As the Assistant Editor, Sandeep is generating tech-oriented content and also monitoring the content published on the website. He has over six years of experience in tech journalism and has expertise in product reviews, news articles, listicles, and media campaigns.
MG Motor is competing the EV marathon in India with the Comet and ZS EV. The Chinese auto manufacturer has partnered with the JSW Group to bring a whole new range of cars and SUVs in the Indian market. One of the upcoming EVs from the company seems to have landed in the country for testing. Snapshots of the upcoming MG EV have been shared by the rumor mill. Which is this mystery MG EV what all information do we have on the upcoming model? Let’s find out:
The new MG EV’s test mule doing rounds online comes from a charging station in Agra. Covered with camouflage taping all over, the mystery MG EV can be seen docked at the station. The snapshots of the test mule shows the aerodynamic design approach which is a standard norm for EVs considering their hefty weight with the integrated battery module.
Overall, the new MG EV is seen sporting a curvy profile instead of a boxy attire. The production-ready test mule also reveals a polygon-headlamp design along with a full-width LED strip. The grille gets a mesh design and comes void of the charging slot.
For reference, the ZS EV gets a font-mounted charging slot. Instead, the test mule snapshots shows the charging slot on the side fender (right panel). Once can also see the dual-tome ORVMs and the curved rear profile. The back panel of the new MG EV has connected tail-lamp design. The EV sits on big 18-inch alloy wheels.
Upcoming MG EV In India: Expected Moniker, Powertrain, Features, And More
This new EV spotted in Agra is rumored to be none other than the MG Cloud EV which is currently available in the international markets as well. This upcoming MG EV will be built on the E260 EV platform and might be launched with dual powertrain options.
The MG Cloud EV could come with a smaller 37.9 kWh battery or a bigger 50.6 kWh battery option as the international variant. The former will deliver around 360 km range, while the latter is expected to offer up to 460 km range on a full charge. MG Cloud EV also will offer a fully-loaded cabin for comfortable and safe driving experience.
The Cloud EV’s cabin is said to offer a large 15.6-inch touch-enabled infotainment screen and also a digital driver display. Just like the ZS EV, the MG Cloud EV could also be equipped with ADAS and other advanced tech.
Kia Motors is working aggressively to build its premium EV portfolio. Just a few days ago, Kia teased the facelift version of EV6 with a fresh exterior design. Now, the brand has routed once again to the microblogging website X to share a quick glimpse of its another premium electric SUV — the EV3. Is the Kia EV3 also inching closer to its global launch? Check all insights here:
After teasing the EV6, Kia’s latest product teaser comes in the form of EV3 electric SUV. A post shared on X confirms the upcoming premium electric variant’s launch which is slated for later this month. Just for reference, the Kia EV 3 will be making its global debut on May 23, 2024. Besides sharing the official teasers via its social media handles, Kia has also uploaded the dedicated page on its website.
The Kia EV3. Another bold step to accelerate the world's transition toward electrification.
The Kia EV3 World Premiere, on May 23rd, 7PM (KST) / 12PM (CET). Live on YouTube @KiaWorldwideOfficial
It is also worth noting that the EV3 concept has also been showcased earlier alongside the EV4. But this is the first time the brand has shared the glimpse of the production-ready model. This upcoming EV will be categorized below the both EV6 and EV4 in all the markets including India. Notably, Kia has not confirmed its plan to launch the EV3 in India yet and it remains to be seen if it breaks covers on the same date as the global markets.
Kia EV3’s design language is all premium as its remaining EV siblings. This electric SUV gets a sharp yet boxy design. The teasers reveal a new LED and DRL design which moves away from the ones showcased with the concept model. While the fascia of the Kia EV3 seems to be re-worked when compared to concept, the rear profile isn’t entirely different. The boxy back profile is evident in the teaser images along with the Star Map-style LED tail light design.
Currently, Kia has not shared the powertrain and features of the EV3. But this flagship Ki It is not known at this point if the EV3 will come with AWD (all-wheel-drive) or FWD (Front Wheel Drive) drivetrain. But multiple variants could be introduced. That said, the Kia EV3 might deliver around 500 km range per charge, but the real world driving range is uncertain at this point.
