Remember the all-electric Tigor and Verito compact sedans that were recently delivered to the Government of India as part of a pilot project? Well, if reports are to be believed, the government officials to whom these cars were allocated are unhappy with both these models and have expressed their disinterest in using the said EVs. It is being reported that the officials are not satisfied with the performance and range on offer on the Tata Tigor Electric and Mahindra e-Verito.
All this comes on the backdrop of a tender that was floated by the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL), a Government of India subsidiary. As part of this tender, Tata Motors was given an order for 250 units of the Tigor electric. A similar sized delivery was expected to be made by Mahindra & Mahindra as well. These cars were supposed to replace the gasoline/diesel powered cars currently being used by various government officials.
However, the select few officials that became the first ones to receive the electric sedans have now voiced their complaints regarding the electric vehicles (EVs). According to media reports, both cars – the Tigor electric and the e-Verito, are giving low drive range per charge, which is a cause for concern to the stated officials. Mahindra claims that the e-Verito can cover a distance of 110 km on a single charge, while the Tigor electric is claimed to be cable of offering a drive range of 130 km. However, both these models are said to be delivering a drive range of less than 80 km per charge.
Additionally, the two manufacturers have also failed to supply the aforementioned order in its entirety. Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra were supposed to cumulatively deliver around 500 electric sedans. However, reports are pointing to just 150 units delivered till now.
This news can be a potential barrier to the popularity of electric cars in the Indian market. While global markets are showing some apparent shifts towards electric cars, the Indian automotive industry is still showing hesitation in accepting EVs.
News Source – LiveMint