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      Tata Safari Spied With Green No Plates – First Safari Electric SUV?

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      Tata Motors is the leading electric vehicle maker in India – They have plans to launch many new electric SUVs in the futureTata Safari Electric SpiedTata Safari Electric! Already? Hold your horses. We know Tata Safari Electric is exciting news and it looks like a good proposition too. But not a lot is known about this mysterious vehicle that has been spotted somewhere in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. It does look like a finished product, as good as any other Tata Safari bought from an authorized dealer. But we think that it isn’t the case at all.After a bit of searching the number plate across multiple vehicle databases, it was revealed that it still showed as XZA+ variant with 2.0L Kryotec BS6 engine. But the number plate is green, which indicates that it is an EV. So why is a Tata Safari that is registered as a diesel on the RTO database, wearing a green no plate? Here are some explanations for this confusing spy shot of Tata Safari Electric.Tata Safari Electric SpiedAs we all know, Tata Safari only gets a 2.0L Kryotec diesel engine sourced from Stellantis (formerly, Fiat-Chrysler) that makes 168 bhp and 350 Nm. Tata Motors has been testing the Safari with a petrol engine too and on the test mule, you will see a red number plate. It’s because in India, every single test mule, EV or not, is given a red number plate.  Only the finalised product that is sold for private use, get the usual number plates from RTO. White board with black font indicates a PV (passenger vehicle), yellow board with black font indicates LCV (light commercial vehicle) and HCV (heavy commercial vehicle). Whereas a black board with yellow font indicates self-driven rental vehicles. EVs get two different types of number plates where the board is green for both and if the vehicle has a white font, it is an electric PV and if the font is yellow, it is an electric CV.  Tata Safari EV Spied with green no plateThe Tata Safari electric spotted has a green board with white font indicating that it is an electric PV. But Tata never launched it. If you suspect that it is a prank of some sort or the owner is committing fraud, that does not seem to be the case as the number plate is a properly embossed number plate with non-removable bolts with RTO’s hologram too. It doesn’t look like a fake number plate at all.  Tata Safari EV – What is it?The car looks like it actually is an EV as registered by the RTO. But it is not a test mule undergoing testing by Tata as it doesn’t have a red number plate. This might be the work of a third-party that has developed an EV conversion kit for Safari. We don’t know the name of the company as of now. But developing an EV conversion kit is no mean feat.Electronics and electricals are one of the most complicated aspects of vehicle development. The entire electric harness has to be custom-built with proper voltage architectures in mind. Then comes the hassle of battery placement, motor placement, mass centralisation, weight distribution, centre of gravity, interior packaging with the new battery in place, battery weather sealing, battery cooling solutions, battery management system tuning, modifications to brakes and suspension to accommodate the extra weight and a million more aspects. It is not an easy task of just taking out the engine and stuffing batteries in its place.Tata Safari Electric Spied – New Safari EVWe have seen EV conversion kits like this before too. Our bet is that Tata Safari Electric conversion kit is being developed by someone, with good resources to back them up. The car in question seems to be a piece of demonstration for investors, bankers or even Government officials. This company seems like they first bought a Tata Safari XZA+ and then converted it into an EV and then got it re-registered as an EV from RTO. If that is the case, Tata Safari Electric range could be somewhere in between 300-500 kms. Whatever it is, it looks promising. If you happen to have more details, please get in touch. More

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      Mahindra XUV900 Electric Coupe SUV Teased – 15th Aug Debut

