The sunroof car is becoming more popular day by day. Earlier it was launched for some very luxurious car models only but now it is coming with budget cars also. Recently many newly launched compact SUVs have been equipped with sunroofs’ luxury feature.
Sunroofs are now an essential feature in Indian SUVs. In the last five years, it has been the most demanding feature by mid-range budget car customers. According to the JATO dynamics report, the demand for sunroof cars has increased by five times within the last five years. Once the sunroof was the luxury feature for the premium cars only, but now you can find this in common man cars also. The manufacturers are now providing luxury features like sunroofs in budget cars also.
Some budget cars with sunroofs are:
1. Mahindra XUV 3XO Sunroof Car:
The Indian Automaker, Mahindra, and Mahindra launched a compact SUV in the Indian market, the XUV 3XO. This compact SUV is the best car in its segment with the features like electric sunroofs.
Features and Specifications:
Variant MX2 Pro
Cost: 8.99 lakh
Sunroof: Panoramic
2. Hyundai Venue Sunroof Car:
Hyundai is the second-largest passenger car seller in India. It is the most-selling budget SUV, coming with sunroofs. The variants S Plus and S (O) have an electric sunroof.
Features and Specifications:
Variant Hyundai Venue S Plus
Cost: 9.35 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof
Variant Hyundai Venue S (O)
Cost: 10 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof.
3. Tata Punch:
The largest-selling car in India in the first half of 2024 is the truly Indian car Tata Punch. This car is famous as the smallest SUV among the other SUVs of Tata Motors.
That punch is the budget SUV of Tata Motors which comes under a Rs 10lakh budget. Its variant Acomplish (MT & AMT) and Creative (MT & AMT) comes with sunroofs under 10lakh. At the same time, the base price of Tata Punch is Rs 6.12 lakh.
Features and Specifications:
Voice assisted sunroof
Experience a world of openness, light, and style when you step into the world of the new Punch with a voice-assisted Sunroof. With a simple voice command, take control of the sunroof and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine without taking your eyes off the road.
Variant Tata Punch Acomplish (MT & AMT)
Cost: 8.34 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof
4. Kia Sonet:
Kia Sonnet is the most popular and largest-selling SUV in the Kia brand. Recently Kia has launched two compact SUVs of Sonnet with sunroof features. The Variant HTE (o) and Variant HTK (O) are with the sunroof features.
Features and Specifications:
Kia Sonnet HTE (O)
Cost: 8.28 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof
Kia Sonnet HTK (O)
Cost: 9.36 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof
5. Hyundai Exter:
Hyundai Exter is the best in the budget Sunroof car segment. The variants SX, SX Knight, and SXO are the budget Sunroof cars.
Features and Specifications:
Hyundai Exter Sunroof Variants:
Cost: 8.23 lakh
Sunroof: Electric Sunroof.
Conclusions:
Now Luxury is not only for high-segment groups. The manufacturers are offering many features in budget cars also, and many manufacturers in these segments of budget cars include features like sunroofs.
The Indian Car manufacturers Mahindra and Mahindra, Tata Motors, Kia, and Hyundai have already launched their products with these features in their budget car segments.
In the electric vehicles car market, many other great electric vehicle options have hit the market.
Electric Vehicles, loaded with various features and impressive ranges, like the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV6, and Chevrolet Blazer are hitting the electric vehicle market with attractive deals and financial offers.
TESLA:
Tesla is the largest electric vehicle seller in the U.S. market. Still, some other best alternative manufacturers and models are also available to give tough competition to the leading EV manufacturer Tesla.
At the beginning of the EV era, Tesla was leading the other manufacturers, but now it does not have as big a lead over its competitors. Though its EVs are still among the best, competing automakers have trapped up and have even surpassed Tesla in some areas.
12 Rivals of TESLA Electric Vehicles is different Technical Aspects:
1. BMW i4 electric vehicles:
The BMW i4 is the main rival of the Tesla Model 3.
# The cost of the single model i4 e-drive 35 is $52,200.
# The sprint time of this model is the same as that of the base model 3
# The range is up to 276 miles.
The longest-range model is the dual-motor $61,600 i4 xDrive 40, with a claimed EPA range of up to 307 miles and an acceleration time of 4.9 seconds.
Specifications at a glance of BMW i4:
# BMW i4 offers:
Power: 536 hp
Sprint Time to 60 mph of 3.7 seconds.
