We @ PluginIndia were fortunate to visit the Auto Expo 2016 @ Delhi. And yes, the main purpose of our visit was to highlight the EV offerings in India by established players, medium companies and young startups.
In this blog, we focus on the electric vehicles showcased by Mahindra Electric as they are the only major Indian manufacturer offering electric vehicles in India.
In this blog, we focus on the electric vehicles showcased by Mahindra Electric as they are the only major Indian manufacturer offering electric vehicles in India.
Mahindra Electric
As the only Indian car manufacturer offering electric cars for the Indian market, it was pleasing to see the 3 electric cars and an e-scooter on display.
The e-Verito Sedan
The Verito electric sedan has been showcased way back in 2013. They still haven't launched this for the Indian market.
Apparently the e-Verito will be launched in 2 flavors, sometime in April this year.
The top-end variant gets a quick-charge port which can be fully topped up in just two hours, but do note this would need a
3-phase connection. The normal AC charging would happen via a 15 Amp socket and would charge the car in 8 hours.
100 km of range , great boot space and comfortable seats makes it a very practical EV mainly for cities and that 300-400 km inter city drive - provided Mahindra installs QuickCharge stations.
Extremely promising sedan that has great potential in intra city fleets.
As the only Indian car manufacturer offering electric cars for the Indian market, it was pleasing to see the 3 electric cars and an e-scooter on display.
- The e-Verito Sedan
- The e2o sports hatchback
- The e-Supro mini van
- Mahindra GenZe 2.0 Electric Scooter
The e-Verito Sedan
The Verito electric sedan has been showcased way back in 2013. They still haven't launched this for the Indian market.
Apparently the e-Verito will be launched in 2 flavors, sometime in April this year.
The top-end variant gets a quick-charge port which can be fully topped up in just two hours, but do note this would need a
3-phase connection. The normal AC charging would happen via a 15 Amp socket and would charge the car in 8 hours.
100 km of range , great boot space and comfortable seats makes it a very practical EV mainly for cities and that 300-400 km inter city drive - provided Mahindra installs QuickCharge stations.
Extremely promising sedan that has great potential in intra city fleets.
e2o Sports car
Now this one was the most disappointing display from Mahindra Electric. Why disappointing? I will come to that.
The e2o Sport is also capable of a maximum range of 200 km on its fully charged 384 V battery.
Acceleration of 0-60 kmph at 4 seconds and astounding torque of 180 Nm (Newton meters).
Now, while the numbers are attractive, i'm disappointed at this direction taken by Mahindra Electric.
What was the need for making a sports e2o? If they wanted to showcase their tech know how they already did 2 years
back with Halo. What the Indian market needs is another option apart from the e2o - 4 door, more boot space - an electric with the size of, say the old i10. Instead they r showcasing this for which they won't be many takers.
Mahindra RnD spent 3 years developing this, effort and resources could have better spent working on a next model that actually will be practical and attractive to users to go for an EV.
If they absolutely wanted a sports car, they could have invested time and money in the development of Halo, which was showcased back in 2014. By now they could have a finished Halo and it could have been ready for export.
And the EU and American market would prefer a sports car like Halo than this boxy e2o sports thing.
I can see this 'concept', not going to be produced and sold anytime soon. Even if they do, will there be many takers? I doubt it.
Now this one was the most disappointing display from Mahindra Electric. Why disappointing? I will come to that.
The e2o Sport is also capable of a maximum range of 200 km on its fully charged 384 V battery.
Acceleration of 0-60 kmph at 4 seconds and astounding torque of 180 Nm (Newton meters).
Now, while the numbers are attractive, i'm disappointed at this direction taken by Mahindra Electric.
What was the need for making a sports e2o? If they wanted to showcase their tech know how they already did 2 years
back with Halo. What the Indian market needs is another option apart from the e2o - 4 door, more boot space - an electric with the size of, say the old i10. Instead they r showcasing this for which they won't be many takers.
Mahindra RnD spent 3 years developing this, effort and resources could have better spent working on a next model that actually will be practical and attractive to users to go for an EV.
If they absolutely wanted a sports car, they could have invested time and money in the development of Halo, which was showcased back in 2014. By now they could have a finished Halo and it could have been ready for export.
And the EU and American market would prefer a sports car like Halo than this boxy e2o sports thing.
I can see this 'concept', not going to be produced and sold anytime soon. Even if they do, will there be many takers? I doubt it.
