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.
Xiaomi is diving into the electric EV industry with its first EV model called the Xiaomi SU7. The Chinese firm showcased the SU7 officially back in December last year and within just a few months of showcasing, this EV’s availability is also revealed. Starting this month itself, the Xiaomi SU7 will be up for grabs. Here’s the launch timeline and delivery dates:
Xiaomi SU7 Electric Coupe-Style Sedan Official Launch, Delivery Dates
Xiaomi has made an official announcement which reveals the launch timeline for the SU7 electric coupe. The brand is set to launch its first EV on March 28, 2024. The post has been shared by the company on the Chinese microblogging website, Weibo.
Furthermore, Xiaomi is also making the Speed Ultra 7 (SU7) electric sedan available for experience to the interested customers from March 25. During its showcasing, Xiaomi had only shared insight related to the design and features of the SU7. Since then, the rumor mill has been anticipating its launch in the global markets.
Now, Xiaomi has been taking pre-bookings for the SU7 electric coupe in its home country in at 59 partner dealerships in 29 different cities. The Xiaomi SU&’s global availability is uncertain, but we can expect some announcements related to the roadmap during its China launch.
Xiaomi SU7 is launching in two variants including standard and Max with the former features a single motor mounted on rear-axle and the former featuring an all-wheel drive dual motor setup. Top speed of the Xiaomi SU7 is up to 265 kmph with the standard variant making a sprint from 0- 100 kmph in 5.28 seconds and the Max variant accelerating from 0-100 kmph in 2.78 seconds. Amenities loaded inside the cabin will include connected tech cabin, a 16.1-inch screen, and more.
Might be packed with a bigger battery pack than the standard model
Kinetic Greens re-launched its retro moped in an all electric avatar recently in India. Priced under Rs. 70,000, the e-Luna electric moped arrived with a 2.2 km battery pack and up to 110 km range delivery. Now, Kinetic has filed a new design patent for the e-Luna in India and will bring it with an additional luggage carrier. Here are the developments:
Kinetic E-Luna Fresh Design Patent Filed: How Does It Differ From Original Model?
The latest patent filing for the E-Luna suggests the brand is taking up a new design approach for its retro-style electric moped. Unlike the standard model, the new E-Luna will include a luggage carrier at the rear. Except for the added luggage carrier, no overhaul will be given to the remaining design.
It appears that Kinetic is building up its niche with the E-Luna and will allow the customers to use this e-scooter for load carrying purpose too. The outgoing E-Luna electric moped currently can handle a payload capacity of up to 150 kg. The upcoming E-Luna model with the integrated luggage carrier will probably offer a higher payload capacity.
Kinetic E-Luna Luggage Carrier Variant Powertrain And Features
The spec-sheet of the Kinetic e-luna mounted with a luggage carrier isn’t confirmed. Only the trademark filing details have emerged. There are some rumors that this new model will probably have an identical powertrain but slightly bigger battery module than the standard model.
The existing E-Luna comes with 1.7 kWh and 2 kWh battery pack options with the former delivering 80 km range on a full charge and the latter delivering up to 110 km range per charge. The upcoming E-Luna variant with the luggage carrier is expected to come with a 3 kWh battery pack. Its range delivery would be difficult to guess at this point but we can expect somewhat similar figures as the current model.
Ultraviolette brings 3 new DC fast charging stations in India
Up to 100 more charging stations planned
These charging stations to feature Type-6 connectors
Ultraviolette Automotive made its grand entry in the Indian market with its high-speed electric motorcycle called the F77. Now, the EV manufacturer is strategizing to improve its charging infrastructure in the country with the launch of dedicated DC fast charging stations for its EVs. In the first phase of this development, Ultraviolette has introduced three new DC fast charging stations in India called UV Supernova. Here’s everything you need to know:
Ultraviolette Supernova DC Fast Charging Station: Current And Future Locations
The Ultraviolette Supernova DC Fast Charging station has been currently launched in three different Indian states. Customers in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu will get an early access to the DC Fast charging station from Ultraviolette.
These three Ultraviolette DC Fast charging stations comes a part of Phase 1 of the charging infrastructure expansion in the country. While the next selected locations to get Supernova DC fast charging station remains unspecified, as many as 100 more stations are said to be included in the later stages. The timeframe by which all these Supernova DC fast charging stations will be installed in the country is also yet to be confirmed by the brand.
Supernova DC Fast Charging Stations: How Will They Benefit Customers?
Charging infrastructure is one of the biggest concerns amongst the EV owners. However, the brands are gradually addressing the poor charging infrastructure by installing new stations. With the UV Supernova and Supernova Plus DC charging stations, consumers will get to access quick charging on-the-go which will prove beneficial for intercity and long commutes.
