Maruti Suzuki India Limited unveiled its electric vehicle concept, Futuro-E
The number of auto makers that displayed and announced electric vehicles (EVs) at the concluding Auto Expo 2020 recently was astounding. Major four wheeler and two wheeler makers launched or announced the launch of their electric vehicle products at the event, spelling promise for the EV uptake in India in the years to come.
While a number of automakers announced vehicle launches there were some interesting and surprising unveils as well. Tata Motors, MG Motor India, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Mahindra were some major players that announced unveils at the Auto Expo 2020, which is the 15th edition of the event at Greater Noida, India.
Maruti Suzuki India Limited unveiled its electric vehicle concept, Futuro-E. It is an SUV (sports utility vehicle) under Maruti’s “Mission Green Million.” Mission Green Million is an initiative by Maruti Suzuki to sell one million electric cars within a stipulated time frame. Although market leaders in the ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle segment, Maruti Suzuki has indicated that an electric vehicle prototype is in the works and will be launched in the years to come. The company is in the phase of developing the technology and is banking on the uptake of the charging station ecosystem in the country in due course.
Tata Motors unveiled the Tata Sierra concept car, evoking nostalgic and awe simultaneously. Tata Altroz EV was unveiled and the launch is expected to happen sometime by the end of 2020. Tata Altroz has an electric power train based on the Tata Nexon EV launched recently.
Renault unveiled the Renault K-ZE, which is a budget electric car that is the electric Kwid. This is one of the few vehicles in the entry level EV space and will be launched in the Indian market by 2022. Another unveil at the Auto Expo 2020 pavilion was the Renault Zoe EV.
Mahindra unveiled a concept electric vehicle called the Mahindra eXUV 300 with a range of above 300 km on a single charge. Also at the Auto Expo 2020, Mahindra launched an EV called the e-KUV100 with an ex-showroom price of Rs.8.25 lakh (commercial). The company also unveiled the Funster Electric Concept at the ongoing expo.
Great Wall Motors (GWM) showcased the Ora R1, which is the world’s most affordable electric car. The car has a range of 350 km on a single charge and is priced at Rs.6.5 lakhs.
Haima, a Chinese car maker showcased the Bird Electric EV1 which is a small EV that the company wants to launch in India in the less than Rs.10 lakh range.
The wide range of EVs launched and unveiled at the Auto Expo 2020 indicates that the clean mobility transition in India is waiting to implode. Government subsidies and international pressure give an added push to the segment making electric vehicles the inevitable future of mobility across all segments in the automobile ecosystem in India.
image credit: Zigwheels.com
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