Creatara Mobility receives Rs. 3.09 crore grant from MHI
Grant provided via Capital Goods Scheme initiative
Will help boost EV market in India
Automobile giants are getting substantial aid from the government of India to boost the EV infrastructure in India. In the latest development, Creatara Mobility Pvt Ltd., a two wheeler EV brand has been awarded approx. Rs. 4 crores of grant for its electric mobility venture in the country from the Indian government. Read all the details here:
What Is This New Grant Provided To Creatara Mobility?
Creatara Mobility’s EV venture has received a support of Rs. 3.9 crores from the Ministry of Heavy Industries in India. This government of India approved grant of roughly 4 crores will aid the brand in setting up and boost its EV operations in the Indian market. Just for reference, Creatara Mobility grabbed the headlines last year for carrying an IIT-innovator’s developer tag and its unique and compact electric bike.
Going by the reports online, Creatara Mobility has been granted this massive amount as a part of Capital Goods Scheme for the development of indigenous technology. Commenting on this achievement, Creatara’s CEO, Vikas Gupta said, “This grant is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team at Creatara” said Vikas Gupta, CEO, Creatara Mobility. He further added, “We are honoured to receive this support from the Ministry of Heavy Industries (GoI). This will motivate us to continue our mission of revolutionizing the electric two-wheeler market.
Creatara electric bike is said to be based on a unique concept which will prioritize riders safety with different set of features. This electric bike is said to come with a weight cap feature with which the ignition will only turn on if the rider weighs a minimum of 40 kgs. The Creatara electric bike will offer up to 100 km of range and will get charged within 5 hours.
Leapmotor and Stellanis group collaborates to venture into Indian EV space
EV T03 entry level electric hatchback launch tipped
Official roadmap to be announced soon
Lapmotor, a Chinese auto manufacturer is set to to start its venture into the Indian EV market soon. The company has teamed up for Stellanis group officially for its India EV journey and is anticipated to bring an electric hatchback as its first offering. When does Leapmotor plans to begin its India operations and which all models the upcoming T03 electric hatchback will take on? Find out the details below:
Lapmotor entry in the Indian market will be the third such major Chinese brand’s debut in the country. Currently, MG Motors and BYD are the two top Chinese manufacturers that have been catering the Indian consumers with premium electric SUVs and sedans. As mentioned above, Leapmotor have joined hands with Stellanis group for its India debut and operations management. The latter is already handling Citroen and Jeep’s marketing in the country.
Leapmotor plan to mark its entry in India hints an exponential growth in the EV sector in the coming years. While the company is yet to announce its roadmap, we are expecting it to bring its popular international offerings to the Indian shores gradually building up a strong portfolio with EVs. This will also help the EV sector to witness the required boost.
That said, the timeline for Leapmotor’s first EV launch in the country is also not confirmed at this point. The same could be revealed once the brand shares its roadmap for the Indian market. Which brings us to the first expected EV model from Leapmotor in India. As per the online reports, the T03 could be the debutant EV model from Leapmotor in India. It is an entry-level hatchback which offers up to 100 kmph top speed and over 400 km range per charge.
Leapmotor T03 Electric Hatchback Expected Powertrain And Features
Leapmotor T03
Powertrain
Type
Electric hatchback
Motor
Single Electric
Power
80 kW
Torque
158 Nm
Battery
41.8 kWh
Range
400 km
Top Speed
100 kmph
Leapmotor T03 is an entry-level hatchback featuring an all-electric powertrain and a 4-seater design. The compact e-hatch’s motor comes with 80kW power output and 158 Nm torque generation. It gets backed by a 41.8 kWh battery which can provide up to 400 km range on a single charge.
Android Auto is the modern connected car technology which has opened up range of possibilities while driving. If you own a new-age four wheeler, you possible will get a digital infotainment screen loaded with Android Auto suite. Features like turn-by-turn navigation, media playback, and answering calls is just a few taps away. In fact, voice assistance is another advanced user experience offered by an Android Auto-enabled car. As is the case with all Google Apps, auto update via OTA is a general practice which enhances the user experience with Android Auto. Google has added the provision of auto-updates with Android Auto. However, there can be instances where Android Auto fails to update automatically and the user experience can be hampered due to the bugs present in older version. Manual update is what comes to rescue here. But how can you perform a manual update for Android Auto? Here in this article we are listing the step-by-step guide. Take a look:
Make sure the Auto Update option is enabled for your apps on Google Play Store. If auto-update feature is disabled, Android Auto and all other apps that are installed on your devices won’t update automatically even if the OTA update is rolled out.
