Tata Motors CV

Future Tata Electric Truck – RenderA heavy-duty Tata electric truck may not be as far from reality as one might thinkAlthough the diesel engine in commercial vehicle applications may survive for a few more decades, the future of mobility is electric. Full fledged electric trucks have already started hitting the roads in several countries, mostly finding themselves restricted to specific applications like dump trucks.Tata Electric Truck RenderingTata Motors, being one of the major commercial vehicle manufacturers in the world in terms of volume, will have to embrace electrification of this range sooner and later. The OEM has been showcasing electric trucks and buses at the Auto Expos for nearly a decade now.So, the technology is production ready and is just waiting for the market to become conducive. We think a heavy-duty Tata electric truck is not too far from seeing the light of day. Our bright in-house design specialist Pratyush Rout presents you his take on how a future electric prime mover from the Indian stalwart would look like, and we love it.Given that heavy-duty trucks, in general, are used for long-haul applications, an appeal of a 100% electric truck is limited to certain niche sectors, at least until the battery tech and charging infrastructure attain a high-level of maturity.Future Tata Electric Truck – RenderSo, under these circumstances, starting with premium offerings and then gradually moving towards mid-premium and mass market segments makes better business sense. What you see here is a speculative rendering of what could be Tata’s flagship electric truck.The design language is a posher and futuristic take on the brand’s Prima family of mid-premium heavy commercial vehicles. The bright colour options just add to the style, not to mention improves safety by enhancing visibility.The low-slung cabin with smooth surfaces make for good aerodynamic performance which will ultimately translate into better overall range. Low-slung LED headlamps, prominent black pseudo grille, and high-mounted cabin conform to world-class truck design standards.Future Tata Electric Truck – RenderPossible ApplicationHeavy-duty electric trucks may find their way into sectors like mining, transportation of over-dimensional cargo over short to medium distance, last mile transportation, etc. Some countries are also experimenting on electrified truck lanes for long distance transportation.Hydrogen fuel-cell technology is also emerging as a viable alternative source of energy for commercial vehicles. With such a significant technological shift, the design and market positioning of the product will also evolve.Future Tata Electric Truck – RenderThe future electric trucks will no longer be rolling out of production lines as ladder-frame skeletons, to be finished by third party fabricators. They will boast well-equipped factory-built cabins with enhanced safety and a comprehensive range of ADAS features to reduce the driver’s workload. Tesla showed us a glimpse of their upcoming Semi electric truck with all the latest driver assist features. Other OEMs are likely to equip their future electric trucks with similar advanced tech.From the fleet owner’s perspective, electric trucks could come at a much higher investment compared to their conventional diesel engined counterparts but advantages include lower running and maintenance costs. The new age of mobility is almost upon us! More

