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Tag: mobility

  • Mercedes-Benz expands BEV lineup | Reports best H1 sales in India • EVreporter

    Mercedes-Benz introduced two new BEVs in India: the EQA 250+ and the EQB 350 5-seater. These models aim to expand Mercedes-Benz’s BEV portfolio. Targeted at young individuals and families, these BEVs support the company’s EV roadmap for the Indian market, which includes six BEV models by the end of 2024, covering various customer needs. Mercedes-Benz India is also enhancing its charging infrastructure across its Franchise Partner network, with DC Fast and Ultra-Fast Chargers (60 kW and 180 kW), and complimentary AC wall box chargers for customers.

    Sales Performance:

    Mercedes-Benz recorded its highest-ever H1 sales in India with 9,262 units, a 9% increase compared to H1 2023. SUV sales represented 55% of total sales, with a significant demand for the TEV segment, which comprised 25% of total sales. The Maybach portfolio grew by 108% in H1 2024. The BEV portfolio grew by 60%, making up 5% of total sales volumes.

    Product features:

    The EQA 250+ and EQB 350 4M are targeted at young customers seeking practical, intuitive BEVs. The EQA 250+ is equipped with features like a high-resolution head-up display, Burmester® Surround Sound System with Dolby Atmos and 12 speakers, augmented reality navigation, and MBUX Interior Assistant with gesture control. They also include THERMOTRONIC® dual-zone automatic climate control, PARKTRONIC® Parking Package with a 360° camera, and remote services through Mercedes Me Connect. Safety features comprise seven airbags, blind spot assist, active brake assist, and the PRE-SAFE® safety system. Both models feature 19” AMG alloy wheels.

    Pricing:

    • EQA 250+: INR 66 lakhs (all-India ex-showroom).
    • EQB 350 (5-seater): INR 77.5 lakhs (all India ex-showroom).
    • EQB 250+ (7-seater): INR 70.90 lakhs (all India ex-showroom). Bookings open for Jan 2025 deliveries.

    Financial Solutions:

    Mercedes-Benz Financial Services offers a financial solution with a 20% down payment for a 4-year tenure, resulting in an approximate EMI of ₹68,000 and a buy-back guarantee of 67% for the EQA 250+.

    Technical Specifications:

    The EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ share similar dimensions and a 70.5 kWh battery, with WLTP ranges of 497-560 km and 464-535 km, respectively. The EQB 350 4M features a 66.5 kWh battery with a range of 397-447 km. The EQA 250+ and EQB 250+ have 140 kW power output and 385 Nm torque, while the EQB 350 4M has 215 kW and 520 Nm. Acceleration from 0-100 km/h is 8.6 seconds for the EQA 250+, 8.9 seconds for the EQB 250+, and 6.2 seconds for the EQB 350 4M. All models reach a top speed of 160 km/h. AC charging times are 7 hours 15 minutes for the EQA 250+ and EQB 250+, and 6 hours 45 minutes for the EQB 350 4M. DC charging times are 35 minutes for the EQA 250+ and EQB 250+, and 32 minutes for the EQB 350 4M.

    Santosh Iyer, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India, stated, “Mercedes-Benz remains the most desirable luxury brand in the Indian market owing to continued customer trust in our products and services. With some of the most awaited products lined up for the upcoming festive season, we expect the remaining quarters to continue the forecasted growth. Customers are increasingly adopting sustainable lifestyles, reflected in their choice of vehicles. With the EQA and EQB, we target young customers desiring sporty, dynamic, highly intuitive BEVs. Our BEV roadmap for India is ambitious, comprising the most versatile BEV portfolio, starting from the EQA up to the upcoming EQS Maybach SUV, by end of the year.”

    Also read: Mercedes-Benz launches luxury EV EQS 580 4MATIC in India at INR 1.55 crores

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  • Thunder Plus and Oyika sign MOU to expand EV operations in Southeast Asia • EVreporter

    Thunder Plus, an electric vehicle (EV) charging company based in India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oyika, a battery swapping company headquartered in Singapore, to expand their operations in Southeast Asia.

