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      Zoomcar to offer electric 3 wheelers on their platform – Partners with Eto Motors

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      Zoomcar and Eto Motors have signed an agreement to make available a range of platform services for Eco’s electric, and three-wheeler biz
      Henceforth, Zoomcar’s platform will be used to access Eto Motors’ operated electric three-wheelers for shared, first and last mile passenger commute needs. One will also be able to book transport vehicle for goods movement within cities.

      Zoomcar has for the longest time been making available private cars on its platform to for private rentals. Those who offer their car as part of the Zoomcar fleet are compensated by the company, and have to follow guidelines so the cars are worthy of being rented. For Zoomcar rentals, the company also has manufacturer tie-ups that enables it to list a wide ranging and sufficient fleet to be able to meet customer demand.
      Zoomcar and Eto
      With this new association, Eto Motors will be able to introduce a fleet of smart electric vehicle mobility solutions. Eto already has its brand smart vehicles for first mile and last mile connectivity service in Noida Metro. The company is focused on expanding its footprint, and widen its reach based on opportunities in the first mile, last mile, and intracity passenger, and goods movement segments.

      And the complete development focuses on EV adaption. For Zoomcar the opportunity comes in the form of EV adaption, and new segments. As the brand is identified primarily as a car rental company, with Eto Motors’ vehicles on offer, its operations expand to shared mobility, CVs, and transport.
      How quickly India is able to make noticeable EV adaption a norm depends on a range of bottlenecks that need to be addressed. As such, for now, public transport vehicles seem one way to do it.
      Transformation of mobility industry
      Greg Moran, CEO & Co-Founder, Zoomcar, in a statement said, “The mobility industry is going through a transformational phase globally due to the pandemic. At Zoomcar, we strive to be at the forefront of creating innovative solutions that can help shape this transformative shift. Through this partnership with ETO Motors, we aim to leverage our AI-based platform to enable large fleet operators to better manage their assets through greater vehicle safety and lower total operating costs. We are delighted to partner with ETO Motors on the next phase of their growth journey in India’s rapidly expanding EV market.”
      Biju Mathew, CEO, ETO Motors, said, “The next phase of collaboration between our respective companies with respect to the development of the co-branded digital platform will undoubtedly mark a significant step forward for the industry.” More

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      Maruti 800 electric RWD with 378 Nm torque – Watch owner having fun

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      Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade has reached the final stages of his Maruti 800 EV conversion project
      Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) discontinued the iconic Maruti 800 in 2010 as the hatchback could not meet the then-new emission norms and safety regulations. In the minds of Indian automotive enthusiasts, the ‘800’ holds a special place since it has got a strong nostalgia factor associated with it. We are sure that your family or someone close to your family might have had a Maruti 800 back in the day.

      In its last iteration, the Maruti Suzuki 800 came with a 796cc MPFI three-cylinder petrol motor churning out just about 37bhp and 59Nm while mated to a 4-speed gearbox. The higher 5-speed variant made roughly 47bhp and 62Nm of torque. Clean examples of the car still find decent value in the used car market. On the other hand, the original SS80 generation has already become a collector’s item.
      The current-gen Maruti Suzuki Alto BS6 fails to match the Maruti 800’s charm despite being its closest successor. This is purely due to the emotions surrounding the ‘800’ since the Alto is much more technically improved. Maruti Suzuki might never bring back the ‘800’ nameplate (at least in the foreseeable future), yet many Indians look forward to a modern-day avatar of the hatchback.

      Loaded with sports seats, sports steering, touchscreen and a lot more – Modified Maruti 800 electric
      How about an Maruti 800 modified Electric?
      It has been a while since Pune-based EV specialist Hemank Dabhade started working on an all-electric Maruti 800 with his team at Northway Motorsport. The project, dubbed ‘Maruti 800 EV’, has reached its final stages and Hemank has documented the same (one of four parts) on his YouTube channel. Over the months, we have also shared Hemank’s other interesting projects such as the Chevrolet Beat EV and Honda Activa EV.
      Northway Motorsport’s Maruti 800 modified Electric is essentially a two-seater RWD city car that promises ample performance and driving fun (watch the owner perform powerslides, thanks to 378 Nm torque, towards the end of the video below). Its real-world driving range is claimed to be about 150km on a full charge. This is purely a developmental or research project aimed to showcase the potential of electric powertrains in a familiar platform.

