Its the week to witness and see the future of mobility in India as we get ready for Auto Expo 2018 that is set to probably be the biggest and most exciting automobile event in the entire Asia. In the upcoming Auto Expo 2018, Electric vehicles (EVs) will take the centre stage and major Indian auto makers including Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra, Tata Motors are set to showcase its electric cars and electric SUVs. Keeping governments ambitious plans and global trends of EVs, this is also first time that a singe auto show will feature over 50 new electric vehicles and many concept cars. These are the top Electric cars/SUVs to look out for.
Mercedes-Benz EQ Concept:
Mercedes-Benz’s future of electric SUV was showcased in the Mercedes-Benz EQ Concept that is all set to be showcased at the Auto Expo 2018. First unveiled at 2017 Paris Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz will unveil in India product brand for electric mobility: EQ. The name EQ stands for “Electric Intelligence” and is derived from the Mercedes-Benz brand values of “Emotion and Intelligence”. EQ offers aelectric mobility ecosystem of products, services, technologies and innovations. The spectrum ranges from electric vehicles to wallboxes and charging services to home energy storage units.
Mercedes-Benz will launch the production version of EQ model SUV by 2020. The EQ portfolio will encompass all future battery-electric cars as well as the associated products and services from Mercedes-Benz. The company claims a range of 500 kilometres on the Mercedes-Benz EQ that will break covers in India at Auto Expo 2018.
Kia Niro:
KIA Motors will make its first big India debut at the Auto Expo 2018 and is probably going to go all guns out to showcase the best it has. KIA Motors is expected to showcase an array of new products that it will be launching in India and also on display will be its Kia Niro electric car. The car made its first public debut at the 2018 CES in Las Vegas and India is the first one to get that. The company will also showcase KIA Sorento and KIA Stringer at the 2018 Auto Expo. KIA has one of the biggest stall at Auto Expo 2018 and is aggressive on social media with many contests offering free tickets to visit their stall at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida which is the venue for Auto Expo 2018.
Mahindra’s new electric car, SUV concept and a new electric car platform:
At the 2018 Auto Expo, Mahindra’s pavilion will have a theme of ‘Future of Mobility’ and will showcase 6 new electric vehicles (EVs) including Mahindra’s future concept cars. Mahindra is also currently the only electric car maker in India and has been developing a new electric car platform for a long time. The company is now ready to showcase the electric car architecture at the Auto Expo 2018. Mahindra says that its ‘Future of Mobility’ is based on the three pillars of Clean, Connected & Convenient (3Cs). Mahindra Atom based LCV will also be on display along with the Mahindra KUV100 electric that will make its market debut later in 2018.
Hyundai Ioniq EV:
Hyundai’s eco-friendly zone will exhibit its global electric and hybrid car, Hyundai Ioniq and is set that all three variants that is Ioniq all electric, Plug-in-hybrid and regular hybrid will be on display. Hyundai Ioniq is based on an all-new platform that is optimised to deliver responsive handling and still offering high efficiency with all three powertrains. The fully-electric (EV) version is powered by a high capacity lithium-ion battery. Along with this Hyundai will also launch the 2018 Hyundai i20 at the Auto Expo 2018.
Tata Tigor Electric EV:
After winning the Government tender to supply electric cars and rolling out the electric version of its Tigor EV, Tata Motors is ready display this first time in public along with showcasing many other electric vehicles. The company says it will display many easy and electric mobility solutions and will follow a concept of a smart city. Tata Motors’ stall will attract a lot of crowd and is expected to be a showstopper. Tata Motors will also showcase its RaceMo sports car and many other SUVs.
Suzuki e-Survivor:
Betting big on future, Maruti Suzuki’s stall at Auto Expo 2018 will showcase its global Suzuki e-Survivor all-electric SUV concept along with many other products and will also reveal the prices of its All-new Swift. The Suzuki e-Survivor is said to have an electric motor inside all four-wheels making it and electric four-wheel drive. Many might argue this making it to production as the next generation Suzuki Jimny globally but right now all that is at concept stages and anything on the new Jimny or Maruti Suzuki Gypsy would be a rumour.
Expect EVs to be all over the headlines over next few days as many other BMW India, Renault India and also many two-wheeler manufacturers will be showcasing electric vehicles.
