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      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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      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.
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      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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      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

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      Xiaomi Lamborghini Electric Go Kart Launched at Approx Rs 1.1 Lakh

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      The Huracan-inspired Nine-bot Go-kart Pro Lamborghini Edition can attain a top speed of 40 kmph.
      Chinese electronic giant, Xiaomi has teamed up with Italian supercar giant Lamborghini to jointly develop a special edition of the Ninebot Go-Kart Pro which is fully electric. Xiaomi announced this development on the occasion of its 10th anniversary which is being celebrated this month.

      This new super go-kart is expected to be something more than just a sticker of a bull pasted on the body. Xiaomi and the Italian supercar marque have come together to develop a more potent form of the already existing standard go-kart which is supposed to take inspiration from Lamborghini’s Huracan. The new model will not only be quicker but is said to carry forward some supercar aesthetics from Lamborghini as well.
      Design of Ninebot Go-kart Pro Lamborghini Edition
      The images show the Ninebot GoKart Pro Lamborghini Edition wearing the sports car manufacturer’s Giallo Orion colour. At the front, it dons ‘Ice Lake Blue’ LED headlamps which is very useful if one intends to drift in dark. It also gets an audio emulation system that gives a proper feeling of how a Lamborghini would actually sound.
      [embedded content]
      It is powered by a 432 Wh battery pack that gives an impressive performance of 25 kms range or a 62 lap sprint across a 400m track. On the other hand, the standard go-kart offers a range of 22 km. The go-kart can attain a top speed of 25 miles per hour (40 kmph). Xiaomi claims that it can hold masses up to 100kg which makes it possible for kids as well as adults to ride.
      Compared to the standard Ninebot Go-Kart, which is sold in the US by Segway, this Lamborghini Edition is way much swifter. Its top-speed is 4.8 kmph more than the standard go-kart. This special edition also comes with a Superleggera rear wing and a chin splitter. However, the biggest highlight remains the F1-inspired steering wheel which comes equipped with a functional digital speedometer and a red stripe centre for that added racer vibe.
      It also comes equipped with a four-speaker audio system which lets you enjoy your favourite tunes via Bluetooth connectivity. It also gets custom-made tyres which make it easier to drift. Both- the standard as well as the Lamborghini edition come with a foot brake and a handbrake.
      Price
      The Ninebot Go-Kart Pro Lamborghini Edition has been priced at $1,500 USD which roughly translates to INR 1.10 lakh. This is about $200 more than the standard version. It will be sold exclusively in China, at least initially, though it is expected to reach a wider audience in the future. More

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      Revolt Electric Motorcycle Mumbai Showroom Opens – Price From Rs 90k

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      Revolt RV400 will now be available in Mumbai at the company’s first Hub in Andheri (West)
      Gurugram based, Revolt Intellicorp, a new entrant into the electric two wheeler space in India, has opened a new dealership in Andheri West in Mumbai. This is the 6th such dealership opened in India, following its presence in 5 cities of Delhi, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, and Chennai. It is from this new Hub that the company will cater to demands of buyers in and around Mumbai. Called the ‘Revolt Hub’, the company will sell the Revolt RV400 and RV300.
      Revolt RV400 and RV300 Price and Booking

      The RV400, launched in August 2019, is first electric motorbike that comes in with cutting edge design and technology. It has seen outstanding demand in the cities where it has been launched. Revolt RV 300 is as entry level electric commuter motorcycle.
      Revolt RV400 is offered in two variants – RV400 Base and RV 400 Premium priced at Rs.98,999 and Rs.1,08,999 respectively while the RV300 is priced at Rs.89,999. The Revolt RV400 can be booked at Rs.3,999, a onetime booking amount on the company website, along with an EMI of Rs.3,999 for 38 months. Revolt RV300 is offered at a booking amount of Rs.2,999 along with EMIs of Rs.2,999 per month for 36 months.

