Tata Motors Says It Will Launch Electric Vehicles in Europe Beginning Next Year

Right, Tata Motors Chairman Ratan Tata and Managing Director Ravi Kant with the electric Indica last month.

Tata Motors has bought a 50.3 percent holding in electric vehicle technology firm Miljø Grenland/Innovasjon of Norway and plans to launch an electric Indica hatchback in Europe next year.

Miljø will produce electric vehicles based on Tata Motors' products, alongside polymer lithium-ion batteries and its ongoing development of related technologies.

"Tata Motors believes that this investment in Miljo will help the company realize its strategy to develop convenient, affordable and sustainable mobility solutions through electric and hybrid vehicles," Tata said in a statement today.

The first electric vehicle to be developed by Tata will be the Indica EV, scheduled for launch in Europe during 2009.

"Unlike existing electric vehicles, Indica EV will be a more practicable option for the consumer: capable of carrying four people, adequate luggage space, with a predicted range of up to 120 miles," Tata said.

The move comes just days after Indian EV maker Reva announced that it had expanded sales and distribution of its low-speed city cars into continental Europe after selling more than 1,000 in London under the "G-Wiz" brand name over the past few years.

Posted by

Scott Doggett October 14, 2008, 11:59 AM

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