Category: Auto Tech

Key Highlights

• Skoda Elroq official teaser released
• New compact e-SUV
• Global debut by Autumn 2024
• Based on Skoda’s new Modern Solid design language

Skoda Auto is all set for a new premium EV launch in the global markets. The Elroq compact e-SUV is the upcoming all-electric model from the brand which has been officially teased right ahead of its global debut. Skoda has shared a quick glimpse of the Elroq EV’s fascia revealing the new and update design language. Here are the details shared by the first official Skoda Elroq EV’s teaser:

Also Read: Mahindra XUV Electric SUV Steering Wheel Patent Leaks: Two-Spoke, Integrated Display

Skoda Elroq Compact All-Electric SUV Official Teaser

Skoda Auto has shared the first silhouette shots of the Elroq e-SUV via an official blog. The teaser shots of the Elroq EV and the press note shared by the brand confirms the adoption of the company’s latest Modern Solid design language. The teaser has only shared the glimpse of the fascia and the remaining profile has been masked with the silhouettes.

But the minute details we captured with the teases includes the distinctive split headlamp design. One can also see the slim upper section which neatly extends and merges with the wings. The Elroq features the bold Skoda badging on the bonnet highlight the e-SUV’s branding. The Elroq’s front grille has also received noticeable design upgrades. The grille is now more flat and wide than the previous-gen models.

The teaser of the Skoda Elroq also shows the innovative Tech-Deck Face and LED matrix design. Furthermore, the teaser also highlights the big wheel profile of the Skoda Elroq which adds to the robust appeal overall.

Oliver Stefani, Head of Skoda Auto Design commented,  “At Skoda, design is an important part of the brand identity and one of the main factors of our success. The continuous development of key visual elements is both a demanding and exciting task. For this reason, my team and I are thrilled to present the preview of the first Škoda model to incorporate the new Modern Solid design language such as the Tech-Deck Face and a more robust overall look.  He further added, “Moreover, it is the first car in our portfolio to feature Škoda lettering on its sharply contoured bonnet. No doubt, our brand-new Elroq sets a new tone and is a real eye-catcher.”

Also Read: Kia EV3 Electric Crossover SUV Official Teaser Out: Global Debut This Month?

Skoda Elroq E-SUV Powertrain Details

Currently, the powertrain and feature details of the Elroq compact e-SUV are vague. However, Skoda has clarified the new Elroq EV will use the MED modular electric car platform from Volkswagen group. This same platform is being used by the Enyaq and Enyaq coupe EVs. The Elroq EV is also said to offer a roomier cabin and will have advanced features delivering a premium ride quality overall.

Key Highlights

• Mahindra trademarks new e-SUV steering wheel
• Advanced octagonal two-spoke design
• Steering wheel might integrate a semi-infotainment screen

Mahindra’s upcoming electric SUVs are goind through stringent testing. We are expecting several new XUV and BE-labelled electric SUVs in the coming years. Just recently, the BE.05 EV’s interiors were spied where we could see a new steering wheel and some of the key dashboard features. Now, Mahindra has filed patent for a steering wheel which it is expected to use in all of its upcoming electric vehicles. Let’s know in details about the latest steering wheel patented by Mahindra for its electric SUV range:

Mahindra EV Steering Wheel Patent Leaks: What’s Revealed?

The new Mahindra steering wheel whose patent image has surfaced shows a futuristic approach which is being opted for the new-gen electric SUVs and cars. The leaked snapshot shows the two-spoke steering wheel design which has an octagonal shape and a flat central, bottom section.

At the initial glimpse of newly patented Mahindra two-spoke steering wheel, you’ll notice a familiar design as the new-age Tata cars; specifically the Nexon ICE facelift and the Nexon EV. Both these Tata cars also sport a two-spoke steering wheel with a flat central console featuring the illuminated Tata logo. But Mahindra will apparently take a step ahead with this new dedicated EV two spoke steering wheel.

There are reports that Mahindra could integrate a screen in the flat centre space. However, Mahindra has not confirmed any such detail yet. But if these rumors are true, the added screen on the steering wheel will definitely be useful in many aspects.

