New Delhi: It’s green all around as one enters Bharat Mobility Global Expo at re-worked Pragati Maidan in the national capital. The auto extravaganza returns here after more than a decade. And, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the expo on Friday to take stock of technological leaps in the world of automobiles.
As companies display some of their products at the show, a hurriedly-called affair after commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal nudged them to stitch up an event around Oct last year, the dominating theme is electric.
If grandstanding is anything to go by, nothing comes close to Mercedes EQG, an electric concept version of one of the world’s most-iconic and powerful SUV range — G Class. “Unveiled in 2021 as a concept at Munich Motor Show, EQG is all set to enthral attendees at Bharat Mobility with iconic design and futuristic elements. The SUV, which has remained true to itself for more than 40 years, will now step into future of electric mobility,” Santosh Iyer, MD & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, told TOI.
The 4×4 qualities of G Class now find way into age of electric mobility, with e-version promising a lot of bling with shades of lighting and style elements, that come as a package across most of the new-age greens.
Among the biggest shakers is Suzuki eVX, a car that will finally see Maruti offer an electric car in Indian market. Maruti and parent Suzuki took their own time (at their own peril) to develop an electric, even as others like Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra stole a march over the country’s biggest carmaker. Inspired by the concept of an ‘Emotional Versatile Cruiser’, eVX’s progressive SUV silhouette is distinct from that of a conventional SUV. With a battery capacity of 60 kwh, it promises a single-charge range of 550 kms.
Maruti’s rival Hyundai has showcased Nexo, which promises next-gen clean mobility with a hydrogen powertrain. Nexo, the Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), marks Hyundai’s advancement towards achieving a cleaner environment through eco-friendly vehicles. Its hydrogen fuel cell engine generates electricity by combining oxygen with compressed hydrogen, emitting only water, said COO Tarun Garg.
Audi has displayed RS e-tron. The German giant touts this as the country’s first electric supercar and most powerful series production ever made. It goes from 0-100/kmh in 3.3 seconds and has a single charge range between 401 kms and 481 kms. The car is being sold in India since September 2021 and can be charged from 5% to 80% in around 22 minutes, Audi India head Balbir Singh Dhillon said.
Among other companies displaying EVs, sports carmaker Porsche has brought in Taycan, Skoda has displayed Enyaq. While Kia is highlighting EV6, Tata Motors showing Curvv.
In two-wheelers, Hero Moto has showcased its e-range with Vida, while TVS is displaying greens like iQube and premium X.
Companies are hoping that govt will maintain the special tax regime of 5% GST stipulated for electrics.
There has, however, been a demand made by certain companies, such as, Maruti Suzuki, Toyota and Honda that govt should give some relaxation to hybrids, which they say are also relatively green, even though they come with petrol engines.
