Tata Motors on Wednesday rolled out the first batch of Tigor Electric Vehicles (EVs), which would be supplied to Energy Efficiency Services Ltd. (EESL) as part of a plan to equip the government with EVs to curb emissions.
The Tigor EVs are being manufactured at the company’s Sanand plant in Gujarat. The first of these vehicles were flagged off by Ratan N. Tata, chairman emeritus, Tata Group, N. Chandrasekaran, chairman, Tata Sons and Tata Motors, Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors, and members of the Tata Motors executive committee from the Sanand facility, the company said in a statement.
Though a late starter in EVs as compared to Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors qualified as L1 bidder and won the tender floated by EESL in September 2017 to supply 10,000 electric cars. However, Mahindra, which matched the prices of Tata, also got selected to supply 150 EVs in the first phase.
For phase 1, Tata Motors is required to deliver 250 Tigor EVs. It is expected to supply an additional 100 cars to EESL shortly.
The electric drive systems for this order had been developed and supplied by Electra EV, a company established to develop and supply electric drive systems for the automotive sector, Tata Motors said.
“Tata Motors is committed to the government’s vision for electric vehicles by 2030 and will work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India,” the statement added.
Flagging off the first batch of electric vehicles, Mr. Chandrasekaran said it was a significant milestone for the company and a proud moment for the entire team.
“As we work together to build the future of e-mobility in India, I am confident that our customers will respond very favourably to this electric model,” Mr. Chandrasekaran said. “I congratulate the entire Tata Motors team for this commendable achievement and wish them the very best as they go forward on this journey.”
Mr. Butschek said, “It is indeed a momentous occasion for us as we have shown an exemplary teamwork spirit to overcome all challenges in delivering this project. I also recognise the invaluable contribution made by Electra EV as part of this team. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and offering a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved the way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the government.”
