Tata Motors plans to drive in more electric cars soon

MUMBAI: After outbidding Mahindra & Mahindra in government tenders for electric vehicles, Tata Motors now plans to expand its offering in the passenger vehicle space with the widest portfolio.

Tata Motors plans to add Altroz EV, based on its premium hatchback and H2X, small SUV EV, to complement Tiago and Tigor EV. All these will address the different price points and buyer profiles in the sub-Rs 15-lakh bracket, ET has learned.

Managing director Guenter Butschek had recently told ET that the company is committed to electric vehicles and wants to lead the evolution in this segment. “We have ensured that future architectures Alpha and Omega both are proof-protected for EVs. Apart from working on higher range of Tigor and Tiago EV, our first two offerings on the Alpha architecture will have an EV option,” he said.

The proof-protected architecture gives the carmaker the flexibility to produce both the conventional fuel-powered engine as well as the battery-operated engine.

The Tiago EV will compete against Maruti Suzuki’s upcoming WagonR EV, while the Tigor EV will be pitted as a strong alternative to the fleet segment beyond the requirement of the EESL, which is yet to take off in big numbers. The Altroz EV will be an aspirational premium hatchback with an electric powertrain, but Butschek said since the emphasis from the government is on the fleet segment, it will not shy away from offering Altroz for fleet for premium transportation.

The H2X or Hornbill Small SUV will be its latest addition in the EV space, which will take on the Mahindra’s KUV, which will get an electric avatar in a year.

Butschek said the company is working on a higher range of 200-230-km-per-charge model and he feels it is the optimum solution that delivers an accessible price range with an adequate driving distance. Tata Motors is also working on the new generation connected vehicle solution platform, which will be an integral part of the electric vehicles that it plans to sell.

Tata Motors also grabbed over 60% of the electric bus contract from the ministry of heavy industries with an order book of 255 buses in six cities across India.