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      XUV900 will likely be the new flagship of Mahindra – It will be manufactured in India, but will be pitted as a global SUVMahindra XUV900 Electric SUV – New TeaserMahindra has been teasing us with their ‘Born Electric’ range of concept SUVs for some time now. The Indian automaker aims to electrify its vehicle portfolio and while doing so, aims to take its EVs to the world too.Mahindra was the first mainstream Indian automotive manufacturer to venture into EV space. They bought electric car manufacturing company Reva and introduced a few uninspiring vehicles. But Indian EV space was still very young and not very mature, and Mahindra failed big time. But Mahindra has completely revamped its EV aspirations. With Mahindra’s acquisition of Italian design firm Pininfarina, they have successfully managed to create one of the fastest EVs in the world, Battista.Pininfarina Battista is a 1900 bhp electric hypercar capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 kph under 2 seconds putting cars like Bugatti’s to shame. With the newfound expertise in EVs, Mahindra has set a roadmap for its EV portfolio in India and the world. They are set to launch 7 e-vehicles under the Born electric range of SUVs. This will further plaster Mahindra’s image as an SUV maker rather than a carmaker.Mahindra XUV900 Coupe electric SUVPratap Bose, Chief Design Officer at Mahindra took to social media to tease us about the upcoming electric SUV that will be a part of Born Electric SUV range. Designed at Mahindra Advanced Design Europe (MADE), the upcoming SUV will not only be Born Electric, it will also be a global SUV.[embedded content][embedded content]The teaser goes on to show how Mahindra has been incorporating their learnings at Formula E, on their new SUV. Looking at the video released by the company in the past, we can see the fighter jet cockpit-like interior with giant screens behind a futuristic steering wheel.The SUV also gets a new design language which will be a complete departure from some of the polarising designs Mahindra has today. The Indian manufacturer has given the upcoming SUV aerodynamic wheels that will reduce air resistance. With decreasing air drag, we can see an increase in the range of this EV. It will likely have one of the lowest drag coefficients of any cars manufactured in India.Mahindra claims that they are creating an all-original design philosophy with this upcoming electric SUV. They also claim that it will be just as exhilarating on the road as it is on the race track.Launch & CompetitionWhen Mahindra says that they’re putting ‘Sport’ back in electric SUVs, we can’t help but think about the rumoured XUV900 Coupe. Mahindra is all set to unveil their new electric SUV range on 15th Aug, in the UK. Launch will be in a few years. We expect to see the production version of this sporty electric SUV in 2023 or 2024. Mahindra is also set to reveal the electric version of XUV300 in Indian market soon. More

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      BMW G 310 RR Is The Official Name – Fairing Fully Revealed

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      BMW G 310 RR comes with a design that is very similar to Apache RR 310 with subtle changes to create its own identityNew BMW G310RRBMW Motorrad has been one of the most popular premium performance motorcycle makers in the world. For a very long time, BMW has only been concentrating on the pricier end of the spectrum. To get more customers into the BMW family, BMW partnered with TVS Motors to co-develop a 310 cc platform beneficial for both.The result was a potent platform on which BMW based the G 310 R street bike and G 310 GS adventure-tourer. TVS took a different approach with this platform to create Apache RR 310, a fully-faired track-focused machine. Now, BMW is launching their 3rd bike on the platform which is a fully-faired motorcycle that is very close to Apache RR 310.BMW G 310 RR – Fairing RevealedFalling into RR series of BMW motorcycles, G 310 RR is a fully faired motorcycle with its main focus is to set tracks on fire. It has joined the ranks of other RR series motorcycles like S 1000 RR and M 1000 RR. BMW G 310 RR is the smallest and cheapest RR motorcycle in its lineup both here in India and globally.BMW India has been regularly teasing their upcoming motorcycle. Their latest teaser has fully revealed fairing design as well as the graphics. It also reveals the official name of the sports bike, which is G 310 RR. Hat tip to automotive enthusiast Vinod and Tanmoy for sharing the image. BMW India had announced a contest, where lucky fans were given the first official look at the G310RR.New BMW G310RRAfter seeing the photos of BMW G 310 RR, we couldn’t help but notice the similarities with Apache RR 310. It has the same wheels, exhaust, lower fairing and even the tyres. Instead of petal discs on Apache RR 310, BMW has equipped its motorcycle with conventional disc brakes.310 RR gets USD forks at front finished in a gold shade which looks very classy. At the rear, it gets a mono-shock that is adjustable for preload. These are the same non-adjustable unit found on TVS Apache RR 310. In terms of chassis, it gets a trellis frame where the engine is a stressed member. It also gets an aluminium swingarm for added lightness and rigidity.Engine & FeaturesBMW has equipped the 310 RR with the 313 cc engine co-developed with TVS. This engine is a liquid-cooled unit with a 4-valve head. Just like its TVS counterpart, it also gets 4 riding modes that alter the power, torque, throttle map, throttle response and traction. In Sport mode and Track mode, this engine is on full tap producing 34 PS @9700 RPM and 27.3 Nm @7700 RPM. In Urban mode and Rain mode, the performance is capped at 25.8 PS and 25 Nm.New BMW RR 310 and Apache 310This engine is mated to a 6-speed smooth shifting gearbox. It also gets slip and assist clutch to ensure a smooth transition between gears. Apache RR 310 boasts a top speed of 160 kph and an acceleration figure of 0-100 kph under 7.2 seconds. Since 310 RR is mostly similar, we expect the BMW to get similar numbers. BMW 310 RR also gets a fully digital instrument cluster with phone connectivity. It gets LED headlights, LED tail-lights and LED indicators. Apart from the riding modes, it also gets dual-channel ABS as standard.Even though most of the motorcycle is similar to Apache RR 310, BMW has trickled down its bigger RR series styling and colour schemes to make it stand out. Expect launch price of BMW G310RR to be at a premium over TVS Apache 310.  BMW is also likely to provide options for customisations in terms of an adjustable front USD suspension and sportier clip-on handlebars for good leverage on the race track. These addons could be similar to TVS’s BTO program where a customer can modify his/her motorcycle straight from the factory.  More

