Kia’s first dedicated EV to be unveiled by March 2021

 Kia is gearing up for the global unveil of its all-new electric vehicle in the coming weeks. The model will be the first of seven dedicated EVs from Kia that are slated to debut by 2027. Confirming the company’s plans in a recent media briefing, Ho Sung Song, president and CEO, Kia Corporation, said, “Our first dedicated EV, codenamed ‘CV’, will be revealed in the first quarter of this year.”  

New Kia EV: design

A new Kia logo was recently revealed, with a revamp of Kia’s brand strategy. Song confirmed that the CV “will be the first global model with Kia’s new logo” and that the company will “adapt the new logo across (all) the products, latest by first quarter of next year.”

Moreover, the senior vice president and head of Kia Design Centre, Karim Habib, said that the automaker “will be starting a new design philosophy”, which will be revealed in the near future. As such, expect the new EV to sport Kia’s fresh design language. 

While more details are awaited, the design boss did confirm that the firm’s signature ‘Tiger Nose’ grille will continue. “The ‘Tiger Nose’ grille is one of the great elements that is part of Kia's heritage, and it is part of the consistency that we would like to maintain in design. So, the ‘Tiger Nose’ will definitely remain in the future, but you will see it in very different executions,” he said.

Habib further suggested that interior space will be one of the CV’s highlights. “One of the great things about the EV architecture is that it allows for a lot more flexibility and space in the interior. So, I do think that in terms of interior design, we’ll be able to create a very new experience for our customers.”  

In the past, Kia has hinted that the upcoming EV will feature “a crossover design which blurs the boundaries between passenger and sports utility vehicles”. To that end, it is expected to be inspired by the ‘Imagine by Kia’ concept vehicle revealed at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.   

New Kia EV: range and charging capabilities

Kia already has the e-Niro and the Soul EV in its portfolio, but the upcoming model will be the carmaker’s first battery electric vehicle to be built on the Hyundai Group’s bespoke E-GMP platform. 

The CV is said to be capable of charging in under 20 minutes using a high-speed 800V charger, and pack in a range of over 500km. Moreover, a hotted-up variant is also on the cards. “We are definitely planning to launch high-performance versions of our electric vehicles and our first dedicated model will have a high-performance version too,” said Song. 

Kia India plans

There is no official word from Kia about bringing the EV to our market. However, the company has made efforts to highlight its EV technology in the past by setting up a charging station in Andhra Pradesh and providing its range of electrified Niro vehicles to the state government.

In contrast, Hyundai, Kia’s sister brand, already offers the Kona Electric (at Rs 23.76-23.95 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi) in our market, and is working on bringing a mass-market EV to India in the coming years.   

Komaki SE High-Speed Electric Scooter Launched In India; Priced At Rs 96,000

 

Delhi-based electric two-wheeler maker Komaki has introduced a new electric scooter in the market. The new offering is called the Komaki SE and is priced at ₹ 96,000 (ex-showroom). The manufacturer says the new SE competes against conventional 125 cc scooters and is powered by a 3 kW BLDC electric motor with a detachable lithium-ion battery pack. The Komaki SE offers a top speed of 85 kmph with a range between 95-125 km on a single charge. The power output from the motor has not been disclosed.

In terms of design, the Komaki SE looks like a conventional electric scooter and is identical to the Okinawa iPraise, especially with the headlamp design, LED daytime running light pattern and faux air vents on either side. The offering is available in three colour options - Garnet red, Deep blue, Metallic Gold, and Jet black.

Features on the Komaki SE include a front glove box with a USB charging port. There are also riding modes. It also gets an onboard self-diagnosis system according to the company and also gets a service reminder. There's also a coloured LED display, multimedia control switch with an inbuilt Bluetooth speaker, and remote locking with an anti-theft system. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks upfront and twin shocks at the rear, while braking duties come from disc brakes at either end. Komaki says the SE consumes 1.5 units of charge for a full battery.

The Komaki SE competes against a handful of offerings including the Okinawa iPraise+, Ampere Magnus Pro, BGauss B8, Odysse Hawk Lite, and a number of other offerings in the sub ₹ 1 lakh e-scooter segment.

