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      in Bike

      Bajaj Dominar 250 Price Cut By Rs 17k – New Price Rs 1.54 Lakh

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      Bajaj Dominar 250 Price CutBajaj Dominar 250 price has been cut by Rs 16,800 and is now on sale at Rs 1.54 lakh
      At a time when manufacturers are increasing prices (including Bajaj / KTM), it is surprising to hear when a manufacturer announces just the opposite. That is exactly what has happened today.
      Bajaj Dominar 250, which was retailed at Rs 1.71 lakh till yesterday, has received a massive price cut of almost 17k. The exact price cut applied to Bajaj Dominar 250 is Rs 16,800. New price is Rs 1.54 lakh ex-sh. No other changes has been made, no feature has been deleted. It is the exact same bike which was on sale for Rs 1.71 lakh yesterday, is now on sale for Rs 1.54 lakh today.
      Only 2 Colours
      Bajaj Dominar 250 colour options have been reduced from 4 to 2. Until yesterday, the D250 was on offer with Canyon Red, Charcoal Black, Aurora Green and Vine Black. After today’s price cut, Dominar 250 is on offer with only 2 colour options of – Canyon Red and Charcoal Black.
      Speaking on the occasion, Sarang Kanade – President (Motorcycle Business), Bajaj Auto Limited said, “We, at Bajaj Auto, believe that touring on a bike opens the doors to a world of ‘real’ experiences that widens your perspective and shapes one’s character. We realize that biking for youngsters can be so much more than just street fun if the bike comes with the right dose of performance, sharp design and a superior riding experience. We are proud to build the segment of Sports Touring in the country with a motorcycle that is ‘Born To Sprint and Built To Tour’. In times of price hikes across the industry, we have taken a stance of reducing price on Dominar 250 and make Sports Touring more accessible.”
      Bajaj Dominar 250 Price Cut
      Apart from making it more affordable for a wider audience, another reason behind the price cut could have to do with the positioning of the motorcycle in the 250 cc segment. Bajaj currently offers multiple options in the 250cc range. These includes KTM Duke 250, ADV 250, Husqvarna Svartpilen 250 and Vitpilen 250.
      That makes it 4 motorcycles from the same automotive group in the 250 cc segment. And there are rumours that launch of a new Pulsar 250 is on the anvil. Keeping this in mind, it is likely that Bajaj would have wanted to reposition the Dominar 250 pricing.
      Speaking about the Dominar 250, it continues to sport LED lighting at the front and rear, a digital instrument cluster, split seating, twin pod exhaust and USD fork. The Dominar 250 rides in 17 inch alloy wheels fitted with 100/80-17 tubeless tyres in the front and 130/70-17 tyres at the rear. The Dominar 250 tips weighs a total of 180 kg while its tank holds fuel up to 13 liters.
      Bajaj Dominar 250 Engine Specs
      The Bajaj Dominar 250 is powered by a 248cc, single cylinder, liquid cooled engine offering 25 hp peak power at 8,500 rpm and 23.5 Nm torque at 6,500 rpm mated to a 6 speed gearbox with slip assist clutch. Braking and suspension are via telescopic in front and gas-charged preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear and disc brakes at both ends measuring 300mm and 230mm respectively with a front radial brake caliper and dual-channel ABS which is offered as standard. More

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      Royal Enfield Classic 350 Prices Increased By 8k – Crosses Rs 2 Lakh Mark