2. Hyundai Ioniq 6 electric vehicles:
Hyundai Ioniq 6, is launched with an aerodynamic shape and looks like a pebble- a design that seems to split opinions.
The new Hyundai and Kia EVs are coming with an E-GMP platform. This platform runs on 800 volts, which makes the car quick to charge and efficient.
The cost of the Ioniq 6 starts at $ 37,500 and can give 240 miles of range from its 53-kilowatt-hour battery and just 150 horsepower from a single rear-mounted electric motor. It achieves 0 to 600 mph in around 805 seconds.
The variant SE of Ioniq 6 costs $ 42,450 and delivers a range of 361 miles & quick acceleration with 225 horsepower and a bigger battery of 77.4 kWh.
The Ford Motor is manufacturing one of the more fun to drive electric crossovers, the Mustang Mach-E. It’s interior is very impressive and coming with a decent Range.
Specifications at a Ford Mustang Mach-E:
# Ford Mustang Mach-E base Model:
Cost: $41,990
Range: 250 miles
Battery: 58 kilowatt-hour
Power: 267 horsepower from a single rear-mounted electric motor
To upgrade for extended range of battery pack, it costs $45990 for a range up to 320 miles.
The drive unit gets more power to compensate for the heavier battery and still delivers a similar 6.1-second benchmark sprint time.
The Rally model Ford Mustang Mach-E, gives more power and allows you to have fun sliding around a dirt road at a vehicle cost of $60.900 only.
The luxury carmaker Lucid Air developed the most efficient and longest-range premium electric sedan on its proprietary platform of 900 volts. It is very comfortable, roomy inside, and even fun driving around a twisty road. This car provides balanced driving with precise steering that allows an accurate placement while operating on the road.
Specifications at a Glance of Lucid Air:
# Lucid Air Pure base Model:
Cost: $71,400
Range: 411 miles
Battery: 88 kWh
Sprint: 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds
# Lucid Air the Grand Touring Model:
Cost: $111,400
Range: 516 miles
Battery: 118 kWh
# Lucid Air Sapphire Model:
Cost: $250,500
The Lucid Air Sapphire is the top-performance model and is one of the quickest-accelerating cars on the planet with the combined power of three electric motors.
Mercedes launched its electric vehicles in a similar look to its combustion engine cars. To make it aerodynamic efficient and to maximize its interior space its EQS sedan looks egg-shaped. It may not be the prettiest sedan, but it’s far from being a luxury EV, with a futuristic interior and plenty of range from its big battery pack.
Specifications at a Glance of Mercedes-Benz EQS:
# Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ base Model:
Cost: $104,400
Range: 274 miles
Battery: 118 kWh
Power: 355 hp from a single motor rear wheel drive
# Mercedes-Benz EQS AMG Model:
Cost: $147,550
Range: 274 miles
Battery: 118 kWh
Power: 649 hp from a single motor rear wheel drive
Sprint: 0 to 60mph in 3.4 seconds
CONCLUSION:
Many top manufacturers are going ahead of TESLA in making electric vehicles and many are in the process just behind. There are many various best options to the consumers for going for an electric vehicle. Market is open and the manufacturers are in the race to compete with each other to give their best.
Fig: Jeep Wagoneer S Preproduction Model, the actual production vehicle and features may vary, coming late 2024.
The Jeep Wagoneer S is a premium SUV that offers excitement with every drive with fascinating all-electric vehicle performance,
Specifications Highlights of Jeep Wagabeer S:
600 Horsepower and 617 LB-FT of Torque
3.4-Second 0-60 MPH Time
300-Mile All-Electric Range
Available Radar Red InteriorSegment-Exclusive 19-Speaker High-Performance McIntosh Audio System
Dual-Pane Panoramic Sunroof
16-way Heated and Ventilated Power Adjustable Front Seats with Two-Way Lumbar Support, a Driver Memory Function, and a Massage Feature
Wagoneer S is the only Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) in its class to have Standard Heated and Exclusive Standard Ventilated Rear Seats
Best-in-Class 45 Inches of Total Display Screen Area Among EV ModelsSegment-
Exclusive Among EVs Standard Front Passenger Interactive Display
Over 170 Standard and Available Safety and Security Features
With a standard heated and ventilated 16-way power-adjustable front seat that can give you a massage and standard heated and ventilated rear seats, the Wagoneer S offers specialized comfort wherever you sit.