The standard Supernova charging station will offer 6kW fast charging, while the Supernova Plus charging station will support 12kW charging. Using the DC Fast charging stations, the Ultraviolette F77 is said to get charged from 20- 80 percent within an hour. Furthermore, both Supernova and Supernova Plus charging stations will be equipped with Type-6 connectors.
Orders for nee FASTag can’t be placed with active FASTags
NHAI’s deadline for Paytm Fastag ends today, i.e., on March 15, 2024. This is the extended deadline post which all the active Fastag linked to Paytm will stop working on all toll plazas across the country. Users have been advised to switch to a different bank for FASTag by NHAI to avoid any unwanted hassles and penalties while crossing toll plazas on the state highways. Some users are reportedly experiencing issues with placing orders for new FASTag from other banks despite deactivating it from Paytm. In such scenarios, checking the status can be of help. But how can you do so? We have listed the steps below:
Paytm FASTag Deadline Ends: Difficulties In Order Placement?
With the deadline coming to an end, vehicle owners are rushing to deactivate their existing Paytm FASTag accounts. This is a must process as per NHAI before one can place an order for a new FASTag from some other bank. It comes as a part of “One Vehicle, One FASTag” initiative from NHAI.
There have been several reports which indicates users are experiencing difficulties while placing order for new FASTag. Closing an account seems to be the primary issue for these customers. But it doesn’t take much effort to get the Paytm FASTag account closed. You just need to follow the right steps.
The easiest approach deactivate Paytm FASTag is by contacting the Paytm customer care support. You can either call on the toll-free helpline number, i.e., 1800-120-4210, or can chat with the executives via the app. You would need to provide essential details such as the vehicle registration number or FASTag ID for the closure of the account.
It could take 5 to 7 working days for Paytm to close your linked account and refund any pending balances. Besides this waiting period, you will also have to check the exact status of the Paytm Fastag account before buying a new FASTag from a different bank.
Vivo as a top contender in the smartphone industry has been creating its niche in different categories with its dedicated lineups. In the premium mid-tier segment, the Vivo V series has been the brand’s strongest bet. It is one of those series which Vivo has been upgrading proactively with new models. Within a short span of just six months of the V29 Pro has received its successor in the Indian market. Called the V30 Pro, the latest V series handset also brings along a promiscuous camera hardware, unique design, and a price range under Rs. 50,000.
The base model of the Vivo V30 pro which has 8GB RAM and 256GB storage carries Rs. 41,999 price tag, while its 12GB RAM+ 512GB storage model is being sold at Rs. 46,999 via Amazon, Flipkart, and official retail partner stores. At Giznext, we received the V30 Pro for review and have been testing its performance for different aspects. Here’s what have impressed us and also our feedback whether this new V series model lives up to all expectations. Specifically, for the photography enthusiasts.
Vivo V series is well known for its well-designed aesthetics which look premium and is modern. With the V30 Pro, you might get a familiar vibe as its successor. However, Vivo has altered the overall design language in a manner that it doesn’t entirely move away from the signature styling while meeting the modern day standards.
The V30 Pro retains its sleek form factor and measures just 7.5 mm in thickness. The premium design of this handset isn’t solely highlighted by the slim form factor but the 3D curved front panel, glossy rear panel all of which is encased within the metallic frame. The AG Fluorite glass back panel brings along an identical square-shaped camera module along with Aura ring light placed right below it.
We liked the touch and feel of the V30 Pro and every single time we picked it up. Both Andaman Blue and Classic Black options looks modern with the former reflecting wavy-shades in sunlight, while the latter offering glittering effect when exposed to direct light. We have received the Classic Black color variant which we found to be subtle yet premium overall.
Upfront too, the V30 Pro oozes a luxurious in the first glance. The 3D curved front glass blends seamlessly into the side frame. Ports and keys have the usual positioning, with the right spine housing the volume rockers and the power key and the bottom panel accommodating the SIM card slot, USB Type-C port, and the speaker grille.
The Vivo V30 Pro’s back panel despite offering a shimmering effect remains free of fingerprints and smudges. Now, this is a relief for the users who can’t do well with the added cases and covers. But since the unit is slightly slippery, wrapping it up with a case would be an ideal move.
Adorning a tall 6.78-inch 3D curved screen, the Vivo V30 Pro offers the best-in-class viewing experience. The panel integrated is AMOLED which combined with the large screen size and top-notch specs elevates the overall viewing experience. The screen on the Vivo V30 Pro comes with and FHD+ resolution and has HDR10+ certification, and 10-bit color depth.
