Electric vehicle or Ford JV: These were the choices before Mahindra

 Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M)’s decision to disengage with Ford Motor Company for the second time in its history was driven by the urge to prioritise development of electric vehicles, which the company  believes will become the mainstay of its business apart from its core strength in SUVs.

The Mumbai-based maker of the Scorpio and XUV500 SUVs is rerouting financial resources towards electric vehicles (EV), which would entail fresh investments that would be over and above the reduced Rs 9,000 crore committed for three years starting FY22. It had earlier spoken of Rs 12,000 crore capital expenditure for the same three years.

Speaking to analysts, Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, (Auto and Farm Sectors) Mahindra & Mahindra, said: “The free cash flow, capex plus investment, together will be accretive compared to what would have been had we gone ahead with the JV. So, the money we may have invested in the JV is what we will use —some of that — to build the EV platform.”

Early bird squanders advantage

Despite being the first to enter the EV race through the acquisition of Bengaluru-based Reva Electric Car Company, M&M has not been among the nimble footed ones in expanding its EV portfolio in the personal vehicle segment. Though Tata Motors entered the EV space only a few years ago, the Mumbai-based company has become the segment leader after beating M&M.

Launched a little under a year ago, the Tata Nexon has become the highest-selling electric vehicle in India. In the September-November period, the electric Nexon sold 1,000 units (cumulatively 2,200), pushing Tata Motors’ market share to 74 percent in the EV segment. Hyundai and MG Motor debuted in the EV space with the Kona and ZS EV, respectively.

M&M, however, is the leader in the electric passenger three-wheeler segment which it refers to as ‘last mile’. Here the company intends to work on the segment and expand its products in the near term.

“Besides the last-mile portfolio, we are working on an entire SUV portfolio in EV that will keep us ahead of the curve as we talk about the period from 2025 onwards. And that’s an area where we need new investments and a new approach”, he added.

SUV focus

M&M claims to be working on new, ground-up SUVs that are being built as electric vehicles. This is unique to the company’s strategy since all of its current generation EVs and those in the pipeline are originally petrol/diesel-powered SUVs and sedans.

Last February, M&M launched the electric version of the KUV100 at Rs 8.25 lakh, making it the cheapest electric car in India. However, nearly a year on the mini SUV is yet to be made available to buyers in showrooms. M&M now intends to bring the electric version of the XUV300 in the market, in the latter part of next year.

The company is hoping for a swift pick-up in demand for EVs in India overall, which it hopes will wipe out the losses clocked by its subsidiary. M&M’s electric vehicle subsidiary Mahindra Electric Mobility recorded a loss of Rs 55.2 crore in FY20. M&M’s management announced that the break-up with Ford and divestment plans for SsangYong are part of the targeted 18 percent return on equity (RoE).

In 2019-20, Mahindra Electric clocked sales of 14,602 units (966 four-wheelers and 13,636 three-wheelers), a growth of 42 percent compared to 10,276 units (1,811 four-wheelers and 8,455 three-wheelers) sold in 2018-19.

“M&M has commenced its path on RoE accretion as it realises that healthy capital efficiency is paramount for long-term self-sustenance of its business model as well as to create wealth for its shareholders. In the recent past, M&M has taken the hard calls and we remain constructive on it,” said an ICICI Direct report.

What had M&M-Ford planned?

M&M and Ford had planned over half a dozen models for India and export markets and together with SsangYong a total of 10 products were envisaged.

Both companies were to produce one mid-size SUV model (internally called C-SUV) and two smaller-specification SUVs (called B-SUV) each. M&M was to also lend an MPV platform such as the Marazzo to Ford.

There was even an all-electric car derived from the Ford Aspire sedan that M&M had planned to develop.

M&M had agreed to pump in up to Rs 1,400 crore, including the Rs 657 crore that it has agreed to pay for the 51 percent stake in the joint venture company. Thus, the remaining Rs 743 crore could be used to develop new products.

The Indian auto firm had said that the JV’s investment plans would have to be revised upwards, well above Rs 1,400 crore, and this would have rendered the programme economically unviable.

The first time Mahindra and Ford came together was in the mid-1990s, when they made the Ford Escort together. Ford later bought out Mahindra to assume full control.