    As part of this agreement, Thunder Plus will introduce its range of charging products, including two-wheeler and three-wheeler fast chargers, in Southeast Asia. These products will be integrated into Oyika’s battery swapping stations across the region.

    As part of this partnership, Raj Kumar, Director of Thunder Plus, presented the company’s flagship product, the Thunder Lite, a 3.3 KW AC universal charger capable of charging various vehicles (from 2 wheeler to 4 wheeler) and converting any wall or pole into an electric charging station.

    The partnership aims to strengthen Thunder Plus’s export market and establish a presence in the EV markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Singapore. Both companies will exchange technological expertise and leverage each other’s business networks to promote the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia.

    “We are thrilled to collaborate with Oyika to bring our state-of-the-art charging solutions to Southeast Asia,” said Rajeev YSR, CEO – Thunder Plus. “This partnership not only enhances convenience for EV users but also aligns with our commitment to promoting sustainable transportation solutions globally.”

    Also read: List of top EV charging solution providers in India

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  • Greaves Electric Mobility lowers Eltra City E3W price • EVreporter

    Greaves Electric Mobility, through its 3W subsidiary, has announced that its electric 3-wheeler passenger vehicle, Greaves Eltra City, is now available at INR 3,66,999. The vehicle aims to meet the growing demand for electric mobility solutions.

    The Eltra City offers a range of approximately 160 kilometres on a single charge, powered by a 10.8 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 9.6 kW motor. It includes features such as 14-degree gradability, 49 Nm torque, and hill hold assist. The vehicle is also equipped with a 6.2″ digital instrument cluster with IoT capabilities. It has a full metal body and comes with a 3-year warranty, extendable to 5 years.

    Vijaya Kumar, Director, Greaves Electric Mobility 3W (GEM 3 W), GEMPL, said, “GEMPL is committed to revolutionise urban transportation by making sustainable and efficient mobility solutions accessible to everyone. The Eltra City E3W passenger vehicle is a testament to our dedication to affordability and excellence. With its best-in-class features, exceptional range, and innovative technology, the Eltra City is poised to redefine the commuting experience for both passengers and drivers. We are excited to witness the positive impact this will have on urban mobility and look forward to continuing our journey towards a greener future.”

    Greaves Cotton Ltd., with a history of over 163 years, supports GEMPL, which aims to improve e-rickshaw ownership by enhancing customer experience and providing comprehensive after-sales support.

    Also read: Abdul Latif Jameel commits USD 220 million investment into Greaves Electric Mobility

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  • MG Motor to Introduce Five New Cars in Next 12 Months

    MG Motor, backed by new funds and a local JV partner, will launch five new products in India within the next 12 months.

    The first, an electric CUV, will debut in September or October 2024. Three products will target the mass market, and two will cater to the premium segment.

    Rajeev Chaba, chairman emeritus of MG Motor India, announced that five new products have been approved by the JV for launch within the next year.

    The first, a feature-rich CUV with SUV capabilities, will launch during the festive period.

    Partnering with the JSW Group, MG Motor plans to increase its production capacity from 100,000 to 300,000 units in the next three to five years.

    Rajeev Chaba also said that they are establishing a second plant in Halol, Gujarat, to support this growth. The JV, ‘JSW MG Motor India Pvt Ltd,’ was finalised in March by JSW Group and China’s SAIC Motor, involving an investment of ₹5,000 crore.

    Despite market fatigue, Chaba is optimistic, as he projected PV sales growth of 7-8% this year, driven by festivals and new launches. He also forecasts EV sales to reach 120,000 units this year, up from 90,000 last year.

    Chaba called for incentives for strong plug-in hybrids and an updated tax structure for PVs, reflecting environmental impact and localisation levels.