It also supports a refresh rate of 120Hz with which you can not only experience smoother touch response but also better frame transitions with extensive graphics. The viewing experience on this Vivo V series phone has been immersive throughout. The colors are accurate and the panel doesn’t produce dilapidated blacks enhancing the viewing experience with dark shows and movies. Detailing is top notch with the display and sharpness is adequate. There are several tweaks that can be done using the Display settings.
You can toggle between different screen color settings where the Default option delivers fairly good output overall. The Pro options makes adjustments to the screen output by analyzing the content type, whereas, the Bright mode improves the brightness levels of the screen for clear outdoor visibility. Now, this brings us to the V30 Pro’s screen performance under direct sunlight. Well, with up to 2800 nits peak brightness, this phone has least visibility issues when you are out on a bright sunny day.
The V30 Pro is also ideal to stream content via OTT platforms and . You will get a rich viewing experience when the media is being streamed at Netflix, Amazon Prime, Videos, Disney+ Hotstar, and other apps. The same can be said for gaming too. The V30 Pro’s screen is apt for both moderate and high-end games.
Camera hardware and performance is the undeniably the best highlight of the V30 Pro. The primary setup has been revised with a 50MP triple-lens setup. The upgraded hardware now has a 50MP main sensor which is a Sony IMX920 lens with an f/1.88 aperture and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization). This main sensor is further accompanied by another 50MP sensor which captures ultra-wide frames with 119° FoV and AF (auto focus). Lastly, a 50MP portrait sensor is also present for the bokeh effects.
The output offered by the 50MP trio is top notch and it’s by far one of the most versatile camera phones that have debuted in 2024. And after reviewing Vivo’s flagship X100 Pro we had high hopes with the V30 Pro’s imaging performance. Surely, we weren’t let down with the quality. The V30 Pro’s primary camera hardware makes sure the detailing is of high-quality.
As you can see in the camera samples here, the camera setup captures stunning details in different background scenarios. The dynamic range is high with the captured shots. Edge detection is also to the point which is impressive. You can toggle through a variety of camera modes from the camera app itself.
Th V30 Pro also does a good job with capturing images in zoom. Take a look above for the camera zoom performance. You will be able to see less distortion with the 10x zoom. Thanks to the large primary camera sensor the details aren’t compromised even if you click images with 10x or above zoom.
Under its hood, the Vivo V30 Pro has the MediaTek’s latest octa-core premium mid-range chipset — the Dimensity 8200. Vivo has used the upgraded chipset for better performance delivery. The premium mid-tier SoC is paired up with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage space. But wait, there’s an additional up to 12GB RAM (virtual) which does improves the performance output overall.
The Vivo V30 Pro offers more refined user experience when you perform a variety of tasks. This phone has been handling extensive operations with ease. This improved performance did grab our attention since we were expecting slight hiccups here and there. Surprisingly, the V30 Pro turned out to be quicker with app load and boot.
We also didn’t face any laggy or slow response when there were multiple apps including games running in the background and we had to switch between them. Thanks to the high capacity RAM (both physical and virtual combined), the V30 Pro is able to throw a consistent performance while multitasking.
The V30 Pro also gets a large vapor chamber which helps with stabilizing the temperature levels. Even if you are using this handset for prolonged media consumption or gaming, there isn’t any prominent heating issue that you will come across.
For storage requirements, you can select the suitable model offering 256GB or 512GB built-in memory. This space is ample and once can easily store large-sized files including images, videos, and other documents.
Vivo ships the V30 Pro with Android 14 OS and has layered it with the new FunTouch OS interface on top. While Vivo has massively cut down on bloatware with the V30 Pro, it isn’t entirely free of it yet. However, the experience overall while using the new UI is better than the previous-gen models. The UI also has minimum ads now and is promised to receive up to four years of security patch updates.
Rounding off Vivo V30 Pro’s hardware-sheet is the 5,000 mAh battery pack. The large battery size is efficient in terms of power delivery and easily lasts almost an entire day if the usage is moderate. With the supported 80W fast charger, the Vivo V30 Pro’s battery gets a full charge in less than an hour, while a 50 percent charge from 0 percent takes less than 30 minutes. Do note that with extensive usage, the V30 Pro’s battery pack delivers significantly lower backup. Specifically when the display brightness, audio levels are set to max for long.
Vivo V30 Pro is loaded with a solid spec-sheet which allows it to outperform some of the top contenders in its league. But what steals the show here is the V30 Pro’s refined photography. This phone is designed to please the shutterbugs. It’s 50MP camera island at the rear along with the Aura light stands out from the competition. The V30 Pro gets our special recommendation for being the best-in-class camera phone under Rs. 50,000 price range.
