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    Tata Motors Bags Rs 44 Crore Contract For 300 New Electric Cars

    Tata Nexon EV. Image for reference.Tata Motors is also expected to launch a mild facelift version of Tigor EV soon
    When it comes to fully electric vehicles in the passenger vehicle segment, there are only a handful of options. The choices get further streamlined if you are looking for an EV that has been locally manufactured. Tata Motors with two offerings in the form of Tigor EV and Nexon EV enjoys the status of the highest EV seller in the country.
    Unsurprisingly, the homegrown automaker has been able to bag such a large order from Convergence Energy Services Ltd (CESL) which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). Under this order, Tata Motors will supply 300 units of electric cars with a warranty of three years to CESL.
    More Details
    The total cost of this contract is worth Rs 44 crore and is a part of the Scaling up Demand Side Energy Efficiency Sector Project which is being financed by the Asian Development Bank line of credit to CESL. The letter of award forwarded by CESL to Tata Motors states that these 300 four-wheeler electric cars will have a length of less than 4 metres and a single-charge range equal to or more than 250km.
    While both Nexon EV and Tigor fulfil the size criteria, the sedan falls slightly short in terms of its range at 213km. It is also to be noted that Tata is working on launching an updated Tigor very soon. This facelifted Tigor Electric could come with a larger battery pack, which will result in increased range.
    Tata Tigor electric facelift spied
    The said tender will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will consist of procurement of 300 vehicles with a three-year warranty at a base price of Rs 14.33 lakh per unit, exclusive of GST. The second phase will involve inland transportation including loading, unloading, transfer to a designated location, transit insurance, and other costs liable to delivery of vehicles. This phase will incur a cost of Rs 21,000 per unit.
    Commenting on this development, Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “Tata Motors is committed to supporting the Government’s vision of actively embracing e-mobility and we are delighted to partner with CESL once again. Purposeful collaboration amongst stakeholders is key to accelerate the mass adoption of environmentally-friendly solutions.”
    Nexon EV Specs
    Nexon EV is powered by a three-phase permanent magnet synchronous motor which is paired with a 30.2kWh lithium-ion and a liquid-cooled battery pack. This powertrain combination returns an output of 127 bhp and 245 Nm of peak torque.
    The battery pack comes with IP67 certification and the company claims a single-charge range of 312km. The car is bundled with a 3.3kW charger which could charge 20-100 percent in eight hours. It is also provided with a 25kW fast charger which could rejuvenate the battery in just 60 minutes. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Records 4k Sales Milestone – Threefold Increase Over FY20

    Image – HemankTata Motors was among the early entrants in the nascent EV space
    Launched last year in January, Tata Nexon EV has emerged as the top selling electric car in the country. It does not have any direct rival in its price range, which gives it a definitive advantage in this segment. Other EVs such as MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona are both priced above Rs 20 lakh. Nexon EV is available in three variants, priced in the range of Rs 13.99 lakh to Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
    Tough year, yet strong sales
    Even when car sales were badly hit by Covid-19 lockdown and related restrictions, Nexon EV has been able to regain its momentum in the subsequent period. Cumulative sales since the time it was launched have already crossed the 4k mark.
    In FY21, total sales stood at 4,219 units. This is a threefold increase, as compared to sales in FY20. In 2021, Nexon EV also created the record of highest ever monthly and quarterly sales. These were recorded in March 2021 (705 units) and Q4 FY21 (1,711 units).
    If we look at 2020 numbers, Nexon EV had topped the list with sales of 2,602 units. Second bestselling EV in 2020 was MG ZS with sales of 1,243 units. Kona EV was placed at third with 183 units. Tata Tigor EV and Mahindra e-Verito had sales of 100 units and 9 units, respectively. Looking at Q4 FY21 sales numbers, it is likely that Nexon will continue to maintain its lead in 2021.
    Tata Nexon Electric
    Nexon EV features and specs
    While Nexon EV’s competitive pricing is one of the key reasons for its popularity, it also scores high in terms of design, performance, range, creature comforts and safety features.
    At the core of Nexon EV is the advanced Ziptron technology that is equipped with an integrated motor controller. Ziptron utilizes a liquid cooled architecture, which ensures consistent performance across varied operating temperatures. Nexon EV packs in a 30.2 kWh li-ion battery that is IP67 certified. The battery has undergone rigorous testing for more than one million kilometres.
    The battery pack sends power to a 3 phase permanent magnet synchronous motor that is capable of generating 129 ps of max power and 245 Nm of peak torque. Nexon EV can reach 0 to 100 kmph in 9.9 seconds and 0 to 60 kmph in 4.6 seconds.
    Nexon EV offers ARAI certified range of 312 km on a full charge. However, the actual range may vary based on variables such as traffic, use of AC, outside temperature and driver skills. To take care of range anxiety, Tata Motors has already installed charging stations at various locations across the country. Several more of these are expected to come up in the future. More

