Tata Motors rolls out first batch of Tigor electric cars

Tata Motors has rolled out the first batch of the electric variant of its compact sedan Tigor from its Sanand facility in Gujarat, which was flagged off by N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons and Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus, Tata Group in presence of Tata Motors head, Guenter Butschek.

In September, Tata Motors won the first government contract (EESL) for supplying 10,000 electric variants of the Tigor, its sedan car, outbidding Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) in the contest for the Rs 1,120 crore order.

Tata Motors quoted the lowest price of Rs 10.16 lakh, exclusive of GST, in the bidding process. The vehicle will be provided to EESL for Rs 11.2 lakh, which will be inclusive of GST and a comprehensive 5-year warranty. At this price, the car will cost 25% less than the current retail price of a similar e-car with a 3-year warranty.

These Tigor EVs have been manufactured for the Indian Governments order of electric vehicles from the Energy Efficiency Services (EESL). For phase one, Tata Motors will deliver 250 Tigor EVs to EESL, reported Autocar India.

EESL, a joint-venture comprising four government-owned power sector entities — NTPC, Power Grid, Power Finance Corp and Rural Electrification Corporation, floated a global tender in August for such numbers of e-vehicles as part of a plan to replace the five-lakh petrol and diesel cars used by the government and its agencies over a 3-4 year period.

In November, EESL floated second round of tender for 10,000 electric vehicles.

“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 the Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and in offering a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers, " said Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD, Tata Motors.