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      Image – Jet WheelsThe recent hike has seen prices cross the Rs.2 lakh barrier for the first time
      The new gen Royal Enfield Classic 350 is poised for launch in India. Recent spy shots of the bike in a production ready format indicates impending launch. It will receive refreshed features and will share its J-platform engine with the Meteor 350.
      In the meanwhile, Royal Enfield has announced a price hike across all variants of the current Classic 350. Following this increase, the base variant will now carry a price tag of Rs.1,79,782 as against an early price of Rs.1,72,466, a price difference of Rs.7,316. The top of the line variant dual-channel ABS Stealth Black and Chrome Black gets a price hike of Rs.8,362 from Rs.1,98,600 to Rs.2,06,962.
      Variant-wise Price Hike
      The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is the highest selling model in the company lineup. It is presented in a range of variants and this is the second time in this calendar year that prices have been increased, the earlier being in April 2021. The company cites increased cost of raw material and transportation for the price hikes. However, the price hike as in July 21 has seen the brand cross the Rs.2 lakh mark for the first time.
      Even as the Classic 350 single channel ABS gets a Rs.7,316 price hike to Rs.1,79,782, the Dual channel ABS in colours of Classic Black, Pure Black and Mercury Silver is now at Rs.1,88,531 as against an earlier price of Rs.1,80,879.
      Royal Enfield Classic 350 Prices – July 2021
      The Gunmetal Grey variant is not up to Rs.1,90,555 for the spoke variant and at Rs.2.03,480 for the Alloy. Likewise, the Dual-Channel ABS, Signals Edition (Stomrider Sand, Airborne Blue) is now priced at Rs.1,99,777. Dual-Channel ABS, Chrome Black, Stealth Black carries a revised price tag of Rs.2,06,962 while the Dual-Channel ABS, Metallo Silver, Orange Ember is priced higher by Rs.8,228 to Rs.2,03,480.
      2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350
      The new gen Royal Enfield Classic 350 is being actively tested ahead of launch in the country and in fact initial models have also started moving into company dealerships. It will receive some updated features over its earlier counterpart while engine also gets more refined.
      The new gen RE Classic 350 has been designed in the J platform that made its debut first on the Meteor 350. Spy images showed off a retro design with a circular headlamp, sleek tail lamp, grab rails and turn indicators. It also sported a new digital analogue instrument cluster and a separate pod for Google powered Trip Navigation System also seen on the Meteor 350 and the 2021 Himalayan.
      Engine specs also get more refined on the 2021 RE Meteor 350. This 349cc, fuel injected motor will make 20.2 hp power and 27 Nm torque. The engine will be mated to a 5 speed gearbox with dual channel ABS offered on top of the line variants. Colours are also expected to be in either matte and gloss effects with red seats while options will include alloy wheels, wire/spoked wheels and chrome or black finished engine and exhaust. More

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      Bajaj Chetak, Ather 450X Gets New Rival In Pune – TVS iQube Electric Scooter

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      New TVS iQube Electric ScooterTVS iQube now launched in Pune for Rs 1,10,898 under price guidelines of FAME II scheme and state subsidy
      Electric two-wheelers for the most part have been made available in select cities. As manufacturers embark on sales growth these limited offerings begin to be available in new cities. For Pune, the newest electric scooter to ride into town is TVS iQube. It’s now available for a price of just under Rs 1.11L. In comparison, rival Bajaj Chetak and Ather electric scooters are priced higher at about Rs 1.42 lakh.
      TVS iQube is powered by a 4.4 kW motor connected to 3 Li-ion battery packs, encased in a single casing. Battery warranty stands at 3 years / 50k kms. It delivers a ride range of 75 kms on a full battery. Acceleration from 0-40 kmph is in 4.2 seconds.
      Electric two-wheeler market growth
      While TVS enjoys domestic market presence, and a sizeable export market, it’s electric two-wheeler business is fairly new. In line with industry trends, the manufacturer has announced its entry into the e-scooter market for now. Considering smalls sales volume across the industry, one would imagine a transition for established manufacturers would be an easy one. But for now that’s not what’s happening in the market.
      Newer companies, some of which are tech based startups have taken the lead in the electric scooter market. And these patterns continue to be encouraging considering the sheer volume of new electric two-wheeler manufacturers that have started business in India in recent years.
      TVS iQube
      With the electric two-wheeler market being one of great potential, one also needs to consider the uncertainties. Long term carbon footprint offset goals point to transition but for now its a game of wait and watch. Such transition would mean established manufacturers would need to determine growth plans for their existing two-wheeler business, and their advent into new age electric two-wheeler businesses.
      TVS iQube new market launches
      TVS not only sells two-wheelers, but three-wheelers too. Going forward one can expect electric processes to becomes part of the 3W business. For now while TVS iQube keeps enthusiasts interested, the company is developing its EV outreach. A major chunk of investments outlined for the fiscal is dedicated to the EV space. This includes electric three-wheeler development.
      Current plans include EV market and sales expansion by taking iQube electric scooter to 20 new cities. Following launch in Bangalore, the company entered the Delhi market. In the current phase, business in Pune has been initiated. Other cities in the pipeline include Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata among others.
      EV market development has been predictable to say the least. And this sees manufacturers focus on the same cities at the start of business. This ties in with the fact that cities in focus boast of a more developed charging infrastructure in most cases. With success of EVs closely tied to infra development and sharing of charging set-ups, it’s easy to see why companies make a beeline for certain cities. More

