With a push on electric vehicles, the Indian Government has made it clear its future plans for green mobility
The BJP-led Government of India recently announced a slew of measures to make the electric vehicles more popular in India. At the recently presented Union Budget 2019, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the reduction of GST on electric vehicles from 12 percent to 5 percent.
She also announced a tax benefit of Rs 1.5 Lakh on EVs. This is not the first time the government has pushed EVs with this force. Previously too, the Indian government announced to stop selling petrol powered two-wheelers below 150cc by 2025 and Niti Aayog, the think tank body of the government announced to stop diesel/petrol powered cars by 2035.
All these announcements and upcoming BS-VI emission norms has made India a conducive state to start the electric revolution and what better than the biggest extravaganza of automobiles – the Auto Expo. India got its first Electric SUV with a range of 452 KM yesterday – ‘The Hyundai Kona EV’ priced from Rs. 25.3 Lakh and the upcoming 2020 Auto Expo will see a lot of focus on electric vehicles, more so in the four-wheeler category. Here’s a probable list of all the upcoming electric cars to debut at the 2020 Auto Expo-
1. Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV
Maruti Suzuki may be going through some turbulent times but their future products could turn the tide in favour of the Indian carmaker. Apart from the updated Celerio, Vitara Brezza and many other cars, Maruti Suzuki will also jump into the electric vehicle wagon with the Wagon R EV.
One of the best selling small hatchback will be given an electric makeover making it among the most affordable electric vehicles in India. Add to it the brand’s trusted name, 100+ all-electric mileage and a wide network of service outlets, it could very well become India’s most successful EV.
2. Renault Kwid EV
Renault India has announced to relook at their India operations, admitting mistake to understand the complex Indian market. Renault will start their new India innings with the Triber MPV followed by some updated products like the Kwid entry-level hatchback that is expected to come with an electric powertrain, apart from a BS-VI compatible petrol motor.
Already Renault’s best selling model, the Kwid EV will be India’s most affordable electric vehicle and is expected to have a 150 km mileage. Also few exterior and interior updates will be done.
3. Mahindra XUV300 EV
Indian automajor Mahindra was among the first manufacturers in India to offer an indigenously built electric car in the form of e2O and e2O plus. Later, Mahindra introduced the eVerito electric sedan. Mahindra also showcased the eKUV100 at the 2018 Auto Expo.
Now it is expected that Mahindra will reveal an XUV300 based electric SUV at the upcoming 2020 Auto Expo. The popular compact SUV will get a mileage similar to eVerito i.e. 100+km all-electric mileage.
4. Tata Altroz EV
The last name on our list is another Indian manufacturer – Tata Motors with the Altroz electric car. Tata will introduce the Altroz in India in a few days from now as their maiden premium hatchback. A few months later, the IC engine equipped Altroz will get an electric version that was showcased at the Geneva Motorshow this year alongside the production version of Altroz.
This confirms that Tata has a fully functional EV ready in their stable and they are just looking for the right time to launch it. Also, Tata is among the first Indian manufacturers along with Mahindra to introduce the EV technology with the Tigor EV, which they are supplying to the government.
5. MG Electric Hatchback (Unnamed)
MG Motor, the new kid on the block had a promising start in India with the launch of the MG Hector SUV, that has received more than 12000 bookings in no time. Realizing the potential of electric vehicles, MG will now launch the eZS SUV in India by the end of 2019.
Post that, MG has another EV in the pipeline, but this time a small hatchback which can be unveiled at the 2020 Auto Expo. The electric hatchback is not named as of now and no details are out in the market yet.