10 New Electric Cars To Launch In India In 2021

With the success of Tata Nexon EV and the MG ZS EV, automakers are now planning to enter into the electric vehicle space in India. In this article, we bring you a list of upcoming new electric cars and SUVs to be launched in the country in the next 12 months –

1. Tesla Model 3

The long-awaited Tesla Model 3 electric sedan will officially go on sale in the country by the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2021-22. Bookings for the new model will commence in January 2021. Initially, Tesla cars will be introduced as CBU (Completely Built-Up) unit; however, local manufacturing could start at a later stage.

The Model 3 is available with single and dual-motor options. The entry-level Standard Range and Standard Range Plus RWD variants offer 423km range. These variants can do 0-100kmph in just 6 seconds. The Long Range AWD (0-100kmph in 4.5 seconds) and Long Range Performance AWD (0-100kmph in 3 seconds) comes with dual-motor, and offers an electric range of around 568km.

2. Mahindra eKUV100

Mahindra will launch the much-awaited eKUV100 mini SUV before the end of this quarter. Unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo, the new electric mini SUV will cost Rs 8.25 lakh (ex-showroom). The electric mini SUV features a 40 kW electric motor that produces 53bhp and 120Nm of torque. The mini SUV has a 15.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that offers a range of 120km on a full charge. With DC fast charger, the eKUV100 will take around 1 hour to get charged up to 80%.

3. Mahindra eXUV300

The highly-anticipated XUV300 electric will be launched before the end of this year. It will be made available in two variants – Standard and Long Range – offering 200km and 350-400km range respectively. It will come with 350V powertrain, electric motors range from 60kW to 280kW and batteries up to 80kW capacities. Its exterior and interior will be slightly different from the regular ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) model.

4. Porsche Taycan

Porsche will officially launch the all-electric Taycan in the country in the first half of 2021. Based on the Mission E concept, the Taycan is the company’s first ever all-electric vehicle. It uses two permanently excited synchornous motors (PMS) generating a combined power over 600bhp. The electric car is claimed to offer a range of 500kms on a single charge. It can achieve 0-100kmph in less than 3.5 seconds and 200kmph under 12 seconds. The battery can be charged to 80% in just 22.5 seconds. The electric car can be charged for a range of 100km using a high power charging network in just over 5 minutes.

5. Audi e-Tron

Audi has officially announced to launch the e-Tron electric SUV in the country in 2021. The new e-Tron has two motors – a 125kW at the front and 140kW at the rear. The powertrain offers 408bhp and 664Nm of torque, and the power is delivered to wheels via AWD system. The electric SUV accelerates to 100kmph from zero in 5.5 seconds before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 200kmph. The e-tron also has a 95kWh battery pack that can be charged via regenerative braking technology.

6. Tata Altroz EV

Buoyed by excellent response for the Nexon EV, Tata Motors will launch the electric derivative of the Altroz hatchback in the country in the end of 2021. It is likely to share the powertrain with the Nexon EV. The Nexon EV comes fitted with an IP67 certified 30.2kWh battery pack with a permanent AC motor. The Altroz EV is likely to offer a range between 250km to 300km. The battery can be charged up to 80% in 60 mins using the DC fast charger and can be fully charged in 8 hours using a regular power socket.

7. Jaguar I-Pace

Jaguar will launch its first electric vehicle – the I-Pace in the Indian market in 2021. Built on the bespoke EV aluminum architecture, the Jaguar I-Pace has coupe-like silhouette and the styling is inspired by the Jaguar C-X75 supercar. It comes fitted with a 90kWh Lithium-ion battery offering 400PS and 696Nm of torque. It is claimed to offer a range of 480km. The battery can be charged up to 80% from zero in just 40 minutes via DC rapid charging. It took 12.9 hours to fully charge using 7kW AC charger, while the 0-80% charge can be achieved in 10 hours. The SUV can achieve 0-100kmph in just 4.8 seconds before hitting a top speed of 200kmph.

8. Maruti WagonR EV

Maruti Suzuki will finally launch the long-awaited WagonR based electric car in 2021. The electric car was planned to be launched in 2020; however, the launch has been delayed due to poor charging infrastructure. The EV is expected to offer a real-world range of 130-180km. The battery is expected to take around 1 hours to get charged up to 80%.

