SAE 2009: all-electric Tata Indica getting ready for Norway, then the world
Tata Indica EV - click for a high res gallery
Although the all-electric Tata Indica on display at the SAE World Congress in Detroit this week is not the soon-to-be-released model, there's a lot we can learn from the vehicle - and from TM4's Eriz Azeroual - about how the technology will be implemented when the new model goes on sale in Norway either later this year or in early 2010 (yes, this is later than previously expected). Tata Motors showed off the Indica EV at the Bologna Motor Show in December, but the hatchback is making an appearance in Detroit because of the work that TM4, a subsidiary of Hydro Québec, did providing the permanent magnet motor and the inverter. TM4's Azeroual (he's business development manager there) told us that a limited number of the Indica's are already testing in Norway and that Tata Motors is "a cool company. Very aggressive." Even though they're most famous for the Nano and apparently wanting to dominate the low-end automobile market, in Europe market they want to be known for electric vehicles.
Norway is a perfect entry point to bring an EV to Europe because there is a high tax on gasoline-powered vehicles. The high cost of electric vehilces isn't totally equalized by the taxes, but EVs and gas-powered vehicle prices end up being "comparable" in Norway and this presents customers with an "interesting choice," Azeroual said. Following the Norwegian introduction, Tata plans to expand the Indica EV to other European markets and then possibly the U.S.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mark 2:36PM (4/21/2009)
I expect the car to be low priced as this is TATA's market. I expect it to be under 20k for sure might even be under 15k. TATA make good, low cost cars, I would buy one when the deliver them.
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BP 9:08PM (4/21/2009)
Ratan Tata is looking well into the future & plannig accordingly. It is great that he will also have an electric vehicle soon. If the pricing is right India will buy all the cars that he can produce. No need to go elsewhere.
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frode 9:33AM (4/22/2009)
The incentives for electrical cars in Norway are quite good:
* No import duties (a car in Norway costs 30-100% more than in continental Europe due to these duties)
* No VAT (otherwise 25%)
* No yearly road tax (usually approx USD 400/year)
* Free passing of all toll roads(!)
* Free parking on muncipal/public parking spaces (value of up to USD 10/hour downtown Oslo)
* Free charging increasingly being offered
* Electric cars can use special lanes on the roads reserved for buses and taxis
The savings in parking costs in itself is enough to justify an electric vehicle...
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Roy 2:40PM (8/22/2009)
Apparently, in Norway, buying an IndicaEV is a no-brainer. They will all be sold before they are made. Only when the Norway market is saturated, will they become available for the rest of Europe, have fun waiting.
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