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      The four-part YouTube series gives a rough idea of what goes into making an electric vehicle. It covers how the stock powertrain is stripped out from the petrol-powered Maruti 800, alterations done to the donor chassis, electric powertrain packaging, minor hiccups along the way, cosmetic enhancements (new six-spoke rims, front grille, steering wheel, etc.) and more.
      Key highlights
      Episode 4 starts with a brief recap of the processes mentioned above. The main electronics, battery-pack (an extra set lies in the ‘frunk’) and their cooling systems are placed at the rear, in place of a bench seat. This is covered by a flat luggage floor. At the front, Northway Motorsport has installed a custom touchscreen panel based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer. It incorporates real-time battery usage, motor and control temperature; output calibration and the basic drive modes: Forward, Neutral and Reverse.
      The main highlight is the addition of HHA (synonymously used with ‘Hill-start Assist’ nowadays). It helps the car remain stationary on a downward slope until the accelerator pedal is pressed. Finally, Hemank does some powerslides in his Maruti 800 EV — proving that small RWDs can be fun irrespective of the powertrain type. More

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      BattRE electric scooter to offer Finance, EMI to all – Even those without CIBIL score

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      BattRE Electric Mobility Pvt Ltd, has partnered with ZestMoney EMI financing platform
      Finance plans are curated in such a way so that customers can buy BattRE Electric scooters with affordable and transparent credit. ZestMoney extends financing to even customers with no previous CIBIL score. This bit is important because in modern society, you are your credit store. A positive score is meant to be predictive of whether or not you are a good risk for financial institutions to extend a loan to.

      Given the pattern of handing over wages in cash or simple people’s yearly earning being below the starting taxation limit, loads of people never end up with a CIBIL score. And that means, you can’t access financing. ZestMoney EMI financing appears to be addressing that gap by making the bike accessible to those who don’t pre-qualify for loans.
      The finance plans curated are applicable for all BattRE electric scooters – BattRE IOT, BattRE One, BattRE Lo:EV and BattRE Gps:ie. While BattRE electric scooters are new-ish as a company, they are already available across 12 states. Potential customers can complete KYC formalities online, and depending on determine factors, may not have to visit a dealership.

      Process
      Requesting finance schemes can be completed remotely, and approval is usually concluded in a few hours. One can choose 0 percent EMI tenure of 3, 6 or 12 months for repayments. With lockdown looming overhead, there’s no definite way of knowing for how long we need to safely maintain physical distancing. This means overcrowding in public transport vehicles is halted at present, and may be a norm for an indefinite period.
      This would mean, commuters would look for personal mobility options in order to ensure a safe and convenient commute. A Frost and Sullivan study points to e-rickshaws, e-autos, and e- two-wheelers as most promising segments for electrification in India. estimates point to over 4-million sales by 2025. The same study suggests 30-40 percent of scooters India will be electric vehicles in 7-8 years.
      Pankaj Sharma, Co-Founder of BattRE Electric Mobility, said, “At BattRE, our belief is to focus on affordability, convenience & ease to our customers. Our partnership is a step towards making electric scooters affordable to everyone especially during Covid. This EMI facility provided in partnership with Zest Money will enable customers to book and enjoy riding BattRE electric scooter which is an aspiration for millennial’s and working professionals.”
      With folks on the lookout for EMI financing options to make purchases, current situations dictates a need for contactless and digital means of credit. ZestMoney, the approach is fully automated for data driven loan disbursal model. Affordable financing options would help making purchases possible. More

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      Hero MotoCorp investment in Ather Energy crosses Rs 400 crores

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      Ather Energy is one of the biggest start-ups in the Indian auto industry, which started journey back in 2016
      Today, Hero MotoCorp has announced an investment of Rs 84 crore (US $11 million) in Ather Energy. The latest finance push brings Hero MotoCorp’s shareholding in Ather to 34.58 percent. Prior to the fresh cash infusion, Hero MotoCorp’s shareholding in Ather Energy was 31.27 percent.

