Tata Indica Vista EV Ready for UK While India Lacks EV Infrastructure

Tata Motors, among other Indian car manufacturers, are finding support in DuPont India in development of electric cars. Their goal is to make environment friendly, lightweight cars that also help reduce fuel costs. DuPont president, Balvinder Kalsi said that the company collaborates with suppliers across the country being focused on providing the solutions that they need on certain broad themes like sustainability, light weight, fuel and efficiency, as related by rushlane.com.

DuPont India supplies hi-tech polymers, a leading replacement for metal parts in car components,as well as, parts to make electric cars. Debashih Ray, Tata Motors Corporate Communications Head Manager expects to develop an Indica Vista electric car for UK market, suggesting that it will be launched later in 2011.

He also said that Indian infrastructure isn’t ready in terms of charging infrastructure for sustaining EVs. Electric or hybrid cars are being encouraged globally, and as long as carmakers in India are interested in such technology, DuPont will offer technological support. The company is ready to set up an innovation centre in Pune and will help original equipment manufacturers develop new technology.

Can Tata do it? We don't know yet, but we can't expect rock bottom prices for their EVs. However, everything could change if the car were to be mass-produced in India considering the lower manufacturing costs that will influence the overall price of the Vista.

Ultimately, this will all come down to price. There's plenty of competition in the form of the Nissan Leaf. The car is the benchmark for all EVs, and there can be no doubt it's a much better package, so we guess this Tata has to be at least 30 percent cheaper, though it's worth keeping an eye on Tata.