Will be first electric SUV from Maruti Suzuki in India
Shark fin antenna, connected tail lamp, and more
Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV’s road testing has begun on the Indian roads. The eVX’s test mule spotting while being camouflaged has given a hint of its real-life road stance. Slated for 2025 debut, the Maruti Suzuki eVX has been showcased at the Auto Expo and the Bharat Mobility Global Expo events. Does the real-life design moves away from the concept? Find out below:
The Maruti Suzuki eVX e-SUV test mule has been seen being tested on the Indian streets. Covered with heavy black wrapping, the curves and silhouettes have been neatly hidden. Up front, the eVX is seen flaunting a modern grille, and LED headlamps. The test mule spy shots also indicate 360-degree camera surveillance where the camera sensor are tucked at the front and on the ORVMs.
If we speak of the side profile, the eVX’s test mule has revealed rear door handles mounted o the C-pillars. A shark-fin antenna and a rear spoiler can also be seen in the test mule spy shots. One of the biggest design advantages of the Maruti eVX is the charging port mounted on the front left fender. This placement will keep the port safe in case of any head-on collision.
This test mule snaps of the eVX doesn’t show the internals. However, it is expected that Maruti Suzuki will load this e-SUV with modern and advanced amenities ranging from a big infotainment screen with touchscreen capabilities and Android Auto, Apple Car Play compatibility. The eVX’s cabin will also offer auto climate control feature along with ventilated seats, and more.
Details related to the complete powertrain mechanics of the Maruti Suzuki eVX wasn’t shared by Maruti during the showcasing. However, it is said to be built on the 27PL skateboard platform. It could come with a 60 kWh battery with which it is expected to offer a range of somewhere around 550 km per charge.
Cabin gets a bigger touchscreen infotainment screen
Currently introduced in international markets
BYD, the Chinese EV firm has updated its most popular electric SUV, i.e., the Atto 3. Introduced overseas, the updated 2024 BYD Atto 3 is launched with new range of features. Alongside, BYD has also made some cosmetic enhancements to the BYD Atto 3’s updated model while keeping the mechanics identical to the ongoing model.
The updated 2024 BYD Atto 3 electric SUV’s exterior revamping includes a new paint scheme called Cosmos Black. It gets chrome window linings and new set of alloy wheels as a part of the cosmetic upgrades.
Besides the exterior, the 2024 BYD Atto 3 has also received cabin enhancements. One of the prominent updates that the interiors get is the addition of a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This is the same instrument module which is integrated inside the Seal EV.
The 2024 BYD interiors further gets a new paint job too. Unlike the outgoing model which offers beige-blue dual tone finish, the new model has black-blue color tones. The latest e-SUV will now offer an intelligent start feature. With this new smart feature, drivers would need just a small push to the accelerator for ignition.
The 2024 BYD Atto 3 has only been updated in terms of features and cosmetics. The internals aren’t tweaked and this e-SUV still runs on the same electric motor which is integrated on the front axle. This variant will also produce 210 hp power output and 310 Nm of torque.
The BYD Atto 3’s updated version gets the same 60.48 kWh battery module as the outgoing model. It comes with up to 512 km ARAI-certified range with the battery pack getting a full charge within 10 hours with the 7kW AC charger.
The 2024 BYD Atto 3 has been made available outside India. There is no concrete development yet surrounding its India launch. But since the BYD Atto 3 is one of the top selling e-SUV from the Chinese manufacturer in the country, its updated version should also make its debut soon.
Ather Energy’s Community Day 2024 will be a host to multiple product announcements. The star of the event will be the EV manufacturer’s first family e-scooter called Rizta. Ather is sharing gradually dropping off teasers revealing the upcoming e-scooter’s comfort and utility aspects. All this while, the mechanics were kept a mystery. After all the wait, Ather has finally teased the Rizta e-scooter’s battery info.
Shreyas loves destroying batteries and he comes up with his own crazy ways of testing them. Last time he was seen baking his battery eating ice-cream. This time he saw a crane and got excited and wanted to test strength of our batteries.
Ather after sharing teaser for its upcoming smart accessory called Halo has revealed the battery details for the Rizta e-scooter. The latest post shared on X is also a short video like the previous product teaser. However, this time it’s a drop test showing the Rizta e-scooter’s battery toughness.
Until now, we have seen a variety of drop tests being done on gadgets and smartphones. But definitely it’s an unique approach for an EV startup. With 40ft drop test of the e-scooter’s battery. Ather is touting how it has designed a resilient battery module which is suitable for Indian terrains specifically where the road conditions might be rough.