      Hero MotoCorp has been associated with Ather since 2016 when it made its first investment as a part of Series B funding. The fund-raising measure had raised $27 million (Rs 202 crores) with Hero MotoCorp being a primary investor. The cash infusion was necessary to build a permeable charging infrastructure. Since the early days of the S340, Ather Energy has grown in many aspects.
      In October 2016, Hero invested another Rs 180 crore for a 26-30 percent stake in Ather. By May 2019, that investment had grown to more than Rs 330 crore. The current investment is is an extension of Ather’s Series C funding in May 2019 that raised $51 million from multiple investors, led by former Flipkart CEO, Sachin Bansal.

      Ather 450X electric scooter
      Electric two wheeler/scooter market in India
      The equity share increase is not altogether unexpected. While the country awaits an alignment of policies that boost EV adaption, manufacturers have already started making inroads. While electric cars are barely there, the electric scooter market is swelling. Traditionally, Hero MotoCorp is market leader when it comes to two-wheelers. But with sentiment softening towards environmentally sustainable options, Ather Energy proves to be just that.
      Established manufacturers are free work with new tech based EV initiatives or are beginning work in-house. Either way, this development is dependent on a sizeable investment. Ather Energy has a distinct identity in the melee of new EV manufacturers with a solid backing from multiple investors.
      Ather Energy is using funds for Ather 450X manufacturing, its currently solo offering in the market. Manufacturing will be increased to 100,000 units annually from a Hosur plant. Having started operations in Bangalore, and setting up the Ather Grid charging setups, the company then entered Madras. The company is headed to Hyderabad, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Coimbatore, and, other cities.
      Hero Motorcorp and Electric Vehicles
      Rajat Bhargava, Head of Emerging Mobility Business Unit (EMBU), Global Business & Strategy, Hero MotoCorp, said “We are excited to see the growth of Ather Energy in the recent years. We see immense potential for them to expand their market even further, especially given the likely growth of electric vehicles (EV) in the near future. In addition to our efforts of developing a robust external eco-system for EVs, we are also aggressively working on our internal EV program. Our aim is to provide accessible electric mobility to customers across the globe. Sustainability and clean, green environment remain central to our vision to be the future of mobility.” More

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      Pravaig Extinction – A homegrown Luxury EV with bespoke interior

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      The Pravaig Extinction EV is primarily aimed at hotels and luxury transport businesses
      Pravaig Dynamics, a company which was started in Jaipur to build offroad buggies, has now turned its attention towards luxury electric sedans. The Pravaig Extinction, contrary to its name, is the genesis of the brand’s EV aspirations. Pravaig Dynamics has set up a facility in Bangalore and its upcoming all-electric sedan has already reached Prototype Level 6 (‘Level 9’ implies production-readiness).

      One shouldn’t read too much into the somewhat odd and unfinished exterior design of the Pravaig Extinction, as it is still a prototype. The company says that the final version will have four doors; meaning the luxury electric car will look significantly different from the prototype phase shown here.
      The rear-wheel-drive Pravaig Extinction is based on a steel monocoque architecture. Interestingly, it will not have a fixed interior layout for series production as in conventional vehicles. Instead, Pravaig Dynamics will collaborate with architects, fashion and interior designers to come up with bespoke cabins to suit their clientele’s individual tastes. Here’s a video of its prototype doing test runs in Bangalore:

      Speaking of the clientele, Pravaig Dynamics is not targeting private buyers by setting up traditional showrooms and service centres. The Pravaig Extinction is aimed at fleet operators, hotels and other luxury transport businesses interested in emission-free choices. Naturally, the rear seat will be given utmost importance so much so that the front passenger seat will be an optional extra. A lounge-type rear seat that can allow the occupant to lie down almost flat is being worked upon. Brand advisor and shareholder Ram Divedi says that the homologated rear bench is expected to achieve a near-flat posture of around 165 degrees.
      Pravaig Extinction Specs & Features
      The all-electric luxury sedan will be coupled to a 96kWh battery pack, locally assembled by Pravaig Dynamics. Power comes from a 130hp electric motor capable of propelling the sedan to a top speed of 196km/h. The Pravaig Extinction boasts of an impressive range of 500km on a full charge (claimed).
      The final production model will get autonomous capabilities, high-efficiency particulate air filtration system, swappable battery and state-of-the-art connectivity features. Pravaig Dynamics will share more details on its list of equipment in the days to come.
      Pravaig Extinction Launch Timeline
      The desi electric luxury sedan is expected to be out by Q3 2021 which we think is a rather ambitious target. Pravaig Dynamics plans to make 250 units every month with Delhi and Bangalore as its first markets. Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Pune are also in the radar and each city will get its own service outlet. More