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    2021 Tata Tigor Electric Facelift Spied Almost Undisguised – Launch Soon

    Tata Tigor electric facelift spiedThe latest iteration of Tigor EV will cost a slight premium over the current model that is priced from about Rs 10 lakh, ex-sh
    Tata has been planning to update its most affordable electric vehicle (EV) Tigor for some time now. The electric sedan has been previously spotted testing on a couple of occasions a few months back. A prototype of the updated iteration of the battery-powered car has been spotted yet again that previews the changes made on the car.
    In a video uploaded by ‘The Fat Biker’ on YouTube, two test mules are seen of the facelifted Tigor electric, one partially covered and the other fully wrapped in camouflage. The images indicate that the prototypes spotted were near production-spec models of the electric sedan.
    The upcoming 2021 Tigor EV facelift will wear a similar look to the updated IC engine-powered Tigor which was launched last year. Initially available for government and fleet consumers in India, the electric version of the compact sedan is now also available for general consumers of the country with its availability extending up to thirty cities.
    Updated Exterior Styling
    In line with the Tata design philosophy, Tigor EV facelift will get an updated front face with a new headlight setup along with a new sharper nose featuring a glossy black grille. The front grille is underlined by a thick slat of chrome flanked by projector LED headlamps, LED DRLs and redesigned fog lamp housings. It also gets a revised bumper with wider air intakes.
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    Like the current model, the upcoming iteration will also come with signature EV stickering on the front grille and other places in order to distinguish itself from the standard Tigor. Higher trims will come with a new dual-tone alloy wheel design along with body-coloured ORVMs while the lower trims will be offered with steel rims and wheel caps along with blacked-out ORVMs.
    At the rear, it will feature a shark-fin antenna and EV badging. Further, blue accents have been incorporated on the grille and alloy wheels to differentiate between the EV and the regular sedan.
    Expected Features on offer
    Moving inside, the cabin features a new multi-functional steering wheel, a new digital instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen infotainment display. The central air-con vents are surrounded by blue bezels. Other features expected to be included are a height-adjustable driver seat, Harman audio system, power windows and more. Safety kit on offer will feature dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, etc.
    Mechanical Specs
    Mechanically, there won’t be any change in the facelifted Tigor electric therefore there will be no Ziptron technology on offer. The powertrain will feature a 21.5 kWh battery pack paired to a motor that can develop 40.2 bhp and 105 Nm of peak torque. This setup provides a maximum driving range of 213 km while the top speed is limited to 80 kmph. Using an AC charger, the battery could be juiced up in 11.5 hours while using a 15 kW DC fast charger, it could be rejuvenated 0-80 percent in two hours. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Granted Stay Against Delisting From Delhi EV Policy

    Image – Auto Town
    Under test conditions is an accepted industry norm, so selectively targeting Nexon seems unfair

    In response to Delhi’s government’s decision to remove Nexon EV from its subsidy list, Tata Motors approached Delhi High Court for a resolution. As may be recalled, Delhi govt. had taken the decision based on a complaint filed by a Nexon user. As per the complaint, Nexon never reached the claimed ARAI certified range of 312 km.
    A Tata Motors spokesperson said, “The Honourable Delhi High Court has issued notice on our writ and granted interim relief by directing a stay against the delisting of Nexon EV from Delhi Government’s eligible list of vehicles. The Honourable High Court has granted time to the Delhi Government to file counter affidavit in the matter.”
    Tata Motors case in Delhi HC
    In its plea, Tata Motors stated that Delhi government’s decision is an extreme step and based on a single complaint filed by an unsatisfied and disgruntled consumer. The plea also mentions that actual range of most other vehicles including petrol, diesel and CNG is different from the claimed range. This is because mileage of a vehicle is dependent on multiple factors such as environment, traffic conditions, overall load, use of AC, condition of the vehicle, driver skills, etc.
    Tata Motors response seems valid as there are various consumer goods that come with claims based on tests conducted in a controlled environment. In the auto industry, it would be difficult to find a vehicle that can match its claimed mileage in actual road tests. Unless Delhi govt. is planning to pinpoint the shortcomings of generally accepted industry norms, it has little chance to win this case in court.
    Tata Nexon Electric
    Facts in favour of Tata Motors
    It is to note that the current suspension of subsidy for Nexon EV is a temporary one. The final decision will be taken after the expert committee submits its report to Delhi government. The committee will look into the complaints filed by Nexon users as well as assertions made by Tata Motors. The committee has representatives from Delhi Transport Department, Tata Motors, and Delhi Integrated Multi-Modal Transit System (DIMTS).
    In its earlier response to Delhi government, Tata Motors had stated that its claimed mileage is certified by ARAI, which is a govt. approved designated body for testing all mass-produced vehicles. As such, the 312 km range is a proven thing under test conditions. The company has also said that Nexon EV easily meets the minimum range requirement of 140 km, which is necessary to be covered under FAME-II subsidy scheme.
    It further said that Nexon EV has already been approved, as per the eligibility conditions mentioned in Delhi EV Policy 2020. Tata Motors had pointed out that even the complainant has mentioned 200 km range, which is higher than the minimum requirement of 140 km to qualify for the subsidy. These points helped Tata Motors get a favourable decision in the court.
    In response, Delhi government’s assertions seem to ignore all the existing rules and laws and focus solely on the complaints filed by some dissatisfied Nexon users. It’s quite like target fixation as of now. That’s unlikely to have any value in the court of law. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Removed From Delhi EV Policy Subsidy List