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      Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler Render – Royal Enfield 350cc Rival

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      The single-cylinder Bajaj Triumph Scrambler will be pitted head on against Royal Enfield’s new family of 350 cc motorcyclesUpcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler MotorcycleAfter announcing a partnership to develop medium displacement premium motorcycles, Bajaj and Triumph have been working under the radar with hardly any updates surfacing in the recent times barring a recent spotting of a prototype abroad. Given the timeline of the partnership announcement, we reckon that the first product should be pretty close to being ready for its world premiere.Bajaj Triumph Scrambler RenderingThe modular medium displacement platform to be born out of this Indo-English alliance could adopt multiple body styles. We think a retro-classic scrambler and a low-riding cruiser are two of the top possibilities. Our design specialist Pratyush Rout has envisioned the former, taking cues from Triumph’s iconic Bonneville family.Earlier this year, a prototype of what is reported to be the Bajaj-Triumph Scrambler was spotted testing along with a sobered up roadster variant. The test mules appeared to donning unfinished body components but the design direction was apparent. The Scrambler variant was equipped with 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear unit, serrated foot pegs and hand guards.While it is obvious that the new Bajaj-Triumph Scrambler and its derivatives will be equipped with a single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the displacement is still kept under wraps. Given that the partnership is going after Royal Enfield’s immensely popular family of 350cc motorcycles, we expect the displacement to be in the same ballpark albeit with considerably more power and torque.Upcoming Bajaj Triumph Scrambler MotorcycleMarket PositioningIf the Trident and Tiger 660 is anything to go by, Triumph is likely to position the upcoming single-cylinder offering in the premium end of the medium-displacement segment with no skimping on equipment. The prototypes supported this claim by sporting USD front forks, front and rear disc brakes with ABS, TFT instrument cluster, LED headlight and so on.At the time of initial announcement, Bajaj-Triumph revealed that the new range of jointly developed products will have a staring price of under Rs 2 lakhs. With pandemic induced supply chain challenges, it would be a difficult task to stick to this pricing commitment but if at all any OEM can pull off such an attractive pricing, it is Bajaj.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle LaunchIt is no secret that with its upcoming family of medium displacement single-cylinder premium motorcycles, Bajaj and Triumph aim to put an end to Royal Enfield’s near-monopoly in the segment. Its been over 50 years since Triumph last made a single-cylinder motorcycle but given this segment is growing at a brisk pace globally, it can’t afford not to participate. Bajaj’s experience in manufacturing premium single-cylinder KTMs for global market and a competitive cost structure makes it a sound business model.Bajaj Triumph Motorcycle Spied. Image – MotobobThe first set of Bajaj-Triumph motorcycles are expected to be ready towards the end of this year. They will be made in India for global consumption. We hope to see more info and spy shots trickling online in the coming months. Launch is likely to take place in 2023. More