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      in Electric Cars

      Kia Seltos Based Electric SUV Spied Testing For The First Time

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      Kia Seltos Based Electric SUV
      Kia hasn’t yet revealed its plans for battery-powered vehicles in India
      While Kia has a long list of models in its global portfolio, the utility vehicles are the ones on which we should be focussed since the Korean carmaker had earlier confirmed that it will concentrate only on UVs- SUVs, crossovers and MPVs for the Indian market. The brand has chalked out a plan for future battery-powered vehicles, most of which belong to the UV segment.
      The company currently has only one electric UV in its international lineup in the form of the flagship EV6 while another entry-level electric SUV named Niro EV has already been revealed. Kia is reportedly planning to bridge this gap by introducing its third electric SUV slotted in between them.
      More Details
      This upcoming SUV is likely to be based on Seltos and test mules of the electric crossover have already been spotted somewhere in South Korea. This upcoming electric car is expected to wear the nameplate of either EV4 or EV5 (most probably the former). It will measure about 4.3 metre in length which is similar to Seltos thus placing it in the compact C-segment category for the Indian market.
      There are no confirmed details regarding the specs of the upcoming electric SUV as of now but we can expect it to be offered with options of single- and dual-motor configurations along with multiple battery sizes and power outputs up to 239kW.
      Kia Seltos Based Electric SUV
      The EV shown in the spy shots is seen wearing heavily wrapped camouflage with an upright stance, a sporty rear bash plate and a rising window line. The real-world images are in line with a shadowy teaser released earlier this year, depicting a small electric SUV with compact dimensions and a boxy silhouette.
      Future Kia electric models
      Kia has promised to launch as many as eleven new EVs by 2027 and this could be one of them. Out of these eleven, seven models will be based on E-GMP architecture while out of these seven models four of them will be SUVs or people carriers. Further details on the upcoming electric SUV are expected to surface online in the coming few months.
      Reports also speculate that the upcoming EV4 (or EV5) might even launch before Niro EV in 2022 as the latter’s launch has been pushed to 2023 according to local Korean publications.
      The South Korean brand will also launch a couple of hybrid models in 2022. The upcoming EV spotted in these images is very unlikely to launch in India in the near future. If Kia were to introduce an EV in the near future in India it will most likely be in the subcompact segment which would serve as an entry-level vehicle. Niro EV thus fits the picture better for the Indian market.
      IMAGE SOURCE More

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      in Electric Cars

      Tata Motors To Launch 10 New EVs By 2025 – Electric Altroz And HBX Planned

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      Image for reference
      Green plates will be much easier to spot on the streets in the coming years
      As the automotive industry begins its transition to an all-electric ecosystem, carmakers are working proactively to utilize available opportunities in the best possible manner. Tata Motors is one such company that has outlined an aggressive strategy to strengthen its presence in EV space. The company enjoys the first-mover advantage in EV segment and already has the top selling Nexon EV in its portfolio. That’s a solid base to further build its electric portfolio.
      10 EVs by 2025
      While many automakers are still focused on fossil fuel cars, Tata Motors has decided to lead the charge in EV space. In its 76th annual report, the company’s chairman N Chandrasekaran has stated that 10 new BEV vehicles will be included in the Group’s portfolio by 2025.
      Tata Motors will also be working on developing charging infrastructure across the country. This will help promote greater acceptability of EVs among customers. Another area of focus is sourcing battery packs. For this, the company has started searching for the right partners in India and Europe.
      In FY2021, more than 4k units of Nexon EV were sold. That’s around 2% of the company’s overall sales. The company believes that share of EVs in its portfolio will increase exponentially in the coming years. The company has plans to launch Altroz EV, HBX EV, etc.
      Tata Altroz Electric at Auto Expo 2020
      Tata Motors will also be focusing on future disruptions in the EV space such as autonomous, connected and shared mobility. For that, an automotive software and engineering vertical could be set up within the company.
      JLR to become fully electric by 2036
      Internationally, the shift to electric will be led by Jaguar Land Rover. JLR has plans to achieve a fully electric portfolio by 2036. Jaguar will achieve that target much earlier by 2025. In case of JLR, 60% of the company’s sales are expected to come from BEVs by 2030. Tata Group will be working to develop sustainable business models that will help achieve these ambitious EV goals.
      Tata Motors believes that the company could emerge as one of the world leaders in sustainable mobility. It has a global presence across 150 countries. It employs more than 750,000 people and has a customer base in excess of 650 million. The company has the resources and intelligence to become a leader in EV space.
      Pointing out to immediate challenges, Chandrasekaran said that some delays could be expected due to on-going Covid-19 pandemic. Global shortage of semiconductors could also hold back production. However, the company is hopeful that things will become much better by next year and beyond. More