TVS iQube Electric Scooter Arrives In Delhi Before Bajaj Chetak – Ather 450x Rival

 Bajaj Chetak electric scooter is only on sale in Pune and Bangalore as of now...

After almost a year of launching its first electric scooter iQube in Bengaluru, TVS has launched iQube in Delhi. The electric scooter is priced cheaper in Delhi at Rs 1.08 lakh, as compared to Rs 1.15 lakh in Bengaluru. Customers can book their iQube online for Rs 5k. Cheaper pricing in Delhi is likely due to concessions for electric vehicles announced by Delhi government such as waiver of registration charges and road tax. Delhi is among the most polluted cities and the government is doing everything it can to promote use of electric vehicles. 

TVS iQube design and features 

TVS iQube features a trendy design, as is evident in dual tone front fascia, crystal-clear LED headlamp, rectangular turn indicators, body coloured rear view mirrors, sculpted side panels, contrast stitching on the seat, and all LED tail lamps. The entire body panelling has smooth curves, which makes it quite pleasing to the eyes. In terms of convenience, iQube offers ample storage space under the seat. A helmet can easily fit inside with room to spare for other things. A USB charging port with lights is also located in the under seat storage compartment.

TVS iQube has been equipped with SmartXonnect intuitive connectivity platform powered by integrated Bluetooth. When paired with TVS iQube app, users can access a range of features such as navigation assist, remote charge status, geofencing, and incoming call alerts. Users can also see a range of stats about their rides and scooter such as top speed, total distance, average speed, battery status, etc. 

TVS iQube powertrain 

Powering TVS iQube is a 4.4kW hub-mounted motor, connected to a 3 Li-ion battery pack. The battery is wrapped in high strength aluminium, making it resistant to dust and water. Battery warranty is for 3 years / 50k km. Talking about range, iQube can travel 75 km in eco mode. Range will be less when Power Mode is engaged. iQube has top speed of 78 kmph and it can reach 0 to 40 kmph in 4.2 seconds. 

TVS iQube competes with other premium electric scooters such as Ather 450X and Bajaj Chetak. Ather has been launched in Delhi, but deliveries are yet to start. Bookings for Ather in Delhi are now open via online payment. Bajaj has plans to launch Chetak in Delhi in coming months. 

In the future, iQube will also take on upcoming Suzuki Burgman Street Electric. As of now, iQube trails behind 450X and Chetak in terms of sale volumes. Things could improve in the future, as iQube is made available in more cities. Ather and Bajaj are also working to expand operational base for their electric scooters. So, competition is likely to intensify in this segment in the coming years.

After almost a year of launching its first electric scooter iQube in Bengaluru, TVS has launched iQube in Delhi. The electric scooter is priced cheaper in Delhi at Rs 1.08 lakh, as compared to Rs 1.15 lakh in Bengaluru. Customers can book their iQube online for Rs 5k. Cheaper pricing in Delhi is likely due to concessions for electric vehicles announced by Delhi government such as waiver of registration charges and road tax. Delhi is among the most polluted cities and the government is doing everything it can to promote use of electric vehicles.

Copyright (C) 'RUSH LANE' Read more at... https://www.rushlane.com/tvs-iqube-electric-scooter-delhi-launch-price-12392814.html .

Copyright (C) 'RUSH LANE' Read more at... https://www.rushlane.com/tvs-iqube-electric-scooter-delhi-launch-price-12392814.html .

Electric bikes we would like to see launching in India soon

 Two-wheelers and three-wheelers are currently ruling the Indian EV space, as they are most affordable, compared to electric cars. In the two-wheeler market, electric scooters have been able to penetrate to some extent, thanks to the startups and some big names like Bajaj Auto, Hero Electric and TVS entered the domain. However, the motorcycle segment is still ruled by conventional fuel-powered models.

The Indian electric two-wheeler market is expected to cross 20 lakh units by 2025. While the zero-emission scooters will certainly a major role in that growth story, there are some electric motorcycles as well, which have the potential to play key parts.

