India’s largest automobile manufacturer Tata Motors on Thursday signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government for deploying 1,000 electric vehicles (EV) as part of the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2018. The vehicle maker also flagged of five Tata Tigor EVs in Mumbai the same day.
Tata Motors had delivered its first set of Tigor sedan EVs to state-run Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) as part of their initiative to procure 10,000 electric vehicles in December last year. The automaker had won the tender floated by EESL in September 2017. It has completed production of 250 EVs and initiated the execution of the second phase orders. EESL procures EVs from auto makers for government employees.
“Today’s delivery of five Tigor EVs by EESL to the Maharashtra government has effectively paved the way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the government’s vision. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to Indian customers,” said Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD, Tata Motors, in a statement on Thursday.
The company will also facilitate setting up of EV charging stations in the state with Tata Power. It has already set up new charging stations in Mumbai.
“With these installations, Tata Power continues to pursue sustainable practices by using technology to provide Maharashtra customers access to energy-efficient options with ease,” said Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD, Tata Power.
The Tata Tigor EV looks largely like the standard Tigor. Its electric drive system is by Electra EV, a firm specialising in such systems and battery packs for the auto sector.
The Tata Tigor starts at a base price of Rs 11.2 lakh (including GST) with a three-year warranty. It will be produced at Tata’s Sanand plant in Gujarat. The sedan’s rechargeable battery will deliver 100 km of range on a single charge, and directly competes with Mahindra’s eVerito.