Before you get behind the wheel, the Wagoneer S offers excitement at a glance.
This premium SUV surrounds the driver with passionate style and relaxing comfort by merging classic silhouettes with sleek modernism on its exterior and offering personalized satisfaction throughout its cabin.
Sleek, Magnetic Exterior Style of Jeep Wagoneer S:
Stunning From the Start:
The Wagoneer S uses ultramodern flair to redefine the concept of a premium SUV with 20-inch gloss black painted wheels, an illuminated grille, and dark gray metallic exterior accents.
High Profile:
A sloping aerodynamic roofline cascades beneath a cantilevered rear spoiler, bridging function and aesthetics with its signature Wagoneer silhouette.
Heavens Above:
Enjoy the freedom of open air, warming sun, and inspiring stars with the standard dual-pane sunroof.
Best Face Forward:
The iconic illuminated Seven-Slot Grill lives on, offering onlookers a stylish flash.
Adaptable interior comfort:
Entertainment System:
Exhilarating All- electric performance:
The All-electric Jeep Wagoneer Rane Is 300 miles in a single charge.
High Energy:
The all-electric motor on the Wagoneer S carries powerhouse stats that speak for themselves.
Anticipate the Unpredictable:
The traction management system drive mode offers specialized Auto, Snow, Sand, Sport, and ECO drive modes with the click of a dial, managing vehicle traction to help make sure you can handle whatever is around the bend.
Technological Freedom at your Fingertips:
Simplified Wireless Connectivity:
You can control your vehicle from your smartphone using the Jeep app, Whether scheduling a service appointment, viewing critical insides of your vehicle’s health, or using remote convenience features.
Remote Climate Activation:
Using the Jeep app, you can remotely cool down your vehicle on a hot day or heat it up in the cold by activating the climate control system.
With Just a Touch:
The Wagoneer S allows you to personalize your experience, from choosing your entertainment to accessing comfort settings and information about your trip.
Charging Packages:
The Wagoneer S lets you choose between two convenient Free2move Charge packages. The available Free2move Charge Home Package lets you charge your vehicle in approximately 2 hours via a 48-amp Level 2 charging station that can be professionally installed for an additional fee by the Jeep partners Or choose the available Free2move Charge Go Package, which includes $600 in charging credits to be used at public charging stations around the country.
The Chinese automakers MG Motor and BYD have already arrived in the Indian Electric Vehicles market and now another Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer is ready to enter the Indian Electric Vehicles market. The company which was previously been in discussion with Sajjan Jindal’s JSW, will be announcing investments and India entry plans in partnership with the Stellantis group, which recently bought a stake in its global operations.
As per the Time of India Sources, “Leapmotor and Stellantis are likely to announce their plans to enter India, and this may happen as early as the next few weeks”. If the Indian government approves, the budget electric vehicles developed by Leapmotor will be launched in the Indian auto market very soon, which will intensify the competition in the green car space.
The collaborator Stellantis is one of the top automakers worldwide and currently runs a slew of brands across continents, these include Citroen, jeep, Chrysler, Peugeot, Fiat, and Maserati. The company Stellantis is already present in India through Jeep and Citroen and is now planning to go on overdrive when it comes to expanding operations, introducing brands, widening retail, or making new investments.
The global partnership between Stellantis and Leapmotor perhaps gives confidence to the Chinese company to make a bid for the Indian market, despite strict checks on investments from companies that originate from countries that share a land border with India.
The one Chinese carmaker BYD has already struggled, due to the government’s strict regulations, to expand in India after failing to get approvals from the government on its investment plans, despite making a bid with a local partner. On the other hand, MG Motor, owned by China’s SAIC group, had to finally give space to an Indian partner as Sajjan Jindal’s JSW bought a significant stake in the company with agreements to take up to 51% over the next few years.
Stellantis had announced plans to invest $1.6 billion in Leapmotor to acquire approximately 20% in Oct last year, emerging as a significant shareholder in the Chinese budget EV Company. The deal between the two companies also outlined the formation of a new entity called Leapmotor
International, a 51:49 Stellantis –a led joint venture that holds exclusive rights for the export and sale, as well as manufacturing of leap-motor products outside Greater China. The India entry plans are expected to be led by the new export-oriented entity.