    He warned of high inventory levels at dealer showrooms, with MG’s dealer inventory at 35-40 days, compared to the industry average of 60-65 days.

  • MyPickup secures INR 1.5 Crore in seed round • EVreporter

    MyPickup, an urban transit services provider based in Bangalore and an IPV Ideaschool startup, has secured INR 1.5 Crore in a Seed Round led by Inflection Point Ventures. This investment is part of IPV’s initiative to support early-stage ideas with significant potential for innovation and impact. IPV Ideaschool provides startups with funding, mentorship, and resources to develop viable products. The raised funds will be used for developing scheduling algorithms, brand building, and optimizing operations management.

    MyPickup is a subscription-based electric auto-rickshaw service designed for daily commutes, catering to office-goers, school children, and more. Its mission is to provide zero cancellations and zero surge pricing. The company aims to address urban congestion and pollution in major cities, promoting a cleaner and more efficient transportation system. MyPickup plans to scale by introducing on-demand rides using fleet operators and various vehicle classes while maintaining control over drivers and vehicles through standard operating procedures and training programs.

    Ankur Mittal, Co- Founder, Inflection Point Ventures says, “Urban cities in India share challenges like pollution, high commuting costs, frequent cancellations, and expensive transportation for school children. Recognizing these issues, MyPickup offers solutions with real-time tracking for parents, EV vehicles to combat pollution, and zero-cancellation and zero-surge pricing policies. They also plan to develop an automated matching algorithm, install safety features like cameras and SOS systems, offer on-demand services through ONDC platforms, and release an exclusive app for drivers. These initiatives build trust and position MyPickup as a promising startup addressing urban problems.”

    As of May 2024, MyPickup operates a fleet of seven electric autos, serving 45 customers. The company has achieved a monthly run rate of INR 1.5 lakh, facilitating 800 rides per month with a minimal marketing budget, as stated in the company statement. It aims to scale by increasing the fleet size and efficiency per vehicle to penetrate large societies and apartment complexes within a few micro-markets in a city for office and school rides.

    Abhijeet Dattatraya Jagtap, Founder & CEO, MyPickup, says, “As city-dwellers in India face mounting stress from congestion and pollution, MyPickup is dedicated to alleviating these challenges. By offering shared, reliable, and electric commute solutions for officegoers and school children, we are committed to scaling our impact in reducing urban congestion and emissions. Our mission is to provide sustainable mobility options that not only improve daily commutes but also contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for all.”

    The Indian commute market, encompassing both school and office segments, currently stands at USD 7.7 billion and is projected to grow at a rate of 13% year-over-year. Assuming this consistent growth, the market size is estimated to reach approximately USD 14 billion. MyPickup is positioned to meet this evolving demands of the sustainable mobility market. Inflection Point Ventures (IPV) has announced the launch of a USD 50 million CAT 2 AIF, Physis Capital, to invest in pre-Series A to Series B growth-stage startups.

    Also read: SIDBI grants INR 12.45 crores to ETO Motors to deploy 300 e-3Ws and charging infra

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  • Auto sector seeks revised GST on PVs

    New Delhi: The current GST rate structure of passenger vehicles (PVs) in India is outdated and needs to be aligned with the new developments in the auto industry, according to JSW MG Motor India CEO Emeritus Rajeev Chaba.

    The government should consider the overall perspective of vehicular emissions, reduction of import bill, sustainable local supply chain and total cost of ownership, while formulating policies on the auto sector, he added. Their’s speculation that hybrid vehicles could be considered for tax incentives ahead of the Union Budget.

  • Statiq, BPCL join forces to speed up sustainable mobility

    New Delhi: In a bid to foster sustainable mobility, EV charging network provider Statiq on Tuesday joined Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.

    The collaboration includes the development of a customised app for BPCL and the integration of BPCL’s existing approximately 2,800 chargers into Statiq’s network.