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      SsangYong Tivoli E100 EV teased – Foreign Mahindra XUV300 Electric?

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      The SsangYong E100 and Mahindra eXUV300 are based on MESMA platform (Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture)
      South Korean automaker SsangYong Motor Company, under Mahindra & Mahindra group, has teased its new all-electric subcompact crossover, E100 a.k.a. Tivoli EV. SsangYong is already busy developing the bigger Korando e-Motion electric compact crossover; the ICE version of which was once expected to be Mahindra’s XUV500 replacement.

      Earlier this year, Mahindra & Mahindra had shared that it is looking for new investors to handle its Korean subsidiary. It was in 2010 that Mahindra bought a 75 per cent stake in SsangYong. Under it, we have received two Mahindra products: Alturas G4 mid-size SUV (badge-engineered Rexton G4) and XUV300 subcompact crossover (reengineered Tivoli).
      SsangYong Tivoli & XUV300 Electric

      SsangYong Tivoli Electric teaser
      The Mahindra XUV300 is a sub-four-metre crossover (or “compact SUV” in Indian buyers’ terms) while its original left-hand-drive Tivoli base crosses four metres in length. It remains uncertain whether the new SsangYong E100 would be sized the same as its upcoming Indian sibling, Mahindra eXUV300 or XUV300 Electric. Teaser images suggest that it is slightly longer despite sharing the same MESMA 350 platform, developed by Mahindra Electric completely in-house. ‘MESMA’ expands to ‘Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture’.
      Over the months, we have shared multiple spy shots of Mahindra’s ‘Tata Nexon EV rival’. The eXUV300 made its debut as a concept at Auto Expo 2020 (held in early February) with hints of significant styling differences. At least from the teasers, the Tivoli EV looks quite different.
      Mahindra XUV300 Electric – Facts To Know
      MESMA 350 incorporates a 350V powertrain that supports motor ratings in the range of 60kW to 280kW alongside battery capacities up to 80kWh. Dual motor configurations (all-wheel-drive) are also possible.
      According to Mahesh Babu, CEO of Mahindra Electric, the eXUV300 promises a range of more than 370km on a full charge. This translates to a real-life range of at least 320km.

      In comparison, the Tata Nexon EV returns an ARAI-claimed range of 312km (real-life figures would be in the 200s) with its 30.2kWh battery pack. It is powered by a 95kW (127bhp) motor producing 245Nm of peak torque. The Mahindra eXUV300, as well as SsangYong E100, would most likely pack more output.
      At the moment, the Indian automotive market’s electric four-wheeler segment is at a budding stage with limited options. In fact, there are only three EVs from mainstream brands: Hyundai Kona, MG ZS EV and of course, Tata Nexon EV. Meanwhile, the Indian two-wheeler scenario is witnessing increased demand for e-scooters. More

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      Okinawa electric scooter dealer network to grow beyond 500 by March 2021

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      Okinawa plans to add 150 new dealerships to their network this year to take current 350+ dealership count upto a total of 500
      Electric scooter brand, Okinawa has ambitious plans for the current financial year. Issuing a press statement, the company has confirmed an added 150 dealers will be appointed during the period FY 20-21 to take its current dealership network from 350+ dealers to 500+. The company will also target sub dealers along with primary dealerships with special emphasis on sales of its electric two wheelers in the states of Maharashtra, Bihar, Assam and other eastern states.
      Increased Dealership Margin