Economies of Scale:Electric Vehicles
The only way for Stellantis to stay relevant is to have economies of scale with a competitive costing structure. Leapmotor can end up being the proverbial Knight in shining armor here where its Electric Vehicles range can hopefully generate the volumes and give a fillip to the overall business. or many years.
BYD is yet another Chinese auto brand that has been present in India focusing on electric buses through a collaboration with Olectra Greentech, a subsidiary of the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering. BYD has also entered the automobile arena with e6 and Atto 3 followed by the more recent Seal. The Chinese auto brand has emerged as the latest threat to Tesla’s dominance in the global EV space and will in all likelihood, race ahead and come out tops this year.
Strong Local collaborator:
India may be ready to allow Chinese investments into its auto domain going forward if one key criterion is having a strong local partner in place.
BYD, therefore, needs to find someone with the influence of a JSW Group, which has collaborated with MG Motor. Likewise, Leapmotor is in the Stellantis Kitty which has been around for some time, and operates from two facilities in Tamilnadu (for Citroen) and Maharastra (Jeep).
“Perhaps the future will see a Citroen-branded EV that is a Leapmotor product. MG motor was quick to realize that SAIC needed to be in the background since the Chinese association would have struck a jarring note in India.” Says an auto industry veteran. The Strategy worked and MG Motor, as the front face, tasted quick success with its Hector SUV and is now an established brand in this market.
It is still a million-dollar question if another Chinese automaker will be inclined to follow this route for India. Before tensions broke out along the border with Chinese troops attacking Indian armed forces, Great Wall Motors was all set to step into the General Motors plant at Talegaon near Pune, the needless aggression from China only saw relations with India nosedive with the result that all investments were put on hold.
Great Wall, motors waited for nearly two years but when became clear that nothing was going to change, the company wisely decided to park its investment in Brazil and Thailand. The GM plant finally went to Hyundai Motor India, which will now use it to service the western region as well as overseas markets.
Electric Vehicles in India are growing rapidly. It is a demand to go green and save the environment with sustainable development. In this way, alternative fuel vehicles are in global demand. Electric vehicles are the most popular and adopted way to go green globally. In India, many Indian manufacturers as well as foreign investors have already launched many brands in the Indian Market.
India is growing their EVs market in all segments like two-wheelers, Three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and commercial buses & trucks.
Indian Government has supported electric vehicles with several rebates like manufacturing rebates to the producers and tax rebates to the customers.
Despite that, there are still electric vehicles are still facing many challenges.
# Challenges for Electric Vehicles:
1. Mindset of the Consumers for Electric Vehicles:
The majority of Indian Customers are unaware of the impact of emissions on the environment and the after-effects of the same on future generations, so they are not very sensible to stop the pollutants and make their environment clean and green.
2.Affordability of EVs:
Even after government incentives and tax rebates, still electric vehicles are costlier compared to gasoline-engine vehicles. The running cost of these electric vehicles is less but the initial cost of purchasing the vehicle is high. The Indian government has reduced costs with FAME 2 incentives. The two-wheelers and three-wheelers can achieve cost uniformity and even reduce cost in the long term for vehicles operating in commercial activities. But we are behind in achieving this equality for four-wheeler segments.
3.Charging Anxiety with EVs:
Even though the electric vehicles market in India is growing and the consumer base is increasing day by day. Still, there is a fear in the mind of the electric vehicle driver of getting discharged their car vehicles in between trips. The charging infrastructure is not growing very rapidly in India; we have only 20,000 public charging stations to date. Many major players are in the field to develop the charging infrastructure but it will take a long time to come into existence.
4. Range of EVs:
The average range of Indian electric cars is around 350 to 400 k.ms and this is good for the city and around-the-city movement but in the end, there is always a fear of being discharged, during the trip.
5. Convenience: Charging a vehicle takes time to get it fully charged and is not as easy as re-filling the fuel in the vehicle. Even though the public charging stations are not very close around out of the city, it is also a tough job to get your vehicle fully charged. It takes a minimum of 30 minutes to 2 hours to get it at its full charge.
6.Regulatory Challenges:
The government policies and regulations are not very clear and consistent. The well-defined regulations, clear tax incentives & rebates, and setting clear targets for electric vehicle adoption can encourage investment and innovation in the sector.
