Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Mahindra launches electric car e2o at Rs.5.96 lakh

The Mahindra group on Monday launched its first electric car 'e2o' priced at Rs.5.96 lakh (on road Delhi, after state subsidy), almost three years after it acquired Bangalore-based electric car maker Reva.


The group also said it has plans to extend the electric mobility technology to its two-wheelers, while seeking support from the Central government for pushing eco-friendly vehicles.

"The launch of the Mahindra e2o marks an important milestone for the Mahindra Group...it advances the group's efforts at redefining sustainable urbanisation with the creation of an ecosystem that includes mobility solutions along with other environment friendly innovations," Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra told reporters here.

The two-door, four-seater car is powered by new generation lithium-ion batteries and a three phase induction electric motor. It has driving range of 100 kms per charge, which takes 5 hours for one full charging. The fully automatic car is aimed for city driving.

It has also a host of features like GPS navigation system, keyless entry, start/stop button, regenerative braking feature, which puts energy back into the car's batteries and charges them every time it is slowed down or brakes are applied.

Commenting on the market expansion plans for the e2o, Mahindra & Mahindra President (Automotive and Farm Equipment Sectors) Pawan Goenka said: "We will be launching it in eight other cities over the next three to four weeks. The prices will vary as it would depend on how much subsidy state governments will give to the electric car."

In Delhi, the government has given a total of 29 per cent subsidy on the electric car as a result of which the company has been able to sell it at an on-road price of Rs.5.96 lakh, he said, adding it would be more expensive in other cities.

The 'e2o' will also be launched in Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Pune and Kochi.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/mahindra-launches-electric-car-e2o-at-rs-5.96-lakh/1/258575.html