While it wouldn’t be a full-fledged, it could show some of the crucial ride details and also act as a secondary infotainment screen. We couldn’t see any physical keys clearly mounted on the steering wheel. This suggests the screen itself will offer intuitive touch controls for controlling media playback and other other operations while on-the-go.

Key Highlights

• Jitendra EV Primo S, Primo Plus launched
• Primo S equipped with smalled 2.04 kWh battery
• Primo Plus features bigger 3.36 kWh battery
• Price in India starts at Rs. 79,999

Jintendra EV, an Indian E2W manufacturer has just expanded the Primo e-scooter lineup with two new models. The latest electric scooter offerings from Jintendra EV called the Primo Plus and the Primo S have been introduced for the budget consumers in the country. With a starting price range of Rs. 79,999 and up to 137 km IDC certified range, both Jitendra EV Primo Plus and the Primo S e-scooter makes up for ideal daily commute solutions.

Also Read: Bounce Infinity E1 Electric Scooter’s New Model In Works: Launch Imminent?

Jitendra EV Primo S, Primo Plus: Powertrain And Features

Model	Primo S	Primo Plus
Motor	Single electric	Single electric
Battery	2.04 kWh	3.26 kWh
Range	82 km per charge	137 km per charge
Top Speed	52 kmph	52 kmph

Both Jitendra EV Primo S and the Primo Plus electric scooter have a similar set of features. The design also is somewhat identical with the paint scheme distinguishing the models. The battery pack is another differentiating factor between both the newly launched Primo e-scooter models.

The Jitendra EV Primo S is the low-end model here which integrates a smaller battery size of 2.04 kWh. This e-scooter model is claimed to offer up to 82 km range on a full battery charge. The Primo Plus which has debuted as the high-end variant packs a bigger battery capacity which is of 3.26 kWh capacity. This variant is said to achieve up to 137 km IDC range with per battery charge cycle.

Both Primo S and the Primo Plus EVs have a swappable battery module. The top speed offered by both new Primo series is also the same, i.e., up to 52 kmph. Now, speaking of the features, both Primo Plus and the Primo S electric scooters get an LED headlamp setup and offer a USB charging socket to charge mobile devices on-the-go.

Both new Jitendra EV e-scooters also comes equipped with a digital instrument cluster which has a fault notification indicator. Additionally, both Primo Plus and the Primo S electric scooter models offer a side-stand sensor and reverse mode option too.

Also Read: Ampere Nexus Electric Scooter: Top Rivals And Alternatives

Jitendra EV Primo S, Primo Plus E-Scooter Prices

The Jitendra EV Primo S and the Primo Plus e-scooter have been launched starting at Rs. 79,999 in India. The company has not revealed the delivery timeline for these new e-scooter models. However, we expect them to be available in the next few months.

Key Highlights

• Maruti Suzuki eWX trademarked
• Design patent revealed
• Will be a sub 4m compact EV

Maruti Suzuki will be kicking off its EV venture with the eVX electric SUV in India. Some recent rumors suggested a delayed launch timeline for the eVX which now is anticipated to arrive during the festive season in 2025. And it seems that Maruti is making space for its second EV model already. The developments comes with the eWX patent images making way online.

Also Read: Upcoming Mahindra BE.05 EV Interiors Spied Again

Maruti Suzuki eWX Patent Clearance

Maruti Suzuki eWX will be a compact electric car whose showcasing has already been done at the 2023 Tokyo Motor Show. The second EV has been granted patent which confirms its arrival in the Indian market. Of course, it will debut post the eVX considering its still a long way from hitting the production bay.

The images of the eWX EV’s design patent is same as the concept model. The compact boxy design seems a newer version of the Waganor. But this could be just mere resemblance between the design language and not indeed the EV rebadging. Looking at the images, the vertical LED headlamps and the updated grille highlights the EV-centric design attributes of the eWX.

The compact EV’s patent images further shows ORVMs mounted on the A-pillar and an extended windshield merging with the roofline. The eWX is also seen with standard full covered wheel caps instead of alloy wheels. However, this is just a patent image and it could feature different set of wheels with the production-ready models.

