Ajanta planning sub-1 lakh Oreva electric car

The Ajanta group in India currently produces electric scooters and bikes under the Oreva brand, but in the works is a new electric car which Ajanta aims to price at Rs 85,000, or 0.85 lakh Indian rupees.

Production of an electric car is not difficult for us as the technology is almost similar and 70 per cent of its parts can be produced in-house, giving us an edge over the vehicle’s pricing,” said Ajanta group director Jaysukh Patel.

The company’s R&D department is currently studying both the feasibility of an electric car under Indian motoring conditions, as well as other electric cars. THe TImes of India’s sources say Ajanta has purchased as many as 8 different electric cars from different manufacturers for study.

Source

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Paul Tan

After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Comments

  • mitlanevo (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 12:55 am

    so the future is gonna be electric, hybrid, biodiesel or other?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • jtshin (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 3:10 am

    So it gets cheaper and cheaper… 1lakh, 0.85lakh… next time 0.5lakh with 4 wooden stools in the car and 4 bicycle wheels? Pondering…

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  • azrai (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 7:17 am

    Lots and lots of R&D are going on India. This is what we call the real ‘modal insan’.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • bobdbilder (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:42 am

    The future is electric.

    Its as close to zero emission as it is currently possible. However, the bottleneck in the development would be the batteries and not the electric motor. And the 12V accessories power for aircond, radio, lights. Its not just as simple as plugging in a transformer as the heat would mean loss of efficiency.

    It would be easier to develop 2 seaters than a mid sized sedan. So, the take up would target young people who is conscious enough about the environment. But I am glad the Indians have seen the promise that it holds.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • rexis (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 2:05 pm

    The future is expected to be electric.

    For now, we have to stick with petrol, our next best choice is NGV.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • bavarian (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 3:01 pm

    electric is good but we have to make sure that it comes from a power
    plant that uses renewable energy for example solar, hydro, geothermal,
    wind, biogas and so on

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • szw (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 8:51 pm

    slowly study…
    don rush…
    coz no ones gonna buy 1..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Alifz (Member) on Apr 15, 2008 at 9:45 pm

    Yes, eletric car is coming…

    But the study must be very detail, which doesn’t only looks into only attaching batteries to the motor and gearbox only. The battery type, maximum milage consideration, charging mechanism, motur type whether is single phrase or plenty phrase etc. And the major problem is about environment, as most of current batteries even lithium ion (LI) batteries is very sensitive not just becaused it made from chemical stuff but also instability of the cell. Remember previous callback by major Notebook manufacturer because their batteries could even explode. I remember Tesla has produced a electric car, but with a booming price.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • MyviKiller (Member) on Apr 16, 2008 at 1:40 am

    Long long way to go but may come to reality.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mehul Vansdadiya (Member) on Apr 28, 2008 at 2:45 pm

    Now there is a option for those of car lovers who also loves nature. Though there are many things to be done. Well done Ajanta Manufacturing Group !

    — Mehul Vansdadiya

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 7
  • sumit.mehrotra2 (Member) on May 12, 2008 at 5:54 pm

    Pay more heed to safety and performance rather than costs!! Instead of backward engineering of multiple products, Ajanta should be more focussed. Take some learnings from Chetan Maini.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Mehul Vansdadiya (Member) on May 13, 2008 at 12:46 pm

    5 Reasons to Buy an Electric Car…

    1. Zero Air Pollution
    We believe electricity is the fuel of the future. With electricity to power our transportation, our world can tap into renewable resources like hydroelectric, solar, wind, or geothermal power; resources that lessen our environmental footprint. Furthermore, studies show that millions of electric vehicles can recharge at night using existing surplus electrical generation; a vast, virtually untapped resource.

    2. Save Gas
    Gasoline is a precious natural resource and vital to the world economy. ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) vehicles use no gasoline and require no oil changes. Using less fossil fuel can help relieve our current energy shortages while ensuring that future generations can rely on the same inexpensive, useful, petroleum products that we all take for granted.

    3. Save Money
    Gas keeps getting more expensive. Imagine all the money you can save by ZAPPING to work every day, rather than driving your gas vehicle. The typical electric car costs a penny per mile versus ten cents per mile with gas. Electric bikes and scooters are even less expensive. Plus, electric motors have fewer moving parts, meaning fewer trips to the mechanic. If you live close to work, you can save thousands of dollars per year by replacing your car with a ZAP bicycle.

    4. Save Time
    Traffic congestion and parking shortages eat away at our busy days, but a ZAP vehicle can help you save time, especially in busy urban areas. ZAP bikes and scooters slice through traffic jams and finding a place to park your ZAP neighborhood car is a snap.

    5. Help the Economy
    Today, the majority of India’s foreign trade deficit is attributed to imported oil. Using a ZAP vehicle will reduce our reliance on foreign oil. Furthermore, by investing in advanced transportation technologies, India can take the technological lead in offering energy efficient products that developing economies around the world can use to build their own transportation infrastructures.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • indianelectriccar (Member) on Nov 13, 2008 at 4:27 pm

    Welcome the readers who loves electric car!

    1. First of all i am not certain who was the press reporter, and if he can follow up with Ajanta – whether their study of 8 months yielded any fruitful out come!

    2. If any company buys some raw material for R&D, and gossip about wild possible dream, that should be made public, as it disturbs expectations and create chaos and sensation.

    3. I checked Ajanta Limited(orpatgroup.com) website and only product seen there is SP,DP,TP,FP WHICH ARE SWITCH(MCB) circuit breaker. They do not have any news section, nor this is authentic announcement

    4. Price tag : In the article mentioned above, a person can “probably buy” high quality battery used for the electric car.

    5. Future announcement :- No body knew in 1995 when motorola cell phone was weighing 900gm, and battery was weighing 600gm and airtime was 18Rs per minute ; where as today we get cell phone battery with 40 days standby time weighing 15gm, in 500 rupees. Only contributory factor in this entire development is economy of scale. if 40% market of total number of cars is captured by electric car, such dream is possible.

    In current scenario, >70% of staff of company has to work for R&D if they have to launch the car in 2012. Lets hope for the best.

    May I request the article reporter to make a second visit to Morbi(Ajanta Ltd), and post their current opinions from this manufacturer on this page?

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