Tata Nano is not dying, Ola comes to the rescue
Tata and Ola have joined hands to boost electric vehicles (EV) in India. For that, they have picked the all-new Jayem Neo. Modeled on Tata Nano, the Neo is a product of a joint venture between Tata and Jayem Automotives. In the first phase, 400 of them will be supplied to Ola, which aims to get 1mn EVs on Indian roads by 2021.
About the Jayem Neo
Looks-wise, the 800kg Neo is similar to Nano. Tata will provide engine, gearbox and body shells of the Nano, which Jayem will assemble in its Coimbatore plant and add a 48V electric system putting out 17kW (23hp). The powertrain will be supplied by Electra EV, which also caters to Tigor EV and Tiago EV. It will carry Jayem logos, and no Tata branding.
For now, production only for fleet market
This specification of the Neo will for now be available only for the fleet market and not for personal use, sources said. Plans to launch private cars are in the works, but those are expected to come with the Tata badge.
Before, Jayem launched the Tigor and Tiago with Tata
Jayem has been associated with Tata Motors since long, and recently signed a joint venture- JT Special Vehicles- for developing sporty versions of Tata models. The Tata Tigor JTP and Tata Tiago JTP, the first models under this initiative, were on display at the Auto Expo 2018. "This partnership is a step towards....bring(ing) exciting variants to our range," said Guenter Butschek, CEO, Tata Motors.
Ola is leading its own 'Mission: Electric'
Ola, meanwhile, is focusing on EVs as its next line of hits. It launched its first EV pilot in Nagpur in May'17 with 200 e-rickshaws. Apart from e-rickshaws, the company's EV project includes electric buses and cabs, rooftop solar installations, charging stations, and battery swapping experiments. It is expected to launch the Neos in Hyderabad before expanding them to more cities.
Rival Uber partners with Mahindra for similar project
Last November, Mahindra and Mahindra partnered with Uber to bring in EVs to India. The first batch of Mahindra electric cars for Uber is likely to comprise e2oplus hatchbacks and e-Verito sedans. Uber driver partners can get Mahindra EVs at competitive prices. They can also avail attractive financing, insurance premiums and comprehensive maintenance packages. Earlier, Mahindra partnered with Ola to deploy e-rickshaws in Nagpur.
India plans only electric vehicles on roads by 2030
In a policy blueprint last year, the NITI Aayog had said it is aiming at electrifying all vehicles in the country by 2030. For the purpose, it recommended reduced taxes and interest rates for EVs and limiting sale of petrol and diesel cars. In accordance, companies like Porsche, Volvo and Hero Electric are foraying into this sector in the country.
