Our weekly electric vehicle (EV) sector update covers both Indian and International market trends across- new product launches, investment trends, tender updates, charging infrastructure news, among others.
India EV market updates
New product launches
China’s MG Motor, which entered India only in June this year, plans to launch an electric vehicle as its second offering to take on more established rivals, said Rajeev Chaba, president and managing director of MG Motor India. MG ZS is expected to be launched in India in January 2020. MG ZS electric vehicle might be priced over Rs 20 lakh (ex-showroom). The ZS EV is expected to feature a 44.5 kWh water-cooled, lithium-ion battery.
Mercedes, Audi to launch electric vehicles in 2020
In 2020, two German luxury carmakers — Mercedes and Audi — will enter the electric vehicle market with an India launch each as the push for greener mobility gathers steam in the luxury segment. Mercedes-Benz India, the country’s largest luxury car maker, will test the waters with a limited launch of a battery-powered vehicle in 2020. The maker of E Class and S Class has a number of zero emission electric vehicles (EV) in its global line-up, but due to lack of EV infrastructure development in India, the entry will be restricted to just one model.
JLR unveils new Jaguar XE, electric car on the way
Even as the auto industry is raising concerns over the lack of charging stations for electric vehicles (EVs) in India, JLR is planning to launch its all-electric sports car Jaguar I-PACE in 2020. The launch of Jaguar I-PACE may have to come with the assurance of EV infrastructure support as MG Motor’s ZS EV and Hyundai’s Kona buyers have been promised.
Crayon Envy Electric Scooter Launched In India
Uttarakhand-based Crayon Motors is the newest entrant in the electric two-wheeler segment and has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of its flagship Envy e-scooter in India. The new Crayon Envy joins the Zeez e-scooter that is already on sale and promises to offer best-in-class space, easy manoeuvrability and long-range. The new offering is part of the brand’s low-speed range of scooters and has a top speed restricted below 25 kmph. The manufacturer is yet to announce the pricing for the new model.
Tata Nexon EV To Make Its Global Debut In India
The Tata Nexon EV will be the first car to be powered by the company’s latest Ziptron electric powertrain technology, and an expected range of 250 to 300 km on a single charge.
Tenders
| Tender name | Tendering authority | Location | No. Of vehicles/type | Other details | Bid submission date |
| ASTC,100 Electric Buses, Dec 19 | Assam State Transport Corporation | ASSAM | 100 electric buses | EMD: 10 million | 7-Dec-2019 |
Source: JMK Research
Charging Stations
Andhra Pradesh Govt Allows EV Charging Stations Without License
According to a TOI report, any individual or entity in the state can install charging stations for electric vehicles without applying for a license to operate as is seen for petrol pumps and CNG stations. The state government has appointed the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) as the nodal agency to promote the adoption of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the state.
P’kula to soon have electric vehicle charging stations
Taking a step forward to attain the green city tag, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has decided to install charging stations for electric vehicles in Sector 8, 9 and 10 in the next 15-20 days. MC Commissioner Rajesh Jogpal said, “Electric vehicle charging stations will come up in the next 2-3 weeks and will be completely free during initial days. There are around 350 e-vehicles in the tricity.”
EESL Joins Hands with SDMC to Install 75 EV Charging Stations Across Delhi
According to the terms outlined in the MoU, the two entities will work in tandem to fast-track the adoption of e-mobility by installing 75 electric vehicle charging stations in the SDMC area.
Hyundai introduces Vehicle to Vehicle charging facility
In a bid to further boost customer confidence in electric vehicles customers, Hyundai has started a new, industry-first Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) charging facility. This will provide Hyundai EV customers with the option of charging their Kona Electric anywhere and anytime via V2V; Hyundai will send an electric vehicle to your location for the same. This service is being offered in partnership with Allianz Worldwide Partners in a select set of cities, which include Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Portable Chargers are also available in Delhi and Bengaluru via roadside assistance from Allianz Truck.
Delta Electronics India, a leading Power and Energy management company, today unveiled its state-of-the-art E-Mobility Tech Experience Center aimed at strengthening electric vehicle charging infrastructure of the country. The E-Mobility Tech Experience Center is conceptualised to provide an industry platform that will support all types of ratings and configurations and be an enabler when it comes to understanding the ecosystem of EV charging solutions.
Investments
Ather Energy to Set Up EV, Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing Facility in Tamil Nadu
Ather Energy has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of Tamil Nadu to set up a two-wheeled electric vehicle and lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility. The 400,000 square feet factory will be located at Hosur.
EESL plans to procure EVs For commercial use
State-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) is planning to procure 200 luxury electric vehicles (EV) priced around INR 25 Lakh. The government body plans to lease out these EVs to private cab aggregators Ola, Uber and Blu Smart for commercial purposes. With this move, EESL is looking to promote emobility, while generating a demand for it through central ministries and public sector undertakings.
Hyundai Motor eyes thrust on electric vehicles in $52 bln investment plan
Hyundai Motor plans to invest about 61.1 trillion won ($51.81 billion) between 2020 and 2025, the company said on Wednesday, with a third of the expenditure focused on electric and autonomous vehicles, but analysts want to see it deliver.
Ride-hailing startup Ola bags $311 million funding from Kia Motors and Hyundai
Over four months of patience by Ola, a ride-hailing unicorn startup, has gained itself a $311 million (approx INR 2,223) funding from Kia Motors and Hyundai, reported Inc42. As per the sources, Hyundai has raised $297 Mn (INR 2,137 Cr), whereas Ola Electric has raised $14.8 Mn (INR 106 Cr) from the South Korean automobile makers. The sources also revealed that Hyundai has bought 8,04,592 shares worth INR 17,09,75,80,000 ($238 Mn) in ANI Technologies and 585 shares worth INR 85,49,90,955 ($ 11.9 Mn) in Ola Electric.