#Opportunities of Electric Vehicles in India:
Apart from all the challenges with electric vehicles in India, there are many opportunities also associated with this like:
1. Government Support to Electric Vehicles:
The Indian government is committed to the development and promotion of alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles as part of these initiatives comes under the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) Scheme. The FAME is the financial scheme supported by the Indian Government to provide financial incentives for the adoption of Electric Vehicles.
2. Growing Market:
The urban population of India is growing rapidly and this population is of literate people, who are more concerned about environmental issues. As the awareness of a clean and green environment rises, more consumers are willing to switch to alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles are one of the best available choices to date.
3. Job Creation:
The electric vehicle development and growth create many employment opportunities in the fields of research and development, design, manufacturing, sales, service, and various sister concerns.
4. Innovations:
The Indian electric vehicle market provides opportunities for innovations in different areas like battery technology innovations, charging infrastructure development, and electric mobility solutions for the country’s special needs and challenges.
5. Rural Electrification:
The rural electrification initiative will be geared up with the adoption of electric vehicles, as this will accelerate initiatives like solar-powered charging stations. This could bring clean transportation options to remote areas.
6. Partnership and collaboration:
The Indian government, industry players, and academia can come together and in collaboration, they can drive innovations and accelerate the growth of the electric vehicle ecosystem. Partnerships with international players can provide new innovative technologies and even foreign investments.
7. Export Potential:
India has the potential to become a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles with a cost-effective and skilled workforce.
Conclusion:
This is the new era of alternative fuel vehicles and electric vehicles are one of the most popular globally. There are many of government support to promote electric vehicles in India. The government is providing many rebates and tax relaxation. FAME is employed to promote the faster manufacturing and adoption of electric vehicles throughout India. Even though, there are many challenges in the expansion of electric vehicles unawareness of Indian consumers, less and undeveloped Infrastructure like charging networks, High initial cost of the vehicles, etc.
Despite all the challenges, we should come forward to sustainable development to provide a clean and green environment for future generations.
In recent years, there has been a significant development in research for wireless charging technology for electric vehicles. Many different startup companies and even established companies like Tesla are working to develop various wireless charging technologies to make charging electric vehicles more convenient and efficient.
We are already charging our mobile phones without plugin it with the charger i.e. doing wireless charging of phones and it was a surprise for many people. We cannot overdo the value of taking concern about running out of power or finding a place to plug in.
Now in the same way thinking about the convenience for the Electric Vehicles. This wireless charging technology for electric vehicles are already active in some part of Europe and Asia and very soon expected in USA. It is an estimate that, the global the global wireless electric vehicle charging systems market is projected to exceed $825 million by 2027.
How the Wireless Charging or Inductive Charging System Works?
Inductive charging, which uses electromagnetic fields to transfer energy between two coils as one in the charging pad on the ground and another in the vehicle, is one of the most promising wireless charging technologies for electric vehicles. In this system, you need only to park your vehicle on the charging pad and there is no need to plug in any physical cable anywhere.
An engineer holds a smartphone displaying the Hevo Inc. app to charge electric vehicles with wireless technology at the company’s power facility in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Christopher Lee/Bloomberg News)
As the research is on its way, very soon a day will come, when plug-in cars may no longer need a plug. Electric car drivers is only required to park their car into a specific and designated space of charging, whenever their car needs to power up, and after parking there, wait for a light on their dashboard to switch on, and then step out of the car leaving it for getting fully powered.
This is the responsibility of distant electric vehicle charging, an inductive trade of electrons that would kill the requirement for that large number of tedious ropes. Different new organizations are attempting to make the dream a reality and investing years and looking for a world in which remote charging goes standard. Associations are joining everywhere in standardized development, automakers are leaving on remote tests, and regions are outlining use cases.
While charging without a rope sounds great on paper, the advancement faces the very peculiarity that is influencing the rollout of public fittings. More grounded buyer solicitation could push vehicle associations to take up remote charging, yet improvement in Electric Vehicle demand is perplexed slightly by concern about open charging.
Remote, wireless or inductive, electric vehicle charging works by using attractive resonation and a charging pad to make a power-conveying field. Right when a twist in a recipient under the vehicle lines up with a circle in the charging pad, the beneficiary gets that energy and feeds it to the vehicle’s battery. The development looks like remote phone charging, which moreover requires a collector and changed circles, but Electric Vehicles structures can work with up to 10 comedowns of division.
