Electric Mobility News

Clear water bodies dotted with 10,000 seaplanes, 'floating cities' in the form of ocean cruises and electric vehicles zipping on dedicated highway lanes -- that's the future as envisioned by Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. For the 'go-getter' minister at the helm of affairs to overhaul the country's infrastructure, India has the potential to realise all this and much more.

The electric car is here! And for the first time in automotive history, the demand for electric cars far outnumbers the supply for them. The Tesla Model 3 is the perfect example of this with hundreds of thousands of orders still pending and eager customers waiting for their brand new cars to be delivered. And another example is the very competent Volkswagen e-Golf. In fact, such is the demand for the electric hatchback that Volkswagen have announced that they will double the production soon. The e-Golf is currently made at Volkswagen's state of the art and self sustained 'glass factory' in Dresden.

In an all time record, Volkswagen has announced that by December 31, 2017, it will make its 6 millionth car of the year. The 6 million (or 60 lakh) cars a year number is possibly one of the largest manufacturing figures ever recorded in the history of the automotive industry and is only taking into consideration the Volkswagen brand and not the Volkswagen Group as a whole which, of course, will register a much higher total figure. The production boost has been headed by the likes of popular models like the Golf, Polo, Jetta and the Passat but has also been boosted by several new launches in 2017. Since inception more than 70 years ago, Volkswagen have made a total of over 150 million cars since the original Beetle first rolled off the assembly line.

Along with the petrol and diesel options. Volvo will also offer the V40 in plug-in hybrid and all-electric version from 2019.

Toyota Kirloksar Motor Vice-Chairman said consumers should be given freedom to make a logical choice, and manufacturers enough leeway so that they can produce what the consumer wants.

The Nissan Leaf Grand Touring Concept features a dual-tone back and silver finish on the exterior along with signature V-motion grille.

The consultant has been tasked with evaluating all options, including clean technologies like electric (vehicles) and hydrogen (fuel cells).

The Centre is targeting a fully electric fleet for public transport, including buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws under the second phase of FAME India scheme.