9. Volvo XC40 Recharge

It will be the brand’s first pure-electric car in the Indian market. Based on the regular XC40, the upcoming Volvo XC40 Recharge features an AWD drivetrain that offers a claimed range of 400km on a single charge. It uses two 150 kW electric motors, and offers a combined output is 402 BHP and 659 Nm.. The batteries are placed under the floor, between the axles. It can be charged up to 80 percent in just 40 minutes. It accelerates to 100kmph from zero in just 4.9 seconds before hitting an electronically-limited top speed of 180kmph.

10. 2021 Hyundai Kona

Hyundai has revealed the 2021 Kona electric, which is expected to be launched in our market in the second half of 2021. The SUV comes with design changes such as new closed grille, new LED DRLs, new headlamps  and new rear lamps. The new model is 40mm longer than the previous model.The new Kona Electric now comes equipped with a larger 10.25-inch digital instrument console. It also gets an optional 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with smartphone connectivity and Hyundai Bluelink connected car solutions. The long-range version gets a 64kWh battery that features an electric motor delivering 204PS of power and 395Nm of torque. This model accelerates to 100kmph from zero in 7.9 seconds and offers a class-leading range of 484kms on a single charge. The basic version gets a 39.2kWh battery pack, delivering 136PS and 395Nm. This model achieves 0-100kmph in 9.9 seconds and offers a range of up to 305kms. The long-range battery version provides a maximum speed of 167 km/h, with the standard-range battery version offering 155 km/h.

Will 2021 spark India's electric vehicle revolution?

 Earlier this week, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari revealed that pioneering electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla was looking to “start operations” in India in the coming year. Indeed, Tesla CEO Elon Musk confirmed in October that the company was making headway towards this cause in October. 

The latest revelation is yet another positive development in India's EV journey which until 2017 appeared to be littered with unaddressed issues. Questions over whether electrification could really take place on India's roads stemmed primarily from concerns over inadequate charging infrastructure, poor variety of EVs in the market, their higher prices, and technological uncertainties. 

However, in the last two years, significant progress has been made towards removing these barriers. The number of electric vehicles capable of travelling for distances comparable to their ICE counterparts has increased remarkably while major cities have seen an uptick in the number of charging points installed. 

The FAME II subsidies of up to 3 lakhs for EVs in commercial use, a reduction in the GST rate to 5 per cent and road tax and registration waivers across several states have also driven down the prices of these vehicles. Those currently in the market are now, reportedly, just between 20 to 30 per cent more expensive than a comparable ICE vehicle – a price differential which is made up within a few years of the vehicle's use due to lower maintenance and running costs. 

The government has also declared its intention to install, at least, a single charging station across 60,000 petrol pumps in the country. The Department of Heavy Industry has also earmarked Rs 1,000 crore towards the development of charging infrastructure within the country. Tata Power, in fact, already has 180 operation charging stations in 20 cities and is expected to ramp this up to 700 by March next year. 

OEMs are also providing installation of charging points at consumers' homes – a solution that is likely to assuage the concerns of prospective EV buyers. According to a Kenneth Research study, the market for EV infrastructure in India is projected to grow at a staggering 40 per cent compound annual growth rate between 2019 and 2025.

2021 is also likely to see a slew of new EV launches further expanding the affordable options available to consumers. A brief look back into the history of EV sales in India may temper expectations with under 8,000 units sold over the last six years. However, it is important to note that 2,955 units sold in FY21 represented a 128 per cent rise from the previous year (when 1,295 units flew off the shelves). Moreover, while Tesla's Model 3 might be priced prohibitively for the average Indian with a per capita income of INR 5.6 lakh, options like the Nexon EV and the MG ZS EV are more moderately priced. 

The Indian government has outlined its ambitions to replace 30 per cent of its automobile fleet with electric vehicles within the next decade. The concerted efforts being made towards this cause are, indeed, only likely to inspire hope among EV manufacturers. If India is serious about delivering on its pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 30 to 35 per cent over the next decade while reducing its reliance on crude oil imports, bolstering the EV industry will be critical. 

Tesla’s India launch: What Is The Future Of Electric Mobility In India?

