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      Smart ForFour Electric Car Spotted In Bangalore – Near Mercedes Showroom

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      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

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      Daimler Plans To Launch First Electric Truck In India

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

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      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

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      Pravaig Extinction Electric Car Spied On Public Road – Interiors Revealed

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      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

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

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      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

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

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      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

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      Pravaig Extinction Electric Car Founder Explains The EV – New Details

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      Image – DD News
      Founder of Pravaig, Siddhartha Bagri has given an extensive TV interview to DD News

      With electric vehicle (EV) technology being the talk in the automotive industry globally, we have seen massive leaps in technologies in this field in the last couple of years. However, most of these technologies have been foreign which is a point of concern as it has been assured that EVs will be future solutions to mobility.
      Last week, Bengaluru-based electric startup Pravaig Dynamics revealed its first EV prototype going by the name Extinction MK1. Pravaig expects the MK1 to put its name in the global EV market. It is also the first attempt by an Indian firm to build a luxury EV. Company’s founder, Siddhartha Bagri has now revealed interesting new details about their upcoming electric car, as well as future plans.
      Exterior Design
      Going by looks, the futuristic-looking Extinction Mk1 does manage to grab one’s eyeballs and its overall design lends an exclusivity on roads. The prototype sports a two-door Coupe like design with a sloping roofline, however, the production-spec model is expected to be offered as a 4-door electric sedan. The prototype receives a low-slung profile with a sleek front end flaunting projector LED headlamps which are connected by a thin LED strip.
      A similar LED bar of lights connects the taillamps at rear as well with side trunks indicators on fenders. It also sports ‘Pravaig’ lettering bold at rear prominently positioned between taillights. Side profile adopts a minimalist approach with a distinctive shoulder line. It rides on blacked-out multi-spoke alloy wheels.
      [embedded content]
      Recently Mk1 was taken out on the roads of Bengaluru for the public to get a glimpse of it where company CEO, Siddhartha Bagri, let out some crucial details regarding the upcoming luxury EV. He revealed that the prototype has been more than 90 percent built locally with about some high-end critical components imported from overseas countries. He also added that Mk1 is likely to go into serial production by November 2021.
      Powertrain
      On being asked about the car’s battery life, Bagri claimed that the current battery pack can provide a life-span of up to 10 lakh kilometers. Speaking of battery, the Mk1 is powered by an electric motor which draws its power from a 96 kWh li-ion battery pack. This powertrain generates an output of 200 bhp and claims a range of 504 km. it can clock a top speed of 196 kmph and can do a 0-100 kmph sprint in just 5.4 seconds.
      Interiors. Credit – DD News
      If claims are proved to be correct, it could become the longest range EV in India upon its launch. Battery could be charged using a DC fast charger which can juice up the power bank from 0-80 percent in just 30 minutes. Pravaig could also introduce Mk1 in a number of variants depending on different battery pack options.
      Expected Launch
      Pravaig intends to sell 250 units of Mk1 annually and will be limited to Delhi and Bengaluru initially. Sale will then be extended to other cities such as Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad. Prices of the electric sedan have not been revealed yet as the company intends to introduce it on a leasing plan, at least initially. it is expected to reach consumers by late next year or early 2022. More

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      Tata Nexon Electric Subscription Price Reduced To Under Rs 30k Per Month

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      Tata Nexon Electric Subscription Price Reduced
      Tata Nexon EV subscription plan dips even further as against the Rs.41,900 / 36 month tenure offered at the time of launch

      The Tata Nexon EV, launched in January 2020 has noted decent sales to the extent of 2,000 units in 10 months of launch. As per data released by Tata Motors, Nexon EV sales currently stand at 2,200 units+; with 1,000 units being sold in the last three months of September to November.
      Tata Motors EV Subscription Plans
      Initially offered with a subscription plan of Rs.41,900 for a 36 month tenure, the plan price dipped to Rs.34,900 per month in September 2020. Now the company has announced a further reduction in the plan to Rs.29,500 per month as a part of a limited period offer. These prices are for Delhi/NCR. The 24 month period subscription plan is at Rs.31,600 pm while the 12 month plan is at Rs.34,500 pm.
      The rates of subscription vary city-wise. In Bangalore and Hyderabad, the 36, 24 and 12 month plans are at Rs.34,700 pm, Rs.37,200 and Rs.40,400 pm respectively. Rates in Mumbai and Pune are at Rs.36,700, Rs.33,700 and Rs.31,400 respectively.
      Customers can select from the 36,24 or 12 month plans according to their convenience. These rates are for 1,500 kms per month. Prices thereon increase by Rs.1,600 per month for 2,000 kms and by another Rs.1,600 for 2,500 kms per month. The reduced subscription price is a limited period offer.
      Tata Nexon EV Subscription Plans / Prices in cities it is on sale
      Benefits of Tata Motors EV Subscription Plan
      Purchasing the Tata Nexon EV via monthly subscription plans gives the buyer certain advantages over the outright ownership of the vehicle. The rental fees include a comprehensive insurance cover, 24×7 road side assistance along with free maintenance with periodical servicing and door step delivery.
      On completion of the selected tenure, the user is given the option to extend or return the vehicle. Customers can also exit the subscription plan at any time by giving 1 month notice and by paying pre-termination charges. Each Nexon EV subscriber is also given an EV charger installed at their homes or offices as per their convenience.
      Specs
      Tata Nexon EV is powered by a 30.2 kWh Lithium-ion battery driving an electric motor that offers output of 127 hp and 245 Nm. It comes in with two driving modes of Drive and Sport and as per ARAI rating, the battery offers a max range of over 312 kms on a single charge.
      The battery gets fast charging capability of upto 80 percent via a DC fast charger in a matter of 60 minutes and via a standard AC charger upto 100 percent in 8-9 hours. For those customers who do not wish to buy Nexon EV via subscription plan; price of the Nexon EV starts from Rs 13.99 lakhs, ex-sh. More