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      New Honda Electric Scooter Design Patent Filed – Range 130 Kms

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      In Chinese market, Honda U-Go electric scooter is offered in light and standard variants, priced at RMB 7,499 (~ INR 87k) and RMB 7,999 (~ INR 93k), respectivelyNew Honda Electric ScooterAs electric two-wheeler sales continue to register strong growth, established players like Honda have started working on EV options for Indian market. Over the next five years, it is expected that OEMs like Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Hero MotoCorp will have multiple electric two-wheelers in their portfolio. In case of Honda, one such possibility could be U-Go electric scooter, a design patent of which has now been filed in India.In China, U-Go electric scooter is manufactured as part of the joint venture between Honda Motor Japan and Guangzhou Motors Group Company. The joint entity manufactures other electric two-wheelers as well such as U-be, e-POP and e-SCR. Honda could consider any of these or their derivatives in future, as part of their EV portfolio expansion plan for India.Honda U-Go featuresWith its compact design, Honda U-Go primarily targets everyday urban commuters. It has a cute profile that is preferred by younger audiences. Some of the key features include a simple, clutter-free design, sporty LED headlamp with DRL, sleek LED turn indicators, round rear view mirrors, sharp body panels and floating-type rear LED tail light.Users can access a range of information through the compact LCD display panel. It shows things like battery percentage, speed, mileage and ride mode. While Honda U-Go has a compact design, it still manages to provide ample seating space for both rider and pillion.New Honda Electric Scooter – Design patented in IndiaThe scooter has been designed from a utilitarian perspective, as is evident with features such as large footboard space, front hook and cargo box, 26-litre under seat storage, folding rear foot rest and USB charging. Riding comfort has been optimized with features such as flat seat and ergonomically placed handlebar. Even smaller users won’t have any issues handling this scooter when zipping through city streets.Honda U-Go performanceThere are two variants on offer in China, a standard version and a light version. U-Go standard variant has a rated power of 1200 watt whereas the light variant offers 800 watt. Top speed is 53 kmph and 43 kmph, respectively. Estimated range of the standard variant is around 65 km on a full charge. Users can increase the range to 130 kms, by opting for a second battery pack. However, this upgrade will limit the available under seat storage.Both U-Go variants utilize a 48v, 30 amp removable battery pack. Much of the other specifications are the same for both variants such as gradeability of 14°. U-Go electric scooter is 1,790 mm long, 680 mm wide and 1080 mm tall. Ground clearance is 130 mm whereas wheelbase is 1300 mm. Both variants have kerb weight of 83 kg.Honda U-Go Electric ScooterApart from fully electric two-wheelers, Honda is also planning to introduce flex-fuel vehicles in India. The company has amassed considerable experience in this sector with its diverse portfolio of flex-fuel vehicles in Brazilian market. Honda’s plans for flex-fuel two-wheelers will be in line with the Indian government’s policy to promote flex-fuel vehicles. More

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      Kia EV6 Electric Launch Price Rs 60 Lakh – Over 300 Bookings

