Tata Nano Electric Cabs started in Bengaluru

Motherpod Innovations Pvt. Ltd. has launched India's first all-electric cab service called SainikPod Sit & Go in Bengaluru. The service has been given the name SainikPod as it is managed by ex-servicemen.

This service uses retrofitted Tata Nanos made by the EV drivetrain company - Electra EV. The cars have a range of 120 kms between charges. The company also plans to build a network of charging stations for its fleet.​

• The service does not use an app. It is meant for people who find app-based ride-hailing services time-consuming.
• The cabs have a rooftop indicator; the passengers can simply flag down a cab with a green indicator on the rooftop and give a missed call on the phone number provided inside the cab to activate the service.
• ​The cabs feature partitions between the driver and the passengers and many other safety and social distancing features.

​"SainikPod is a unique Ex-servicemen (ESM) driven initiative, provides end-to-end Zero Carbon Footprint mobility solution. In addition to offering safety and security, this solution also achieves a major social objective of dignified resettlement of our exemplary Sainiks and their spouses," said Rama Subramaniam, promoter of MotherPod, and managing trustee, Sushil Swabhiman Trust.

​"We are proud to be strategically associated with MotherPod, whose niche fleet solution is unique and useful to urban commuters and imbued with noble intent, providing employment to ex-servicemen,” said Samir Yajnik, Executive Director, Electra EV, said.

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PluginIndia's Take
So, at last after so many years, we are actually seeing the Tata Nano in its electric avatar. The Nano electric car had been ready for use back in 2017, when the Pune based when the Electra EV converted the Tata Nano with a 48V system. We got to know that a large number of the all electric Nano was sold to Ola mobility. But for some reason, Ola never chose to deploy the Nanos. 
Apart from converting the Nano Electric, Electra EV also has worked with Tata Motors to convert the Tigor EV, which had a 72V architecture. They had also worked on an extended range Tigor EV, which gave fleet operators around 150-180 km real world range. Electra EV also has created a 96V system for the Tata Ace and also have worked on electric bus drivetrains. 

​So the electric Nano's being used by SainikPod Sit & Go, has components and the drivetrain from ElectraEV, which is India’s leading electric vehicles powertrain solutions company.

For a while, Jayem Automotive owned the Tata Nano brand, but recently Tata Motors and Jayem Automotives have discontinued their 50:50 joint venture and Jayem Automotive is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors. So it's upto Tata Motors to launch the Nano Electric. The all electric Nano is a perfect car for Indian cities. But for some reason Tata Motors does not want to launch it as they are worried that an affordable electric car would cannibalize the sales of their petrol Tiago, Nexon, Altroz cars.

But atleast in Bengaluru, you can enjoy a silent ride in the Nano thanks to SainikPod Sit & Go. 
If you are in Bengaluru, and use the service, do send us some photos and write to us about your experience!

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