      Both the Revolt electric motorcycles get LED head and tail lamps, LED DRLs and connected technology via smartphone app offering geo-fencing, vehicle status and live tracking, etc. The bikes receive a fully digital instrument panel with Bluetooth connectivity. Braking and suspension is via USD front forks and monoshock at the rear along with standard 240mm front and rear disc brakes with RBS – Regenerative Braking System. The RV400 sits on 17 inch alloy wheels and offered in colours of Rebel Red and Cosmic Black colour options.
      Power
      Revolt RV400 is packed with power. It gets a 72 volt lithium-ion battery offering 3.24 kWh allowing for a range of 150 kms on single charge and a top speed of 85 km/h. RV300 uses a 2.7 kWh battery pack and gets a range of 80 km and top speed of 65 km/h. Revolt Motors offers a removable battery so that it can be charged either at home or at office via a 15 amp charger. It can also be charged at any Revolt Switch Stations in 60 seconds while a full battery charge is possible in 4.5 hours.
      The company is also offering unlimited battery warranty of 8 years or 1,50,000 kms, product warranty of 5 years or 75,000 kms and free maintenance benefits of 3 years or 30,000 kms along with 1 year company owned and 5 years third party insurance.
      Revolt RV400 Ready for Orders
      Revolt Intellicorp had initially planned entry into Mumbai in March 2020. However, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed such plans. Now that normalcy is being restored across the country, the company is working on new orders coming in from the ‘Revolt Hub’ in Mumbai. Production has commenced at the company plant in Gurugram as per Government of India orders and expects to see some form of normalcy in terms of production and timely deliveries to customers.
      Revolt RV400 and RV300 see no direct competition in the electric motorcycle segment as all the other offerings are scooters. More

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      Ather 450 Electric Scooter Referral Program Launched – Benefits of Rs 2,500

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      The Referral Program is live in Bengaluru and Chennai – Extend privilege to friends and earn brownie points
      Ather Energy has announced a Referral Program for the Ather 450 electric scooter. Currently exclusively on offer in Bengaluru and Chennai, the program will benefit existing and new customers with monetary credits worth Rs.2,500.

      As a part of this new program, Ather Energy will allow its existing electric scooter owners to share a referral code with friends. In the event of any purchase made via this code, the referrer and new buyer will both receive monetary credits to the tune of Rs.2,500.
      Along with India’s first lease program and referral program, Ather also introduced easy ownership with the exchange of any petrol two wheeler for the Ather 450. It also gains advantage of all fiscal incentives offered by the State and Central Governments while the Ather Forum of buyers have been the company’s strongest supporters and critics which has taking the company ahead in the race of electric scooters in the country.
      The company has also confirmed that delivery periods have been reduced to 3 weeks. This could be another reason why buyers will find the Ather 450 a more viable purchase.

      Ather Energy introduced the 450 electric scooter in 2018 which was followed by a new flagship model called Ather 450X in 2020. This e-scooter is presented in three colours of grey, green and white. It is powered by a 6kW PMSM motor with a 2.9 kWh battery pack and gets 4 riding modes of Eco, Ride, Sport and Warp. Under the Warp mode, the Ather 450X can accelerate from 0 to 40 km/h in 3.3 seconds making it the quickest electric scooter in its segment. Owners can opt for two performance pack options of Pro and Plus. Each pack is specifically designed to offer a range of connected and riding capabilities.
      Features
      Ather 450X gets a 4G SIM card, Wi-Fi connectivity with Bluetooth, a 7 inch touchscreen dashboard with colour depth of 16M and Snapdragon Quad Core processor. The e-scooter uses Android Open Source for map navigation while on board diagnostics and features include over-the-air updates, auto indicator off and guide-me-home lamps.
      Tarun Mehta, CEO, Ather Energy
      The mobile app offers ride statistics, charging status and navigation updates along with theft and tow detection and live location. Vehicle tracking, voice assist and welcome lamps are also a part of its features. The Ather App also allows the 450X to support accessories like smart helmets and tyre pressure monitoring system.
      The Ather 450X can be charged via smart charging Ather Grids set up at malls, cafes, supermarkets and tech parks in Chennai and Bengaluru which will also be expanded to other cities. It was launched in India at a starting price of Rs.99,000. This price included the ownership of the scooter and for battery leasing. On the other hand if buyers wanted an outright purchase, the full price is at Rs.1.49 lakhs and Rs.1.59 lakhs for the Plus and Pro packs which excludes insurance and registration costs but includes the battery ownership.
      Ather Energy CEO, Tarun Mehta has revealed on Twitter that the company will be expanding the Ather e-scooters to new cities. Hyderabad will get the new 450X in September while launch in Pune and Mumbai is planned by the end of this year. Ather Grid fast chargers will be set up across Ahmedabad with launch in Surat scheduled for sometime in 2021. More