[TejasKinger]

On a slightly side note here, I've come across these two reviews on YouTube of the prototypes of the Tata Indica Vista EV and the Tata Bolt EV. Interesting to see the progression over the years. Sadly neither of the two concepts have seen the day.

Tata Indica Vista EV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBOAksn6H6Y

Tata Bolt EV:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DxP2LLGM3M

The Bolt actually seems to be nice. If only they could sort out the range issues. There is also another first drive report of the Mahindra Verito EV by Overdrive
Sadly, there aren't any other credible reviews about these offerings in the mainstream media.

[kbishwa]

With the decision to procure 10 thousand EVs, the government has made it clear that they mean the 2030 plan. Now, for any head start the government initiatives are paramount. And the breakthrough will happen when the above 10 k target is achieved in a given timeframe.
There is an opportunity for Indian players and one should come forward the Relianace (Jio) way. Disruptive innovation is knocking at the door, and the agility of the players would decide their future existence.

[nikhilck]

I applaud the govt... high time we move away from the oil that causes wars, corruption etc... the big oil has held back patents and delayed the development of electric cars. It's time to embrace the future... and as always..america leads the way...

[Anuruddhs]

I think its a good step to relate people with EV's so that people slowly starts moving towards EV's when India is ready. They have basic infrastructure ready and can relate to how EV's ownership is .

[JozfGT]

Another relevant point to be considered in this situation is, do we have enough lithium to fill our needs ? The answer is clearly a big "NO". We might be able to hold up for another couple of generations, not beyond. Same is the case for the known substitutes for lithium.
And we should also consider the amount of chemical reactions required to obtain lithium from its resources, this also causes a big amount of pollution.
Considering the amount of pollution from the lithium mining,power to recharge the batteries and during the disposal, Is EV really worth it ?

[kbishwa]

Your concerns are valid! However, technology evolves, if no Lithium then something else.

Most of the things are relative, including pollution levels, and an EV is far far better without any doubt. And, there are disposal and recovery methods well in place to take care of that.

[vamsi.kona]

Just saw on CNBC that Govt (EESL) has relaxed certain norms allowing Tata Motors to be part of the bidding process for 10,000 electric vehicles. Not sure about details but one of the norms seems to be with regards to the length of the vehicle.

[k88k]

Norms relaxed to accommodate more players. Vehicle need not be a sedan. So this should open the gates for eNano, eTiago and the like, news on which has been in circulation in recent times.

Government tender for electric cars revised to include more companies

[speedmiester]

Tata Motors has beaten Mahindra electric and other players to bag the Government order to induct 10000 electric cars into their fleet.

The cost of the cars are in the range of 10.16L excluding GST.

Tata-motors-bags-order-for-10000-electric-vehicles-from-centre

First lot of 500cars are scheduled to be delivered in Nov 2017. That is hardly couple of months away.

Hope they introduce the EV into mainstream markets as well.

[appu.bhandari]

Just weeks after it showed off the Electric Tiago, Tata Motors has bagged the contract to supply 10,000 Electric Cars to EESL.

Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) on Friday said that it will procure 10,000 electric vehicles from Tata Motors after the latter emerged as the lowest bidder in a competitive bidding process. Tata Motors quoted the lowest price of Rs 10.16 lakh, exclusive of GST, in the bidding process. The vehicle will be provided to EESL for Rs 11.2 lakh, which will be inclusive of GST and a comprehensive 5-year warranty. At this price, the car will cost 25% less than the current retail price of a similar e-car with a 3-year warranty

Link

[sri_tesla]

As per LiveMint article, Tata will be supplying electric variant of Tigor compact sedan.
Tata Motors will be supplying the electric variant of the Tigor compact sedan as part of the contract, said a Tata Motors executive, requesting anonymity.

http://www.livemint.com/Industry/k7g...es-to-EES.html

Another interesting thing is, Mahindra can match the TATA bidding price and get 40% (4,000 vehicles) of the order. If Mahindra is not ready then entire order goes to TATA.

I hope this program will be very successful like LED distribution scheme and push companies invest more in EVs and develop dedicated EV platforms in future.

[VKumar]

This is going to benefit Tata motors more than any other party. In fact, IMO, this can be a chance for them to rise up as the flag bearers of the EV disruption in the Indian market.

10,000 is not a small volume and is enough as a number to test the waters in all three ways:
1) Real world analysis of battery and vehicle performance
2) Warranty and after sales costs
3) Customer perception

In my opinion, it is a golden opportunity earned by Tata motors and they should now, very quickly work towards rolling out some EV examples in passenger car market too.

Where the issue lies? Infrastructure and power supply issues. If batteries can be charged, EVs will keep going and even at a higher momentum. Aha, I have just got a new topic for writing another research paper.

[catchjyoti]

Mahindra has matched Tata's bid for supplying electric vehicles to government. As such they will supply 150 out of the 500 in phase 1. And 350 will be supplied by Tata.

In phase 2 too, they can supply upto 3800 but may elect to supply a lesser number. Tata will supply the rest.

More details below...

NDTV article

[Nonstop-driver]

Originally Posted by VKumar

Where the issue lies? Infrastructure and power supply issues.

These Tigors have a 100km range. Might be okay for the government tender but commercially, this is a problem. For the market at large, it will be seen as the spare vehicle in the household, used to run local errands, and priced at 7-10 lakh, it will have very few takers. Probably Tata wants to develop a commercially viable range per full charge before going all out with its EV plans.

[airbender]

Originally Posted by Nonstop-driver

These Tigors have a 100km range. Might be okay for the government tender but commercially, this is a problem. For the market at large, it will be seen as the spare vehicle in the household, used to run local errands, and priced at 7-10 lakh, it will have very few takers. Probably Tata wants to develop a commercially viable range per full charge before going all out with its EV plans.

Minimum range per the tender is 120KM.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...cle9889051.ece

He said M&M is offering a larger car with a battery that has a drive range 40km more than the required 120km range in the tender.