Mention
Electric 3-wheeler market hots up as cos look at alternate mobilityedit
The electric threewheeler market is suddenly red hot right now as a host of technology startups and vehicle manufacturers look to enter alternative mobility. First, Chetan Maini co-founded Sun Mobility announced its tieup with Piaggio to launch electric Ape three wheeler variants on their swappable battery architecture. Now Bengaluru-based Altigreen is all set to roll out cargo and passenger three-wheelers based on their own patented drivetrain platform through ‘multiple’ OEM partnerships.
Industry
BEST Tenders for 200 Electric Buses in Mumbai Under FAME-IIedit
The Brihan-Mumbai Electric Supply & Transport Undertaking (BEST) has issued a tender, inviting bids from eligible firms for the public transport of 200 MIDI Electric Buses in the city of Mumbai and its extended suburbs on a Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model under the Fame Scheme Phase II.
How electric mobility will ensure a clean, green, responsible Indiaedit
India’s electric vehicle goals are set to flourish as Niti Aayog, the government’s thinktank brandishes the emobility mantra. The government aspires for a greener India by emphasising on the sale of only electric vehicles by 2030, or have a large percentage of EVs on the road by then.
Nagpur Set to Procure 40 Electric Buses Under FAME Programedit
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation has issued a Request for Proposal (RfP) to select a bus operator for the procurement, operation, and maintenance of 40 midi electric buses on gross cost contract services. The tender is floated under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles II (FAME II) program. The selected operator will also be responsible for the establishment of charging infrastructure, including the electrical and civil infrastructure, at the depots for ten years. The scope of work includes the manufacture and supply of electric buses, as well as the operation and maintenance of buses on the routes specified by the authority.
Vehicles double as Mumbai roads stay same in 10 yearsedit
This decade saw traffic flow choke up with the number of vehicles more than doubling but the city’s road length remaining consistent at about 2,000km. Transport department statistics show there’s been a 109% rise in vehicles between 2009-10 and November 2019 (see box). There are 22 lakh bikes registered, translating into 1,100 bikes for every km, and with 150 new cars and SUVs (10.6 lakh in all on streets now) on average hitting the roads daily, problems like severe traffic congestion, dearth of parking slots, noise and air pollution have peaked.
After a tough year, auto industry hopes for smooth drive from H2 2020edit
The year 2019 has been one of the toughest for the automobile industry, with a 13.8 per cent drop in domestic sales from January to November 2019. Despite challenges, 2019 saw new brands coming in, mergers and partnerships and new model launches as the industry is optimistic about 2020.
Getting it right on electric cars, mostlyedit
Earlier this year when NITI Aayog asked all two- and three-wheeler manufacturers to submit a plan to phase out fossil-fuel (internal combustion) engines by 2025, it had sent the entire automobile industry in a tizzy, not just two-wheelers. Although most auto firms were getting ready to roll out electric cars—around a dozen launches are planned for next year—no one wanted a diktat from the government.
Competition
Electric two-wheelers don’t require charging infrastructure: Naveen Munjal, Hero Electricedit
The biggest concerns over the adoption of electric vehicles in India are the lack of charging infrastructure and the length of charging times. But ever so often, it has been said by people in positions that can make a change that a good approach to a smooth transition to electric mobility is to begin with public transport and two-wheelers.
Zoomcar prepares to be electric vehicle-driven by 2025, plans expansionedit
Sequoia Capital and Mahindra & Mahindra backed self-driving car rental Zoomcar is betting on the electric vehicle (EV) segment and plans to add 2,500-3,000 more EVs. The Bengaluru-headquartered firm currently operates a fleet of 500 EVs, which it claims is growing four times year-on-year. The company, which rents cars by the hour, day, week and month, has Mahindra E2O Plus and Tata E Tigor available on the platform for which it charges a subscription fee of Rs 15,000-20,000 per month. It is soon planning to add new Tata Nexon to its fleet of EVs.
International
Will an €11 billion investment in electric mobility help redeem Volkswagen?edit
Volkswagen has spent the better part of the current decade dealing with what is now colloquially referred to as Dieselgate. In the aftermath of the accusations and revelations, the German automotive behemoth has paid and contested massive fines in different countries across the world.
Alternet Systems $100 mn E-Mobility Investment Campaign Gains Momentumedit
Alternet Systems, Inc. (ALYI) has announced a new interest in the company’s recently announced USD 100 million investment campaign to fund regionally specific electric mobility technology research and development and production. The firm is currently developing USD 300 million in electric vehicle projects in Africa targeting the shared-ride market. The company has signed orders for electric motorcycles with a sidecar to be produced in Kenya for shared-ride providers in Kenya.