1. Bolt.Earth introduces Open EV Charging Platform.
Bengaluru-based Bolt.Earth has announced the launch of its Open EV Charging Platform with the objective of integrating the country’s charging points into a single platform. Through this initiative, the company has invited EV charger manufacturers, fleet operators & CPOs to add their charging points to the Bolt.Earth network. The company has also invited third-party, app-based service providers to integrate Bolt.Earth’s charging services in their own apps. Bolt.Earth will also extend its software stack, which includes the company's EV charging app & charging management system (CMS), to charger manufacturers & hosts so that they can track their charging point’s usage and figures in real-time.
2. Matter launches its electric motorcycle ‘Aera’.
Ahmedabad-based EV company Matter has launched its first electric motorcycle ‘Aera’. It is available in two variants: Aera 5000 & Aera 5000+. The prices of the two are Rs 1.44 lakh & Rs 1.54 lakh respectively. Two more variants of the Aera have been planned for the future: Aera 4000 & Aera 6000+. The Matter Aera 5000 & Aera 5000+ sport a 5 kWh battery that provide a range of 125 km. The Aera 6000+, which will be launched at a later date, will feature a 6 kWh battery that will provide a range of 150 km. The Matter Aera is India's 1st geared electric motorcycle. It comes with a 4 speed manual transmission. Other features include a 7-inch touchscreen, front & rear disc brakes and 17-inch alloy wheels. The motorcycle was recently showcased at the 2023 Auto Expo. The Aera is compatible with fast-charging and its battery can be fully charged in 2 hours.
3. Kolkata working on rules for builders to reserve 50% parking space for EV charging points.
Kolkata Municipal Corporation has drafted an amendment in its building rules to make it mandatory for developers to provide EV charging points at 50% of the parking space in buildings. Till now, the requirement was limited to 5% of parking space. According to the proposal, all projects of 20,000 sq.m or more will need to meet the new norm. It has already received the nod from the state government. Developers too, have agreed with the changes and say they are ready to offer EV charging facilities in projects below 20,000 sq.m as well.
4. Tata Nexon EV enters the record books for the fastest K2K (Kashmir to Kanyakumari) drive.
Tata Motors has entered the India Book of Records with the Nexon EV recording the fastest K2K drive by an EV. The Nexon EV completed the drive of 4003 km in 95 hours 46 minutes which is a little under 4 days. The Nexon EV took most of its stops at public charging stations at the highways. We covered this in our previous news article which can be accessed here. Shailesh Chandra, MD, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd, gave a statement: “This achievement is a testament to the enormous competency of the product and the availability of healthy charging infrastructure across the country, further bolstered by Tata Power’s presence across the country.”
5. MG’s much anticipated compact EV to be known as Comet.
MG India has announced the name of its highly anticipated compact electric car: MG Comet. This two-door micro EV is sold abroad as the Wuling Air. In international markets, the car is available in two battery options: 17.3 kWh & 26.7 kWh, which give a range of 200 km & 300 km respectively. The larger battery option is compatible with 6.6 kW AC charging and provides a full charge in four hours. The company will locally source the battery from Tata AutoComp. The car is likely to be priced around Rs 10 lakh. When launched, the Comet EV will take on the Tata Tiago EV & the recently launched Citroen eC3. The Comet will be MG India’s 2nd electric car after the MG ZS EV.
6. Uttarakhand makes EV charging infrastructure compulsory for non-residential buildings.
In a decision to stimulate the use of EVs in the state, the Uttarakhand government has made it mandatory for all non-residential buildings to have EV charging points in their parking areas. As per the new order, all new non-residential buildings including hotels, motels, multiplexes, guest houses, etc should have 10% of their parking space EV charging-ready. All existing non-residential buildings will have to install EV chargers as well.
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