India on its path to embrace electric cars

Are you planning to buy a new car? Consider this: petrol and diesel cars are on their way out. India is zipping ahead on its path to embrace electric cars as automakers as well as the government are gearing up to bring electric mobility to the country. Next year, a number of electric cars will hit the road and you will get to see more charging stations.

Five reasons why car buyers can put off their decision and wait for electric cars:

Government leads the way

Though M&M is already selling electric cars in India, one swallow does not make a summer. Electric mobility requires a big push. And that push has already happened. The government is placing orders for 10,000 electric cars with private companies. First phase of bidding is already over. Tata Motors will supply 250 cars and M&M will supply 150 in the first phase.

Infrastructure cropping up

The biggest problem in the way of electric mobility in India is lack of charging infrastructure. That’s why the leader M&M could not bring in the revolution despite hard attempts. Adoption of electric vehicles requires mass-level efforts. The huge government order followed by more such orders in future will necessitate building of charging stations. India has nearly 56,000 fuel stations but only a little more than 200 charging stations. The change has already begun.

The leader joins the race

Japanese automakers Suzuki Motor and Toyota Motor have finalised an agreement to manufacture and sell electric vehicles in India within three years. Suzuki sells one in every two passenger vehicles in India through local unit Maruti. If such a mass-production company starts selling electric vehicles, adoption will be quick.

The industry trend

Honda Cars India Limited (HCIL) is readying an electric vehicle strategy aligned with the needs of the Indian market. HCIL, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese carmaker, is evaluating developing country-specific battery electric vehicles addressing the issue of affordability and its suitability under Indian traffic conditions.

Honda joining Suzuki and Toyota in India’s electric race means more automakers will be compelled to join and electric vehicles will soon become the hottest industry trend in India. Korean car maker Hyundai is already evaluating its green mobility solution for the Indian market.

The policy push

The government has set an ambitious target of having only electric cars by 2030. And it has shown it has no intention to sleep on its plans. In September, Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari warned automakers that he could even use coercion to meet the target. “We should move towards alternative fuel… I am going to do this, whether you like it or not. And I am not going to ask you. I will bulldoze it,” Gadkari said.

Drop whatever you are doing and look at Aston Martin’s new Vantage

Your next screensaver

Luxury British carmaker Aston Martin unveiled its next-generation Vantage model on November 21. Though the car is not for everyone it’s worth investing some time to just look at it. So take a break from your dull work life and start drooling.

The looks department

Aston Martin claims they are always on the ‘uncompromising pursuit of beautiful’. If you believe what you are seeing you won’t disagree. With the crisper nose, sculpted sides, ‘hill climb’ grille, skirts, and aggressive aerodynamic add-ons, a car can’t get more menacing than this.

Luxury at its finest

If you happen to be that rich and make a statement with this car, you will literally be basking in the lap of luxury. The striking exteriors have been designed to improve overall performance and the interior features high-end materials like leather seats and carbon fibre.

True sports car

Talking of improved performance, the new Vantage can hit a top speed of 195mph thanks to a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced by Mercedes-Benz. The engine produces 503 horsepower and is mated to a eight-speed automatic transmission that will take the car from standstill to a 100 kph in 3.7 seconds.

New Vantage features

Standard equipment for the new ‘entry-level’ Aston Martin includes keyless start/stop, a park assist system with sensors and a camera, an entertainment system complete with an 8ins LCD screen and Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, and a built-in sat nav.

Aston Bonds with James

Here’s some design or filmy trivia: The carmaker, famed for making the sports car driven by fictional secret agent James Bond, had designed the Vantage in 2014 when Spectrewas being filmed. The film’s director and producer approached Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichman for a new car and zeroed in on the then yet-to-be-launched DB11. While leaving Reichman’s studio, they saw sketches of the new Vantage and fell for it. Though it initially declined, Aston Martin ended up making the DB10 exclusively for the movie based on the upcoming Vantage’s design.

Price of the new Vantage

The sleek two-seater model, which the firm says will stand out from rivals, will cost just over 120,000 pounds in Britain and $150,000 in the United States. Delivery to the wealthy owners will begin in the second quarter of 2018.

Since you would be paying a heap of money for this, you will also get to customise this beauty. Go to their site and play around or just get dazed.

[“Source-economictimes”]