However, in any case, speed is a concern. Most distant chargers are similar to a Level 2 charger (the smart one you would use at home) and not the prompt current (DC) speedy chargers open at various public stations.
Advantages of wireless charging for Electric Vehicles include:
1. Convenience:
In wireless charging technology, users do not need to plug in their vehicles physically. This is the more convenient and user-friendly charging process.
2. Safety:
The wireless or remote charging technologies are equipped with safety features to prevent hazards such as short circuits and electric shocks.
3. Efficiency:
The wireless charging systems are automated systems with optimum efficiency and having faster charging times with better energy transfer.
4. Reduced Wear and Tear:
As there are no physical connectors, there is less wear and tear on both the charging infrastructure and the vehicle’s charging port.
Conclusions:
However, the wireless charging systems for electric vehicles are in the very early stages, many automakers and related companies are aggressively working on organizing wireless charging systems. Even though, many challenges like standardization, cost, efficiency, and infrastructure development are required to be addressed before bringing the wireless charging system into the mainstream for electric vehicles.
As the technology matures and standards are established, wireless charging for Electric Vehicles could become a more common feature in the automotive industry, offering Electric Vehicles owners a convenient and hassle-free way to charge their vehicles.
If you have any counter-opinions, or any reactions, clarification or questions, just put them in the comments box below. Thanks for reading…
In India, Hybrid Cars are going ahead of Electric cars. Indian Consumers prefer hybrid vehicles to pure battery electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are a blend of internal combustion engines and electric motors, while the only battery-powered electric cars only depend on electric motors powered by batteries.
Why Hybrid Cars are overtaking pure electric Cars?
#Hybrid Cars are Reliable & Affordable with low Maintenance Cost:
Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as these vehicles are reliable and affordable and the maintenance cost of hybrids is low. On the other hand, very limited range, lack of charging facilities and expensive insurance are the major concerns that the Electric Vehicles ecosystem needs to address effectively to make it easy for Indian customers.
# Hybrid Cars are Cheaper:
Hybrid cars are cheaper as compared to all-electric cars i.e. battery electric cars. The market researcher Jato Dynamics reports that the average retail price of a hybrid is 16.98 lakh while that of an electric vehicle is Rs 17.71 lakh. The total hybrid vehicles sales from January to December 2023 was 12.6 % of the total passenger vehicles sold whereas the share of electric vehicles was only 2.3%.
The president of Jato Dynamics, Mr. Ravi Bhatia says that the hybrids may continue to play a major role in an intermediate technology like Stepping Stone towards adopting a full adoption of electric vehicles and will help to educate and familiarize consumers with alternative fuel technologies to transit completely to electric mobility.
One of my known, who is an IT engineer, was initially planning to buy an electric version of Tata Nexon ev of having an Ex-showroom price of Rs18.69 lakh is changed his mind and opted for a hybrid Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta of price Rs. 18.33 lakh. He says the challenges of charging infrastructure and lower outstanding value made him go for a hybrid.
Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars:
#Range Anxiety:
The lack of enough charging stations creates range anxiety among potential electric vehicle buyers. Hybrids with their dual power source, offer the comfort of long-distance travel without relying solely on electricity.
# Affordability:
Compared with electric vehicles, hybrid technology is more mature and more affordable.
# Tech Familiarity:
The familiar combustion engine in hybrids brings down the apprehensions about new tech.
# Govt. Incentives:
While the Indian Government offers incentives for both electric vehicles and hybrids, policies often favor the hybrids.
# Urban Driving Conditions:
Stop-and-go traffic in cities favors hybrids as it switches seamlessly between electric and ICE power.
# Consumer Preference:
Many consumers are still hesitant about electric vehicles. Hybrids with a longer presence in the market, benefit from brand recognition and customer trust.
Conclusions:
Many car manufacturers swear that electric vehicle is the technology of the future, as they will help in meeting COP26 goals, and in going carbon neutral in the long term. However, not everyone in the automotive industry is convinced that electric vehicle is the solution.
“Electricity generation in India is largely through thermal means and hence electric vehicles don’t help in furthering COP26 objectives. Also, there are functional transportation needs in a growing economy. Electric vehicles with the high cost of acquisition and lack of charging infrastructure have limits in addressing this requirement”.
“We need to support all sustainable fuel technologies (hybrids/ethanol blended, hydrogen, and CNG) proportionately so that we can displace petrol and diesel.” Regulatory pushes, such as CAFE or corporate average fuel efficiency that requires companies to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency–– are pushing manufacturers to launch more models in different segments.
