World’s cheapest electric car coming to India, other new models to follow

Ora 1 — the world’s cheapest electric car — could be launched in India in the near future. It’s manufactured by China-based Great Wall Motors and could retail betweeen $8,680 – $11,293 (₹6.2 – 8 lakh). The car reportedly runs for around 140 miles (224km) on a single charge, powered by the 33kW motor.

It will debut for the Indian market at the upcoming auto expo in February. However, the pricing may change if it is saddled with import duties. Meanwhile, the market will also see the launch of four new electric cars – Tata’s Nexon EV, MG’s ZS EV, Nissan’s widely popular Leaf, and Mahindra’s eKUV100.

Government sanctions 2,636 charging stations in 62 cities under FAME II

Government of India has sanctioned the setting up of 2,636 new EV charging stations inn 62 cities across 24 states and union territories of the country under the second phase of the FAME India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles in India) scheme . Under FAME II, 317 EV charging stations have been sanctioned in Maharashtra, while Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have each been sanctioned over 200 stations. The Department of Heavy Industry had earlier invited Expressions of Interest from large cities, smart cities, state/union territory capitals and cities from special category states for submission of proposal for availing incentives under FAME India Scheme Phase II for deployment of EV charging infrastructure within cities. The government sanction comes in response to the 106 proposals for about 7,000 EV charging stations that were received.

Only 1,309 e-cars sold in 2019, NE states to get EV chargers

New data by the Economic Times suggests only 1,309 electric cars were sold in India between April-November 2019 — which is less than 1% of the total passenger vehicle sales for the period. About 40% of the numbers came from the Mahindra e-Verito, while 37% from the Tata Tigor. The lack of charging infrastructure was identified as the key roadblock.

However, the north-eastern states will receive a total of 89 EV charging stations under phase II of the FAME scheme. Meghalaya will get 40 stations, Assam will get 20 and 29 will be installed in Sikkim. The time-frame for them going operational remains to be specified.

German taxi service brings in Tesla Model 3s over miniscule maintenance costs

A german taxi firm from Dusseldorf is adding 50 Tesla Model 3s to its fleet of 150 cars as it found the Model 3’s annual maintenance cost to average a mere €420 — in contrast to the €6,000 in fuel and maintenance it spends on each of its diesel cars. The news is also significant coming from the heart of the European IC engine auto market. Incidentally, the Tesla Model 3 may become the first EV to hit 1 million units in sales — and in much shorter time than its competitor, the Nissan Leaf.

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