[airbender]

I think automakers a missing a point here. Why not have manufacturing base here and export. Costs will be lower. If Tesla can do a Giga factory and Model 3 in india and export it from here and sell it localing won't it be two birds with one shot. Localling assembled Model 3 will be much cheaper than the competition and also Giga factory will also have non-auto uses for its batteries like generators.

[dZired]

Rumour: Nissan might bring Leaf EV to India on trial basis

Nissan is considering a launch of its Leaf electric vehicle in India by the end of this year. The Japanese manufacturer is planning to keep it a low volume initiative in order to gauge customer response.

The above information was shared by Colin MacDonald, CEO and managing director of Renault Nissan Automotive India. Colin also stated that the said plans are still under evaluation and a final decision is yet to be taken. The India-bound model will essentially be the new-generation Leaf, which is expected to be globally unveiled in September 2017.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP News

[centaur]

Originally Posted by dZired

The India-bound model will essentially be the new-generation Leaf, which is expected to be globally unveiled in September 2017.

The date is now set to Sept 6th for the launch

[vishy76]

Was glancing through the TOI today and came across this article which said:

Nissan may make budget e-car in India

Some key points:

• Nissan Motor's budget E-car may be the cheapest private electric vehicle in the country, cheaper than the Mahindra e2o
• A price of around 7 lakhs is expected

This is what Nicholas Thomas, global director for Nissan's electric vehicles had to say:

If you want to sell electric cars with significant volumes in India, you have to make them there. We are considering this (local manufacturing)as part of a study.

These were the words said when he was asked when the car would be expected:

We've had many rounds of discussions with the Indian government on this issue. Though their target of having electric cars by 2030 is very clear, there is no clear roadmap on how to get there.. We need more clarity

When it comes to battery costs, Thomas said that although battery costs have come down over the last few years, they are yet to reach affordable levels. He also highlighted that government subsidies were the only way to offer affordable EVs.

It is to be noted though that this is not the first time Nissan has contemplated an electric vehicle for India. The nissan Leaf is currently being considered as well ,but it will be a CBU which will attract 200% taxes, thus making it a niche product.

Source- TOI

Nissan is considering the leaf for India, but as a niche CBU only:

[GTO]

Originally Posted by vishy76

Was glancing through the TOI today and came across this article which said

Technology could be a game-changer. As things stand today - and as the last decade has proven - nothing will change Maruti & Hyundai's combined 70% hold over the market. Sure, the number 3 will change from time to time (Tata, Mahindra or Honda), but most car makers are really fighting for scraps.

However, if Nissan / someone else is able to offer a better EV solution than Maruti or Hyundai, they could gain a HUGE advantage. Maruti knows this - that's why it got petrified & ran to Toyota for a tech partnership.

[///RMan]

If Nissan launches it here or not remains to be seen, a first gen Nissan Leaf sure has hit the streets of Mumbai.

Picture via Mahir Javeri

[ecenandu]

Originally Posted by ///RMan

If Nissan launches it here or not remains to be seen, a first gen Nissan Leaf sure has hit the streets of Mumbai.

Picture via Mahir Javeri

Attachment 1755912

Wow, it's a long car. Long for a hatchback. It doesn't make much sense to introduce it without sufficient infrastructure. But again, you need cars to justify the investment from government/private players in the necessary charging infrastructure.

As a second car for city runabouts, grocery shopping, visits to malls, school duty, etc it does make sense, as a primary car, I don't think so.

[///RMan]

Originally Posted by ecenandu

Wow, it's a long car. Long for a hatchback. It doesn't make much sense to introduce it without sufficient infrastructure. But again, you need cars to justify the investment from government/private players in the necessary charging infrastructure.

Gotta agree to the infrastructure point. But atleast some full-electric cars are coming in (apart from the home-grown ones like the E2O, eVerito and the upcoming Tata electric line-up, which is a commendable effort,no less). We can only hope that it just might wake up the officials in the right places to get the required infra in place.

[TRANSAM]

Just saw another white Nissan Leaf with MH 04 plates, looks pretty good in person and has a long front end. Should do well once launched here.

[premc44]

I have just returned from Norway after visiting my daughter and family. There are many advantages in owning an electric car in Norway. In addtiton to the low tax on the price of the car, substantial saving can be made in the maintenance of the car, as electric cars are totally exempted from paying toll charges., which has been increased substantially in the last few months. As an incentive, more and more charging stations are coming up. Most of the new houses have charging stations in the garage or can be equipped to have one. But then, electricity is very cheap in Norway. Norway has the largest population of electric cars, it is the biggest market for Tesla, outside USA and Nissan Leaf is a common sight on the roads, in spite of the 6-8 months waiting list. Leaf has a deceptively spacious interior, but the tall hump in floor makes it difficult for the third person in the rear bench. We test drove the Leaf as well as the Hyundai Kona. Both are impressive with smooth ride and effortless driving. Kona is better looking, but has a longer waiting period.
To be viable in India, the Govt should give subsidies on the car tax. If you have to charge your car every night, what will be your electricity bill like? These are some things to be thought about. Like Tesla did in Norway or the US, will our Nissan India increse their dealership network and have charging facilities in at least major towns and cities ?
No doubt, electric cars are fun to drive and good for the environment, but a lot of infrastructure logistics have to be considered for it to be viable on a large scale.

[CoolFire]

Nissan India President Thomas Kuehl confirms plans to launch the Leaf in India (news in today's Economic Times, couldn't find the online link). Test drives are to start soon. No production plans though and it will be a CBU, probably just a halo model.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by CoolFire

Nissan India President Thomas Kuehl confirms plans to launch the Leaf in India (news in today's Economic Times, couldn't find the online link). Test drives are to start soon. No production plans though and it will be a CBU, probably just a halo model.

Here is the link,

Link

the focus would not be to make it cost competitive in the initial phase. The EV will also not see a big volume launch in India.

Nissan plans to bring a fleet of the Leaf 2 for test drives in Chennai, where its 650-acre plant with Renault is located

[CarguyNish]

Nissan Leaf EV India launch in 2018

World’s best-selling EV will come in as a CBU

The model will finally go on sale in the latter part of 2018, most likely in the fourth quarter

With an expected price in the Rs 40-50 lakh bracket, it will be projected as a technology demonstrator for Nissan.

The second-gen Leaf is powered by a 40kWh battery (up 10kWh from the previous-gen vehicle) and makes 140hp (up 40.4hp from the current 30kW battery range-topper). The claimed range for the Leaf is 400km (up by 280km) under the Japanese driving cycle and 380km (up by 129km) under the New European Driving Cycle.

The Indian government plans to have uniform charging infrastructure called Bharat EV Charger across the country but till the time the network becomes widespread

Source

[tsk13]

I'd spotted the Nissan Leaf EV in New Delhi a month back.

Thanks to the Home Minister aka Wife for taking the pics while I was on wheel!

[mohanphadnis]

Originally Posted by tsk13

I'd spotted the Nissan Leaf EV in New Delhi a month back.

A passively thermal managed battery pack in a country where temperature regularly hits 40+ Centigrade seems like a bad idea.