Tesla's Plan To Setup India Factory Speeds Up; Price Tag of Tesla EV in India ₹20 Lakh Onwards

Within few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's US visit and a meeting with Tesla CEO Elon Musk during that visit, the discussions of setting up a Tesla base in India have again started and this time its more concrete, if reports are to be believed.

After China, Tesla is looking to turn India into an export base to serve markets in the Indo-Pacific region, the reports said.

According to the Economic Times, Tesla has been meeting with industry executives in India in addition to interacting with the government.

The plan is to set up a factory in India with a yearly capacity of 5 lakh EV units. The price tag could start from "as low as" Rs 20 lakh for a car, said Economic Times citing a report by Times of India.

India's commerce and industry ministry is leading the discussions. The government expecting to materialize a 'good deal' while maintaining a level-playing field.

At a recent event sponsored by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) in New Delhi, Tesla stated that its planning to bring its own suppliers to India, as the company prefers a “all in-house” strategy.

Musk admitted that, "I am a fan of Modi," in a video interview published on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official YouTube page. Musk had revealed after his meeting with the PM Modi that the Prime Minister had been pushing him to raise his bet on India.

"He (Mr Modi) really cares about India because he's pushing us to make significant investments in India, which is something we intend to do. We are just trying to figure out the right timing... I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," Musk had said on June 21.

Tesla's dialogue with the government restarted in May when a team from the company visited India ahead of Modi's visit.

During the talks and further discussions after the month of May, representatives from Tesla in the United States and Tesla India enquired about the incentives framework for the company and its partners, with the goal of establishing a manufacturing unit in India as well as the necessary supported ecosystem.

India's Cheapest Electric Car EaS-E Launching on Nov. 16

The country's cheapest electric car is launching on November 16 and the price is said to be less than Maruti Suzuki's Alto. The upcoming car will be an everyday e-car for the people, which they can use for daily errands and personal day-to-day tasks. 

The maker of this pocket friendly electric car wants to create a completely new EV, segment called — Electric Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV).

PMV Electric, a Mumbai-based electric vehicle startup, has announced that it will launch a micro-electric vehicle on November 16. Named as the EAS-E, the brand wants it to be an everyday car for the people, which they will use every day.

The Eco-Friendly and Sustainable – Electric (EaS-E), is a fully electric smart microcar for everyday use, in essence it’s your everyday car. A smart car with a top speed of 70 Kmph, and available with range of 160 kms per charge. Some of the top line features are: EaS-E mode for feet free driving in traffic conditions, cruise control, and remote parking assist.

The company says that the prototype variant of smart electric vehicles is ready. The startup is currently working on getting them into production at the earliest.

In a media press release, Kalpit Patel, Founder of PMV Electric said, “We are delighted to officially unveil the product. This will be a milestone for the company, as we have created a world class product manufactured by an Indian company. We look forward to introduce a new segment, called Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMV), which is aimed at everyday use."

PMV EaS-E will be offered in three variants. The driving range of the car will vary from 120 km to 200 km on a single charge. The driving range will depend on the variant chosen by the customer. PMV claims that the car's battery will be charged in just 4 hours. The manufacturer is offering 3 kW AC charger.

The 2 Seater EaS-E is expected to be priced around 4 to 5 Lacs INR** (ex showroom) for the 160 Kms Range variant.

The length of this micro electric car will be 2,915 mm, width 1,157 mm and height 1,600 mm. Its wheelbase will be 2,087 mm, while the ground clearance will be 170 mm. Also, the curb weight of the EV will be around 550 kg. It is very compact and will be very helpful for traveling within cities. Being small in size, the micro electric car will also be easy to park.

Among the car's features, EAS-E will have features like a digital infotainment system, a USB charging port, air conditioning, remote keyless entry and remote park assist, cruise control and seat belts.

The pre order deposit (₹ 2000) is fully refundable & payable directly in the startup company's bank account after one place the pre order. More details here. 

