EV Startup

Ola Electric to Launch Raahi E-Auto Rickshaw, Expands EV Portfolio

Published

1 month ago

October 16, 2024

Admin

Ola Electric is gearing up for an exciting expansion into the commercial vehicle market with the upcoming launch of its electric auto-rickshaw, named Raahi. This move is a significant step in Ola’s broader strategy to diversify its electric vehicle (EV) portfolio and meet the growing demand for eco-friendly transportation solutions in urban India.

Raahi E-Auto: A New Era in Urban Transportation

Raahi will compete with established brands like Piaggio’s Ape e-city, Bajaj RE, and Mahindra’s Treo. It promises to be a game-changer in the commercial vehicle space, offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative to traditional auto-rickshaws that run on fossil fuels. With Raahi, Ola aims to address the pressing need for zero-emission vehicles in Indian cities, which are grappling with air pollution and rising fuel costs.

The Raahi e-auto comes with a range of features designed to appeal to fleet operators and individual owners alike. It boasts a powerful, long-lasting battery that can be quickly charged, making it an ideal choice for busy streets and daily commutes. In addition, it promises lower operational costs, helping drivers and business owners save money in the long term. By introducing Raahi, Ola is paving the way for a more sustainable and cost-efficient mode of transportation for India’s growing urban population.

Ola’s Gigafactory and IPO Plans

The launch of Raahi is also part of Ola Electric’s larger vision to expand its manufacturing capabilities. The company is investing heavily in its gigafactory project, which will significantly increase production capacity and help meet the increasing demand for electric vehicles. This initiative is crucial as Ola Electric prepares for its Initial Public Offering (IPO), which is expected to raise Rs 5,000 crore. The funds raised will be used to accelerate Ola’s growth, enhance vehicle production, and boost R&D efforts.

Price Cuts and Record Sales in the Scooter Segment

Alongside the Raahi launch, Ola Electric has also made strategic moves to remain competitive in the electric scooter market. In February, the company announced price reductions for its popular S1 X+, S1 Air, and S1 Pro models. For instance, the S1 Pro’s price was slashed by Rs 17,500, bringing it down to Rs 130,000. These price cuts have significantly boosted sales, with Ola recording approximately 35,000 units sold in February alone—a year-on-year growth of nearly 100%.

Looking Ahead: Ola’s Vision for the EV Future

Ola Electric is not only transforming India’s electric vehicle landscape but is also poised to become a leader in the global EV market. With the launch of Raahi and plans for a gigafactory, the company is on track to revolutionize the way commercial vehicles operate in India. As the company prepares for its IPO and continues to innovate, Ola Electric is setting itself up for sustained growth and success in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle market.

Article By
Prashant Sharma

EV news

Tata Harrier EV Spotted Testing: ADAS Features and More Details Revealed!

Published

2 months ago

October 5, 2024

Admin

Tata Harrier EV Spotted: ADAS, AWD, Interior Details Unveiled

Tata Motors is preparing to launch the Tata Harrier EV in India by the end of this financial year. Built on Tata’s new Acti.EV platform, the Harrier EV will become the company’s flagship electric vehicle. It promises a host of advanced features, significant performance upgrades, and a modern design.

Spy Shots Reveal New Design Elements

Recent spy images from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, give a clearer view of the upcoming Harrier EV. The design closely follows the concept version displayed at the Bharat Mobility Expo. Notable exterior features include horizontal slats on the EV grille, Bi-LED projector headlamps, sequential LED DRLs, and a full-width light bar. LED fog lamps add to its futuristic look, giving it both style and functionality.

Advanced ADAS Features

The test mule includes Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). LIDAR on the front bumper and a windshield-mounted camera confirm the inclusion of advanced safety features. These may offer autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning, boosting both safety and convenience.

Refined Exterior and Interior

The test vehicle rides on normal alloy wheels with Apollo tyres (R17 235/66), unlike the EV-specific wheels seen earlier. Conventional door handles, blacked-out pillars, and ORVMs keep the Harrier’s familiar SUV aesthetic. The charging port is conveniently placed above the rear wheel. At the rear, connected LED tail lamps provide a premium feel with welcome and goodbye animations.

