term product reliability. The brand offers 70 percent performance warranty for battery for a 3-year tenure or 30,000 kms for EPluto, and 3-year or 40,000 kms for EPluto 7G. Such benefits are expected to be extended to the new Etrance Plus electric scooter.
      Major components under one-year warranty coverage are controller, and charger and motor. The latter is expected to be extended to 3-years. years. Pure EV collaborates with IIT Hyderabad R&D labs, which provide strong tech support. More

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      eMotion Surge electric motorcycle starts road testing in Coimbatore

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      At the moment, electric powertrains see high potential among scooters and commuter motorcycles
      It may be recalled that eMotion Motors of Coimbatore had unveiled the eMotion Surge electric motorcycle at Auto Expo 2020, earlier this year. It was showcased in a near-production format while plans were afoot to launch the electric bike sometime in September.

      However, COVID-19 put all those plans into disarray. Coordination with suppliers for essential components and certification issues have also delayed the initial launch timeline. The pandemic has definitely spread its impact beyond the health of mankind. Several businesses still remain in a state of struggle. If we take the Indian automotive industry, OEMs are gradually seeing an increase in sales.
      eMotion Motors now plans to launch the electric motorcycle sometime next year. Once launched, the eMotion Surge will become India’s first geared electric motorcycle. A test mule of this motorcycle has started road testing in Coimbatore.

      The eMotion Surge has been under development for the past seven years and was put through over 30,000kms of testing. It will be available in two variants: Surge 6K and Surge 10K. eMotion Motors has shared the latest images of the EV (in prototype stage) on its social media handles.
      Key highlights
      As the nomenclature suggests, the Surge 6K will pack lesser output and hence, cost considerably less. eMotion Motors claims that the ‘6K motor’ is roughly 40 per cent lower on performance than its ’10K’ sibling and can tough a top speed of 100km/h. It has a 3-speed transmission. On the other hand, the eMotion Surge 10K is capable of going at 120km/h while mated to a 4-speed transmission. Peak torque stands at 28Nm.
      The e-motorcycle employs three 2.88kWh swappable battery units that can return almost 200kms on a full charge. The system can recharge almost entirely from a standard charging facility in roughly 3.5 hours. This comes down to 50 minutes using a DC fast-charger.

      The eMotion Surge, at Auto Expo 2020, was finished in a dual-tone black/red paint scheme. Notable features include 7.0 digital instrument console, smartphone connectivity, navigation, cloud technology, geo-tagging, anti-theft, smart key, reverse mode, etc. At present, all-electric powertrains see high potential among two-wheelers, especially scooters and commuter motorcycles. In fact, an e-scooter oftentimes makes more sense than a conventional petrol-CVT alternative.
      In addition to the domestic market, eMotion Motors is planning to start exports at a later stage. The company has not mentioned the pricing of ‘India’s first geared electric motorcycle’ but one can expect figures to start at Rs 1.30 lakh ex-showroom (roughly Rs 25,000 more for the 10K). More

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      Royal Enfield electric motorcycle prototypes are ready – Launch by 2022 ?

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      Royal Enfield reveals that it has developed several EV prototypes by a newly formed dedicated team
      Across global automotive industries, EVs or Electric Vehicles are clearly the next big thing. The Indian government is also encouraging EV startups and emission-free alternatives in the passenger vehicle segment. Choices are very narrow at the moment but major automakers are investing a lot into new EV platforms, especially for the affordable category.

      Presently, there are only three desirable EVs among four-wheelers: Tata Nexon EV, MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona. Mahindra’s eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric will join the party very soon. It was only recently that the Delhi Government announced substantial incentives for electric vehicles.
      Under ‘Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy’, newly registered EVs are eligible for a price cut of Rs 10,000 for each kWh battery capacity (highest applicable price deduction: Rs 1.50 lakh).

      Image for reference
      It appears that two-wheelers, particularly scooters, offer the best platforms to develop electric powertrains that can meet or surpass the potential and desirability of conventional petrol examples. Performance-focused electric motorcycles might not be as ‘engaging’ or ‘fun’ as an ICE alternative coming in the same price bracket, at least in the foreseeable future. Yet mainstream motorcycle makers are betting big on EVs.
      Royal Enfield’s EV plans
      Royal Enfield confirms that it has been developing electric prototypes for quite some time. In fact, the Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer has even formed a dedicated team to analyse market demands and trends in order to target the final emission-free product(s) at the right customer base.
      Vinod Dasari, CEO of Royal Enfield, told Moneycontrol that the company has major plans for all-electric motorcycles. He states that when it comes to electric vehicles, the question is not whether such mobility would come but ‘when’. ”Electric is something we take very seriously,” shares Vinod Dasari.
      Meanwhile, Royal Enfield is almost ready with the next-gen ‘UCE 350’ models, starting with the much-awaited Meteor 350 (Thunderbird 350 replacement). The company had discontinued its ‘UCE 500’ lineup ahead of BS6 emission norms due to poor demand and stiffer competition.
      We have shared a few all-electric Royal Enfield builds in the past such as Hound Electric’s E-Bullet and Electric Classic Cars’ Photon. As a fitting alternative, an unofficial Jawa EV render has also made its way to social media. It is worth mentioning that Classic Legends (parent company of Jawa Motorcycles) is working on an all-new electric motorcycle under ‘Yezdi’ brand. It would take at least two years or so for both Royal Enfield and Jawa Motorcycles to launch their first tailpipe-free model line. More