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Big shift: Tata Motors to supply 25,000 e-taxis to Uber
- by Bhushan Mhapralkar
- February 22, 2023
Under the Xpres brand that it launched exclusively to cater to the needs of taxi fleets in July 2021, Tata Motors has signed an MoU with Uber to supply 25,000 Xpress-T electric sedans to be operated under the latter’s premium category. The EVs are a close cousin of the Tata Tigor EV which was launched in 2021 and subsequent updated in 2022.
Supporting Uber in its commitment for cut down carbon emissions, the Tata Xpres-T electric taxis are available in two range options – 315 km and 277 km. They pack a high energy density battery of 26 kWh and 25.5 kWh respectively. The batteries can be charged from 0 to 80 percent in 59 mins and 110 mins respectively by using fast charging. They can also be normally charged from any 15 Ampere plug point, which is easily available and convenient.
Fitted with a single-speed transmission, the electric taxis feature dual airbags, ABS and EBD as standard. Their convenience features include automatic climate control and ‘Electric Blue’ accents across the interior and exterior to differentiate it from the fossil fuel powered Tigor cars.
Set to add to the rising fleet of electric taxis in India – there are an estimated 8000 of them on the roads – the agreement to supply 25,000 Xpres-T taxis to Uber by Tata Motors indicates how the rising scale could help build an effective local supply chain and infrastructure, both of which will drive the initial acquisition price lower. While concerns regarding the quality of EVs – India has about 13,34,385 of them – is there, a robust local supply chain and skill development at the manufacturing and service levels would help immensely.
With the Tata Motors and Uber announcement not the first of its kind in the country (Ola announced it will launch 10,000 EV cabs in January 2023), experiments like those in Nagpur to run a fleet of EVs by Ola should be looked upon as a learning tool. With scooters, mopeds and motorbikes dominating the Indian market and seemingly the EV market as well (with the inclusion of electric three-wheelers that are used as commercial vehicles on the whole), the electric taxi category may not be big in numbers but good enough to draw attention on the roads.
James Hong, Head – Mobility Research, Macquarie Group may opine that EV adoption in cars is low, it is not unusual to stop a battery electric ‘white and green’ taxi in Delhi NCR. Electric cab hailing company BlueSmart began with 70 units in 2019 in Delhi NCR and has come to operate 680 battery electric cabs as of now. In 2022, the company placed an order for 3500 Tigor EVs (read this as Xpres-T EVs) as part of the journey to deploy over 100,000 electric taxis by 2025.
As the discussion about electricity to power these vehicles would from green or gray sources takes place among various quarters of the society in India, including technical circles, the fact is, Indian taxi operators are watching their market place evolve over time. They are watching how the initial acquisition prices have come down and the range has gone up. They may not be so much bothered about whether their EV has a sunroof or not, they are clearly concerned about costs and quality.
For me it is the operating costs and ease of maintenance that is important, mentioned a cab driver in Mumbai who first saw the Mahindra e-Verito car a few years ago. Tracking the rise in the number of EVs on the roads in his city from a price point of view since then, he is keen to seek a trade solution that will increase whatever little profit he makes today. The high CNG cost is ensuring that our cabs are no longer very viable as a business case, another cab driver in Mumbai quipped as he overheard the discussion with the earlier cab driver on a busy street in the mega city. If the operating costs are lower than the CNG cabs and the purchase price closer to a CNG cab, then it will be easy for us to shift to an electric taxi, he added.
- Montra Electric
- Tube Investment of India
- TII
- Murugappa Group
- electric vehicle
- electric Small Commercial Vehicle
- e-SCV
- Vellayan Subbiah
- TIVOLT Electric Vehicles
- TI Clean Mobility
Murugappa Group’s TIVOLT Electric Vehicles set to launch e SCV under Montra Electric brand
- by MT Bureau
- May 13, 2024
TIVOLT Electric Vehicles, part of Murugappa Group and a subsidiary of TI Clean Mobility, is gearing up to launch an e-Small Commercial Vehicle (e-SCV).
Once launched, the vehicle is expected to bring about a significant change in India's mid-mile and last-mile mobility sectors, thanks to its cutting edge technology, distinctive design, strong performance, and durable build quality. The company says the development of the e- SCV will be a culmination of extensive research and rigorous testing.
Founded in February 2022 as a subsidiary of Tube Investments of India (TI), TICMPL is foussing on clean mobility solutions. With the inclusion of e-SCVs as its fourth EV platform, TICMPL is now positioned to offer complete mobility solutions to enterprises and logistics companies, serving their needs across intercity, intracity, and last-mile applications.
Vellayan Subbiah, Executive Vice Chairman, TII said “Montra Electric represents our commitment to enhancing life through eco-friendly mobility solutions, ushering in a new era of growth and innovation for us. The electric vehicle industry is experiencing an exciting phase of development, not only in India but globally as well. We have dedicated our top resources and time to develop this product, and we are looking forward to the customer response upon its launch in the coming months. At Montra Electric, our goal is to offer products and solutions that are beneficial for both our customers and our business, ensuring practicality and sustainability.”