Step 1: Open Google Play Store on your mobile device or desktop
Step 2: Click on the Profile icon
Step 3: Head to the Setting menu
Step 4: Select the Network Preferences option and tap Auto-update apps
Step 5: Click on the preferred auto update mode such as Wi-Fi or mobile data or both.
Various government apps available for storing documents digitally
Getting stopped by a traffic cop is one of those scenarios which almost every two or four wheeler owner must have come across. And you must have been asked to show physical copies of vehicle registration and other certificates along with your driving license. But thanks to the digital India initiative and roll out of multiple government authorized apps for official and identity document storage, our lives have become much easy. Digilocker is one of such apps where you can store all your necessary documents including Adhaar and driving license as soft copies. As we mentioned, there are other dedicated apps for the same which you must have installed on your smartphones if you are a vehicle owner and are frequent with long travels.
The most popular and frequently downloaded mobile app developed and authorized by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) comes in both website and mobile application form. You simply need to head to the Play Store or App Store on your Android or Apple devices respectively to download this application. This government approved platform offers cloud storage service which are authenticated to be presented to authorities when required. You can not only store your identity documents such as Adhaar, Voter ID card, driving licence, etc., but also vehicle registration documents. Storing acadamic docs is also an option with the digilocker. Do note that you’ll need to create your account in order to acess the Digilocker cloud services on laptops/ Pcs, and mobile devices.
This is a dedicated digital service for transport in India. Developed by the National Informatics centre, mParivahan is another crucial government approved app where you can access and store your vehicle documents. Available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store, the mParivahan app also makes it easy for the users to check the challan status of their vehicles. This can be done by simple entering the vehicle registration number and by tapping on the View Challan Status. One can also check RTO details of the vehicles with the registration number. Also, documents shown on mParivahan app to the authorities are valid and you won’t need to carry any physical copies of the documents during travels.
An abbreviation for Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance is another strong initiative backing the digital India move. This mobile app is also developed by Ministry of Electronics and Information technology and a one-stop solution for document storage online. Similar to the remaining two apps, Umang can also be downloaded on both Android and iOS ecosystems and also be accessed using the desktop version on laptops and PCs. It comes with multilingual support (up to 23 languages) and integrates entire government approved digital services including Digilocker and others. Users can also access and use their personal identification documents such as Adhaar.
Okaya EV has just launched its first premium electric motorcycle in India called. Introduced under Ferrato brand, the Disruptor electric motorcycle comes as a premium offering for sports bike enthusiasts. Top highlights of the Okaya Ferrato Disruptor electric motorcycle includes a cost effective ride with 25 paisa per km run, an LFP battery module, up to 129 km range, and more. In India, the Ferrato Disruptor gets only a handful of rivals. Which all electric motrocycles and E2W’s can be an alternate to the Disruptor electric motorcycle? Take a look here:
Okaya Ferrato Disruptor Electric Motorcycle Top Highlights
The latest premium electric motorcycle from Okaya Ferrato features a 6.37 kW PMSM motor linked to a 3.97 kWh battery pack. The Disruptor produces a peak torque of 228 Nm and can offer a max range of up to 129 km on a full charge cycle. The Okaya Ferrato disruptor further sprints to a top speed of up to 95 kmph and has three different riding modes including Eco, Normal, and Sports. Now, let’s look at the alternates and rivals you can consider instead of the Okaya Ferrato Disruptor electric motorcycle in India.
Tork Motors is amongst the few home grown E2W brands with a diverse portfolio in the electric motorcycle segment. The Kratos R electric motorcycle variant from Tork logs itself as a prime contender to the newly launched Ferrato Disruptor electric motorcycle. Unlike the full-fairing design of the Disruptor, the Krator R sports a naked street-racer styling which can be appealing for consumers who are rather bent on the sleek profile. It has slightly better powertrain when compared to the Ferrato Disruptor and is also priced on the higher end of the spectrum.
Features a powerful PMAC motor producing 9 kW of peak power
Peak torque generated by the motor pack is 38 Nm
Uses a 4 kWh battery which is marginally bigger than the one used in Ferrato Disruptor
Range delivery is up to 180 km per charge with various factors under consideration such as ride modes and driving style, etc.
Features multiple riding modes — Eco, City, and Sports.
