Indiancarsbikes.in: Electric vehicle technology is in the mainstream now. Whether its something as primal as an engine start stop mechanism, a proper fuel cell hybrid or a full fledged electric vehicle that runs on nothing, but battery power. We got to witness the widest array of electric vehicle technology at the 12th Biennial Auto Expo and Mahindra was on the forefront of it all. The Halo Electric sports car, Verito Electric or the Reva, all models showed how serious Mahindra is about electric vehicle technology. Now, according to certain reports, Nissan may tie up with Mahindra for the joint development of electric vehicles.
Mahindra Halo Electric
The collaboration, to which both companies are open, could be in the backend of the electric vehicle (EV) business and mainly in the area of charging infrastructure/technology. “Nissan is open to collaboration with other EV manufacturers in India, in particular for the charging network,” says Andy Palmer, chief planning officer and executive vice-president responsible for Zero Emission Vehicle Planning & Strategy, Nissan Motor Corporation, when asked if Nissan would be open for a tie-up with Mahindra Reva in the EV space.
Nissan Leaf
The two main hurdles electric vehicles face are the cost of making them (Models like the Mahindra E2O cost around Rs 9 lakh once on road) and providing/developing batteries that last long enough. Not to mention the setting up of charging station network. Nissan, which already has collaborations with Toyota, Mitsubishi and Honda in Japan, sees collaboration as a good way to build the EV business. “Charging infrastructure is one of the two prime movers for success of EVs,” adds Palmer. The other ‘prime mover’ is government incentive.
Mahindra Verito Electric
Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra and chairman, Mahindra Reva, also agrees with Palmer’s views on collaboration. In an interview with Autocar Professional, Dr Goenka said, “Yes, we are always open to talk to any OEM who wants to work with us and create the right kind of technology or infrastructure for electric vehicles. If Nissan is interested, we’ll be more than happy to talk to them.”
Mahindra Halo Electric
The collaboration, to which both companies are open, could be in the backend of the electric vehicle (EV) business and mainly in the area of charging infrastructure/technology. “Nissan is open to collaboration with other EV manufacturers in India, in particular for the charging network,” says Andy Palmer, chief planning officer and executive vice-president responsible for Zero Emission Vehicle Planning & Strategy, Nissan Motor Corporation, when asked if Nissan would be open for a tie-up with Mahindra Reva in the EV space.
Nissan Leaf
The two main hurdles electric vehicles face are the cost of making them (Models like the Mahindra E2O cost around Rs 9 lakh once on road) and providing/developing batteries that last long enough. Not to mention the setting up of charging station network. Nissan, which already has collaborations with Toyota, Mitsubishi and Honda in Japan, sees collaboration as a good way to build the EV business. “Charging infrastructure is one of the two prime movers for success of EVs,” adds Palmer. The other ‘prime mover’ is government incentive.
Mahindra Verito Electric
Dr Pawan Goenka, executive director, Mahindra & Mahindra and chairman, Mahindra Reva, also agrees with Palmer’s views on collaboration. In an interview with Autocar Professional, Dr Goenka said, “Yes, we are always open to talk to any OEM who wants to work with us and create the right kind of technology or infrastructure for electric vehicles. If Nissan is interested, we’ll be more than happy to talk to them.”