 The consumer has been demanding introduction of the much-hyped Tesla in the Indian market. Nitin Gadkari, The Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, announced that American company Tesla will be launching their cars in India for sale in 2021! The CEO of Tesla, Elon Musk had indicated the same earlier in 2020 via twitter. Battery charged/electrically operated vehicles have been in the news for a while. The launch of this vehicle should provide a thrust to electric mobility in India, which is presently a work in progress. 

As per UN’s Sustainable Development Goals website, the Government of India has a target of installing renewable energy capacity 175 GW by 2022. These include 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from bio-energy and 5 GW from hydropower, and 60 GW from wind. At the United Nations Climate Action Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also announced increasing the renewable energy target to 450 GW by 2030 from 175 GW by 2022. With these targets in mind it is only fair that the government is accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, which will consume less non-renewable sources of energy and focus more on battery charging.

As citizens and consumers, we all witnessed visible effect of the lockdown was clean air in cities as vehicles went off roads. Satellite imagery revealed a marked drop in nitrogen oxide and Sulphur compounds that emanate from vehicular emissions in Delhi and Mumbai. India has the dubious distinction of being housing some of the most polluted cities in the world. A lowering of the pollution levels was a positive and welcome change. Further, the Shiwalik range of the Himalayas became visible from Punjab for the first time in over three decades. As lockdowns ease and roads fill up again, we’ll see the vehicular pollution levels return to previous highs. But the experience of breathing fresh air by people during lockdowns reinforces the case for switching to electric vehicles.

The government has taken various steps over the years to promote electric vehicles. The FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) India scheme launched in 2015 with an outlay of rupees 10,000 crore is in its third stage today. Other popular initiatives include National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020. This act is in line with the government vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat/ self-reliant India, as it proposes not just sale, but also domestic manufacturing of electric vehicles. Private players are not far behind, with TATA Motors ready to launch its own brand of electric vehicle starting at rupees 15 lakhs. Mahindra Electric is already selling “eVerito” cars that are battery operated. Morris Garage and Hyundai are also selling battery operated vehicles, but with limited success. Government is trying its bit to incentivise customers to buy electric cars and scooters. The Delhi Chief Minister is offering Rs 30,000 subsidy on two wheelers and a subsidy of Rs 1.5 lakh for all car purchasers. Other local manufacturers are also assembling electric cars, which will be a lot cheaper than the slated release of Tesla.

The government, in addition, is also taking interest through some other initiatives: 

• As per Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India, the GST rates on Electric Vehicles have been kept in the bracket of 12%, with no Cess as against the 28% GST rate for conventional vehicles with cess up to 22%.
• To attract investment in the electricity infrastructure sector, Ministry of Power has allowed sale of electricity as a service for charging of electric vehicles. 
• The Ministry of Road Transport Highways has notified that there will be an exemption of official permit for the battery-operated vehicles.
• The state transport and department undertaking have expressed interest for deployment of 5000 electric buses by State Transport Departments etc. 

Electric vehicles will also be economically attractive to the Indian consumer. For instance, petrol and diesel-powered vehicles pay an ‘increased pollution cess’ on fuel which will be exempted for Electric Vehicles (EVs), given their environment friendly technology. Similarly, petrol and diesel prices in the post pandemic economic recovery period have been at an all-time high. Thus, switching to EVs will reduced the fuel expenses of the consumer, while benefitting the environment.

The present government is focusing on a self-reliant/ Atmanirbhar India. EVs will promote virtuous circle of domestic supply chain, manufacturing, assembly and services, thus generating jobs leading to self-reliance. Popularising EV will reduce import bill to pay for the production of petrol and diesel. As per Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, India imports 83.6% of its crude oil needs. The transition to EVs will decrease the energy dependency on other countries. 

Despite the existing initiatives and EV advantages, India has a long way to go before we achieve transition to e-mobility. Firstly, charging stations will increase electricity consumption, putting un-even pressure on electricity generation. This electricity, if it is powered by coal, will land up polluting the environment. Eventually, there will be no benefit to the Earth. Therefore, renewable energy resources should be coupled with charging stations for efficiency. Secondly, we do not have hundreds of thousands of charging stations across India yet. They need to be as easily available petrol and diesel fuel sources to derive any practical use from EV vehicles. The concessional cost of electricity to charge vehicles will have to planned out, that is, the government will have to decide a reasonable cost that is viable for the customer. Lastly, the Indian consumer is yet to warm up to the idea of electric vehicles. They will require convincing, mainly through demonstration and price comparison with conventional transport. Also, government not shown maximum efficiency with respect to land management. With the rising number of EV companies, and matching infrastructure for charging stations across the length and breadth of the country, easy availability of land will be an issue. 