Ather Rizta E-Scooter Battery Details: Capacity And Range
Ather has shared minimum insight with the first battery teaser for the Rizta. However, the upcoming electric scooter is confirmed to share the same battery module with the 450 series. But again, the exact model with which the Rizta e-scooter will borrow the battery pack isn’t revealed by the teaser.
Which brings us to speculations of it being either a 2.9 kWh or a 3.7 kWh unit. And noting the fact that Ather is bringing in the Rizta for family-centric consumers, it wouldn’t be wrong to rule out the bigger battery capacity. Range figures would be difficult to guess; specifically since the Rizta is known to come with a bulkier form factor. Whether the range delivery will cross 100 km mark or falls short of it is something we’ll have to wait through to see.
Ather Energy Community Day is hardly a month away. The two-wheeler EV startup has been teasing what all we can expect during the upcoming community day celebrations. While Ather Rizta is said to be the prime highlight, Ather is also planning to launch another product for the Indian consumers. It’s not another e-scooter which the brand plans to its catalogue, instead a smart accessory dubbed Halo. What is this new accessory which Ather has lined up for India launch? Find out below:
Ather Halo Smart Accessory Teaser Out: What Could It Be?
In a post shared on X, Ather Energy’s CEO, Tarun Mehta has teased a new product that will be introduced alongside the Rizta e-scooter. The short video teaser just gives a few glimpse of the upcoming smart accessory but not the clear look. The smart accessory will be called ‘Halo’ which the brand is promoting as its top-secret smart accessory.
In the teaser, we could only see the smart accessory’s quick look featuring the Halo badging at the rear. Ather has been creating hype for its upcoming product lineup that is being introduced at the Community Day 2024 event. The same approach is being taken for the Smart Halo as most of its details are still kept under the wraps.
As we have mentioned earlier, Ather Energy’s CEO has only teased the upcoming Halo smart accessory. The clarification of it being a smart helmet is yet to come from the company. However, if go as per the insight shared by the industry, the Ather Halo would be a smart helmet which could offer a display. The detailed functionality of the screen would be revealed during its official launch.
Additionally, the Halo smart helmet is expected to feature Bluetooth compatibility, which probably would control the display lightings.
Quantum Energy announces price drop on its e-scooter range
Plasma X and XR E Scooter models gets discounts
Now cheaper by up to10 percent
Quantum Energy, an EV startup has just joined the list of brands offering deals on its e-scooter range. The Plasma X and the XR e-scooter models have got special period discounts getting more affordable for the Indian consumers. Here are the deals one can grab on the Plasma X and XR e-scooter models:
Both Quantum Plasma X and Plasma XR electric scooters have received 10 percent discount on their retail pricing. With the new discounts, the Plasma X e-scooter model which has been retailing at Rs. 1.20 lakh (ex showroom) gets a price tag of Rs. 1.09 lakh (ex showroom). The low end model, i.e., the Plasma XR is now retailing at Rs. 89,000 (ex showroom).
Previous retail price of this model before discount was Rs. 1 lakh (ex showroom). This means the prices of both variant have dropped by approx. Rs. 11,000. Just like Ola, TVS and others, Quantum has also dished out the discounts on the Plasma X and the Plasma XR electric scooter models for a limited period. These discounts on both Plasma e-scooters are valid only till March 31, 2024.
Quantum Plasma X, Plasma XR E-Scooters Top Highlights
Quantum Plasma X
Powertrain
Motor Type
hub
Power
1.5 kW
Battery
60V 50Ah
Range
110 km on full charge
Top Speed
65 kmph
The Quantum Plasma X features a hub motor producing 1.5 kW peak power. Linked to a 60V 50Ah lithium-ion battery, the Plasma X’s range delivery stands at around 110 km on a full charge. It can sprint from 0- 40 kmph in 7.5 seconds and achieve up to 65 kmph top speed.
Quantum Plasma XR
Features
Motor Type
hub
Power
1.5 kW
Battery
60V 50Ah
Range
100 km per charge
Top Speed
60 kmph
On the other hand, the Plasma XR also equips the same 1.5 kW hub motor and a 60V 50Ah Lithium-ion battery. However, this e-scooter has a slight lower range offering of up to 100 km per charge. The Plasma XR’s top speed is also slightly lower as compared to the Plasma X at 60 kmph. Both e-scooters come with dual drive modes including Eco and Sports.
Quantum Energy’s Plasma e-scooter lineup has already been suitable pick in the affordable segment. The fresh discount of 10 percent will allow these two e-scooters to compete the ongoing competition in the E2W segment.