With the roadblocks such as high upfront costs, government incentives linked to component localisation, import dependency for EV batteries and inadequate charging infrastructure being addressed by various government moves, and several automakers showing interest to enter the segment, we can expect e-2W space to witness some exciting electric motorcycle launches in India in near future. As it appears, there are a host of new models waiting to be introduced to the Indian market in 2021 and ahead, including fully-faired to naked, long-range to high-speed.

Here are five electric bikes we would like to see being launched in the domestic market in near future.

Hero Electric AE-47

Presently, Hero Electric is the largest player in the electric two-wheeler segment of India. The EV manufacturer’s first electric bike is the AE-47, which was displayed at the Auto Expo 2020. Expect the production model of the bike to be launched later this year. Powered by a lightweight portable 3.5 kWh lithium-ion battery and a 4 kW motor combination, it is capable of running 85 km in Power mode and 160 km in Eco mode. The bike is capable of accelerating 0-60 kmph in 9 seconds with a top speed of 85 kmph. The Hero Electric AE-47 gets a fully digital instrument cluster, cruise control, keyless access, petal disk brakes, reverse assist, etc. It could be priced at around Rs1.20 lakh.

Husqvarna E-Pilen

Pierer Mobility, the parent group of KTM and Husqvarna has already confirmed that Husqvarna is working on an electric bike that will be dubbed as E-Pilen. The e-bike could come as a similar model to Husqvarna Vitpilen that is already available in India. However, instead of an ICE, there will be an electric motor on board. Expect the bike to come with 4 kW and 10 kW electric motor options. With the bike already under development, its market launch is expected in 2022. If launched in India, this one could be priced at around Rs2-3 lakhs.

Hero MotoCorp e.US

Hero MotoCorp, the largest two-wheeler manufacturer in the world is quietly working on an electric bike, christened as Hero e-US. Being developed with inputs from the company’s German R&D centre, Hero Tech Center Germany GmbH, the e-US stands for Electric Ultra Sport. Clearly, it will be a high-performance premium model, in line with the two-wheeler major’s ambition to enter the EV space and sell upmarket motorcycles. We might see the model in reality in 2022.

Jawa electric bike

Jawa is reportedly working on an electric bike that would be launched in India by the end of 2022. While there is no test mule of this model spotted yet, expect it to be built from scratch. The motorcycle manufacturer could repurpose the Jawa 42 platform to use for this e-bike. It could come with the typical retro look clubbed with some exciting modern features and offer a range of around 200 km on a single charge.

EeVe Tesoro

EeVe showcased the Tesoro electric bike at the Auto Expo 2020 and now planning to launch it in 2021. The electric motorcycle will have a range of more than 100 km on a single charge and a top speed of around 100 kmph. The bike will come with DC fast charging function. As it was showcased at the Auto Expo last year, the EeVe Tesoro will come with an LED lighting package, GPS-enabled digital instrument cluster, geo-fencing, anti-theft technology among other features. Expect the e-bike to be priced at around Rs1.20 lakh upon launch

Earth Energy EV Introduces 3 Electric Two-Wheelers In India, Prices Start At Rs 92,000

 Mumbai-based Earth Energy EV has forayed into the electric two-wheeler segment with three new offerings. The start-up has launched the Glyde+ electric scooter, and two electric motorcycles - Evolve R and the Evolve X - all of which, the company says have been completely developed in India. The new range is 96 per cent localised that was made possible by tying up with Indian OEMs and domestic auto part manufacturers, according to the company. Prices for Earth Energy's range starts from ₹ 92,000 for the Glyde+, going up to ₹ 1.30 lakh for the Evolve R and ₹ 1.42 lakh for the Evolve X (all prices, on-road Mumbai).

Commenting on the Launch, Rushi S., CEO & Founder, Earth Energy EV says, "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our first range of electric two-Wheelers. The EV industry in India is emerging on account of various factors such as the growing awareness toward the environment, increasing petrol prices, and stringent emission norms, etc. We feel that the consumption of electric vehicles will go up now than ever."

