Mahindra e2o to be Launched today

In about 5 hours and 40 Minutes from now.

Features that have surfaced from the site with regards to the vehicle are that it would have a 3 drive mode, Eco, Normal and Boost. Boost mode would make for spirited acceleration, at the cost of range.

Top speed is limited at 80 kmph. Which is pretty pretty fine by EV standards.

A range of 100 kms, and running cost of 50-60 Paise per km does make for great value.

The vehicle also features Brake Regeneration, and a Solar panel on the roof for trickle charging to eek out the range by 1-3% or so.

A full charge takes 5 hrs, while there is a quick charge option as well. However the port would have to be a 15 Amp port, not the regular 6 Amp ones.

The company has demonstrated how the car can be used as an inverter as well to power a home in the event of a power failure.

Best bit, light weight, high density Li-ion batteries, that can go the claimed range as well.

Bad bit - No subsidy from the Government means this could be 10-15% more expensive than Swift or i10 ~ around 5 lakhs.

 

Some minor details are trickling in -

Ability to charge thru SMS.

Ability to generate emergency charge thru SMS ( probably drain the batteries beyond regular low charge level )

 

Lithium batteries are 4 times lighter and last 3 times as much than conventional batteries

 

The car has a provision for a sim card.

Thru an application for apple, android or blackberry, you can control your car.

Lock doors, switch on your ac remotely thru your app.

It has a provision for tracking and mapping your route.

 

Revive feature increases the range by about 7-10 kms. In the event of an emergency or So as to be able to drive to the nearest charging point.

 

The car has 10 computers, with a provision for remote diagnostics.

A 6.2 inch touch screen that is hooked up to the computer.

It tracks and provides information with regards to your efficiency and utilization of power.

The screen doubles up as a navigation unit as well.

The regenerative System comes on as soon as you put your foot off the accelerator

 

Features include key less entry, hill hold, Which prevents the car from rolling back if you are going up a hill

 

A 3 by 3 meter solar panel is sufficient to charge the car. Wow.

 

Turning radius of 3.90meters.

Waiting for pricing!

 

5.96 lakhs! Damn

 

For an average running of 1200 kms a month, cost saving per year around 70000 rs.

 

Life span of car not confirmed

That would have been good information.

My question would have been are they planning a System for disposal of used and exhausted batteries..

 

Mr. Mahindra confirms plans for porting this technology to two wheelers.

 

Details on the battery pack -

Comes with a 3 year, 60,000 kms warranty. And cost of replacement around 1.5 Lakhs.

Taking a battery pack running life of 75,000 kms, that translates to a cost per KM of running to around 2.5 rs to the km. Not including the cost of tyres and brakes, which seem to be the only consumable in the vehicle.

 

If I do a direct head to head comparison with the next comparable Fossil fuel vehicle, i.e the Tata Nano

Cost of Nano - 2.1 Lakhs
Petrol cost over 75,000 kms - Taking an average of 18 kmpl and fuel price of 70 - 3.8 Rs per Km. = 2,85,000 Rs.
Set of tyres replaced - 16,000 Rs ( 2 sets )
7 Services ( 1 every 10,000 kms ) - 3000 each = 21,000 Rs
Misc - 20,000 Rs.

Cost of e2o - 5.96 Lakhs
Petrol cost = nil. Charging cost (55-60 Paise per km)
Over 75,000 kms - Taking average of 60 Paise per km) = 45,000 Rs.
Set of tyres - 16,000 (Could be higher, since these would be low rolling resistance tyres)
Service - N/A
Misc - Not really.

Total cost of each car over 75,000 kms or 4-5 years

Mahindra e2o - 6,61,000/- Roughly. However the battery pack would be due for replacement at this time, which is an additional 1,50,000 Rs.

Tata Nano - 5,52,000/- Roughly.


Fossil fuels do make sense for that difference of 2,50,000/- .

However if you want to do your bit for the environment, then this is the way to go.

I would buy this in a jiffy, keeping in mind my daily run of about 50 Kms. However the government can help this by providing the following -

- 0% interest on finance schemes, and 80-90% finance options. So I pay only for the car, not further interest on its value.

- A battery lease plan from Mahindra, thats maybe 2,000-2,500 a month. So that I don't have to shell out 1,50,000/- for a battery replacement. I can simply go and get it it changed whenever it would be due. This would then truly make this vehicle cost effective than owning a Petrol/Diesel vehicle, since this can run virtually the life of the chassis and vehicle.

- Maybe, just Maybe they can make the Batteries hot swappable. As in, making it possible to change the battery pack in less than 10 minutes. You could drive up to a Battery Depot, Park your car, they would remove your discharged battery, verify your credentials, and install a fully charged battery, and you would be ready to go. People wait longer in lines for CNG. This could work if implemented properly.

 

5.96 Lakhs is the Subsidized Price in New Delhi .. the actual Price is 8.23 - 8.64 Lakhs ( this in Hyderabad)

 

Why have such a huge subsidy for Delhi?

 

Delhi Govt. giving subsidy for Electric Vehicles it seems.