1. MG announces 4 EV related initiatives in India.
MG announced 4 new initiatives for the electric vehicle ecosystem in India on 6 August. These include a new EV charging aggregator app, a battery reuse project, an in-car entertainment platform and an encyclopedia of EV terminologies.
The new EV charging aggregator app is called ‘eHub by MG’. It integrates multiple EV charging networks like ChargeZone, Jio-BP, Adani, GLIDA, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Shell & Zeon. Many more are expected to join soon. The eHub app will be a standalone app. It won’t be integrated with the company’s ‘MyMG’ app. The eHub app will display real-time availability of charging points, types of charging guns, number of charging guns available, and EV users will have the option to reserve a slot at the charging station in advance. Tariffs for each charger will also be listed. The company has categorically mentioned that Tata Power EV charging stations cannot be used via the eHUB app.
MG has also joined hands with battery recycling company LOHUM and 'The Energy and Resources Institute' (TERI) for a new initiative named ‘Project Revive’. The three players will work together to reuse & recycle lithium-ion batteries that are no longer fit for use in electric cars. LOHUM & TERI will use these batteries in inverters to power schools & workplaces in rural areas, which experience power outages. For Project Revive, MG has also tied-up with another battery recycling company ‘BatX Energies’. BatX will reuse old batteries in EV charging stations. One such charging station has already been set-up at IIT Delhi.
MG has also partnered with Jio to develop a new in-car entertainment system called the MG-Jio Innovative Connectivity Platform (ICP). MG India’s electric cars will have an app store powered by Jio, which will let users download entertainment apps as well as games. The vehicle will only let users access these when it is stationary. The system will also have a voice assistant which supports 6 Indian languages. The soon-to-be launched MG Windsor EV will be the 1st MG car to offer these features.
And lastly, there is the ‘EVPEDIA’ encyclopedia. This platform will provide articles about EV tech, EV charging tech, environmental benefits of EVs, EV-centric government policies, information about EV’s total cost of ownership (TCO), a repository of EV-related research papers & a glossary of EV terminologies.
2. Gentari launches EV charging app in India.
Gentari India, a part of global clean energy company Gentari, has launched an app ‘Gentari Go’ in India. Gentari has joined hands with Numocity, Statiq & Charge Zone to provide users access to 1500+ EV chargers across India on its app.
The Gentari Go app features an uncomplicated, user-friendly interface that guides users to discover EV charging stations, and features online payment methods, electric car rental plans & home solar solutions. EV fleet operators can also access a comprehensive network of public chargers. The app offers telematics support & business credits for its fleet management clients. Charge point operators (CPOs) can seamlessly integrate with the platform via Gentari Go roaming hub. In its next phase, the app will introduce in-app bookings for EV test drives in collaboration with leading EV brands in the country.
3. Tata Power & Tata Motors tie-up to create synergy between solar power & EVs.
Tata Power (Tata Power Renewable Energy) & Tata Motors (Tata Passenger Electric Mobility) have come together to jointly accelerate the adoption of solar power & EVs in India. The partnership aims to create a synergy between solar rooftop systems & EVs, offering customers a way to achieve near-zero running costs & carbon footprint. By combining their expertise, the group companies will provide complete solutions that involve Tata Motors electric cars and installation of Tata Power solar rooftop systems.
Around 90% of EV owners charge their vehicles at home. Joining hands with Tata Power Renewable Energy, will allow Tata Motors to offer a pathway to EV customers to achieve zero-emissions mobility and reduce operating costs by disengaging from the grid.
4. Tata Motors launches the Curvv EV. Prices start from Rs 17.49 lakh.
Tata Motors has finally launched the Curvv EV, India's first coupe SUV. Prices start from Rs 17.49 lakh and go up to Rs 21.99 lakh for the high-end long-range version.
The Tata Curvv EV has been positioned above the Tata Nexon EV. It has been built on the company’s acti.ev architecture. It comes with a distinctive design, featuring a sloping roofline which gives the coupe-like outline.
The Curvv EV will be offered in two battery options: 45 kWh (range: 502 km) & 55 kWh (range: 585 km). The Curvv will take on the MG ZS EV & Mahindra XUV400 EV. Its prices also overlap with the Nexon EV. Bookings for the Curvv EV will start on 12 August, 2024.
5. Tata Motors launches ‘iRA’ EV charging aggregator app.
Tata Motors has introduced an EV charging aggregator app named ‘iRA’. The company recently launched its new electric car, the Tata Curvv EV. At the same launch event in Mumbai, Tata Motors also launched the iRA.ev app.
With the Curvv EV & soon-to-be-launched Curvv Petrol & Diesel, customers can gain access to multiple features via the iRA app. For Curvv EV customers, the iRA.ev app will provide battery status, remote commands functionality & navigation assistance. Apart from these basic functions, the new app features 9000 EV charging stations from 15 charge point operators (CPOs) in India. The app will provide real-time charger status availability, multiple filtering options like service provider, charger speed, type, etc. Also, the app has a rating system for charging stations, with reviews from other Tata Motors electric car owners.
The app will initially be available only for Curvv EV customers. Other Tata Motors EV owners will be migrated in phases for iRA app accessibility.
For complete EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website.