    Tata Nexon Electric Subsidy Removed
    Tata Nexon EV de-listed from Delhi EV Policy subsidy eligibility until further notice

    There’s no denying that if one were to opt for an electric car, the options in India are limited to the point of being disadvantageous for the buyer. You either buy this, that, or that. Nothing more. And now trouble seems to be brewing in this limited scope. 
    The matter first surfaced in February 2021 when the company was given the opportunity to counter complaints raised. When it comes to EVs, Delhi has for long been wanting to lead the charge where EV adoption is concerned. This translates into actual benefits for electric car buyers.
    One is offered a purchase incentive of 10 grands per kWh of battery capacity. The max incentive is capped at Rs 1.5 lakhs and is available to the first 1,000 electric cars to be registered in Delhi. Additional benefits include Road Tax, and reg fee waivers. Under the Delhi EV incentive policy, Tata Nexon EV ZX+ was approved.
    ARAI test result
    As is rampant in marketing material, and media information, Nexon EV single charge drive range is stated at 312 kms. A vehicle owner refuted the claim saying his car never provided a range of more than 200 kms. He did follow all advice offered by the dealership (Treo, Safdarjung Enclave) in question. No amount of effort resulted in range improvement. Tata Motors was issued a show cause notice, and a rep countered the matter at hand.
    Mr Gahlot, Cabinet Minister, Govt of NCT of Delhi
    In short, Tata says the Tata Nexon EV got 312 kms on a single full charge during mandatory testing by ARAI. There’s no subjective representation of range of kms on a single charge. Its vehicle has a minimum range of 140 kms as per norm, which also serves as an eligibility criteria for said Policy. Actual range varies on independent factors including use of AC, driving pattern, real-time traffic conditions, and on-ground conditions, User familiarity with new tech is also mentioned. Tata Motors implies that as customers get familiar with the EV, results improve in 4-6 weeks. 
    Tata Motors assertions
    Reasoning furnished by Tata Motors was found to be non-satisfactory.  The body determined that while ARAI testing of 312 kms has value, it’s not sufficient to undermine the complainant’s result, which is based on actual and real time experience. ARAI isn’t responsible for granting each and every Tata unit will function optimally and the particular piece and model could be faulty.
    Despite the situation having come to a head, Tata Motors hasn’t taken any corrective measure to disprove the component by involving any independent third party. A recent post on social media saw a Doc discuss the EVs range in an adverse manner. Which means, this is not an isolated incident, and the ruling body finds merit in the second complaint made by a responsible person in society.
    Pending further investigation
    In simple words, the ruling says, ‘Such a vehicle isn’t expected to perform in a manner, which isn’t in the interest of the very objective behind the said policy.’ Given the situation, the manufacturer can’t be allowed to benefit from the subsidy, as Tata Motor’s is essentially undermining it. The governing body’s stance is clear and looks to be safeguarding customer interest. As a conclusion, if strict action isn’t taken, general public maybe discouraged to rely on range claims made by OEMs. And this is a basic buyer expectation.
    Complainants’ claims as well as assertions made by Tata Motors will now be verified by a specially constituted committee before a final decision is made. In the meantime, until a final report is pending, and to prevent further adverse fallout on the EV policy and its clearly outlined objectives, the situation necessitates the suspension of the Tata Nexon EV listing.

    Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

    Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

    Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy

    Tata Nexon Subsidy De-listed from Delhi EV Policy More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Driven Till 0% Battery In Real World Conditions – Range Details

    Image – Auto Town
    Tata Nexon EV is available in three variants namely- XM, XZ+, and XZ+ Lux at a price range of Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom)

    With an exorbitant rise in fuel prices in recent times, people in India have been contemplating on shifting to electric vehicles (EVs), however, inhibitions remain. The biggest of them being range anxiety as in how much can an EV travel on a single charge.
    This anxiety is multiplied when one takes into account that EV technology and infrastructure in the country are still limited and at a very nascent stage. Therefore, range assurance becomes a very key marketing strategy for manufacturers, especially in the passenger vehicle segment since options are very limited.
    The most affordable EV in the country is Tata Nexon EV, available at a starting price of Rs 13.99 lakh (ex-showroom). Powered by the company’s Ziptron technology the company claims a single-charge range of 312 km although in a real-world scenario it is almost impossible to achieve this figure. However, with recent updates made to its software, customers admit that the electric crossover is now traveling greater distances on a single charge.
    Real-World Range Test
    This fact has been established by a video uploaded on YouTube by Auto Town, the vlogger conducts a test where he is seen riding through heavy traffic of Bangalore. This proves to be ideal conditions for daily commuting to evaluate a real-world range.
    [embedded content]
    At the start of the drive, the instrument console on Nexon EV showed a battery percentage of just over 50 percent remaining. The vlogger intentionally keeps the air conditioner running to emulate as close to real driving conditions.
    On battery diminishing to 25 percent, it is noticed that the vlogger could not drive the car in Sport Mode although power delivery remains consistent. There is a significant drop in power delivery felt when the battery levels drop to 10 percent and also the AC stops cooling even though the blower is still functional.
    At 6 percent charge, the car stops, urging the driver to restart the car by turning off the AC controls. The remaining distance is covered at a snail’s pace with constant emergency beep in the background to immediately recharge the battery.
    At the end of the journey, with zero percent battery levels, the trip meter reads 124 km. This roughly means that for each percentage charge of battery, the car could travel up to 2.5 km. The range was also helped by the presence of regenerative braking which replenished the battery on every occasion possible. This means on a full charge, the battery on Nexon EV could offer a real-world range of around 240-250 km on a single charge.
    Powertrain Specs
    This is a significant improvement to earlier range evaluation on Nexon EV which provided a single-charge range of below 200km. Powered by Tata’s Ziptron EV technology, Nexon EV features a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack which is paired to an electric motor capable of generating 127 bhp and 245 Nm of peak torque. The battery pack gets an 8-year standard warranty and an IP67 waterproof pack. More

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    Tata Nexon Electric Owner Files Complaint In Transport Dept Over Low Range

    Image for reference. Credit – Hemank.
    Tata Motors has been issued with a show cause notice by the Delhi Transport Department following a complaint filed by a Delhi resident

    The complaint states that the Tata Nexon Electric failed to perform as per standard. The vehicle owner, a resident of Najafgarh, purchased the Tata Nexon EV XZ+ variant and noted that while the company claimed a range of 312 km per charge, his vehicle was not offering more than 200 kms. This was despite the fact that he complied with every advice issued by the dealer.
    The Nexon EV was purchased from an authorized company dealership in Safarjung Enclave. It was registered on 3rd Dec 2020 and it was immediately noted to fail in meeting the required range as indicated. Though the owner stringently followed all directions, there was no improvement in the range and nowhere close to 312 kms per charge.
    Complaint Filed, Show Cause Notice Issued
    A complaint was filed by the owner of the Tata Nexon EV with Delhi Transport Department and a notice has been sent to the automaker. Tata Motors has been instructed to depute a representative to attend the office of the said department on 5th Feb 2021 at 12 noon.
    The notice also adds that the Delhi Government could consider removing the subsidy offered under the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2020, on the Tata Nexon EV, if it is proved that this contention is proved to be true.
    File Photo. Credit – AutoTown
    Under this Policy, a purchase incentive of Rs.10,000 per kWh battery capacity is offered on the purchase of an electric 4 wheeler with a cap of Rs.1.50 lakhs. Also, the owners of the first 1000 electric cars registered in Delhi, following the issuance of the policy, would be eligible for the incentive. The Nexon EV is an approved vehicle under these conditions of the EV policy.
    Tata Motors, on their part, have taken cognizance of the show cause notice and are taking measures to address the concerns of the owner. The range of 312 kms per charge is based on certification received from Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI).
    ARAI is an apex body to test and certify vehicles under various standard test conditions prior to the vehicles going on sale. Tests conducted by ARAI are under special and ideal conditions and hence range are always on the higher side as compared to real world conditions.
    As is also seen in the case of conventional vehicles, electric vehicle range is also derived depending on certain factors. These include use of air conditioning, individual style of driving and real world conditions present at the time the vehicle is being driven. The range is also achieved according to familiarity with the new technology and customers report a marked improvement by around 10 percent in a time frame of 4-6 weeks once they are familiar with the vehicle.
    Tata Nexon EV Sales
    Tata Nexon EV is the best-selling electric SUV in India and most affordable car in its segment currently commanding a market share of 63.2 percent. Launched on 28th Jan 2020, sales have touched the 3,000 unit mark in the past one year while its affordable price tag allows it compete efficiently with its rivals such as the MG ZS EV and Hyundai Kona Electric.
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