    “This collaboration allows us to leverage BPCL’s vast network, providing seamless and convenient charging solutions to a larger number of EV users,” said Akshit Bansal, Founder and CEO of Statiq.

    Statiq currently has a network of over 7,000 chargers across 65 cities and the company plans to expand this network to 20,000 chargers by 2025.

    The company’s charging stations can accommodate a wide range of EVs, including Tata Nexon, MG EVZS and Tata Tiago EV. With an improving adoption rate, electric car sales in India are likely to reach 1.3-1.5 lakh in the current fiscal year (FY25).

  • Auto industry needs 2 lakh skilled people by 2030: SIAM

    New Delhi: Indian automotive industry will need up to 2 lakh skilled people by 2030 to meet the government’s vision of 30 per cent electric vehicle adoption, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said on Tuesday.

    A total talent investment of Rs 13,552 crore is expected for hiring and training the workforce. “As we look ahead, one of the major constraints the auto industry will face is the dearth of skilled electric vehicle capable manpower,” Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) President Vinod Aggarwal said while addressing a workshop on empowering EV-ready workforce in the Indian auto industry. Aggarwal, who is also MD & CEO, Volvo Eicher Commercial Vehicle Ltd, pointed out the need for specialised domain skills in the areas of battery technology, powered electronics and motor design.

    “To keep the pace of global trends and make our auto industry a globally competitive industry, there is an urgent need that our workforce be equipped with new skills by upskilling, rescaling and skilling them,” he added. Detailing the gap, SIAM Vice President Shailesh Chandra said, “By 2030, India will need nearly one to two lakh people with specific skills to meet the government’s mission of 30 per cent EV adoption.”

    The talent need will be spread across multiple blue-collar and white-collar professionals, ranging from technicians in manufacturing and testing to PhD scientists and engineers in R&D, he added. “The talent requirements will also span across multiple disciplines like electrical and mechanical, chemical and electronics engineering,” added Chandra who is also MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd & Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd. According to the ‘SIAM EV Skill Gap Study’ report in order to achieve 100 per cent localisation of EV components, India needs to add 30,000 EV-ready workers per year till 2030, up from a current rate of 15,000 per year.

    The report pointed out that 43 per cent of technical competencies between Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and EV have minimal overlap and therefore would require fresh skilling of talent. On the other hand, 27 per cent of technical competencies have a high overlap between ICE and EV and may require re-skilling of existing talent. “The estimated hiring cost would be Rs 7,671 crore, while the training cost would be around Rs 5,881 crore. The total talent investment is expected to be around Rs 13,552 crore,” the report said.

  • Royal Enfield Unveils Guerrilla 450: Check Specs, Features

    Royal Enfield has finally launched the much-awaited Guerrilla 450 in the Indian market, with prices ranging from Rs 2.39 lakh to Rs 2.54 lakh (ex-showroom). This is the second model based on the Sherpa 450 platform, following the Himalayan.

    Guerrilla 450 Overview

    The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a roadster with a minimalist retro design. It comes in three versions (Flash, Dash, and Analog) and various colour choices.

    The Flash variant is available in Brava Blue and Yellow Ribbon, the Dash variant in Gold Dip and Playa Black, and the Analog variant in Smoke and Playa Black.

    Design

    It has a clean design without much distractions, no flashy frills, and no unnecessary plastics, aiming to offer a versatile motorcycle suitable for daily use.

    The Guerrilla 450 sports a retro roadster design, including a round LED headlight, tear-drop-shaped fuel tank, minimal bodywork, low seat, and comfortable riding stance.

