Week 27 (June 28 - Jul 4)
Mahindra to launch 3 EVs by 2021, FICCI urges Govt to extend FAME II, Govt finalizes policy for Hydrogen-powered vehicles, IOCL launches battery swap facility and MG Motors starts its startup cohort.
Mahindra may launch 3 electric cars in India by FY21 end. Despite the overhang of Covid-19, Mahindra is looking to launch eKUV100, Treo Zor, and Atom. The eKUV100, which was announced at the Auto Expo as the cheapest electric car in India has a travel range of 147 km. The Treo Zor, a three-wheeler electric cargo vehicle has a payload capacity of 650 kg and is powered by a 7.37 kWh battery that gives a range of up to 130 km. The Zor electric, which shares its powertrain with the standard Treo will target the small fleet operators. The Mahindra Atom electric quadricycle, like the Mahindra Treo electric rickshaw and the Mahindra eKUV100 electric car, is a MESMA 48 platform product. Technical details of the Mahindra Atom are unreleased but expect a real-world range of about 75 km per charge, a charging time of about 4 hours, and a top speed limited to 50-60 km/h on this Driver+3 seater vehicle.
Mahindra Ato
Mahindra Treo Zor
FICCI urges govt to extend FAME-II for two years to boost EV demand. FICCI EV Committee has submitted its recommendation to the government to enhance demand and investments in the electric vehicle (EV) sector despite the recent Covid-prompted disruptions. Among the recommendations put forward by the committee are
Continuation of the FAME II scheme by two years to 2025.
Extend subsidy support for E2W and E3W with Swappable Battery.
Retail finance for Electric Vehicles should be part of priority sector lending.
Improve the e-buses procurement criteria and scheme design.
Incentivize the local production of lithium-ion batteries and create a roadmap to move away from the import of lithium-ion cells.
Government finalizes the draft for hydrogen-powered cars; the industry moves one step closer to fuel-cell vehicles. As per a report in MoneyControl, the Automotive Industry Standards Committee (AISC) has submitted its final draft on regulations for hydrogen-powered cars. The government institute finalized the draft that regulates the safety requirements and procedures for the approval of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles even as electric vehicles are finding ways to gain mass acceptance. In India, currently, no company sells hydrogen-powered vehicles yet because of the want of the fuel. The draft discussed several factors like refueling and exhaust system, leakage of fuel, protection against failure, driver warning system among others. hydrogen fuel cell vehicles attract a GST of 12% while battery electric vehicles are charged 5% GST. Hydrogen-powered vehicles are considered the cleanest vehicles to run as the only byproduct is water. These fuel cell electric vehicles offer up to three times the range of IC-engine vehicles and can be refilled like at a normal fuel station. Countries like the US, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and China are already running hydrogen-fuelled cars and buses.
Indian Oil launched a battery swapping facility for EVs. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Sun Mobility have partnered together to setup energy infrastructure for electric vehicles through a battery swapping model at IOC petrol pumps. The process of replacing discharged batteries with fully charged ones takes only a few minutes and offers the best alternative to slow charging while helping the drivers make optimum use of their time & assets. The first such Quick Interchange Service (QIS) was inaugurated at an Indian Oil pump in Chandigarh. The company’s battery swapping model is initially targeted at the commercial segment, i.e. electric autos, rickshaws, and electric 2-wheelers where the electric vehicle is factory fitted or retrofitted. Up to 20 to 25 such quick interchange stations will be installed in select cities across India.
MG Motors onboards 6 startups for its developer program & grant initiative. Under the program, the automotive company pays out an undisclosed grant along with providing mentoring from technology experts to the shortlisted startups. The company collaborates with startups working in the automotive field, such as engine and emissions, technology, child in-car safety, navigation, connectivity, and electric vehicles ecosystem, among others.
Nagpur clears path for electric buses. Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) was formally authorized to go ahead with placing orders for the electric buses under the FAME 2 scheme. NMC had floated tender for acquiring electric buses, 40 in number, and M/s EVEY Transport Pvt. Ltd submitted its bids for running these buses at Rs 72.99/km. After opening the bids, NMC engaged in negotiations, and subsequently, the company lowered its rate to Rs 66.33/km.
Hitachi ABB Power Grids to focus on e-mobility. Hitachi ABB Power Grids, the newly launched joint venture between Hitachi and ABB, will focus on electric mobility and smart cities, where it sees opportunities in the electric vehicle charging space. The company recently partnered with Ashok Leyland to develop buses on the TOSA Architecture.
Bounce unveils in-house built EV. Bounce unveiled their all-new EV with swappable batteries. The N3110, an electric scooter that is assembled in India, boasts of a range of 60 km per-charge and has dockless capabilities. The scooter comes with swappable batteries and is priced at Rs.46,000 (Ex-Showroom excluding battery). Delivery will commence from December 2020 onwards.
Ather Energy partners CredR for a vehicle exchange program. Under the partnership, consumers can exchange any old two-wheeler with a brand new electric scooter of Ather. CredR will offer instant price quotes for old petrol two-wheelers, which will be used to reduce the cost of upgrading to Ather's scooters.
Other interesting news
Why hydrogen will never be the future of electric cars by Forbes
Electric Buses and Cities: Can innovation lead the way? by Cleantech
A brief history and evolution of Electric Cars by InterestingEngineering
Electrification of US transportation sector nears tipping point by SmartEnergy
Hyundai County Electric bus with 250 Km range launched for Korea by Hyundai
Arrival rolls out slick, sleek, smooth Electric Bus by CleanTechnica
Echo3: An EV company that brings EVs within reach of the masses by Pixr8
Siemens eMobility launches next generation of efficient electric vehicle chargers
Tesla becomes the world's most valuable carmaker without making a profit by TheGuardian
Chinese electric buses roll out across Latin America