India is going to have the world’s cheapest electric car this year. What can be better news than this? Electric vehicles are increasing on the streets at a rapid pace. There is a great need for all of us to go to electric vehicles given the harm caused by petrol and diesel vehicles. With the collaboration of Chinese firms, the cheapest electric car will make its debut this year in India. In this article, you will read about that vehicle as well as certain key points about that car. So, let us begin.
Chinese automobile manufacturer Great Wall Motor is ready to launch its electric car Ora R1 in India, in 2020. This car model is being recognized as the cheapest electric vehicle in the world with a price range of only $8.6K to $11K (INR 6.2 Lakh to INR 8 Lakh). It is indeed a matter of pride for India.
Owned by a subsidiary of the company Great Wall Motor, the car is said to have a maximum range of 351 Km and is being run on a 35KW motor. 351Km range is comparable to other electric cars available in the Indian market, which have an average range of 270 Km with the maximum being Hyundai Kona’s 452 Km/full charge. However, the Hyundai Kona costs about INR 28 Lakh (on-road price, includes insurance and RTO amount). Comparing the price of this car with the other four-wheelers especially cars, it is way cheaper than other cars and four-wheelers.
Further, the average cost of electric cars in India is around 13 Lakh, which is much higher than the average 5 Lakh for economical cars which run on traditional fuel. The launch of Ora R1 will certainly give Indian consumers an economical electric vehicle option as well as a cheaper and environment-friendly option while they battle ambiguity around India’s emission norms and economic slowdown.
Lack of Lithium-Ion Batteries-
Amidst India’s air pollution problem, the need to shift rapidly towards green energy sources has become mandatory. While the Indian government had intensively pushed for electric vehicle adoption through tax cuts, EV-focused subsidies, and various other methods, the higher cost of EVs has been a constant reason for concern among Indian consumers. One of the major reasons for the high cost of electric vehicles is the current lack of lithium-ion battery manufacturers in India. At present, Indian auto manufacturers have to import lithium-ion batteries from other Asian countries like China, Taiwan, and Korea.
Joint Venture-
However, many foreign and local auto majors have started working on setting up battery manufacturing plants in India as soon as possible. A joint venture (JV) of Japan’s three tech giants which include Suzuki, Toshiba, and Denso has committed an investment of INR 3,715 Cr to increase the production of lithium-ion batteries at their proposed manufacturing unit in Hansalpur, Gujarat for Indian benefits. Also, Mahindra and Tata have formed partnerships to start the production of lithium-ion batteries in India at a mass level.
Benefits of Using Electric Vehicles:
1. Less Pollution- Pollution from vehicles is a major problem in India. There is a strong need of electric vehicles because they do not emit pollution and help in safeguarding the environment. They have zero exhaust emissions.
2. Use of Renewable Energy- If you are using an electric vehicle, you can rely on renewable sources of energy like solar energy to charge your vehicle. You could recharge your EV from your solar PV system during the day instead of from the grid. Another idea is to purchase GreenPower from your electricity retailer.
3. Eco-Friendly Materials- There is also a trend towards more eco-friendly products and materials for EVs. The Ford Focus Electric is made up of recycled materials and the padding is made out of bio-based materials. The Nissan Leaf’s interior and bodywork are partly made out of green materials such as recycled water bottles, and plastic bags.
4. Better for Health- Reduced harmful exhaust emissions is good news for our health. Better air quality will lead to fewer health problems and costs caused by air pollution. EVs are also quieter than petrol/diesel vehicles, which means less noise pollution.
I am sure you came across many new things after going through this article. India is a rapidly growing country with the highest youth population in the entire world. Many such developments aimed at the betterment of the society are welcomed by Indians and the entire world. Electric vehicles are also essential for us to control harmful emissions and live a soothing life. So, just give your best to save this humanity and enjoy your life happily.
Written By - Vaibhav Sharma
Edited By - Kashish Chadha
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