Has reverse parking mode too for easy parking at tight spots
Has a higher top speed of 105 kmph
Sports a full screen digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth and mobile connectivity
Price in India starts at Rs. 1.49 lakh (ex showroom)
Revolt Motors is another home grown E2W brand which is catering to the Indian consumers with the RV400 naked sports electric motorcycle. The RV400 is amongst the premium-end motorcycles that has a similar powertrain as the Okaya Ferrato Disruptor and is available with a lower starting price range.
Draws its power from a 3 kW mid-drive electric motor
Performance sheet includes a peak power of 5 kW and 170 Nm of peak torque
Is equipped with a 72V 3.24 kWh battery module
Multiple color options available
Can offer up to 125 km range per charge
Achieves up to 85 kmph top speed
Features digital instrument cluster with mobile app connectivity and navigation support
Takes around 4.5 hours for a full battery charge
Eco, Normal, and Sports riding mode options
Price in India starts at Rs. 1.35 lakhs (ex showroom)
This one is another worthy competitor going up against the Okaya Ferrato Disruptor electric motorcycle. It takes the centrestage as the contender by offering one-its-kind geared electric powertrain. It additionally offers better performance metrics such as range delivery, and more.
Features a mid-drive motor setup producing 10.5 kW peak power
Motor setup churns out 520 Nm of peak torque
Equipped with a 4/5/6 kWh battery options which is bigger than the Okaya Ferrato Disruptor
Range delivery higher than the Disruptor. It offers up to 150 km range per charge
Four-speed gearbox is one of its kind for an electric motorcycle in India
This electric motorcycle can be charged from 0-100 percent within 5 hours
Standard telescopic front and dual rear shock absorbers suspension module
Kia is ready to give its flagship electric SUV a makeover. The company has officially teased the upcoming facelift variant of the EV6 which is expected to arrive soon in the global markets. The new Kia EV6 facelift teaser shows an updated design but doesn’t confirm any primary powertrain upgrades. How does the facelift Kia EV6 looks? Find out the details here:
Kia EV6 Facelift Upcoming: All Design Upgrades Revealed By Teaser
Kia has shared the teaser shots of the upcoming EV6 facelift. The all-electric SUV from the South Korean auto manufacturer is amongst the top choices for the premium consumers and have been due for a facelift since its launch. The teaser set confirms a design overhaul upfront which seems familiar to the new Kia EV5 and EV9 variants.
The upgraded Kia EV6’s fascia includes a tweaked bumper design and the headlamps have also received a transformed look. The LED DRLs gets an angular design now while the main headlamps have been aligned vertically and are now sleek compared to the previous unit. While the teaser reveals major design upgrade upfront, the changes at the rear aren’t clearly visible through the teaser images.
The Kia EV6 facelift model is teased with the same connected lightbar but any other design change is not clear. Nevertheless, considering Kia is bring it as a facelift model, we can’t rule out the possibilities of additional design overhaul. That said, we can see from the teaser photos that the KiaEV6’s facelift model gets sharper and sleek attire over the previous model and looks more futuristic.
We are not really sure if Kia will make minor or major tweaks to the EV6 facelift’s cabin. However, online reports do indicate subtle changes to the dashboard design along with new steering wheel design. The mounted controls on the steering might also get updated and some additional set of features could also be added to the cabin.
With the official teaser being shared by the brand officially, the launch timeline seems imminent for the Kia EV6 Facelift model. Some reports suggests Kia will bring the EV6 within next few months in the global markets. We can expect confirmation from Kia on the same in the coming weeks.
Will take on upcoming Maruti Suzuki eVX and Curvv EV
Hyundai Motors will soon be bringing its first mid-tier electric SUV — the Creta EV. The South Korean auto giant has confirmed its plans to take the Creta EV to the production bay by the end of 2024 and aspires to break its covers globally by 2025. Here’s what the latest reports hints at:
Hyundai Creta EV Production And Availability Timeline
The Hyundai Creata EV’s production is confirmed to begin by the end of 2024. Hyundai itself has revealed the details for the Creta EV production in the country. As for its official launch, the same is anticipated to take place by 2025 in India as well as the global markets.
Further going by the recent reports, Hyundai will probably bringing the Creta EV before Maruti Suzuki evX in the country. Notably, the latter’s launch has been delayed due to multiple reasons with battery software development being one primary challenge.
