By Ranjan Ray
A public awareness initiative to promote the use of hybrid and electric vehicles, the FAME India Eco Drive was organized by the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Government of India in Association with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), SMEV and Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL).
The main purpose if the drive was to create awareness and buzz about clean mobility options.
The main purpose if the drive was to create awareness and buzz about clean mobility options.
Our Government means business!
@ the Iconic India Gate in Delhi
Here are some observations from the event :
- Mr Anant Geete, minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises and environment minister Prakash Javadekar were present for the occasion
- The ministers said that they expect to have around 60 Lakh (60,00,000) EV and Hybrid vehicles in India by 2020.
- Mahindra's Electric vehicles were displayed - The e2o, The Verito Electric and The Maxximo
- The Mahindra Verito electric sedan on display has a range of 110 km and takes 8 hours to charge. Mahindra says a fast charger option is being developed. Top speed being claimed was 86 kmph with 5 people and 150 kg luggage.
- The Mahindra Verito will be launched in a few months time.
- The BMW i8 was one of the highlight among 46 hybrid and electric vehicles that were present at the rally.
The BMW i8 has a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a 1.5-litre TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. While the engine efficiently produces 231PS of power and 320Nm of torque, the electric motor adds another 131PS and 250Nm to the i8 giving it a combined output of 362PS and 570Nm. The German carmaker claims that the i8 can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 4.4 seconds and hit a limited top speed of 250 kmph. - Other manufacturers participating were - Hero Electric, Tata, Toyota, Maruti Suzuki, Avon Motors, Lohia Auto.
Eco Drive - Video
Photos of the eco drive
All EV's !
The i8 with the Falcon wings :)
The i8 leads the e2o's
The BMW i8
The Maruti Swift hybrid
Hero Electric ebikes
Lohia and Avon ebikes
Verito Electric Sedan
Final Words
All in all a great initiative by the government of India!
We @ PluginIndia hope we have more events like this all across the nation to promote these green vehicles.
All in all a great initiative by the government of India!
We @ PluginIndia hope we have more events like this all across the nation to promote these green vehicles.