Tesla has huge resources and appetite for what they decide to do. The launch in India is indeed a positive move, but a lot of homework needs to be done before Tesla can make it a run-away success.

Electric Vehicles This Week:Tesla In India In 2021, Mahindra’s EVs For Logistics & More

 After years of delay, US-based electric vehicle (EV) maker Tesla is finally ready to launch its cars in India. Transport minister Nitin Gadkari announced on Monday (December 28), Elon Musk’s Tesla will be arriving in India ‘early’ in 2021. The company will first start with sales and then look into start assembling in India if the demand requires.

The US luxury EV maker has been trying to enter the Indian market since 2016, but the efforts fell apart due to lack of infrastructure, policies and the market for emobility in India. Even though Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown interest in the EV maker as well, whereas Gadkari previously offered it land near the port to import their technology.

Last year, even Chennai-based automobile manufacturer Ashok Leyland had invited Tesla for a partnership to help the company bring their brand to India.

Electric Vehicles News Of The Week

Mahindra Will Soon Deploy EV for Last Mile Deliveries

Mahindra Logistics is planning to deploy EVs for its last-mile delivery shortly, following Amazon India’s decision to deploy ECs for last-mile deliveries. The ecommerce giant is reportedly in touch with Mahindra Electric and Kinetic Green for vehicle supplies as well.

Rajasthan Sets Tariff For Public Charging Stations

The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) has issued a draft order for EV charging infrastructure, tariff and other regulatory issues. As per a draft order, a tariff of INR 6 will be applicable to public charging stations (PCS) under two categories: LT-8 and HT-6. The tariff is also applicable to battery charging stations (BSC) and battery swapping stations (BSS).

Hyundai Plans To Launch Its Most Affordable EV Nest Year

South Korean automobile maker Hyundai is reportedly working on a low-cost EV for the Indian market by 2021. The AX is the codename for the upcoming car and the company will position the all-new car below the Hyundai Venue in its SUV-lineup. Once launched, it will be the brand’s most affordable EV.

Hyundai is also the maker of Kona EV, which is priced at INR 24.76 Lakh. The vehicle was launched last year for passengers. Even Indian government’s Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) has been deploying it for official purposes.

EV COSMOS To Deploy 500 Charging Stations In India

Indian EV solutions firm EV COSMOS announced it has tied up with ChargeNET SriLanka to set up 500 chargers in India in the next two years. ChargeNet, which is a group company of Codegen International of UK, operates a manufacturing facility in Sri Lanka.

“We shall be providing IOT enabled fast charging solutions on strategic locations in cities, highways and hotels et cetera where EVs shall be charged in 15-30 minutes. This will help fleet owners to move towards electric vehicles seamlessly,” said Harsha Subasinghe, Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Codegen International, UK.

Electric Vehicles Headlines From Around The World

BMW Looks To Up Its EV Game

German luxury carmaker BMW is planning to set up its EV production to represent about 20% of its product line by 2023, the company’s Chief Executive Oliver Zipse told German daily Augsburger Allgemeine. The company wants roughly every fifth car its sells to be powered by an electric engine by 2023.

“We are significantly increasing the number of electric vehicles. Between 2021 and 2023, we will build a quarter of a million more electric cars than originally planned”, Zipse added.

Indonesia, LG Sign $9.8 Bn Battery Investment Deal

Indonesia and a unit of South Korean firm LG Group have signed a MOU on a $9.8 Bn EV battery investment deal, the head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board has confirmed. The deal was signed on December 18 and includes investment across the EV supply chain.

Under the MOU, at least 70% of the nickel ore used to produce the EV batteries must be processed in Indonesia. The country aims to start processing its rich supply of nickel and laterite ore for use in lithium batteries to become a global hub for producing and exporting EVs.

Tata Nexon EV review: Bestselling electric car in India

Electric mobility is still in its infancy as far as market acceptance is concerned but Tata Motors has been one automaker which has accelerated the growth of EVs in India with its Nexon.