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV India Launch Postponed: Here’s The New Timeline

Maruti eWX EV: Full Details Known So Far

Maruti eWX is still in the development stage which is why limited information is available on its powertrain and specs. But since the eWX is a compact electric car and likely an affordable offering, it is likely to feature a single electric motor setup mounted on the front or rear axle. The battery information is also at large but it is expected to make a run of up to 230 km on a full battery charge.

Key Highlights

• Production-ready Mahindra BE.05 interiors snapped again
• Two-spoke steering wheel confirmed
• Dual-screen infotainment system also revealed

Mahindra BE and XUV.e EVs ar going through rigorous testings ahead of their launch. We have come across multiple prototypes doing tests on the Indian streets and highways. Just a while ago, the BE.05′ interiors were spied while the EV was being tested in Ladakh region. Now, the upcoming EV has been snapped once again in an apparent production-ready avatar. This time as well, the highlight of the latest spy shot leak is the interiors. Is there any new information revealed this time? Know the details below:

Also Read: Kia EV3 Electric Crossover SUV Official Teaser Out: Global Debut This Month?

Mahindra BE.05 Interiors Leak Again

The Mahindra BE.05’s new production-ready prototypes snapshot doing rounds online focuses primarily on the interiors. Similar to the previous leak. the BE.05’s dashboard can be seen mounting a two-spoke steering wheel. It has hexagonal shape and features an illuminated BE logo which we have seen with the previous spy shots as well.

The steering wheel is further seen housing a bunch of physical control keys. These keys will allow media playback control, climate control (likely) and offer quick access to other controls. The interiors of the BE.05 is further seen sporting an all-black paint scheme unlike the dual-tone dashboard design which seems to be the new hype. It appears that the dashboard will have soft-touch material finish to give this compact EV a premium feel.

Moving in to the centre console of the BE.05 EV, the leaked spy shots shows a floating design as was showcased with the concept. A big gear shifter and a rotary dial is also seen at the centre console. A dedicated area is also present for storing smartphones and other objects.

As for the infotainment screen, the Mahindra BE.05’s prototype is snapped with a dual infotainment and driver display module. The infotainment screen is likely to get both Android Auto and Apple Car Play support. A large armrest at the centre seems to separate the driver and passenger areas.

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV India Launch Postponed: Here’s The New Timeline

Mahindra BE.05 Specifications: Any Details Available Yet?

The Mahindra BE.05 will be built on the INGLO EV platform and is said to measure 4370 mm x 1900 mm x 1635 mm in length, width, and height respectively with the wheelbase measuring around 2,755 mm. This EV is further expected to be available with multiple battery options which could range from 60- 80 kWh capacity. The BE.05 could come with both single and dual motor RWD, AWD drivetrain options respectively.

Key Hights

• ARAI crash tests E2W in India
• Three different crash tests conducted
• Safety and security concerns to be met with E2W with new crash tests

India is undeniably one of the largest E2W markets which is shaping up rapidly. The market has given opportunity to both giant players as well as startups and a major chunk is dominated by affordable e-scooters and e-motorcycles. While EVs are gradually become a popular mobility solution for urban commutes, there have been concerns related to safety. The primary security concerns with E2Ws are the fire accidents where multiple reports have surfaced in the last few years. Until now, there were no dedicated safety and crash tests being performed on the electric two wheelers. But for the first time ARAI has come to rescue and did multiple crash tests on two wheelers analyzing the overall safety standards.

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV India Launch Postponed: Here’s The New Timeline

ARAI Crash Tests For Electric Scooters

ARAI has recently performed a series of crash tests on electric scooters for riders safety. The research and development body conducted as many as three different tests on electric scooters at its testing facility which is located at Pune, Maharashtra. As mentioned above, it is for the first time any authorized regulatory has conducted any kind of crash test on E2Ws.

Until now, none of such tests have been performed on electric scooters or motorcycles which can give us an overview of the safety standards. Not just in India, there isn’t any dedicated organization which currently handles safety testings for the electric scooters.

Also Read: Revolt RV400, RV400 BRZ Electric Motorcycles Prices Axed

What All Tests Have Been Conducted?

