Tata Motors and Mahindra EVs are not a favourite among Govt. officials

Team OD Updated: June 27, 2018, 11:24 AM IST

Tata Motors and Mahindra are the two Indian automobile brands supplying EVs to the EESL (Energy Efficiency Services Ltd) a public sector unit that is run by the ministry of power. While both the companies have started delivering EVs based on the Tigor and the e-Verito, the same are not being preferred by the Govt. officials, states a report by Livemint.

It is said that the officials have reported poor performance and low mileage as the reason for not accepting these EVs. Some cars even failed to return 80 to 85km on a single charge that too within the city limits. Further, the officials reported that the battery capacity was not up to the mark, compared to global standards. The battery packs in these EVs cars have a capacity of 17kW while the global standard is set at 27-35kW. The report by Livemint states that Mahindra is working on a new EV model to replace the e-Verito with better mileage and improved performance.

EESL's recent order of 10,000 cars is another positive step in the growth of electric mobility in the country - Tata Motors

EESL has already delayed the deliveries of the EV cars due to the lack of charging infrastructure. As per the understanding between the automobile companies and EESL, in the first phase, Tata Motors and Mahindra will be supplying 350 and 150 units to the Union Government. This would be then followed by the delivery of 9,500units collectively by both the automobile manufacturers.

"We will be deploying about 200-250 electric vehicles by mid-July. The conditions of the second tender are being re-evaluated and will be released soon. EESL will continue to enable more energy and fuel savings by creating a robust market for e-mobility in India." states EESL. While the concerns due to low mileage and poor performance raised by the Govt. officials is genuine, the other reason for not choosing EVs is the restriction of huge sums as car fuel allowance, that the officials can't claim anymore. While the second phase of the tender will re-evaluated, the third phase has been pushed to 2019.

Source: Livemint