EVs Personal Transportation Landscape With Recent Activity: Pros & Cons

EV fans are aware that EVs are less expensive to operate and maintain than ICEVs. On the other hand, EV critics will highlight the high cost of many EVs. Do EVs actually cost cheaper to own in the long run? Range, or how far an EV can go on a single charge, is one of the key elements affecting EV happiness.  An electric car runs on electricity instead of gasoline-powered cars. These vehicles lack internal combustion engines instead electric motors depend on batteries for a constant supply of power to operate.

Numerous batteries are used in these vehicles. Among them are numerous nickel-based designs, molten salt, zinc-air, lithium ion, and various other designs. Since conventional modes of transportation are polluting, the electric car’s major goal was to replace them. It outperforms traditional automobiles by offering better fuel economy, lower maintenance costs, easy home charging, a smoother ride, and less engine noise.

Increased demand for fuel-efficient, high-performance, and low-emission vehicles, strict government pollution restrictions, falling prices for electric vehicle batteries, and rising gasoline prices all contribute to the expansion of the electric vehicle market. Furthermore, the development of self-driving electric vehicle technology, proactive government initiatives, and technical improvements in general are anticipated to open up a wide range of opportunities for the major players in the electric vehicle market.

Before we see a total shift to electric vehicles, there is still a long way to go. Manufacturers are making an effort to allay worries about mileage and the infrastructure for charging. The recent improvements in some markets’ charging facilities have undoubtedly contributed to the upward turn in EV adoption.

History Of EV

Many people should be commended for the popular creation of electric vehicles. Anyos Jedlik developed the first electric motor in 1828 and used it to develop the first little electric automobile. Scottish inventor Robert Anderson also created a prototype electric carriage between 1832 and 1839.

• The first electric car was a three-wheeler called the VIKRAM SAFA that Scooter’s India Pvt Ltd. produced in 1996. 400 automobiles total were produced and sold. A popular electric bus with 18 seats was also developed by BHEL in 2000. Around 200 electric vans were then produced and used in Delhi. The battery did not, however, fare well on the market because of its high price and limited lifespan.
• Gas-powered vehicles create a lot of smoke and are harmful and toxic to the atmosphere, which has become more of an issue as environmental awareness has grown in the 21st century.
• As a result, interest in electric vehicles also rose. Electric cars were well-liked by those who used them in cities, where their limited range did not pose an issue. It also became popular because it was an easy choice and didn’t require changing gears. It didn’t make any noise or vibrate. Another benefit was that it did not need a manual start.

Electric Vehicle EV Pros

• Zero Emissions: Electric vehicles (EVs) have no exhaust emissions, unlike gasoline, diesel, or even CNG vehicles. Additionally, they are quieter to operate than standard automobiles, which reduces noise pollution. Therefore, if you drive an EV, you are one of the comparatively few people contributing to a cleaner, greener environment.
• Low Maintenance: EVs are pricey to purchase but less expensive to maintain. They break down less frequently because they have fewer moving parts. Additionally, you’ll spend less on things used for routine maintenance like engine oil, air filters, cooling system flushes, etc. Low maintenance costs are achieved by just needing to replace common wear and tear parts like brakes and tyres.
• Low Cost Per Kilometer: With the rising cost of fuel, driving a gasoline vehicle can cost up to 80% more per mile than charging an electric vehicle. Depending on how much you use the vehicle every day, the difference in the daily operating cost can easily offset the higher purchase price for the first few years.
• Good Performance: Electric automobiles offer thrilling performance right from the outset, unlike conventional petrol or diesel cars, which have a specific engine range where they function at their best. This is particularly useful in cities because it makes pickups and overtakes simple.
• Government Subsidies: Electric car subsidies are available both centrally (FAME) and statewide as the government promotes the switch to EVs. This makes the prices of these EVs a little more competitive with those of their equivalents with internal combustion engines. Even the ex-showroom price for an electric vehicle is available in some states.

