Automobile manufacturer Tata Motors announced that it has rolled out its first batch of electric vehicles (EVs) for the public sector joint venture Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The Tigor EV vehicle was produced at the Tata Motors production line in Sanand, Gujarat.

“This occasion is a significant milestone for Tata Motors and a proud moment for the entire team. As we work together to build the future of e-mobility in India, I am confident that our customers will respond very favorably to this electric model,” Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran said in commemoration of the occasion.

Mercom reported in October that Tata Motors had won a bid to supply 10,000 EVs to EESL in two phases, with the first 500 e-cars set to be delivered in November 2017 and the remaining 9,500 EVs to be delivered in the second phase of the project. A company press release did not specify just how many vehicles were delivered in this first batch.

Phase 1 of the agreement calls for Tata Motors to deliver 250 Tigor EVs, for which it has received a letter of award (LoA). EESL is expected to issue a second LoA shortly for an additional 100 cars. The electric drive systems for the Tigor EV vehicles were developed and supplied by Electra EV – a company that develops and supplies electric drive systems for the automotive sector.

Guenter Butschek, chief executive officer of Tata Motors, said “It is indeed a momentous occasion for us as we have shown an exemplary teamwork spirit to overcome all challenges in delivering this project. I also recognize the invaluable contribution made by Electra EV as part of this team. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and offering a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. This tender has effectively paved the way for connecting our aspirations in the e-mobility space with the vision of the government.”

Mercom previously reported that competition is heating up in India’s EV sector as the Indian government is currently targeting the sale of 6-7 million new hybrid and electric vehicles by 2020 under the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), making EVs the next big cleantech opportunity in India.

A recent study by Niti Aayog and the Rocky Mountain Institute highlights the staggering potential of India’s EV market. Researchers found that India could account for more than one-third of the global market for EV batteries by 2030 if it becomes a 100 percent EV nation. The study also estimated that India’s market for EV batteries could be worth as much as $300 billion (~₹19.38 trillion) from 2017 to 2030.

Image credit: Tata Motors