The Creta EV will primarily be going up against the upcoming Maruti Suzuki eVx and the Tata Curvv EV in addition to the MG’s current premium offering, i.e., the ZS EV. With this, we can expect the Creta EV to be priced somewhere within Rs. 25 lakh range. But the actual cost will only be disclosed post the launch.
Hyundai Creta EV’s test mules have been snapped on several occasions and the design language seems almost identical to the ICE variant. Of course, there are EV specific elements including the re-designed grille, and more. Rumors are rife the Creta EV will be backed by a 45 kWh battery module.
For reference, its rival the MG ZS EV has a bigger 50.3 kWh battery pack and offers over 450 km range per charge. With the smaller battery pack, the range delivery could be slightly less on the Creta EV. But we can’t authenticate this information yet.
Vivo’s latest V series offering is in town — the V30e. Positioned below the V30 and the V30 Pro, the newest member retains a camera-centric approach as its siblings. But with the slim design and decent spec-sheet, it is targeting premium mid-tier consumers. The Vivo V30e has been priced at Rs. 27,999 and Rs. 29,999 for the 128GB and 256GB storage variant respectively. But at this price range does this offer a fair deal? Giznext has managed to test the V30e and here you can read the review in pointers. Should you consider buying this new Vivo V series phone? Here’s our take:
The Vivo V30e flaunts the same luxury attire as its older siblings. It comes in dual color options including Silk Blue and Velvet Red. We received the latter which is all luxurious and with its sleek form factor and smooth gradient textured ribbon finish. The rear panel is smudge resistant and also is able to manage keep fingerprints impressions at bay. But we still will advise to use the transparent case to keep the rear protected from scratches.
The camera module is round and protruding comprising dual sensors and an aura LED ring light. This is the USP of the V30 series including V30e. You’ll also like the curved edges seamlessly blending with the front profile. Ports and keys are restricted to the left and bottom panel with the power and volume keys on the former and the USB Type-C, SIM slot, and the speaker grille on the latter. Overall, the V23e will steal the show.
The V30e sports a 6.78-inch 3D curved AMOLED screen. We found this to be another highlight of the V30e considering you get smooth and clear visuals throughout the screen time. The screen supports an FHD+ resolution and also 120Hz refresh rate.
The color production is crisp overall and the viewing angles with the 3D curved panel is good. Our testing included high-res video playback at different OTT platforms and also via the offline library. With streaming websites, the experience has been fairly good and you hardly witness the quality going for a toss. The same experience is with gaming too.
With the V30e, Vivo has once again showcased its camera prowess. Despite being the entry-level model in the V30 series, the V30e equips solid camera sensors both at the rear and front for a rich photography experience. The setup at the rear comprises a 50MP main Sony IMX 882 lens which is combined with an 8MP ultrawide lens.
We have seen the same primary camera lens on the remaining V30 series models and you can expect the same high clarity levels with this unit. The primary sensor has both AF and OIS support and combined with the new vivo HD portrait algorithm, the output is enhanced. Initial testing shows promising camera performance.
Even the portrait and night shots show good results overall. 4K video recording is another impressive feature offered by the V30e’s cameras. Be it for content creation or capturing moments, the V30e’s cameras will please the shutterbugs. Another big highlight is the studio quality Smart Aura light flash which not just helps capturing low- light shots but also add ambient lighting effects to the clicks.
Vivo V30e is launched in dual configurations. While it comes with two storage variants, RAM option is kept single. This is the only con for the consumers who wish to buy a unit with higher RAM capacity. But the performance isn’t compromised much. With the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset paired up with 8GB RAM, you can expect fairly good performance be it for general app usage or gaming. Multitasking experience is fairly decent with the handset delivering less lags and hiccups during extensive usage.
Charging Speeds Slightly Higher Would Have Been A Better Deal
Now, the Vivo V30e gets a beefy 5,500 mAh battery. And considering its an ultra slim device, this big battery setup is indeed a perk. However, the handset comes with only 44W fast charging support. While this isn’t a slow charging speed, a 67W or higher charging would have made it the best deal for its price point. Nevertheless, you can expect a good backup despite heavy usage and would need fewer re-plugs throughout the day.
Vivo V30e is apparently a mixed bag which can be great deal for the users looking for a complete package under Rs. 30,000. This phone fits for all modern consumers who need entertainment and performance aspects being met by a single device. While there are a few drawbacks such as not so super-fast charging and a cluttered UI, the V30e overall pits itself as a solid unit as a daily driver.