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      Ather Electric Scooter New Price Of Rs 1.07 L In Gujarat Is Its Lowest In India

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      Ather Electric Scooter – AhmedabadThanks to the Central FAME II policy and state EV policy, prices of all EVs in Gujarat are set to be the cheapest in the country
      With the Gujarat government rolling out its new EV policy, all electric vehicle (EV) brands are set to enjoy the benefits of it. These benefits will in turn be extended in the form of reduced prices of EVs across the state. For instance, Ather has slashed prices of its electric scooters after implementing the benefits of the Gujarat EV policy.
      Ather 450X, 450 Plus prices slashed
      Price of its model range starts at Rs 1.07 lakh (ex-showroom) for 450 Plus. This is the lowest price tag of Ather e-scooter in India. Prior to this, price of the electric scooter was pegged at 1.25 lakh which means a deduction of Rs 18,000. Last month, prices of 450 Plus stood at 1.40 lakh, however, after implementation of FAME II policy, these prices were slashed by Rs. 14,500. All prices are ex-showroom.
      On the other hand, the brand‘s premium e-scooter 450X is now priced at about Rs 1.27 lakh after a subsidy of Rs 17,000 which is in addition to the revised FAME II policy. After applying the nationwide FAME II policy, price of Ather 450X was reduced to Rs 1.44 lakh (ex-showroom). Prior to all this, 450X was priced around Rs 1.60 lakh (ex-showroom) varying slightly as per location.
      Gujarat EV Policy benefits
      Other EV brands are also set to reduce prices of their models soon after applying the subsidy from Gujarat EV policy. This subsidy will be in addition to benefits availed under FAME II policy.
      Ather electric scooters now cheapest in Gujarat
      The Gujarat government recently announced that it will offer double the amount of subsidy in comparison to other states which will be applicable on a per kW basis. However, a cap has been set for all EVs. Two-wheelers can avail a subsidy of up to Rs 20,000 whereas three-wheelers get allowances up to Rs 1.5 lakh.
      For four-wheelers, subsidy has been limited to Rs 2 lakh per EV. All these subsidies are in addition to the benefits offered in the FAME II scheme. Over the next four years, the government in Gujarat aims to increase the number of EVs in state up to 2,00,000 lakh units. In other incentives, EVs registered in Gujarat will not be required to pay a registration fee.
      450X, 450 Plus Specs
      Both Ather 450X and 450 Plus share the same styling and features such as full-LED lighting, an apron-mounted headlight and a 4.2-inch touchscreen instrument cluster enabled with Bluetooth connectivity, integrated 4G LTE SIM connectivity, music & call controls, onboard navigation and digital document storage.
      In addition, both models also get reverse mode. The e-scooters share the same hardware configurations comprising telescopic forks at front, a mono-shock at rear and disc brakes on both wheels. More

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      Bajaj Freerider Trademark Filed – Name Of New Electric Motorcycle?