He further stated that India is poised to lead the global adoption of electric vehicles, second only to China.
“TICMPL is making impressive strides in the electric vehicle sector with a substantial commitment of INR 3,000 crore. Currently, we are developing four platforms, including the successful MHCV truck and electric three-wheeler already in the market. What excites me the most is our upcoming Small Commercial Vehicle (SCV) platform. SCV represents the largest category in the commercial vehicle segment, making our entry into this arena particularly thrilling. This segment is primed to adopt EVs swiftly, supported by policies, government initiatives, and increasing adoption rates. Our dedication to becoming the foremost player in this segment in India is unwavering. The TIVOLT e-SCV is poised to be a standout product, a definite winner in the market,” concluded Vellayan Subbiah.
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Add Comment- Mahindra Last Mile Mobility
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Sets Up Three-Wheeler EV Charging Stations In Mumbai Suburbs
- by MT News
- February 22, 2023
Mahindra Last Mile Mobility (LMM), a division of the Mahindra & Mahindra Group, has set up several charging stations near autorickshaw stands, auto driver home clusters and junctions. LMM has done this through strategic charging vendors. The division has done so to boost EV penetration in Mumbai and its suburbs.
Chargers have also been installed at Mahindra outlets and Mahindra Mitra Technician spots wherein customers can charge their three-wheelers. The charging points have been positioned in strategic locations like Malad, Kandivali, Mira Road, Navi Mumbai, Vasai, Virar, Andheri and so on. This is an ongoing process and the Mahindra team, along with key stakeholders, has identified additional charging spots in and around Mumbai and with due approvals, will commence work. The auto driver partners, too, have been notified of these additional charging points.
In addition to this, more than 60 mechanics have been trained by LMM’s service personnel to handle Mahindra three-wheeler EVs.
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Six robust DC fast EV charging stations have been installed at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). They are available for service as Public Charging Stations (PCS) for passengers as well as guests visiting the airport.
The EV station at Terminal 1 is at P1 - Multi-level Car Parking (MLCP). At Terminal 2, it is at P5 – MLCP. There is another station at the Airside of Terminal 2 as well. The owners of private EVs and commuters who will avail of the charging stations at MLCP in either terminals will be billed only for the charging sessions. They will be given a deduction against the parking fees.
Adhering to all the requirements, policies and protocols outlined by the regulators, the charging stations at either terminal of CSMIA are of the CCS Type II Dual Gun 60 kW and GB/T (DC 001) Dual Gun 40 kW Charger type and compatible with all the prevailing EV cars in the country. There would be augmentation of 60 kW and 240 kW capacity EV chargers to cater to the needs of Airside logistics.
CSMIA runs on 100 percent renewable energy with its onsite solar power plant, Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) and procures green power. For EV charging, the airport will source 100 percent green power, according to sources in the know of the development.
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Add Comment- BluSmart
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni
- MS Dhoni
- Cricket
- Sumant Sinha
- Sameer Tirkar
- responsAbility Investments
- Punit Goyal
BluSmart raises INR 2 billion in pre-Series B Round
- by MT Bureau
- July 15, 2024
BluSmart, a leading electric vehicle cab service and EV charging infrastructure network company, has raised $24 million (INR 2 billion) in pre-Series B funding round.
The company saw investment from responsAbility Investments (a leading impact asset manager); Sumant Sinha (a leading player in the Renewable Energy sector); MS Dhoni Family Office (former Indian cricket team captain); existing investors and BluSmart founders.
The funding the company says will be deployed to expand its operations in India, as well as grow its EV charging infrastructure and assets.
Interestingly, the company claims it has grown its fleet of 70 electric vehicles in January 2019 to 7,500 EVs plying across Delhi NCR and Bengaluru. Its EVs have clocked over half a billion (500+ million) electric kms and delivered over 16 million electric trips saving nearly 40 million kgs of CO2 emissions since launch. The company has over 9,800 driver partners and also operates one of the largest EV charging infrastructure with 50 EV Charging Hubs spread across 2 million sqft.
BluSmart states it recently crossed INR 5.5 billion ARR ($65 million Annual Revenue Run-rate).
Punit Goyal, Co-Founder, BluSmart said, “BluSmart is building an integrated energy-infrastructure, mobility and technology company to take the full advantage of the EV revolution. Our latest fundraise of $24 million is an important step in our journey to scale the e-mobility fleet and EV Charging Infrastructure.”
Sameer Tirkar, Head of Climate Infrastructure Investments APAC at responsAbility Investments AG said, “We are happy to continue our partnership with BluSmart through our second round of funding. BluSmart has been able to lead the way in building from the grounds up an entire EV ecosystem to disrupt the conventional modes of commute without compromising on reliability and convenience. We believe in their vision and capabilities in creating positive environmental and social impact by reducing carbon emissions in urban transportation.”
Sumant Sinha said, “The future of mobility is electric, and e-mobility is a crucial step in making the shift to cleaner, emissions-free transportation. India’s growing economy and favourable policies provide ample impetus to this transition. I am excited to partner with BluSmart in their growth journey.”
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