Ever since the launch, Tata Motors has sold over 2,000 units of the Nexon EV, making it the bestselling electric car in the country. But how good is it?

Exteriors: Tata Nexon EV: At a glance

The Nexon EV has the same design as the standard Nexon, which was also launched earlier this year with the new grille, headlamps and alloy wheels.

However, there are some differences in the form of blue highlights and a lower ground-clearance courtesy the battery pack underneath the car.

The Nexon EV comes in three color options: Glacier White, Moonlight Silver and Signature Teal Blue.

Interiors: Inside the cabin

Inside, the Nexon EV has a tri-arrow theme along with a flat-bottom steering wheel, a 7-inch touchscreen console, an 8-speaker Harman audio system, and a digital instrument cluster.

It also gets navigation, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and support for ZConnect App, which offers features like geo-fencing, vehicle tracking, vehicle reports, and trip analytics.

In terms of space, it is identical to the standard Nexon.

Under the hood: Power and performance

Powering the Nexon EV is a 30.2kWh battery pack and a PMS motor, which develops 127hp/245Nm. The combination comes paired to an automatic gearbox with two drive modes.

The Nexon EV feels pretty quick as it does 0-100km/h in just 9.9 seconds. The regenerative braking system, which cannot be adjusted like in other EVs, is easy to get used to.

Mileage: Battery and range

The vehicle's ARAI-certified range is 312km but in real-world conditions, expect 200-250km of range, depending on the way you drive.

With a fast charger, the charging time is drastically reduced to 60 minutes for an 80% charge while through a regular charger, it takes around 8 hours.

The battery has an 8-year warranty and the charging network is amongst the largest for an EV.

Our verdict: Is it worth your money?

The Nexon EV starts at Rs. 13.99 lakh and goes up to Rs. 16.25 lakh for the top-end model. It is currently the most affordable electric SUV on sale with rivals costing a lot more.

Buying an electric car also means less running costs and maintenance. Hence, if your commute is mostly city based, the Nexon EV is worth making the switch.

Toyota launches C+pod ultra-compact electric car: Two-seater BEV with 150 km range

 Toyota Motor Corporation today announced a limited launch of the ‘C+pod’ ultra-compact battery electric vehicle (BEV), from 25th December to corporate users, local governments, and other organisations. Toyota plans to further promote the establishment of systems for popularising BEVs, including the development of new business models, and to conduct a full-scale launch including to individual customers by 2022. The company also stated that with this limited launch, it will also demonstrate new services that can only be provided by BEVs.

The new C+pod is an all-electric two-seater BEV designed as a mobility option that Toyota says improves per-person energy efficiency. In addition to short-distance daily use, the C+pod is also aimed at corporate users visiting customers on a regular basis, and at users in urban or mountainous communities.

The electric motor produces a maximum power of 9.2 kW and 56 Nm of torque, with the vehicle weighing in at up to 690 kg. Standard charging time ranges from 5-16 hours, depending upon the power source of whether it is a single-phase, 200V/16A, or a single-phase, 100V/6A. The C+pod’s top speed is rated at 60 km/h.

The rear-wheel-drive C+pod has been launched in Japan in two grades – X and G which are priced at 1,650,000 yen (approximately Rs 11.73 lakh) and 1,716,000 yen (approximately Rs 12.2 lakh), respectively. The C+pod comes with a cruising range of up to 150 km (WLTC mode, Class 1 test cycle when running on battery power; Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism).

In Japan, Toyota is focusing initially on the C+pod, Walking Area BEVs, and Toyota i-Road, with more than 200 corporate and local government partners currently involved in exploring new transportation models. As one of these collaborative efforts, the launch of the C+pod will also demonstrate new services specific to BEVs.

One of those services is Toyota Green Charge, a joint project developed with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz Co., Inc. to offer a single point of contact for corporations seeking support when constructing optimal charging facilities or developing electricity plans for BEVs, such as CO2-free power.

The service will be jointly implemented in collaboration with Chubu Electric Power Miraiz, Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc., and TEPCO Energy Partner, Inc. Other services in planning include the Electric-vehicle sharing service that combines tourist information with the “Toyota Share” car-sharing service to promote sightseeing and excursions.