    Specifications and features

    Engine: 452 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled

    Power: 39.47 bhp at 8,000 rpm

    Torque: 40 Nm at 5,500 rpm

    Transmission: 6-speed gearbox with slip and assist clutch

    Frame: Steel tubular with the engine as a stressed member

    Front Suspension: 43 mm telescopic fork with 140 mm travel

    Rear Suspension: Linkage type monoshock with 150 mm travel

    Wheels: Alloy wheels, 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear

    Brake: 310 mm front disc with twin-piston caliper, 270 mm rear disc

    Weigh: 185 kg (kerb weight)

    Ground Clearance: 169 mm

    Seat Height: 780 mm

    The bike features a 4-inch circular TFT screen with Google Maps and media controls (available on top variants). It gets an all LED lighting system and USB Type C charging port.

    Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is likely to compete with other brand bikes such as Triumph Speed 400, Hero Maverick 440, Honda CB300R, Harley-Davidson X440, and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401.

    The bookings for the bike have already commenced from Wednesday, but Royal Enfield will start delivering bikes from August 2024.

  • Wings EV gets ARAI nod for its two-seater L7 category micro-car ‘Robin’ • EVreporter

    Urban mobility is marred by pollution, congestion, and shrinking parking spaces. While electrification of mobility options solves vehicular pollution, newer compact form factors are required to enable comfortable personal mobility. Team EVreporter had a chance to meet Pranav Dandekar, CEO and Co-Founder of Wings EV, and test drive their pre-production micro car ‘Robin’.

    Here’s an excerpt from the interaction.

    Can you share what inspired the creation of Robin?

    The idea stemmed from the increasing shift from scooters to cars due to urban challenges like potholes, pollution, and congestion. However, most cars carry only one or two occupants, contributing significantly to congestion. Electric vehicles tackle pollution but not congestion. We aimed to blend the efficiency of a two-wheeler with the safety and comfort of a small car to address these needs.

    Could you give us the basic specifications of this electric vehicle?

    Robin is classified as an L7 quadricycle, aligning closely with European standards. It reaches up to 60 km/h, which is ideal for city use, and offers a range of 90 km on a single charge and acceleration of 0-40 kmph in 5 seconds. The charging port is located at the vehicle’s rear, and the charger is mounted under the driver’s seat. It takes around 5 hours to fully charge the vehicle using a standard 16-ampere plug, facilitated by its 1.8 KW onboard charger. Robin is powered by two BLDC hub motors, with a total rated power of 6KW and a combined max torque of 282 Nm.

    The dimensions are equivalent to a large motorbike (2250 x 945 x 1560mm) and offer 160mm ground clearance. The driver’s main door is on the right, while the rear passenger door is on the left for curbside access, optimized for urban pick-ups. Additional smaller doors allow flexibility for entry and exit from both sides.

    Please tell us about the battery pack used for this vehicle.

    Robin is powered by a patented 5.6 KWh LFP battery pack called Wings PowerSlab. The LFP chemistry is thermally more stable compared to NMC, and so it is far better suited for hot Indian conditions. This pack is the world’s thinnest automotive battery pack at 69mm tall.

    It is part of Robin’s skateboard construction: it sits under the vehicle floorboard and spans the length and width of the chassis. This construction provides stability by lowering the center of gravity, and also creates a beautifully balanced vehicle with a FAW/RAW weight distribution of 47/53. This battery pack placement improves vehicle stability and handling.

    Could you explain what Drive-by-Wire technology, used in this EV, means?

    In Robin, the traditional drive shaft is replaced by two independently controlled BLDC hub motors in the rear wheels, which are controlled by software. This drive-bywire technology, akin to systems used in fighter jets, enables active stability control. It allows us to independently control the motors, enhancing vehicle stability comparable to sports cars or high-end vehicles with electronic stability control.

    What is the current homologation status and when are you planning to bring it to the market?

    After five years of development and seven pre-production prototypes, we recently passed all L7 homologation tests, including safety assessments like the full-frontal crash test.

    Now that we are preparing for production, we are setting up our manufacturing facility in Indore and have launched our website to book pre-orders. Deliveries are expected to begin next year. Robin offers three variants—e, s, and x—starting at an introductory price of INR 1,99,000.

    Also read: Developing a solar electric micro car for easy urban mobility

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