Electric Vehicle EV Cons

• Limited Fast Charging Network: Although there are some new EV fast chargers being installed across the nation, the most of these are still in the planning stages. Additionally, the ones that have been set up are not yet in use. This is a significant obstacle when organizing a road trip because you can never be guaranteed that you will find a working charger.
• Higher Cost: An electric vehicle (EV) costs more up front than a gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle. This is due to the high cost and widespread importation of battery components. Depending on the EV you own, you should be able to recoup this expense if your daily commute is more than 50 km in a few years.
• Range Limitations: The majority of electric vehicles have a useful range of 200–300 kilometres. This is due to the fact that range on the highways is only depleting, whereas in the city, range can be recovered through regeneration. If fast chargers were generally accessible, this would not be a problem, but it is not presently the case. Additionally, the scarcity of these chargers makes it difficult to prepare for a road trip in an EV.
• Battery Life: While an engine of a car can go on for decades and the fuel tanks hardly ever need replacement, the life of a battery pack is limited. The battery pack often comes with an 8-year warranty from the manufacturer, but after that time it will need to be replaced, which will be costly. Although by then, much like with your cell phone, you might already be ready to upgrade?

Also Read: Top Electric Scooters With Highest Mileage

Recent Activity In Ev

The number of hybrid and electric vehicles hitting the Indian market is huge. However, there was just Reva over ten years ago. India’s first electric automobile is called Reva.

It is also the least expensive electric vehicle in the nation, costing only 3.7 lakh rupees. In 2008, the business launched the Reva I model. Because it is so little, the two-seater car can be parked just about any place. It is only 8.6 feet long and 4.34 feet wide. Especially for a 14-year-old model, the car’s features are extremely excellent. The expansion of the electric vehicle (EV) market in India is still highly dependent on the year 2022. Although the usage of electric three-wheelers for business purposes increased significantly in this area, battery-powered two-wheelers predominantly drove the growth of the country’s EV sector. It is important to note that the Indian government, through its laws and incentive programmes, also played a significant part in providing this developing field with the much
needed push.

Even though the Indian government has been attempting to cut vehicle emissions by electrifying automobiles for more than five years, the Center’s initiatives have only just begun to show signs of success. It is important to remember that the Indian government claims to have already subsidized more than 7.4 lakh EVs to the tune of INR 3,200 Cr under phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) till December 7, 2022.

In order to increase the market for EVs, FAME-II was launched in 2019 with an investment of INR 10,000 Cr. It does this by offering upfront subsidies to end users and extending support towards the development of a charging infrastructure. The government’s FAME-II programme seeks to encourage the adoption of 10 lakh electric two-wheelers, 7,090 e-buses, and 5 lakh electric three-wheelers, among other vehicles.

Also Read: World’s Top 5 Electric Convertible Cars

The quality of the batteries that are used to power such vehicles has been compromised as a result of a sudden surge in the momentum of EV adoption. When a group of specialists examined the cases of electric vehicles catching fire last year, difficulties with the quality of the batteries in these vehicles came to light. The designs of the battery packs and modules were among the issues that specialists discovered during the examination with EV batteries. But by that point, it was too late because the poor quality of the batteries in their cars had already had an effect on a large number of end consumers. As a result, there was a great deal of public backlash and concerns about the dependability of such vehicles.

The problem drew the attention of the government, which resulted in stricter battery testing regulations and the introduction of specific performance criteria for EV batteries in India by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The AIS 156 and AIS 038 Rev.2 new/revised safety requirements came into effect in October 2022. Additional safety requirements for EV battery cells, Battery Management Systems (BMS), battery pack design, heat propagation, on-board charger, and other issues are included in these standards.

EV Cars Under 5 Lakhs In India

Also Read: Electric Buses Manufacturers In India

EV Cars Under 10 Lakhs In India

There are 4 variants of Tata Tiago EV with almost similar features and few additional features with increase in price.

• Tiago EV XE Base Rs.8.49 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tiago EV XT Rs.9.09 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tiago EV XT Base Rs.9.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tiago EV XZ Plus Rs.10.79 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)

EV Cars Under 15 Lakhs In India

There are 4 variants of Tata Tigor EV with almost similar features and few additional features with increase in price.

• Tata Tigor XE Rs. 12.49 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Tigor XT Rs. 12.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Tigor XZ Plus Rs. 13.49 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Tigor XZ Plus LUX Rs. 13.75 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)

There are 6 variants of Tata Nexon EV with almost similar features and few additional features with increase in price.

