Tata Motors Ties Up With Lithium Urban Technologies For An Electric Future

Tata Motors has joined hands with Lithium Urban Technologies, which owns India’s first completely electric vehicle fleet. The Indian carmaker has bagged an order for 500 all-electric vehicles from Lithium Urban Technologies. Both brands are also open to the idea of special models that’ll cater to the needs of future customers. 

Getting deeper into the details reveals that 400 units of the recently launched Tigor EV sedan will be supplied by 2020 for use across the nation.The remaining 100 vehicles will be a mix of future models from Tata, including the upcoming Nexon EV. Lithium Urban Technologies currently has a fleet of 400 vehicles that cover around 300km per day. 

The Tigor EV, priced at Rs 9.44 lakh, uses a 21.5kWH battery pack for a maximum range of 213km. Meanwhile, the Nexon EV is all set to debut on December 16. The all-electric sub-compact SUV will make use of Tata’s new Ziptron powertrain that uses a permanent magnet AC motor mated to an IP67-rated, liquid-cooled battery pack. We expect a real-world range of around 300km from the electric SUV, making it Tata’s first long-range EV. 

Here’s the press release: 

Mumbai, November 18, 2019: Reinforcing their position at the forefront in the electrification drive, Tata Motors and Lithium Urban Technologies, the world’s largest commercial EV fleet providers, outside of China, today announced their partnership. Both companies will explore bespoke models to address requirements of customers who are increasingly looking for tailor-made mobility solutions in the market across passenger, mass transit and freight segments.

As the first milestone, Tata Motors and Lithium have signed a contract for 400 newly launched, Tigor Sedan EV, with an extended range of 213 km, to be supplied by FY20 and deployed across India. This partnership plans to additionally induct 100 electric vehicles, which would include cars to be launched in the near future, like Nexon EV for corporate leadership transport services. These steps will be pivotal for Lithium to significantly expand its current fleet of 1000 EVs to further consolidate its leadership position as the largest EV based mobility service provider. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Shailesh Chandra, President – Electric Mobility Business & Corporate Strategy, Tata Motors Ltd. said, “This is not just the most significant milestone for Tata Motors’ E-Mobility Business, but also a big turning point in the EV market, which is now likely to see fleets electrify faster than ever before. We are delighted to enter this partnership with Lithium, who are on their pragmatic journey of expanding their zero-emission transport service rapidly. We are committed to nurturing this valued partnership as we address the evolving mobility needs of our customers through various disruptive business models. ”

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sanjay Krishnan, Founder, Lithium Urban Technologies said, “We are excited to partner with Tata Motors for the supply and co-development of EVs. The induction of new extended range Tigor EVs and future EVs into our portfolio will add further differentiation to our service offerings for the passenger services. This partnership with Tata Motors will ensure availability of new form factors and enable viability of new market segments across passenger, mass transit and freight. Lithium would move quickly to integrate the company's paradigm-shifting LUTEC (LithiumUrbanTec) EV mobility utilisation software with the new vehicles.”