India’s Tata Motors said it plans to launch electric vehicles (EVs), including SUVs, using a new design which will allow for a larger battery and a range of up to 500 kilometres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made EVs a major focus for India’s government, which is offering companies billions of dollars in incentives to manufacture them locally.
EVs make up only 1% of total car sales in India with high battery prices and an inadequate charging network holding back buyers and the launch of new electric models.
Tata Motors is India’s top-selling electric carmaker, said vehicles launch under its new Curvv design will be based on a new architecture adapted for electric models.
Cars built on this platform are expect to be launch in two years, and the Tata is working to fast track the development, said Shailesh Chandra, managing director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility.
There will be room for a bigger battery and the SUVs are expect to have a certified driving range of 400-500 kilometres, Shailesh Chandra said, adding that they will also be capable of faster and more efficient charging.
Tata Motors has over 90% of India’s electric car market, sold 19,000 of them in the fiscal year end 31st March up from 4,200 units the previous year.
Tata Motors raise $1 billion (approx. Rs. 7,576 crore) from private equity fund TPG for its EV unit, and has said it will invest a total of $2 billion (approx. Rs. 15,150 crore) to push clean car sales.