• Tata Nexon XM Rs. 14.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Nexon XZ Plus Rs. 16.30 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Nexon XZ Plus Dark Edition Rs. 16.49 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Nexon XZ Plus LUX Rs. 17.30 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)
• Tata Nexon XZ Plus Lux Dark Edition Rs. 17.50 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price) o Tata Nexon XZ Plus Lux Jet Edition Rs. 17.50 Lakh (Ex-Showroom Price)

Upcoming EV Cars In India

• Q8 e-tron Audi: A seven-seat SUV is the Audi Q8 e-tron. In India, the Audi Q8 e-tron is anticipated to debut in January 2023. Prices should begin at 1.10 Cr.
• Air EV MG: A seater hatchback, the MG Air EV. In India, the MG Air EV is anticipated to debut in January 2023. Price ranges should begin at 10,000.
• Skoda Enyaq iV: A seater SUV is the Skoda Enyaq iV. In India, the Skoda Enyaq iV should go on sale in January 2023. Prices should begin at 60 lakhs.
• EV Tata Altroz: A 5-seat hatchback is the Tata Altroz EV. In India, the Tata Altroz EV is anticipated to debut in January 2023. Prices should begin at 14 lakhs.
• 2023 Hyundai Kona Electric: The five-seat Hyundai Kona Electric 2023 SUV. In India, the Hyundai Kona Electric 2023 is anticipated to debut in January 2023. Prices should begin at 23.75 lakh.
• eKUV100 by Mahindra: A 5-seater SUV is the Mahindra eKUV100. In India, the Mahindra eKUV100 should go on sale in January 2023. Prices should begin at 8.25 lakh.
• Ford Model Y: The five-seat Tesla Model Y is an SUV. In India, the Tesla Model Y is anticipated to debut in January 2023. Prices should begin at 70.00 lakh.
• BMW iX1: A seater SUV is the BMW iX1. In India, the BMW iX1 is anticipated to debut in February 2023. Prices should begin at 60 lakhs.
• Citroen eC3: A seater SUV is the Citroen eC3. In India, the Citroen eC3 is scheduled to debut in February 2023. Prices should begin around 8.99 lakh.
• Mercedes-Benz EQA: A five-seater SUV is the Mercedes-Benz EQA. In March 2023, the Mercedes-Benz EQA is anticipated to debut in India. Prices should begin at 60 lakhs.
• Ioniq by Hyundai: The five-seat Hyundai Ioniq is a sedan. In April 2023, the Hyundai Ioniq is anticipated to go on sale in India. Prices should begin at 20,00 Lakh.
• Toyota bZ4X: The seater SUV is the Toyota bZ4X. In India, the Toyota bZ4X is anticipated to debut in April 2023. Prices should begin at 70.00 lakh.
• Volvo C40 Recharge: A seater SUV Volvo C40 Recharge is scheduled to debut in July 2023 in India. Price ranges should start at 60 lakhs.
• Fisker Ocean: The Fisker Ocean is a seven-seater SUV. In July 2023, the Fisker Ocean is anticipated to make its debut in India. Maximum claimed range is 402.33 kilometres. Price ranges should begin from 80.00 lakhs.
• Ford Mustang Mach E: A five-seater SUV is the Ford Mustang Mach E. November 2023 is the anticipated release date for the Ford Mustang Mach E in India. Prices should start at 70 lakh rupees.

Also Read: Electric Cars In India Under 10 Lakhs

Future Scope

By 2030, India’s government hopes to have a 100% electric car fleet. According to the government’s new goal, all cars sold in India starting in 2030 will be electric. India’s auto sector has grown to be among the biggest in the world as a result of the market’s intense competition. According to the Review Report of the Automotive Mission Plan for 2016, the auto industry has a turnover rate of 7.1%. The National Mission on Electric Mobility was approved by the Indian government in 2011, and the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020 was announced in 2013.

By avoiding the dependence on imported petroleum goods, which would cost the nation valuable foreign currency, switching to electric vehicles can save fossil fuels worth roughly $100 billion annually. This will also cut city pollution by 80–90%. In order to immediately decarbonize the transportation industry, the government wants EV sales to account for 30% of private automobiles, 70% of commercial vehicles, and 80% of two- and three-wheelers by 2030. By 2030, India may reduce its use of crude oil by 156 million tonnes, or Rs 3.5 lakh crore, if electric vehicle sales reach 40% in the automobile and two-wheeler categories and close to 100% in the bus sector.