Mahindra Supro electric
I was very impressed by this one. The e-maximo commercial vehicle is now modified and branded as an 8-seater that can also act as a commercial vehicle. 100 km range is very good for point to point good carriers. Lithium-Ion batteries will make it practical too. The Supro Electric is powered by a 73.2V AC induction motor that produces peak torque of 90 Nm.
The 8-seater gets disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The e-Supro will be launched by this year end.
I was very impressed by this one. The e-maximo commercial vehicle is now modified and branded as an 8-seater that can also act as a commercial vehicle. 100 km range is very good for point to point good carriers. Lithium-Ion batteries will make it practical too. The Supro Electric is powered by a 73.2V AC induction motor that produces peak torque of 90 Nm.
The 8-seater gets disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the rear. The e-Supro will be launched by this year end.
Mahindra GenZe 2.0 Electric Scooter
The biggie! We have observed the launch of this product in USA few months back and it was great to see it here!
The idea is to provide comfortable, inexpensive and easy urban mobility. GenZe, which stands for Generation zero emissions is completely designed and engineered in Ann Arbour, Michigan, USA by the startup GenZe backed by Mahindra.
The e-bike is powered by a detachable lithium-ion battery that can be charged from standard power outlet at one's home and charges completely in 3.5 hours. The open cargo can accommodate 35 kg worth of luggage. The motor is capable of offering quick bursts of power but tops out at around 50 km/hr.
The Mahindra GenZe 2.0 also incorporates a 7-inch touchscreen display unit which is big. The unit also allows the rider to switch between ride settings including Safe, Econ and Sport, which changes the torque output.
This wont be sold here soon, as it costs $3000 in the USA. Mahindra would really need to invest in manufacturing here to even have a chance of getting the costs down for the Indian market.
The biggie! We have observed the launch of this product in USA few months back and it was great to see it here!
The idea is to provide comfortable, inexpensive and easy urban mobility. GenZe, which stands for Generation zero emissions is completely designed and engineered in Ann Arbour, Michigan, USA by the startup GenZe backed by Mahindra.
The e-bike is powered by a detachable lithium-ion battery that can be charged from standard power outlet at one's home and charges completely in 3.5 hours. The open cargo can accommodate 35 kg worth of luggage. The motor is capable of offering quick bursts of power but tops out at around 50 km/hr.
The Mahindra GenZe 2.0 also incorporates a 7-inch touchscreen display unit which is big. The unit also allows the rider to switch between ride settings including Safe, Econ and Sport, which changes the torque output.
This wont be sold here soon, as it costs $3000 in the USA. Mahindra would really need to invest in manufacturing here to even have a chance of getting the costs down for the Indian market.
False Dawn? Where is the HALO?
"There is a plan to commercialize Halo, we are working on a bigger powertrain and a final design. It will take about three years to be production ready," Mahindra & Mahindra Executive Director, Pawan Goenka said this back in 2014.
But the Halo was not on display today and
The Halo sports 2 seater concept had everything looks, power and great features. Its a sports car that could have seriously been exported and also sold to enthusiasts here in India.
Sadly its another idea gone down the drain?
"There is a plan to commercialize Halo, we are working on a bigger powertrain and a final design. It will take about three years to be production ready," Mahindra & Mahindra Executive Director, Pawan Goenka said this back in 2014.
But the Halo was not on display today and
The Halo sports 2 seater concept had everything looks, power and great features. Its a sports car that could have seriously been exported and also sold to enthusiasts here in India.
Sadly its another idea gone down the drain?
Mahindra Reva is now Mahindra Electric
How about that ! No more Reva! The brand change makes sense actually!
How about that ! No more Reva! The brand change makes sense actually!
Mahindra are doing the right thing
Apart from being disappointed with the e2o Sport direction/no direction. It is a proud feeling that a major Indian auto maker is offering real EV's to the Indian market.
While other Indian companies like Maruti / Tata keep minting money launching antiquated ICE engine products that do more harm than good. Its very credible that Mahindra showcases EVs. That, i felt and appreciated.
We will soon do a follow up blog focussing on the other EV players. Stay Tuned!
Apart from being disappointed with the e2o Sport direction/no direction. It is a proud feeling that a major Indian auto maker is offering real EV's to the Indian market.
While other Indian companies like Maruti / Tata keep minting money launching antiquated ICE engine products that do more harm than good. Its very credible that Mahindra showcases EVs. That, i felt and appreciated.
We will soon do a follow up blog focussing on the other EV players. Stay Tuned!