Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), an energy service company (ESCO) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Power will procure 250 electric vehicles from Tata Motors Ltd and Hyundai Motor India Ltd. The companies were selected through an international competitive bidding process, which was aimed at increased participation.
Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor India won the tender and now will supply 150 Nexon electric compact SUVs and 100 Kona electric premium SUVs, respectively, for government use. The letter of award for the procurement was presented to the two companies in the presence of Guenter Butschek, CEO & Managing Director, Tata Motors, Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors and Tarun Garg, Director Sales, Marketing & Service, Hyundai Motor India.
This procurement will utilise $5 million from the recent grant provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). EESL has received financing from ADB towards the cost of scaling up and financing high priority areas like the demand-side energy efficiency sector projects.
Saurabh Kumar, Executive Vice Chairperson, EESL said, “A shift to EVs, facilitated by our e-mobility programme will reduce dependence on oil imports and promote power capacity addition in India. This will greatly enhance the energy security of the country and will also lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the transport sector. Furthermore, we’re also working on the rapid establishment of EV charging stations, which will give a fillip to the electric vehicle sales, going forward”
Seon Seob Kim, Managing Director & CEO, Hyundai Motor India, said, “Guided by our vision ‘Progress For Humanity’, we have been developing eco-friendly and human-centric technologies that provide the best experience for our customers. As a caring and responsible brand, it is our privilege to align with the government’s goal for clean energy and collaborate with all stakeholders to create a sustainable ecosystem for electric mobility. Hyundai will continue to bring world-class eco-friendly products and technologies for the Indian market contributing towards the cleaner and greener environment”
Shailesh Chandra, President, Passenger Vehicle Business Unit, Tata Motors, said, “Electric mobility is gaining ground in the country and partnerships such as these are pivotal for building the requisite momentum. We have been partnering EESL and are pleased to provide more EVs to them for government use, enabling a smooth and sustainable transition to a future-oriented mobility solution. As the leader of the fast-growing EV segment, Tata Motors is committed to popularising their access and use across India”
EESL will procure Tata Nexon at Rs 1.486 million each, which is Rs 13,000 cheaper than its ex-showroom price of Rs 1.499 lakh whereas, Hyundai Kona, which offers a higher range, will be procured at an 11 per cent lower price band of Rs 2.136 million and with a standard three-year warranty.
These electric vehicles will replace the existing fleet of petrol and diesel vehicles of the central and state governments. EESL has already received an order for 300 long-range EVs from The Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), Kerala to be supplied in the initial phase.
EESL plans to leverage efficiencies of scale and drive down costs through its innovative business model, while supporting local manufacturing facilities, gaining technical competencies for the long-term growth of the EV industry and enabling Indian EV manufacturers to emerge as major global players.