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      Kia EV6 shares its underpinnings with Hyundai Ioniq 5 which is also slated to arrive on Indian shores later this yearKia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia India has launched the EV6 electric car today. It is priced from Rs 59.95 lakh, ex-sh. EV6 will be brought to the country as a fully imported model via the CBU route. Only 100 units of the mid-size electric crossover will go on sale in India this year.Despite that, Kia has already received about 350 orders. Kia India is working on arranging the additional orders. EV6 will be available in two derivatives- GT Line and GT Line AWD. Prices are Rs 59.95 lakh and Rs 64.95 lakh, ex-sh. Deliveries start from Sep 2022. Bookings are open at Rs 3 lakh, cancellation of booking will be charged at Rs 50,000.Kia EV6 ElectricKia EV6 is based on the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) architecture which also underpins Hyundai Ioniq 5. In India, it will only be offered with a single 77.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a maximum range of 528 km as per WLTP cycle. By using a 350kW fast charger, the battery pack can be juiced from 10 to 80 percent within 18 minutes using a 350 kW fast charger. On the other hand, a 50kW fast charger takes 73 minutes to achieve the same.The battery supports ultra-fast charging which can add up to 100km of range in just 4.5 minutes. It will be available in two variants – GT Line and GT Line AWD. The former will be offered a single motor driving the rear wheels that churns out 225 bhp and 350 Nm of peak torque. The latter on the other gets a dual-motor setup driving all four wheels and pushing out 321 bhp and 605 Nm of torque.Kia EV6 Electric Launch PriceKia EV6 claims a 0-100 kmph acceleration time in just 3.5 seconds. In terms of dimensions, EV6 GT Line measures 4,695mm in length, 1,890mm in width, and 1,550mm in height, while it offers a wheelbase of 2,900mm. The electric crossover will be offered in five paint options including Runway Red, Aurora Black Pearl, Snow White Pearl, Yacht Blue and Moonscape.Features on offerThe Korean brand is offering EV6 as a premium electric crossover, hence, it is loaded with all bells and whistles. This will include features like dual 12.3-inch curved displays for the instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment, full LED lighting, ventilated and powered front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless smartphone charger, etc, as standard fitment across both variants.The top-spec GT-Line AWD variant offers additional creature comforts like an Augmented Reality heads-up display, a Meridian sound system with 14 speakers, automatic flush-fitting door handles and a powered tailgate. EV6 comes equipped with a wide range of safety features including eight airbags, all-wheel disc brakes, ABS and Brake Assist, ESC, Hill-start Assist Control and Multi Collision Brake Assist.Apart from the standard safety tech, Kia is also offering a wide range of features under ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Safe Exit Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Blind-spot Detection and more.  More

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      2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV Ready To Off Road – Render

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      With electric being the future, how does an all electric Mahindra Thar sound, or look?2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderNew Mahindra Thar has been a run-away success. Despite being almost 1.5 years old, it still commands a long waiting period, which is something most other car brands can be envious about. Mahindra is also working upon a 5-door Mahindra Thar, which would focus a little more on comfort and interior space, without compromising on Thar’s iconic off-roading capabilities.While the 5-door Thar is still a few months away, interesting designers at Bimble Designs have envisaged how a 3-door Mahindra Thar would look like, if it lands up becoming a pure EV. If it does get launched, expect Mahindra Thar Electric to have a range in the region of 500 kms on full charge.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUVThe idea of a Thar EV is practical as we have already seen some massively powerful all electric pick-up trucks/SUVs getting launched in international markets in the last 2-3 years. Some of the names include Ford’s F-150 lightning, Hummer EV etc. Mahindra too has been working to re-enter the personal EV space, and an all electric Thar isn’t too much of a wild thought.Talking about the render, the model gets a clean futuristic design, along with some retro elements. Overall silhouette of Thar EV looks similar to that of standard Thar, however hard-core airless off-roading tyres and a heavy-duty suspension seem to have raised overall height of the off-roader.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderAt the front, the iconic Jeep inspired vertical slats get a design make-over and are all covered up, to suit the EV’s requirement. Large squared-off wheel arches and a reworked bumper make the SUV look dominating. Design of Headlamps and tail-lamps haven’t been changed much, possibly to retain the true Thar character.However, headlamps get a new LED element, which get complimented by LED bars present on the roof and front bumper. A functional roof rack along with ladders has also been added, to help users carry additional gears like a tent etc, during an off-roading trip.Mahindra Thar EV Rear DesignWhile Mahindra has some aggressive plans in the EV space, it remains to be seen if Mahindra will plan on bringing all-electric body-on-frame SUVs. As of now, most EVs in India are based on monocoque frames. If Mahindra can bring in an EV-setup on a body-on-frame platform, it will have the flexibility to spawn multiple models, like Thar EV, Scorpio EV and possibly even a Bolero EV.2024 Mahindra Thar Electric SUV RenderTalking about the standard Thar, it is offered with both petrol and diesel motor options. The diesel motor happens to be part of Mahindra’s iconic mHawk range and the 2.2 litre turbo diesel unit is capable of dishing out 130 hp and 300 Nm of peak torque. Customers opting for a petrol powerhouse get a 2 litre turbo petrol mStallion motor, which can churn out 150 hp and 320 Nm of max torque. Transmission options include 6-speed MT and 6-speed AT gearboxes. Select trims also get 4×4 capabilities.As of now, Mahindra is busy working for 2022 ScorpioN’s launch, which is scheduled to take place later this June. Post the ScorpioN, Mahindra might bring in an all-electric XUV300, which will land up becoming a direct rival to Nexon EV and Nexon EV max.Source More