Taiwanese EV firm forms JV with Renon India to produce battery packs
Taiwanese electric vehicle (EV) maker Ahamani EV Tech has formed a joint venture with Gujarat based battery maker Renon India on Tuesday to produce battery packs for Indian Automobile market. The new joint venture aims to provide reliable & cutting-edge technology battery packs with higher lifecycle to automakers domestically as the EV market expands to meet evolving consumer needs and to address issues related to energy and climate change, the company said in a release.
Other interesting reads
Electric Vehicles to watch your moves, China moves ahead of India in two-wheeler race
A combination of factors has led to a significant demand contraction for commercial vehicles (CV) since the past one year, with monthly volumes dropping by half for several players and factories operating at just 25 percent of their full capacity.
India Electric Vehicle Ecosystem Market to Reach 216.3 Billion by 2030
According to a new market intelligence report by BIS Research, titled “India Electric Vehicle (EV) Ecosystem Market − Analysis and Forecast 2019-2030”, the India EV ecosystem market includes three major sectors, namely electric vehicle market, battery market, and charger market. The electric vehicle market, battery market, and charger market are expected to witness CAGRs of 53.64%, 58.86%, and 59.58%, respectively, during the forecast period.
Lot of electric vehicles expected on the road from 2020, says Sunil Bhatnagar from Microlyte
At present, it is no revelation that we don’t see many electric vehicles on the Indian roads. The far and few in between that we see are limited to e-Verito cabs. This year, a few manufacturers did bring in new electric vehicles. However, it is quite clear that the masses haven’t adopted them yet. You can blame range anxiety or many other reasons for this. This though is set to change from 2020, says Sunil Bhatnagar, country head, energy division at Micromax. Sunil says that there will be many electric vehicles that will be on the Indian roads from 2020. The theory is that by 2020, India will be a bit more ready than what it was before.
How India Adopting EVs has Benefitted Mahindra?
Mahindra, the biggest electric car seller in the country, terms its eVerito “India’s first electric sedan”. Its electric 3-wheeler range Treo and Treo Yaari — India’s first lithium-ion electric 3-wheelers — is also witnessing a great adoption. As the company sees the future of the mobility as both electric and digital, the daunting task of handling data and maintaining an agile, scalable and secure workflow — anticipating millions of connected electric vehicles soon on the Indian roads — is what concerns Mahindra Electric the most.
The electric vehicle market is exploding but India is far from equipped for it
Almost a quarter of way into the 21st century, we’re witnessing a pivotal moment in the automobile industry, with electric vehicle technology moving from an uncertainty to a definite reality. Some experts see the global market for EVs exploding, from the two percent currently, to over 30 percent by 2030. Notably, India sees a similar forecast but we’re far from equipped for it. Of course, at the heart of it is the electricity that’s needed to keep these vehicles running. But equally dramatic is the race to manufacture EV batteries to store that energy.
Global trends
New launches
Mercedes Benz launches first electric vehicle in Australia
A first for German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz, the EQC 400 4Matic electric SUV starting at $137,900 launches next Monday in Australia showrooms. Representing the Mercedes-Benz brand has no doubt been first and foremost on the minds of the German carmaker’s engineers, who have poured all the comfort, performance, safety and luxurious practicality they can into this electric driving machine.
Investments
AUDI plans spend €37 billion on e-mobility by 2024
AUDI AG has planned a total amount of approximately €37 billion for research and development expenditure and investment in property, plant and equipment over the next five years. Against the backdrop of its roadmap towards electrification, the manufacturer is planning upfront expenditure of €12 billion solely for electric mobility – more than ever before. The successful Audi Transformation Plan (ATP) is freeing up the necessary funds: Since the start of the program, the ATP has already contributed €4 billion to earnings.
Kumpan Electric receives multi-million dollar investment
E-Bility GmbH, the company behind the German electric scooter manufacturer Kumpan Electric, has received an investment in the lower two-digit million range in a financing round and has also taken over the Berlin-based electric scooter company Scrooser.
Europe invests heavily in electric vehicle battery production
Europe is sometimes — often, even — chided for its slow decision-making, which is seen by many as a product of being a “Club of 27” and the need to gain consensus for coordinated action.But a recent FT article describes an impressively fast response to Europe’s realization that it is being left behind in the lithium battery industry and, by extension, the wider Electric Vehicle (EV) market.
GM, Korea’s LG Chem to build electric-vehicle battery factory in Ohio
General Motors and Korea’s LG Chem have formed a joint venture to build an electric vehicle battery cell factory near Lordstown, Ohio, east of Cleveland.The companies also will work together on battery technology to bring down the cost for future GM electric vehicles.
Other interesting reads
California cuts electric-car rebates, drops luxury models
State regulators have stopped offering rebates for buyers of electric cars or plug-in hybrid vehicles that cost more than $60,000 — a move that will make buyers of high-end Tesla models dig deeper into their pockets.
Poland: High subsidy for low-cost electric vehicles
In August 2019, 6,672 electric vehicles drove on Polish roads, with a share of just 0.2%, Poland is at the bottom of the league in Central Eastern Europe. Nevertheless, or precisely because of this, the Polish government has set itself ambitious targets for e-mobility. But the new funding programme is controversial, as Aleksandra Fedorska reports.
LA Aims for Ambitious Electric Vehicle Goal By 2028
In the interest of pushing electric vehicles in the region forward, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator just introduced a new plan it’s calling Zero Emissions Roadmap 2.0. The plan addresses multiple targets, but the end goal is getting 80 percent of all new vehicles sold in the region to be electric by 2028.