Tata Motors has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Maharashtra to deploy 1,000 electric vehicles, both in the passenger and commercial segments, as it looks to extend its EV offerings beyond its current tender commitments.
The MoU was signed as part of the World Environment Day celebrations, on Thursday. Guenter Butschek, CEO and MD, Tata Motors, signed the MoU in the presence of the state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.
The MoU boosts the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2018 in accelerating the adoption of EVs in Maharashtra. The chief minister also flagged off five Tigor EVs at the Gateway of India, Mumbai. These vehicles were provided by Tata Motors to EESL as part of its tender.
Partnering with a Tata group company, Tata Power Ltd, Tata Motors will also facilitate setting up of EV charging stations in the state.
“Tata Motors is committed to the government’s vision of e-mobility in India. We are uniquely positioned to leverage the strength of our group companies to create an EV ecosystem. With our ready portfolio of EV offerings across our passenger and commercial vehicles, we are geared to meet future requirements beyond the current tender commitments,” Butschek said after signing the MoU.
“We are happy to partner with Tata Motors to deliver on the government and group’s vision of reducing India’s carbon footprint and enabling the customers with a sustainable future. We are happy to present Maharashtra with various electric vehicle charging stations that cover the wide expanse of the state. With these installations, Tata Power continues to pursue sustainable practices by using technology to provide Maharashtra customers access to energy-efficient options with ease,” Praveer Sinha, CEO and managing director of Tata Power, said.
Butschek said Tata Motors has already completed production of 250 cars and initiated the execution of phase 2 orders as part of the EESL tender. “With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers. We continue to work in a collaborative manner to facilitate faster adoption of electric vehicles and to build a sustainable future for India,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tata Motors reported a 58-per cent growth in vehicle sales in May with 54,295 units sold against 34,461 units sold in May last year. Sales recorded continued strong performance in both commercial and passenger vehicles and better businesses in the domestic market, the company said.
The cumulative sales for the domestic market (April-May 2018) stood at 107,806 units against 63,305 units in the same period last year, a growth of 70 per cent.
In FY19, the company has embarked on ‘Turnaround 2.0’, with 3 clear objectives viz. ‘Win decisively in CV’, ‘Win sustainably in PV’ and embed the turnaround culture in the organisation.
Key growth drivers: M&HCV (90 per cent), I&LCV (73 per cent), SCV cargo and pickups (47 per cent) and passenger vehicles (61 per cent).