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      Image of Zero Motorcycle for referenceOptions for electric motorcycle are fairly limited, as compared to electric scooters
      After Chetak, Bajaj may be planning to introduce its first electric motorcycle. Indications for that come from a trademark application filed by the company. The trademark application has been filed for ‘Freerider’ name under Class 12.
      This class covers various automobiles including electric vehicles. Since KTM already has a lightweight e-bike named Freeride E-XC, it has led to speculations that Freerider could be Bajaj’s first electric motorcycle.
      Bajaj Freerider design and features
      It is likely that Bajaj Freerider will be using the same platform as that of Husqvarna E-Pilen. Components like the frame, suspension system and braking apparatus could be the same. E-Pilen concept was revealed earlier this year in April. Production is expected to commence later this year. E-Pilen could be launched towards the end of this year or in 2022.
      E-Pilen concept shares several of its features with Svartpilen and Vitpilen. Some examples include round headlamp, wide handlebar, sculpted fuel tank that houses the battery pack, and exposed trellis frame.
      Bajaj Freerider – Trademark Filed
      In terms of design, Bajaj Freerider will have its unique set of features. It’s too early to comment, but the electric motorcycle is likely to use a neo-retro design theme. This is in vogue and highly preferred by younger folks. Freerider is expected to have a sharp, sporty design, which will match the needs of its target audience. Eye-catchy graphics and decals will also be part of the package.
      Bajaj Freerider powertrain
      Freerider is expected to use the same electric powertrain as that of E-Pilen concept. E-Pilen is equipped with an 8kW (10.73 bhp) electric motor. Details about power output are yet to be revealed. The motorcycle will have a range of around 100 km, which should be sufficient for city needs.
      To take care of range anxiety, E-Pilen will be equipped with swappable batteries. It is apparent that the company will be focusing on developing the necessary infrastructure to sustain its electric two wheelers.
      Bajaj Freerider can hit the markets sooner than expected. That’s because Bajaj has been collaborating with KTM for developing a common electric platform. It is expected to spawn multiple electric two wheelers in the range of 3kW to 10kW. Most of these will be using a 48v electric system.
      KTM and Husqvarna are also working on a new electric scooter, which will be utilizing Bajaj Chetak’s platform. It is likely that Freerider will be a premium lifestyle product, just like Chetak. It won’t be cheap, even with the subsidies. More

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      Electric Cars, Scooters To Get Highest Subsidy In Gujarat – Nexon EV, Ather

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      Image – Anubhav ChauhanState-level subsidy in addition to FAME-II will help boost electric vehicle sales
      It’s good to see that states have started doing their bit to promote use of electric vehicles. The latest update comes from Gujarat where the state government has chalked out a detailed plan to boost EV usage. Gujarat’s new EV policy covers various aspects such as subsidies, encouraging startups and manufacturers to set up operations, and augmenting charging infrastructure.
      Double subsidy
      Over the next four years, Gujarat government aims to increase electric vehicle count in the state to 2 lakh units. A number of steps will be taken to achieve that goal. One of the key policy decisions is to increase subsidy for EVs registered in the state. The state government has stated that it will offer double the amount of subsidy in comparison to other states. This will be applicable on a per kilowatt basis.
      For two-wheelers, subsidy of up to Rs 20,000 has been approved. For three-wheelers and four-wheelers, the subsidy amount will be up to Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh, respectively. This will be in addition to the subsidy already available under FAME-II scheme launched by the central government.
      This means that the electric scooters like Ather, Okinawa, Hero, Ampere, etc and electric cars like Tata Nexon Electric, MG ZS EV, Hyundai Kona electric – will get even more cheaper in Gujarat. This new policy will basically make electric vehicles cheapest in the state of Gujarat, as compared to anywhere else in India.
      Ather Electric Scooter
      The subsidy amount being offered by the state will be transferred to the buyer’s bank account via direct benefit transfer (DBT). This will eliminate any possibilities of fake subsidy claims or fraudulent operations. In other incentives, EVs registered in Gujarat will not be required to pay registration fee.
      Manufacturing and infrastructure ramp-up
      Gujarat government is aiming to make the state a hub for manufacturing of EVs and related parts and components. The government will also be encouraging investors and startups, who could contribute towards the development of better products in the EV space.
      On the infrastructure front, 250 new charging stations will be setup in the state. The state already has 278 charging stations. To setup more charging stations, the government has plans to use the space available with petrol pumps. Charging stations are also planned to be setup at housing societies and commercial complexes.
      Fuel savings and pollution control
      Within four years of implementing Gujarat’s new EV policy, several crores worth of fuel will be saved. Another key benefit will be 6 lakh ton reduction in CO2 emissions.
      With this new EV policy, EV sales could soon witness a boost in the state. Subsidy amount available under FAME-II has also been increased. With both subsidies combined, the price gap between EVs and fossil fuel powered vehicles could be reduced. Constantly rising prices of petrol and diesel is another factor that may motivate people to switch to electric. More