World's Cheapest Electric Car Not Launching in India As The Chinese Maker Shutsdown Plant Laysoff All 11 Emoloyees

China's leading automaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) has abandoned its plans to enter the Indian market. Reports suggest that the company has closed its offices and fired all 11 Indian employees.

In the international market, Great Wall Motors sells its electric car R1 under the Ora EV sub-brand. ORA means Open, Reliable and Alternative. The company has prepared it on the All Electric ME platform. It has a 33kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a 33kW electric motor. The company claims that the R1 can be driven up to 351 km after full charging.

GWM had plans to invest $1 billion in India. However, it failed to gain regulatory approval following the new FDI rules that came into force in April 2020. The change in FDI rules was made after heightened border tensions between India and China following a clash between Chinese soldiers and Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley.

GWM was also in talks to acquire General Motors' manufacturing plant at Talegaon near Pune. The deal was called off after the company failed to get FDI approval from the government.

Great Wall Motors is one of the largest SUV brands in China. The company introduced its products at the 2020 Auto Expo. In this expo, GWM showed a glimpse of an electric car, which was touted as the world's cheapest electric car.

In India, the main focus of GWM India was Software Development for Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles, and Artificial Intelligence for Self Driving Cars.

Now after that the company has shut down its shop in India, the chances of launching of the world’s cheapest electric car in India has also ended.

Earlier this year, GWM has announced US$1.93bn in vehicle production investments in Brazil over the next decade.

Starting in 2023, the GWM is planning to produce 100,000 vehicles per year from the state of Sao Paulo, using a factory previously owned by Mercedes Benz in the city of Iracemápolis. Approximately 4 billon reais (Brazilian Currency) will be invested by 2025 and another 6bn reais by 2032, according to local media reports.

BMW Launches India’s Longest Range EV BMW i4 with 590 Kms Range

First electric mid-size sedan debuts in India.

Introductory offer: Complimentary BMW Wallbox charger with installation.

German luxury automobile maker BMW has launched its i4 range of electric sedan cars in India. The BMW i4 is a battery electric compact executive car produced by the company since 2021. With a range of 590 kms in single charge, the company claims that i4 is India’s longest range electric vehicle.

The electric sedan is available in exciting metallic paintworks - Mineral White, Black Sapphire and Skyscraper Grey. Perforated Sensatec upholstery comes in Canberra Beige and Cognac color schemes.

The electric car has extremely slim (110 mm) and high-voltage lithium-ion battery which is integrated in the floor and has a capacity of 80.7 kWh providing a range of up to 590 kms. The company claims that i4 instantly accelerates from 0 to 100 kms/hr in 5.7 seconds with an output of 340 hp.

The BMW i4 will come with a complimentary BMW Wallbox charger with installation — as an introductory offer from BMW . It can be integrated at home to enable safe and convenient charging up to 11kW.

For BMW, the i4 is its third electric car and rounds off the company’s EV portfolio which already consists of a premium electric hatchback – the Mini Cooper SE and the iX SUV.The BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport has an introductory ex- showroom price of - INR 69,90,000. Notably,most luxury electric sedans that's too under 500 km-range mark, are above INR 1 Crore.

Further, the car comes with standard two-year warranty for unlimited kilometres. Repair Inclusive can extend warranty benefits from third year of operation to maximum fifth year without any mileage limitation. The batteries are covered by a warranty valid for eight years or up to 160,000 kilometres.

The company says that BMW i4 ensures fast and hassle-free charging, with charging time as -

• 205 kW DC Charger: 10%-80% in 31 min / 164 kms added range in 10 min*
• 50 kW DC Charger:10%-80% in 83 min / 100 kms added range in 18 min
• 11 kW AC Charger: 0%-100% in about 8.25 hrs

Infotainment & Display -

BMW i4 has Harman Kardon Surround Sound System with 17 speakers conjures an engrossing treat for the ears. Parking Assistant with reverse camera makes parking in tight spots easier.