With respect to power, the Earth Energy Glyde+ uses a 2.4 kW electric motor that develops 26 Nm of peak torque and offers a top speed of 60 kmph. The scooter is said to be inspired by eagles in terms of design. The company claims a range of 100 km on a single charge and the model uses a 52 Ah lithium-ion battery. The battery can be charged from 0-80 per cent in 40 minutes using a fast charger, while the standard time is 2.5 hours.

The Earth Energy Evolve Z uses a 5.2 kW electric motor with 56 Nm of peak torque and a top speed of 95 kmph. The electric motorcycle uses a 96 Ah lithium-ion battery with a range of 100 km and 15 degrees of grade-ability. Like the Glyde+, the fast charge time stands at 40 minutes and a full charge will take 2.5 hours.

Lastly, the Earth Energy Evolve R is the flagship offering from the brand and has been designed as a muscular street-fighter. The model is powered by a 12.5 kW electric motor with 54 Nm and a top speed of 110 kmph. The electric bike has a range of 100 km on a single charge and uses a 115 Ah lithium-ion battery. The charging time remains the same as other models.

All three vehicles get an LCD display that is connected using a smartphone app. The connected technology brings a number of features including navigation status, call and messages alert, trip history, and more. The app also allows a third-party usage model for food delivery agents. Riders can map the entire order on the display screen itself. The digital display also provides information like the state of charge of the battery, real-time range, turnabout time, and more. The e-models will be offered in three colours - Marshal grey, Jet black, and white.

Other features common to the Earth Energy EVs include an automatic headlamp, while the app will digitally clone the user's vehicle and diagnose any issue with up to 270 parameters. The users can also book the maintenance services using the app.

While Earth Energy has not disclosed its investments, the company has said that it has established a 7,000 sq.ft. R&D centre in Vasai, outside of Mumbai. The company has the capacity to build about 12,000 two-wheelers per year and is also producing lithium-ion battery packs in-house. All buyers of the Earth Energy EVs will get free charging for the first year, and the company will also set-up a charging station at the user's home. The brand plans to open 45 dealerships in its first year of operations, while the electric vehicles will be available online as well for purchase. The start-up has also announced plans to introduce an electric LCV in the country that will arrive by the second quarter of 2021.

Cheap microcars may go extinct as Japan pushes in electric vehicles

 Japan’s kei cars, known for their affordability and small engines, face a potentially existential threat as the country leans on automakers to go electric as part of its net-zero emissions goal.

Kei means “light" in Japanese, and the category makes up about a third of new domestic automobile sales. They’re a popular means of transportation outside of major cities, used by farmers and families that need multiple vehicles to get around. Cheap to buy and own, keis are mainly manufactured for the home market, with engines limited by law to 660 cubic centimeters (40 cubic inches).

Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged last year to decarbonize Japan by 2050, with plans to ban the sale of new gasoline-only vehicles by the mid-2030s. That’s created a dilemma for Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and other makers of compact cars, with the added cost of technology making them less affordable for buyers. Electrification can add 1 million to 2 million yen ($9,600-$19,200) to the price tag of a kei, potentially doubling its price, according to Tokyo Tokai Research.

“Affordability and convenience are the lifeblood of compact cars," said Hitoshi Horii, the head of the Japan Mini Vehicles Association. “These cars are important mobility that work as infrastructure and

Kei cars are common in rural areas, where public transport systems are sparse. They’re well suited for Japan’s narrow roads, of which 85% are only wide enough for two kei cars to pass. That figure was cited by Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association and Toyota Motor Corp.’s chief executive, in December.

“The kei is Japan’s national car," Toyoda said. Daihatsu Motor Co., Toyota’s unit that makes keis, hasn’t shifted toward electrification as much and achieving carbon neutral with the current energy mix is crucial, he said. “People maybe able to live in cities without keis, but once you’re in a rural region, these cars are a necessity."

Decades of economic stagnation in Japan has spurred consumers to opt for kei cars. About 1.7 million units were sold last year in total, suppressed by the pandemic, while sales have been steady in the past years, according to the Japan Mini Vehicles Association.