ARAI has performed three crash tests on electric scooters for one of the popular OEMs. However, the name of the e-scooter models have not been revealed by ARAI despite receiving queries from users under the RTI act. For the series of tests, ARAI installed high-speed cameras for the crash tests and just like the E2W brands and models name, the tests are also kept a mystery.

But reports does indicate a crash test was performed where the e-scooter was made to go through an hard impact from the side profile. Nevertheless, it can’t be said if ARAI will officially set new safety standards based on the crash tests for E2Ws in India. We will have to wait for the details to emerge.

Key Highlights

• VinFast VF3 bags record breaking bookings
• Over 25,000 units pre-reserved in just 66 hours
• Recently patented in India

VinFast, the Vietnamese auto manufacturer has announced the massive pre-booking interests from the interested buyers in its home country. The compact EV was launched last year and is also homologated for the Indian market. When will VinFast start VF3’s deliveries in Vietnam and in India? Here we have mentioned the details:

Also Read: Mahindra XUV 400 Electric New Models Likely Coming Soon

VinFast VF3 Pre-Bookings Exceeds 25,000 Mark In A Few Hours

VinFast is apparently the new hot shot in the EV market. The brand’s most compact EV, i.e., the VF3 is all set to hit the shelves in Vietnam with the deliveries commencing in the coming months. The company has just revealed that it has received around 27,649 bookings for the VF3. VinFast further clarified that the pre-bookigs logged for the VF3 were within just 66 hours of timespan .

Also, the orders are non-refundable and the brand is targeting to complete up to 20,000 units’ deliveries by the end of 2024. It is worth noting that the VF3 has been recently trademarked in India as well. But that’s not the only EV which VinFast is bringing to the country.

The company has also patented an E2W called Klara S which is an electric scooter. Furthermore, the VinFast VF3 was launched with a 235 million VND price tag which translates to approx. Rs. 7.68 lakh as per Indian currency. At this cost, the VF3 will be taking on the likes of Tiago and Comet EV.

Also Read: BYD Seal X EV Gets Homologated: Coming To India?

VinFast VF3 Top Highlights

The VinFast VF3 will be the smallest EV from the company which will feature a boxy profile. Its dimension is said to measure 3,190mm (length), 1,679mm (width), and 1,620 mm (height). Upfront, there will be closed-off front grille and LED headlamps and the alloy wheels will measure 16-inches. We will also see a 10-inch digital infotainment screen which will support both Android Auto and Apple Car Play.

Key Highlights

• Week 20 highlights from the EV industry
• Price cuts for multiple e-scooters and e-motorcycles
• Deliveries commenced for Ola S1X and TVS iQube base model

Week 20 of 2024 has been pretty hectic for the EV brands in India. This week as well we witnessed multiple new launches and also saw some of the popular E2W getting affordable in the country. The top headlines were grabbed by brands like Ola, TVS, Revolt, and others in the electric two wheeler market, while Tata, Mahindra, MG, and others ruled the electric four wheeler segment this week. Here’s a weekly wrap up of the top headlines from the EV industry:

Ola S1X Deliveries Started

Ola was previously grabbing all the headlines for the extended discounts it announced on the entire S1 e-scooter range. Earlier this week, the brand finally commenced the deliveries of its most affordable electric scooter model, i.e., the S1X with an asking price of Rs. 70,000. The entry-level Ola e-scooter model is available with three battery options including 2kWh, a 3kWh, and a 4 kWh battery variant. The mid and the top trims cost Rs. 85,000 and Rs. 1 lakh (ex showroom) respectively in India. This e-scooter gets a hub motor and can offer a range of up to 190 km per charge.

Also Read: Leapmotor C10 EV Could Be Brand’s Second Offering In India: Will Take On ZS EV

TVS iQube Most Affordable Model (Base Variant) Launched

TVS also expanded its presence in the E2W space with a new iQube e-scooter variant. The brand has launched the base model of the iQube electric scooter which also happens to be the most affordable variant in the lineup. The base model of the TVS iQube electric scooter has a smaller 2.2 kWh battery module which is linked with a 4.4 kW motor. The cheapest TVS iQube model offers up to 75 km range per charge and up to 75kmph top speed. TVS has launched the iQube e-scooter’s base model with the 2.2 kWh battery pack at Rs. 94,990 in India.