Inside, the Harrier EV shares much of its layout with the standard Harrier. Key features include horizontal air vents, a multifunction steering wheel, and a 12.3-inch free-standing touchscreen infotainment unit. Although a test version, the interior suggests that the final product will retain much of the ICE model’s design.

Tata Harrier EV Spotted: ADAS, AWD, Interior Details Unveiled pc:-cartoq

Performance and EV Features

The Harrier EV promises impressive performance. With a 60-80 kWh battery pack, it could deliver a range of up to 500 km. For added convenience, DC fast charging will be available, significantly reducing charging times and making it more practical for long-distance drives.

Additionally, Tata will offer All-Wheel Drive (AWD) for the first time. The Harrier EV will have a dual-motor setup, with one motor on each axle. This provides AWD, while a two-wheel-drive (RWD) version will also be available for a more conventional driving experience.

Enhanced Safety with ADAS

The Harrier EV will be packed with ADAS features similar to its diesel counterpart. These include forward collision warning, autonomous emergency braking, and rear cross-traffic alert. Tata is expected to improve the EV’s safety further with LIDAR and other advanced sensors.

Conclusion

The Tata Harrier EV is shaping up to be a feature-rich electric SUV, combining cutting-edge technology with Tata’s proven design language. With Level 2 ADAS, a dual-motor AWD system, and a 500 km range, the Harrier EV will make a strong impact in the Indian EV market. Its launch promises to bring an exciting blend of innovation and reliability.

Article By
Prashant Sharma

EV Startup

Locally-Produced Kia Electric Car Set for 2025: Affordable EV Revolution

Published

2 months ago

October 4, 2024

Admin

Kia India to Launch Affordable EV in 2025

Kia India plans to launch its first locally-produced mass-market electric vehicle (EV) in 2025, making affordable electric mobility more accessible. The company currently sells two premium electric models – the EV6, priced at Rs 60.96 lakh, and the newly introduced EV9 at Rs 1.3 crore. Both models are fully imported.

Kia aims to achieve annual sales of 4 lakh units in India by 2030, matching its sales in South Korea. In 2025, the company targets sales of 3 lakh units, a rise from the 2.5 lakh units expected by the end of 2024.

The company is also focusing on strengthening its presence in the SUV segment. However, it will not enter the micro SUV market. India is currently Kia’s third-largest market globally, highlighting its importance to the company’s growth strategy.

Kia’s “Kia 2.0” transformation strategy emphasizes technology, design, and luxury. This will reshape how consumers perceive automobiles in India and help drive their EV expansion.

Despite a slowdown in recent months, Kia expects strong sales during the upcoming festive season. The company is optimistic that festive demand will help recover recent dips.

With its EV plans and focus on SUVs, Kia is positioning itself for significant growth in the coming years.

Article By
Prashant Sharma

EV Startup

Vidyut Partners with JSW MG to Launch Affordable EV Ownership Program

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2024

Admin

Vidyut & JSW MG Launch EV Ownership Program

Vidyut has announced a partnership with JSW MG Motor India to introduce an innovative and affordable electric vehicle (EV) ownership program. This program is based on a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model, aimed at making EV ownership more accessible by reducing costs through a battery rental scheme.

Under the BaaS model, customers can purchase an EV without the battery, significantly lowering the upfront cost. Instead of paying for the battery upfront, owners rent it on a pay-as-you-go basis, paying only when the vehicle is in use. Rental fees start at INR 2.5 per kilometre, potentially reducing driving expenses by 40% compared to traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The program offers flexible financing terms between 3 to 5 years. At the end of the term, customers can choose to purchase the battery or continue renting it. Vidyut also allows users to exit the rental agreement anytime by paying the remaining value of the battery.

Xitij Kothi, Co-Founder of Vidyut, explained that the model shifts the perception of the battery from being an asset to a fuel-like cost, incurred only when the vehicle is used. This innovative approach has already seen success in the commercial EV sector through partnerships with Tata Motors and Mahindra.

MG EV customers will benefit from an assured 60% buyback value after three years of ownership, providing additional confidence in switching to electric vehicles. Vidyut aims to expand its successful commercial vehicle model to the personal EV market through this new collaboration.

With this initiative, Vidyut and JSW MG Motor India are working towards making EVs a more affordable and practical choice for Indian consumers.
Article By
Prashant Sharma