With the pandemic weighing on the economy, and Japan’s unemployment rate ticking back up to almost 3%, consumer sentiment is falling. A price hike on kei cars would likely put the heaviest burden on people with lower incomes, especially the elderly and women, many of whom work part time and earn less than men on average. Some 40% of kei drivers are 60 or older, and the employment rate of women in the same age group who own keis is double compared with those who don’t, according to the association.

“Kei cars would be meaningless if their prices go up," said Nozomi Hiramatsu, who started her own farm in northeastern Japan four years ago. “The car and its tax are cheap. A kei fits my lifestyle."

Price increases, in the form of higher taxes, have faced push-back in the past. When the government began to discuss a tax hike for keis in the early-2010s, Osamu Suzuki, chairman of Suzuki Motor Corp., said it was “picking on the weak," according to reporting by the Nikkei newspaper. Japan eventually raised the tax for newly sold keis in 2015.

Toyota and Honda could use their hybrid technology for keis, but they bear the risk of being culled in case battery prices go down, according to Takeshi Miyao, an analyst at Carnorama. Prices for electric-vehicle battery packs fell 15% from 2019 to 2020, whereas plug-in hybrid packs only fell 5%, according to BloombergNEF. Hybrid pack prices didn’t change significantly.

The worst scenario for Japanese kei makers is that affordable electric cars from China will enter the market and lure kei customers, Miyao said. SAIC-GM-Wuling Automobile Co.’s four-seater hatchback Mini EV has become a best-seller in China and is one of the cheapest on the market, costing less than $5,000.

“The keis are likely to feel maximum impact from the government’s target of ending sales of gasoline cars by 2035," Miyao said. “They will be swallowed by the wave of electrification sooner or later."

Ola Electric Scooter Spied Testing In India For The First Time Ahead Of Launch

 

Ola Electric is all set to enter the Indian electric two-wheeler market. The company announced the acquisition of Netherland-based Etergo BV in mid-2020 and will soon be introducing their first electric scooter in India.

Ahead of its launch, the new electric scooter from Ola has been spied testing in the country for the first time. The spy pics revealed by Autocar India showcases the Ola electric scooter undergoing testing under complete camouflage. However, based on the silhouette, the scooter seems to be similar to the Etergo AppScooter.

The spy pics even showcase the test mule featuring the same headlamp set up and even the unique single-side telescopic forks at the front. The international-specs Etergo AppScooter comes with a host of features, along with a strong performing electric powertrain, with a claimed maximum range of 240km on a single charge.

However, Ola Electric could make a few changes and updates to the Etergo electric scooter, making it more suitable for Indian riding conditions. The company could also use slightly different parts as well, which could help the brand price the electric scooter at a more affordable price tag compared to its competitors.

Talking about rivals, the Ola electric scooter once introduced in the Indian market is said to take on the likes of the Bajaj Chetak electric, TVS iQube and the Ather 450X. It will take on a few conventional petrol-powered scooters in the same price range as well.

While Ola Electric is yet to unveil the details of the upcoming India-spec electric scooter, the Etergo AppScooter is said to be powered by three removable lithium-ion battery modules, each with 1.15kWh capacity. Each of the uniquely designed modules is said to offer 80km of range on a single charge. The electric scooter is also claimed to sprint from 0 - 45km/h in 3.9 seconds.

The Etergo AppScooter is also said to offer a host of other features including a 7-inch TFT display with smartphone connectivity, 50-litres of under-seat storage space, LED headlamps and many more.

Recently, Ola Electric signed an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to set up its manufacturing facility with an investment of R 2,400 crore. Once operational, the facility is said to become the world's largest scooter manufacturing factory with an annual production capacity of 2 million units. The new facility will also bring in job opportunities for 10,000 people in India.

  Thoughts On The Ola Electric Scooter Spied Testing Ola Electric seems to be going all out with its first electric scooter for the Indian market. The company is looking at both domestic and export markets for its e-scooter while making India the global hub for EVs.