Tata Motors To Roll Out Small Commercial EVs
The automaker is in discussions with its e-commerce customers regarding introduction of electric last-mile distribution vehicles.
Tata Motors is looking to roll out small commercial electric vehicles (EVs) like electric mini trucks and is in talks with e-commerce firms regarding the same.
The automaker which leads passenger electric car sales in the nation with its Nexon EV, has plans to introduce more EVs soon in the market.
While the passenger vehicle segment gets all the attention, it is the commercial vehicle part of the firm’s portfolio that brings in 70 percent of its standalone revenue.
Thus, the biggest supplier of electric buses in the nation is also looking into the aspects of electrification in the commercial EV segment.
President of Commercial Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, Girish Wagh, has recently stated that after city passenger transportation, small commercial vehicles in last-mile distribution are apt for electrification.
He said there are a few e-commerce customers of Tata Motors who want to experiment with EVs and added that the firm is holding discussions with them.
Rather than just come up with a product, Tata is looking at providing a whole solution with regard to commercial EVs and this includes charging infrastructure.
While stringent emissions regulations have forced automakers to hike vehicle prices, the cost of automotive fuel in India is at an all-time high.
At the same time, governments, both at the Central and State levels, have taken it upon themselves to promote EVs. That and the fact that the cost of batteries is coming down should work well for the introduction of Tata commercial EVs.
However, Girish Wagh understands that battery electric vehicles do have their limitations, which is why Tata commercial EVs will also include fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).
Girish stated that it is better to go with FCEVs for future long distance motoring as “battery electric is suitable for a low range, about 300-400 km or below”.
The president of Tata’s Commercial Vehicle Business Unit also disclosed that the firm which is working on hydrogen fuel technology also participated in a recent tender that was rolled out by a government agency.
Source – Moneycontrol.com
