Mahindra Reva has managed to sell around 1000 e2o electric cars in the Indian market since its launch in March 2013.
Sales has not been encouraging due to variety of reasons. But all this could change once electric cars are used for in-city public transport. A company called Lithium - an electric cab startup, have begun operations with an initial fleet of about
100 electric cars.
Sales has not been encouraging due to variety of reasons. But all this could change once electric cars are used for in-city public transport. A company called Lithium - an electric cab startup, have begun operations with an initial fleet of about
100 electric cars.
Mahindra Statement to PluginIndia
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. (MREV) is actively supporting Lithium Urban Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Lithium) in creating the nation’s first fully electric-vehicles-based public commuting solution. Lithium is in an advanced stage of launching a pan-India fleet taxi service with 100% electric vehicles available on both kerb-side and on-call. The proposed services would be initially launched in Bangalore and will cater to both the retail consumers as well as the corporate segment.
Over the last few months Lithium has been actively working to promote the use of electric vehicles amongst large Indian IT and global corporations across various cities in India. These large corporations currently use large captive IC engine vehicle fleets for the daily transportation need of their employees. Their extensive market research across India and subsequent analysis proves that the duty cycle of the transport logistics is amenable to the usage of electrical vehicles for these operations. They have had very high levels of interests from many of these companies wanting to switch their incumbent fleets to electric fleets. A common phenomenon and need they see across various cities in India namely – Bangalore, Delhi - NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Kochi and Bhubaneswar amongst others. Given their market research, detailed discussions and an analysis of the interest evinced by these companies across India they are confident of the business case and see the potential for about 30,000 electrical vehicles to be rolled out for corporate taxi fleets over next 48-60 months.
Lithium wishes to start with a pilot of 100 vehicles in Bangalore for a group of IT companies for their employee commuting applications. These vehicles will become a part of the overall corporate taxi fleets of each of these companies and offer same services as that of any hatchback taxi. These vehicles will be charged using a MREV developed DC Fast charge station to enable them to cover the required distance during their duty cycle.
On the success of the pilot, Lithium will scale up the fleet size and add newer models with varying seating capacity gradually and eventually make it to 100% electric vehicle based corporate fleet.
On the basis of the same, MREV would plan to expand the network of public fast charging infrastructure.
Over the last few months Lithium has been actively working to promote the use of electric vehicles amongst large Indian IT and global corporations across various cities in India. These large corporations currently use large captive IC engine vehicle fleets for the daily transportation need of their employees. Their extensive market research across India and subsequent analysis proves that the duty cycle of the transport logistics is amenable to the usage of electrical vehicles for these operations. They have had very high levels of interests from many of these companies wanting to switch their incumbent fleets to electric fleets. A common phenomenon and need they see across various cities in India namely – Bangalore, Delhi - NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Chandigarh, Kochi and Bhubaneswar amongst others. Given their market research, detailed discussions and an analysis of the interest evinced by these companies across India they are confident of the business case and see the potential for about 30,000 electrical vehicles to be rolled out for corporate taxi fleets over next 48-60 months.
Lithium wishes to start with a pilot of 100 vehicles in Bangalore for a group of IT companies for their employee commuting applications. These vehicles will become a part of the overall corporate taxi fleets of each of these companies and offer same services as that of any hatchback taxi. These vehicles will be charged using a MREV developed DC Fast charge station to enable them to cover the required distance during their duty cycle.
On the success of the pilot, Lithium will scale up the fleet size and add newer models with varying seating capacity gradually and eventually make it to 100% electric vehicle based corporate fleet.
On the basis of the same, MREV would plan to expand the network of public fast charging infrastructure.
All electric cabs - Source Mahindra Reva
Some Other Observations
- 10 technology startups have already signed up for this service
- Lithium will charge companies monthly on a per-car basis irrespective of the miles driven
- Wifi availability inside the car
- GPS service
- Information like Charge, location etc is relayed back to the server
- Detection of unauthorized passengers is also sent to the server
- Lithium's fleet of e2os will contain DC quick charging port built in
- DC Quick charge stations will be installed by Mahindra Reva at corporate offices
DC Quick charge station developed in house by Mahindra Reva - Source Mahindra Reva
Multiple cars getting charged using DC Quick chargers - Source Mahindra Reva
Video
Thoughts and Questions
- Picking up and dropping corporate employees to their offices, will work for an electric car. The route is fixed, the timeslots are fixed and charging routine can be established.
- Corporates will have to pay Lithium a fixed cost and will also have to foot the electricity bill, as these cars are being charged on-premise in the offices.
- If Mahindra Reva ever decides to launch the Verito electric sedan, this model could also be used for that electric car.
The Verito electric goes 110 km, can be quick charged and has lots of luggage and boot space. Perfect for airport pickups and drops. - Do note that these DC quick charging stations will only be available inside corporate houses.
Thus these stations will be off limits to the electric car community - All e2o electric cars running in India cannot use these stations as they dont have the DC quick charge port.
- Mr Chetan Maini (when he was the CEO), tweeted to PluginIndia saying that the DC quick charge port would be offered as an upgrade package to customers - This was back in 2014.
Why Mahindra Reva are not installing these stations for normal users is a mystery. Just a few DC quick charge stations could help them sell many more electric cars.
Final Thoughts
So what do you think guys? Would this service help boost sales of the e2o electric car?
Do mention your thoughts and comments below!
So what do you think guys? Would this service help boost sales of the e2o electric car?
Do mention your thoughts and comments below!