Tata Ace Electric by Northway Motorsport / Hemank DabhadeThis project has proved that small commercial vehicles could run on an electric powertrain at an affordable rate without the need for a vast fast charging network
It has time and again been proven that the source of energy of future mobility will be electric. While focus has been primarily being laid on passenger vehicles and two-wheelers, the commercial vehicle segment also needs to be transferred to electric mobility in future, especially in a developing country like India.
For this, a working unit of Tata Ace, the company’s most popular light commercial vehicle (LCV) has been fitted with an electric powertrain in place of a conventional Internal Combustion (IC) engine. The project vehicle has been converted for non-commercial, research and development purposes only.
Powertrain Specs
A video uploaded by Northway MotorSport on YouTube shows glimpses of this Ace Electric LCV. It gets an electric powertrain that features an 18 kWh lithium-ion battery pack paired with an electric motor.
The Proprietary EV powertrain that has been designed and manufactured in-house by the Pune-based workshop generates 165 Nm of peak torque at the Motor Shaft. Take a look at the short video on Tata Ace Electric below.
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In its IC engine-powered model, the truck draws its power from a 2-cylinder, 700cc, naturally aspirated direction injection diesel engine that generates 20 bhp and 45 Nm of torque. It is also offered with a 694cc MPFI 4 stroke, water-cooled petrol engine with a rated output of 30 bhp and 55 Nm of peak torque. The same powertrain can also be run on CNG which returns an output of 25 bhp and 50 Nm of torque. In its IC-powered form, Ace could attain a top speed of 70 kmph.
On the other hand, in this battery-powered spec, Ace Electric could clock a top speed of 140 kmph but has been electronically limited to 80 kmph as per government rules and regulations for commercial vehicles. It utilises the same five-speed gearbox as in the original Ace however it eliminates the use of a clutch pedal.
The expanded torque band on the drivetrain lets the driver use just one gear (3rd or 4th) throughout 90 percent of the journey. The fifth gear is best used in long drives for better efficiency.
Charging Options
Not only emission has been cut down completely but the NVH levels of the cabin have also improved significantly. Charging is facilitated through either a normal single-phase 15A socket to charge at 3 kW or through a three-phase industrial socket at 12 kW. The smart on-board charger eliminates the need to have a fast charging network. The workshop claims that any three-phase connection could be used as a fast charger.
Previous Attempts
A similar project was initiated by Tata Motors where the automaker developed a battery-powered specifically for the UK market. It was later introduced in the UK as a mass-market LCV in 2012. However, a combination of changes in Government incentives and a sluggish take up of EV by the industry made the company discontinue Ace Electric. More

Tata Electric Bus
Tata Motors begins delivery of Gross Cost Contract (GCC) electric bus service to BEST

Today Tata Motors delivered 26 electric buses to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST). This starts the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) electric bus service to BEST. Part of the larger order of 340 electric buses from BEST under GoI’s FAME II initiative, the remainder of the order will be delivered in a phased manner as per schedule. This is the largest order from a metro city for Gross Cost Contract under FAME II initiative.
The 25-seater Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 electric AC buses were flagged off at an event at Nariman Point, Mumbai. Tata Motors is charged with building, deploying, maintaining and operating end to end charging infra, and buses across Backbay, Worli, Malvani and Shivaji Nagar bus depots.
Uddhav Thackeray flagging off the event
One Tata initiative
Tata Power is charged with maintaining upstream and downstream electrical facilities including supplies. and is responsible for bus charging facility. Tata Auto Components charged with collaborations, design, development, sourcing and supply of select components to Tata Motors.
Girish Wagh, President, Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors said, Tata Motors is delighted to have delivered the first 26 of the 340 electric buses for the city of Mumbai. The buses have been specially designed keeping the comfort and convenience of Mumbaikars including a “lift mechanism” for differently abled travellers. Tata Motors’ global standards of manufacturing processes and vehicle development centres have helped in innovating and leading the electric mobility solutions from the front. We will continue to play a proactive role in the government’s electrification drive.”
25-seater Tata Ultra Urban 9/9 electric AC buses delivered to BEST
Tata Ultra Urban AC electric buses
The 25-seater Tata Ultra Urban AC electric buses optimise driver and passenger comfort, and is an environmentally-friendly mass mobility solution for Bombay. Lift Mechanism extends an automated ramp for easy ingress and egress of specially abled passengers. Seats are ergonomic, and interiors spacious. Passenger utility conveniences include charging ports, WiFi hotspot, and wide entry and exit passages.
Systems in use include Intelligent Transport System (ITS), telematics system, regenerative braking system, amongst other inclusions for efficient and smooth operations. The buses have been tested in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Assam and Maharashtra for its performance prowess in diverse terrains.
Under FAME I initiative, Tata Motors supplied 215 electric buses in 5 cities across India. Collectively, the buses have clocked more than 4 million kilometres. This has helped acquire timely and necessary data and stats that the company can glean important insights from to further innovate and upgrade the electric bus product portfolio.
Tata Motors has received orders from several state transport units (STUs) in FAME phase II. The order book includes 60 buses from AJL, 100 buses from Jaipur City Transport Services Limited and 300 buses by BEST in Mumbai. Tata Motors has also delivered 25 hybrid buses to MMRDA. More