      To help its current dealerships at this time when the coronavirus pandemic has had an adverse effect on sales, the company has also announced an increase in dealership margins. Dealer percentages have been increased from 8-11 percent. Despite the fact that only 30 percent of the company dealerships were operational, deliveries stood at 1000+ over a period of 30 days following the end of the lockdown as announced by the Government of India.
      Markets are expected to pick up in the months ahead and Okinawa hopes to see increased demand for electric vehicles as more persons will opt for personal travel over public transport in view of the increased risk involved. Expanding to more states in India will also ensure easy availability of products and services. Okinawa has gone the digital way for the application process for new dealerships.
      Okinawa Praise Pro

      Okinawa Praise Pro
      One of the best selling electric scooter from Okinawa, is the Praise Pro. It offers a range of 100-110 kms on a single charge, addressing the concerns of buyers of electric two wheelers. The Praise Pro is powered by a 1000 watt BLDC waterproof engine that offers 2500 watt peak power, a range of 100-110 kms and a top speed of 70 kmph.
      It is fitted with a 2 kWh detachable lithium ion battery which can be charged in 3 hours via a 5 amp plug, as is used to charge mobile phones. It gets hydraulic suspension at the front and double shock at the rear with double tube technology. Load capacity is at 150 kgs while storage space sees 7 liter under seat capacity.
      Okinawa Praise Pro is presented in three colours of Glossy Red Black, Glossy Sparkle Black and Glossy Blue Black, sits on aluminum alloy wheels and receives LED projector head lamp with DRLs and LED tail lamp. It has a digital speedometer, central locking system, keyless entry, anti theft alarm and Find My Scooter Function.

      Okinawa Praise Pro specs
      FAME II approval
      Okinawa Praise Pro is priced at Rs.79,277. It comes in with 3 year warranty on battery and motor and roadside assistance. Okinawa is the first company to receive FAME II approval in electric two wheeler segment in India. More

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      Kinetic Luna electric moped launch plans – Expected price less than Rs 50k

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      Modified Kinetic Luna by Slimline Customs

      The Luna electric is expected to derive its design inspiration from the original 2-stroke model
      It seems like Kinetic Motors is planning to revive its iconic Luna nameplate to take a shot at the electric vehicle industry. The super affordable and skinny Kinetic Luna moped which looked more like a motorized bicycle (it did have pedals like one) was responsible for putting several Indians on wheels.

      The 50 cc two-stroke moped was very easy to ride and returned good fuel economy. After decades of service, the Luna slowly faded into oblivion and Kinetic Group eventually took a sabbatical from two wheeler making by selling its infrastructure to Mahindra Two Wheelers. Kinetic Group now operates an EV subsidiary called as Kinetic Green which specializes in e-rickshaws, golf carts, etc.
      Prospects and possible specifications
      With the electric two wheeler scene in India bustling with activity in the recent months, Kinetic is reportedly gearing up to return to its two wheeler making days. The Kinetic Luna electric moped would be an interesting low-cost proposition with a classic appeal, targeting the numerous license-free low-speed electric scooters in the market.
      Financial Express reports that the Kinetic Luna electric is likely to employ a 1 kW electric motor which could be paired to a lithium-ion battery pack as most OEMs are leaving lead-acid battery technology behind. The lightweight electric urban runabout is estimated to have a range of around 80 km and a top-speed of 25 kmph. The reported specifications indicate that one would not require license to ride the new Luna electric.
      Design?

      Modified Kinetic Luna by Slimline Customs. Image for reference.
      As far as design is concerned, the modern day Luna is expected to adopt the typical bare bones moped styling of its ancestor but keeping with the trend, there could be LED lights, digital instrument console, USB port, etc. The electric motor is most likely to be a hub-mounted unit so we don’t expect the moped to feature pedals.
      The Kinetic Luna electric is expected to be priced under INR 50,000 (on-road). As of now, the only direct competitor it would have is the Gemopai Miso moped but by the time it is ready, there would be more rivals in the market. In the IC-engined world, TVS continues to sell its highly successful XL100 moped whose electric version could also be in the works.

      Kinetic Green will have to set up dealerships across the country in an aggressive manner to maximize the potential of its two wheeler vertical.
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