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      Ather Electric Scooter Fire Incident At Showroom – Official Update

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      Ather electric scooter fire incident is attributed to vehicle that was brought in for servicing following an accident – fact finding points to crack on battery pack casingAther Electric Scooter Fire IncidentRecent electric scooter fires are a bane. But, hopefully one that strengthens the path for e2Ws. The current focus on electric scooter fires seem odd especially since ICE vehicle fires to date have never been scrutinized this closely. This of course is owing to multiple reasons.One of them being the fact that social media as a platform didn’t perform quite as well when it comes to amplifying matters. And one couldn’t quite so easily interact with authorities and/or manufacturers. The world today is open to more transparent and prompt communication. At the same time, online grievances and opinions are manifold. So, are trolls.So, while the concern is legit, and warrants meaningful discussion, not all online chatter is meaningful. Company statements are tricky to dissect accurately, and most times, they are all that is available. Following the recent spate of electric scooter fires, multiple manufacturers have gone on record to discuss specified fire incidents in brief.Ather Electric Scooter FireThis past week, there’s been a report of a Hero Photon electric scooter. The manufacturer was quick to point out that that the fire is the outcome of a short circuit at the socket. The scooter was being charged overnight. The other fire in focus was an incident in Chennai at Ather’s dealership in Chennai. A detailed statement a day later elaborates on what unfolded.Ather Electric Scooter Fire – Official UpdateThe company says, the fire erupted in a vehicle that had been brought to the service centre following an accident. Once dust was washed off the vehicle, the team realized there was a crack in the battery pack top casing when removing body panels. This crack is likely an outcome of the accident. Because of the wash, water entered the battery pack. The company also noticed a few screws around the battery had been replaced. Their varying lengths could have heightened stress on the battery top panel.A report earlier in the week, which puts blame on cheap materials that don’t meet quality criteria. The probe result was furnished by CFEES of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Electric scooter fire incidents led to notices being sent to multiple manufacturers. Incident explanations are sought from Boom Motors, Pure EV, Ola Electric, Okinawa Autotech, and Jitendra EV. With the scooter fire reports from this week, due diligence and audits for the same are expected.Audits and due diligenceWhile the e2W industry is seeing growth across segments, in terms of sales volume, it still is a small segment. One that sees improved interest. With EVs touted to be the next big arena of mobility, it’s essential that the groundwork is strong. So, while outcomes of national probes of ICE vehicles have hardly been a matter of public discussion, for EVs the rules have changed.Honest and open discussions will help keep the faith in the growing EV industry. Detailed scrutiny will help correct faultlines. This is more than essential if the country is to reach its EV transition goals by 2030. More