Also Read: Upcoming MG EV Snapped Docked At Charging Station: Is It The Cloud EV?

2025 Kia EV6 Facelift Global Debut

Kia Motor stole the headlines by introducing the new-gen 2025 EV6 Facelift. The luxury electric SUV gets a facia rework featuring a new Star Map LED headlamp design with adaptive brightness and a full-width LED connected tail lamp. The EV6 facelift 2025 model gets minor cabin upgrades too. The Kia EV6 2025 facelift model is introduced with both RWD and AWD drivetrains where the former offers 168 kW peak power and up to 350 Nm peak torque, while the latter delivers 239 kW peak power and up to 605 Nm peak torque. The facelift Kia EV6 features a bigger 84 kWh battery which allows a higher range delivery of up to 494 km per charge.

Also Read: EV Range Anxiety In Summers: Tips To Improve Electric Car/ Scooter Battery Performance

Xiaomi SU7 Unrepairable Breakdown Incident

Xiaomi SU7 arrived as one of the most promising sports electric car with its deliveries starting only a month ago. But the first EV from the Chinese OEM grabbed the headlines recently for an unrepairable breakdown issue experienced by its new owner. As per the recent reports and social media posts, a Xiaomi owner claimed his ‘just delivered’ SU7 EV broke down after traveling only 39 kms from the showroom. The broken EV unit had to be towed back to the service station where a faulty software bug was said to be the prime reason for the car’s breakdown. Xiaomi did acknowledge the matter and had also fixed the issue for the customer. Nevertheless, this incident raised reliability concerns amongst the potential buyers.

Also Read: Ola Electric Launches Its 500th Service Centre In India

MG Cloud EV Launch On Cards

The Cloud EV is apparently the next all-electric offering from MG Motors in India. Recently, MG Motors got the Cloud EV trademark patented for the Indian market which confirms the brand’s plan to introduce this mid-size EV soon. Another report indicated the MG Cloud EV will come with sub Rs. 20 lakh price range in India and will possibly be even cheaper than the MG ZS EV.

Key Highlights

• New GT Force e-scooter models launched in India
• Ryd Plus, Vegas, One Plus Pro, and Drive Pro models introduced
• Price starts at Rs. 55,555 in India

GT Force, a Gurguram based E2W startup has just added multiple new electric scooters to its product catalogue. The EV manufacturer has launched e-scooter options for budget consumers. The four new models introduced by the GT Force in India includes the Vegas, Ryd Plus, One Plus Pro, and the Drive pro. The latest e-scooter range from GT Force comes with the prices ranging between Rs. 55,555 to Rs. 84,555 (ex-showroom) in the country. Here are the key features and powertrain offered by the new GT Force e-scooter range:

Also Read: Revolt RV400, RV400 BRZ Electric Motorcycles Prices Axed

GT Force Vegas Electric Scooter

GT Force Vegas	Specs
Motor	BLDC hub
Battery	1.5 kWh
Range	Up to 70 km
Features	USB port, anti theft alarm, reverse park assist
Price	Rs. 55,555 (ex showroom)

The GT Force Vegas has been introduced as the low-end model in the new series featuring a BLDC hub electric motor. It’s a low-speed e-scooter which runs on a 1.5 kWh battery pack offering up to 70 km range as per IDC.

It takes approx. 4- 5 hours for the battery to get a full charge and can reach up to 25 kmph top speed. The GT Force Vegas electric scooter has multiple modern age features which include a USB charging port and anti-theft alarm. It also has a reverse parking mode to assist with parking at tight spots. It is the most affordable variant which is priced at Rs. 55,555 (ex showroom).

Also Read: Okaya Ferrato Disruptor Premium Sports Electric Motorcycle Launched: Top Highlights

GT Force Ryd Plus Electric Scooter

GT Force One Plus Pro	Specs
Motor	BLDC hub
Battery	2.2 kWh
Range	Up to 90 km per charge
Features	USB port, anti theft alarm, reverse park assist
Price	Rs. 65,555 (ex showroom)

The Force Ryd Plus is also a low-speed e-scooter just like the Vegas. It offers similar set of specifications and features including a USB charging port, reverse parking mode, and an anti-theft alarm.