RC Bhargava, chairperson of the country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, says hybrids are much more acceptable to the customer as it is cleaner than EVs. He says, “We need to have multiple technologies at different price points catering to a diverse set of customers to cut down the carbon footprint.”
Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director of Maruti Suzuki, says the company will follow customer preferences “even as we meet regulatory requirements”.
The future, it seems, will be powered by many powertrains.
A well-known and established name in the Indian two-wheeler industry, Bajaj Auto is gearing up to surprise the market with its upcoming launch of a CNG motorcycle. This is a revolutionary development, which offers a potentially more cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative fuel to replace the traditional gasoline or petrol engine bikes. This CNG motorcycle is to hit the Indian road in June 2024.
Fossil fuel prices are rising continuously and are becoming a major concern for Indian customers. Bajaj CNG motorcycle will be a good cost-effective alternative proposal for Indian two-wheeler consumers. Compressed natural gas is comparatively cheaper than petrol, and even saves running costs. CNG is more environmentally friendly than petrol and emits fewer pollutants like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide.
Features and specifications of CNG Motorcycle:
As per the Industry reports and the speculations, the expected features and specifications may be:
Engine:
The most tested and tried 110cc engine, currently used for the Bajaj Platina bike might be used for the new CNG bike in a modified version. This engine in its petrol version delivers 806 BHP of power and 9.5 Nm of torque. Though the performance figure for the CNG version might differ because of changes in fuel.
Mileage:
One of the key attractions of CNG vehicles is their superior fuel efficiency. Experts anticipate the Bajaj CNG motorcycle to offer significantly higher mileage compared to its petrol counterpart, potentially translating to substantial savings on fuel costs.
Pricing Strategy:
Bajaj is known for its focus on affordability, and the CNG motorcycle is expected to follow suit. Industry estimates suggest a starting ex-showroom price of around Rs 80,000, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers.
Possible expected benefits of CNG MOtorcycle for the Customers :
Reduced Running Costs:
Lower CNG prices compared to petrol can significantly reduce fuel expenses, leading to substantial savings in the long run.
Eco-friendliness:
Cleaner burning CNG can contribute to improved air quality, especially in congested urban areas.
Wider Range:
The CNG option provides riders with a broader selection of fuel choices, catering to individual preferences and fuel availability.
Challenges and Considerations of CNG Motorcycle:
CNG Availability:
The availability of CNG filling stations across India, particularly in rural areas, might be a limiting factor initially.
Range:
CNG vehicles typically have a shorter range compared to their petrol counterparts. This might necessitate more frequent refuelling, especially for long journeys.
Performance:
The power output of the CNG engine might be slightly lower compared to the petrol version, potentially impacting acceleration and overall performance.
Table: Key Considerations for Bajaj’s CNG
Motorcycle:
Feature
Expectation
Engine
Modified 110cc engine (based on Platina)
Power
Potentially slightly lower than petrol variant
Mileage
Expected to be significantly higher than petrol
Price
Starting ex-showroom price of around Rs 80,000
Benefits
Lower running costs, eco-friendly
Challenges
CNG availability, range, performance
Conclusions:
Alternative fuel vehicles like electric vehicles, Hybrid vehicles and CNG vehicles specially three wheelers and four wheelers are popular and making a remarkable presence in all over the world as well as in the Indian Market. The effort and initiatives made by the Bajaj auto is definitely a appreciable job towards a sustainable and eco-friendly environment. This will be a cost effective for the Indian consumers and it will definitely a revolution in the two wheelers industry in India.
The Union Government of India has approved a scheme to promote India as a manufacturing hub for electric vehicles. The policy is designed to attract foreign investments with the latest technology for electric vehicles manufacturing by the reputed global electric vehicle manufacturers, such as Tesla, Vin-Fast, BYD, Kia, Škoda, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz.
Electric Vehicle at Charging Port
This policy will provide Indian consumers with access to the latest technology. This will also boost the Make in India initiative, and strengthen the electric vehicle ecosystem by promoting healthy competition among electric vehicle manufacturers. This will generate a high volume of production with lower production costs and lower the sale price. It helps to reduce the import of crude oil, lower trade deficit, reduce air pollution, especially in cities, and have a positive impact on health and the environment.
