Jayem to roll out electric cars

Project Neo in ‘strategic association’ with Tata Motors: MD

Coimbatore, 22/12/2012: J. Anand, Managing Director, Jayem Automotives Ltd., in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. Photo: K. Ananthan

Coimbatore-based Jayem Automotives will soon unveil ‘Neo’ model of electric cars, assembled and marketed by the company.

J. Anand, managing director of Jayem Automotives, said in a press release that the 48-volt vehicle would be powered by an electric drive system developed and supplied to Jayem by Electra EV, its technology partner.

The car has been produced in ‘strategic association’ with Tata Motors, he said. On a full charge, the vehicle is capable of running up to 150 km with air-conditioning. The first batch of cars will be supplied shortly.

Many auto makers were joining the electric race and were expected to promote widespread use of electric vehicles in India, the release added.

Facility upgrade

Mr. Anand said that Jayem already had production facilities, which had been upgraded to roll out the Neo. Infrastructure for charging the cars, training, etc., would be provided by Electra EV. In April this year, Tata Motors announced a joint venture with Jayem Automotives for manufacture of special performance vehicles of Tata cars. The 50:50 joint venture — JT Special Vehicles — would develop a range of special performance vehicles for its passenger car customers in a phased manner at a dedicated line in Coimbatore, the company had then said.

Mr. Anand, however, said, “The joint venture is separate and it is for special performance vehicles. The Neo is not related to the JV.”

On reports that the Neo was for the fleet market and to be unveiled by the Prime Minister, company sources dismissed it as a speculation.