The Tata Nano Electric, which was first showcased at the Geneva Motor Show, was recently unveiled at the Madrid Motor Show. And, not surprisingly, it got the unconditional love of everyone who happened to visit the show.
Now it is no secret that Tata Motors is working day and night to have a successful foray into the European markets with its wonder baby Nano. And when finally Tata reaches Europe in the coming 30 months or so, it will be with a convoy of not just Electric Nano, but petrol and diesel Nano.
The Tata Nano Europa, as the EV is well known, is powered by lithium ion batteries and will do a round of about 160 km before a second recharge of the battery. Nano Europa is a small car, and an electric one at that, but can easily do a top speed of 100 kmph, and sprint from 0-60 in just about 10 seconds. Now wouldn’t you say that these figures are rather impressive considering that the Nano Europa is a city car with an electric heart?
Most of us would drool at the very thought of having the electric Nano in India but Tata Motors is not giving any information regarding a possible launch date of the EV in India. Most Indians would not cruise on the highway in their Tata Nano and, hence, it might actually be the perfect city ride for the Indian roads.
The famous Tata Nano Europa had got an amazing response at the Bangkok Motor Show last December. And Tata Motors may consider launching its Nano and the Nano Electric/Hybrid in Thailand. Tata Motors spokesperson Debasis Ray said the company will introduce a “highly fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly car with appropriate investments for local production in Thailand.”
Meanwhile, Tata Motors has pulled out of the much coveted Thailand Eco Car Project. Apparently the new cost and tax rules brought in by the Thai government have affected the Indian car maker’s decision to back off from the project. As it is, Tata Motors officials are not talking about the possible causes of the withdrawal, though it is an open secret that Tata got increasingly put off by the Thai government’s new rules.
Additionally, the Thai government has introduced a new project which supports alternate fuel vehicles and incurs lesser taxes than the Eco Car Project. The deal was worth big bucks, almost about Rs 700 crores.
Mr Ray has confirmed the decision of backing out from the project. About 18 months back, the company’s Thailand subsidiary had received an investment promotion certificate from the country’s Board of Investment (BoI). The BoI had little choice but to terminate the certificate after Tata Motors failed to submit the project details on the slotted deadline of 31st March.
Tata had planned to introduce a new 1300cc small car by 2012. Rival car makers of Tata, including Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, Honda and Suzuki, have confirmed their plans of making the best of this project.