This new policy mandates the manufacturers to invest a minimum of Rs 4,150 crore ($500 million)in the country and will give three years to set up local manufacturing for Electric vehicles with at least 25% of the parts and components to be procured from the local market of India only.
Companies that meet these requirements will be allowed to import 8,000 EVs a year at a lower import duty of 15% on cars costing $35,000 and above. India levies a tax of 70% or 100% on imported cars depending on their value.
The move is expected to provide access to the latest technology enhance the EV ecosystem and support the Make in India initiative, the statement issued by the government said. The duty waiver on Electric Vehicles, which can be imported is capped at the annual PLI incentive (Rs 6,484 crore) or the investment made by the entity, whichever will be lower.
Photo: Bloomberg
A quick summary of what the new policy necessitates: –
Minimum investment required:
The minimum investment required is Rs 4,150 crore ($500 million) with no limit on maximum Investment.
Timeline for manufacturing:
The timeline for manufacturing is 3 years for setting up manufacturing facilities in India to start commercial production of electric-vehicles and reach 50% domestic value addition (DVA) within 5 years at the maximum.
Domestic value addition (DVA) during manufacturing:
A localization level of 25% by the 3rd year and 50% by the 5th year will have to be achieved.
Custom Duty:
The customs duty of 15% (as applicable to CKD units) would be applicable on vehicle of minimum CIF value of USD 35,000 and above for a total period of 5 years subject to the manufacturer setting up manufacturing facilities in India within a 3-year period.
The duty foregone on the total number of EV allowed for import would be limited to the investment made or Rs 6,484 crore (equal to incentive under PLI scheme) whichever is lower. A maximum of 40,000 EVs at the rate of not more than 8,000 per year would be permissible if the investment is of $800 million or more. The carryover of unutilised annual import limits would be permitted.
The investment commitment made by the company will have to be backed up by a bank guarantee in lieu of the custom duty forgone.
The Bank guarantee will be invoked in case of non-achievement of DVA and minimum investment criteria defined under the scheme guidelines.
According to a report, the major auto manufacturer in the United States, FORD is planning to re-enter the Indian auto market by focusing on electric vehicles. The Hindu Business Line reported that the global automaker Ford, which departed India in 2021, is working on a return to the Indian Market with a focus on hybrid and electric vehicles, by using its manufacturing facility in Chennai for the production of these cars. Times of India reported that the car manufacturer Ford has applied for design patents for a sleek, modern midsize SUV. This design is considered to compete with already existing popular models like Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Source: https://images.wsj.net/ Ford has updated its outlook for 2024. PHOTO: ANGUS MORDANT/BLOOMBERG NEWS
Ford Electric Vehicles Planning:
Recently, the company has patented the design for its upcoming Endeavour SUV, which will carry the Everest Moniker.
The company is in the process of recruiting personnel for its Chennai factory.
Moreover, Ford has secured the trademark for “Mustang Mach-E” in India. It is expected that Ford may come back by introducing its electric crossover to rival other premium electric vehicles like the Mercedes EQE, BMW iX, and the Audi Q8 e-tron.
The majority of consumers of mid-size passenger cars are hesitant to go for electric vehicles because of their high price and very few marked charging infrastructure. In this view, the automaker has also cut production and prices of its battery-powered Mustang Mach-E, while it pivots to boost the output of gas-electric hybrid models.
As Bloomberg reported, The Company has recently stopped deliveries of its F-150 Lightning plug-in pickup for an undisclosed quality issue. In an official statement, the automaker said it stopped shipping the Lightning on February 9 to ensure the quality. The Company said, “We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards”.
According to the report of last month, it is predicted that the Indian market of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow at a compound Annual Growth Rate of 35 % with expected annual volumes to touch 27.2 million units by 2032.
The central government’s commitment to promoting an indigenous Electric Vehicle ecosystem is evident in the approval of a 3.5 billion US dollar production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the manufacturing of automobiles and auto components, promoting the development of the electric vehicle supply chain in the country.
Conclusions:
The Indian market of electric vehicles is growing and many major car manufacturers are investing to develop their establishment and the infrastructure in India to capture the broad market of India. That’s why the Major car manufacturer Ford is rethinking and planning to rejuvenate its existing plant and machinery already at Chennai.
Hoping the best for the Ford and the Indian as well as the global market for the alternative fuel vehicle and the electric vehicles.