The Reversing Assistant of BMW i4 provides unmatched support in reversing out of a parking spot or narrow driveways. It records the last 50 metres driven and assists by taking over the steering

The car has digital information display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch Control Display with Navigation. The new generation iDrive display and control / operation system with new BMW Operating System 8 that extends the interaction between driver and vehicle.

Occupants in the i4 can operate a number of functions simply by speaking to their BMW Virtual Assistant. The smartphone holder integrated into the centre console allows inductive, Wireless Charging. Wireless Apple CarPlay® / Android Auto ensure seamless smartphone connection with the car to access several functions.

The BMW i4 can be booked online at shop.bmw.in. Deliveries will start by the beginning of July 2022.

SBI's Special Offer for those Buying Electric Vehicles

Use of Electric vehicles is being pushed continuously and perhaps increase in the prices of petrol-diesel by the government is to make the country pollution free by discouraging fossil fuel vehicles. If you are also looking to buy an electric car, then the country's largest bank, State Bank of India (SBI), has come up with a special offer for those who are keen to buy electric vehicles.

Apart from this, many states are also offering subsidy. Along with this, the central government is also going to make a provision for exemption on electric vehicles on its behalf very soon. However, the official announcement of when the relaxation will be applicable has not been made yet. But the special offer of SBI is something which you can avail right now. 

Dubbed as SBI Green Car Loan, this SBI offer, unlike a normal car loan, is giving a discount of 0.20% on taking a loan on an electric car . In addition to this , the bank is also giving a discount on the processing fee.

If you want to take a loan at low EMI, then the bank is giving a 8-years of maximum period for this. In this case, you will not have much burden of EMI expenses.

According to the SBI website, government employees whose minimum salary is Rs 3 lakh/year can get a maximum loan of 48 times their net monthly income. Whereas, businessmen, professionals and private job get a loan of 4 times their gross taxable income or net profit after adding the depreciation in the ITR and the payment of all the loans. At the same time, people associated with the agriculture sector, whose annual income is minimum Rs 4 lakh, can get a loan of 3 times the net annual income.

According to the SBI website, the e-car loan is at fixed interest rates. In this, the interest rate for the new electric car is between 7.25 percent to 7.95 percent. If the customer has a credit score of 757 and above, then the interest rate will be 0.25% + 1 year MCLR. SBI's MCLR for one year is 7 percent. Thus, the interest rate on the car loan will be 7.25 per cent per annum. However, this interest rate is applicable only to those customers whose repayment tenure is 3-5 years. The interest rate on the tenure of more than this will be 0.35% + 1 year MCLR (7.35%

Audi To Launch Its Electric Cars e-tron and e-tron Sportback in India on Jul 22

Audi e-Tron

Even before Elon Musk's company Tesla launches its electric car in India, German carmaker Audi has won. Audi has started booking for its two electric cars --- e-tron and e-tron Sportback to be launched on July 22

Audi will launch two electric SUVs in India, the e-tron and the e-tron Sportback, on July 22. You can book any SUV for Rs 5 lakh. According to a statement issued by Audi India, the company will launch many more new models under the e-tron brand.

Although Audi had planned to launch the e-tron by the end of last year, its launch was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The company will start its electric vehicle journey in India through all these electric SUVs. Balbir Singh Dhillon, Head, Audi India, says that the future now belongs to electric cars, we are very excited to open bookings for not one but two electric SUVs e-tron Sportback.

Audi e-Tron Sportback

He said that e-tron is not a single product, but it is a brand in itself, we will launch many more new models under this brand. This is not just a single car, but the beginning of a new era, of the electric age, these cars belong to the future and are for the future. Customers can book e-tron and e-tron Sportback online. For this you have to go to the website of the company. Apart from this, booking can also be done by visiting Audi India dealership.

The e-tron and e-tron Sportback get a dual motor setup. With 95kWh battery, it generates power of 300 kW/408 HP. These SUVs can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in just 5.7 seconds. Their range is 359 to 484 km. These SUVs can be charged in 8.5 hours with an 11kW AC home charger. It is packed with features, comes with progressive steering, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel drive.