This model also makes use of a centrally mounted BLDC hub motor. However, the battery pack is larger than the Vegas at 2.2 kWh. The Ryd Plus e-scooter has up to 95 km IDC range delivery and is launched at Rs. 65,555 (ex showroom) in India.

Also Read: Bounce Infinity E1 Electric Scooter’s New Model In Works: Launch Imminent?

GT Force One Plus Pro Electric Scooter

GT Force One Plus Pro	Specs
Motor	BLDC hub
Battery	2.5 kWh
Range	Up to 110 km per charge
Features	USB port, anti theft alarm, reverse park assist, and cruise mode
Price	Rs. 76,555 (ex showroom)

The GT Force One Plus Pro is a high-speed e-scooter model unlike the aforementioned variants. It is backed by a 2.5 kWh battery with which it provides up to 110 km range on a full charge. The battery pack here takes a similar up to 5 hours charging time.

In addition to the USB charging port, anti-theft alarm, and reverse parking mode, the One Plus Pro e-scooter variant also offers a cruise mode for improved ride performance. Price of this variant is set at Rs. 76,555 (ex showroom) in India

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV India Launch Postponed: Here’s The New Timeline

GT Force Drive Pro Electric Scooter

GT Force Drive Pro	Specs
Motor	BLDC hub
Battery	2.5 kWh
Range	Up to 110 km per charge
Features	USB port, anti theft alarm, reverse park assist, and cruise mode
Price	Rs. 84,555 (ex showroom)

This is the top-end variant that has been introduced by GT Force. The Drive Pro has the same range of features and modes including Cruise as the One Plus Pro.

While the hardware including the motor and battery remains same as the One Plus Pro, the different design approach is said to be the primary factor for its increased prices (Rs. 84,555).

Key Highlights

• BYD Seal X EV variant homologated
• Production-spec variant based on Ocean-M Concept showcased
• To be launched with both RWD (Rear wheel drive) and AWD (All Wheel Drive) options

BYD is working proactively to expand its EV portfolio and is expected to soon add multiple new models to its electric fleet. The Chinese EV giant has just showcased a new electric hatch at the Beijing Auto Show which seems to be the next offering for the consumers. Called the BYD Seal X. the new Seal EV variant has been homologated by the one of the popular Chinese regulators hinting at its upcoming launch.

Also Read: Tata Curvv EV India Launch Postponed: Here’s The New Timeline

BYD Seal X EV: Design Highlights

The new BYD Seal X variant has been homologated by the Chinese MIIT regulatory. The upcoming Seal EV model’s design seems to be based on the existing Seal EV model. However, unlike the outgoing model which is a sedan, the Seal X is apparently an electric hatch based on the same Ocean M-concpet.

Th Seal X does get re-designed headlights featuring a wrap-around styling. The front grille and bumper design also looks distinctive compared to the outgoing Seal EV model. It gets boomerang style air vents and the BYD logo is etched between the head lamps. The side profile of the Seal X EV doesn’t seem to have received any major design upgrade. But that isn’t the case with the rear profile. The back panel’s attire gives a hatchback styling. The connected tail lamp and black bumpers makes the design approach more futuristic.

Also Read: Mahindra BE 05 EV Interior Spy Shots Surface Online: Details

BYD Seal X EV Powertrain And Features

The BYD Seal X EV is said to be available with dual drivetrain options. The Seal X EV with RWD (Rear Wheel Drive) single motor is said to offer up to 214 bhp pf peal power. Its dual motor AWD (All Wheel Drive) variant is rumored to offer up to 416 bhp of peak power. There is a mid-trim as well which as per the homologation documentations will offer up to 308 bhp of power.

Coming Soon To India?

It can’t be confirmed yet if the BYD Seal X EV will be debuting any time soon in the Indian market. However, BYD Is actively expanding its reach and presence in the country and we might see the Seal X EV’s launch sometime in the future. At least, the possibilities can’t be ruled out.