Tata Nexon EV fleet to join Kerala Motor Vehicle Department

The Safe Kerala project will deploy 65 Nexon EV SUVs to be used for enforcement activities.

Published On Jun 19, 2020 05:42:00 PM

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Tata Nexon EV fleet to join Kerala Motor Vehicle Department

The Tata Nexon EVs will be used by 65 squads of the Safe Kerala Project.
The EVs have been acquired by the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) and will be maintained by them as well.
The Nexon EVs will get additional equipment for enforcement related activities.

The Kerala Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) has just ordered 65 Tata Nexon EV SUVs to be used for enforcement duties in Kerala. These electric SUVs will be used by 65 squads of the Safe Kerala project, which enforces motor vehicle rules and regulations, along with road discipline.

The Nexon EVs are being procured under a dry lease system by the Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), which is an institution that come under the purview of the Ministry of Power. The EVs will be maintained by EESL as well.

The acquisition of the EVs will be followed by an increase in EV charging network, with each of the 65 squad offices getting a charging station.

What is the Tata Nexon EV?

It is, in essence, an all-electric version of the Nexon compact SUV that utilises the brand’s Ziptron electric architecture. The Nexon EV uses an electric motor that produces 129hp and 245Nm of torque, and is powered by a 30.2kWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows for an ARAI-certified range of 312km. Tata offers the Nexon EV with an 8 year/1,60,000km warranty for the battery back.

How are the Tata Nexon EVs for the Kerala MVD different?

Besides donning the livery and paraphernalia for enforcement activities, the Nexon EVs in question will also be fitted with enforcement-specific gadgets like radar speed sensors, cameras, and more. As it has been stated that these vehicles would be used with up to four passengers at a time, the equipment will be installed in such a way to accommodate the same.

The Tata Nexon EV is currently offered in three variants, with prices ranging from Rs 13.99-15.99 lakh (ex-showroom, India). The variant of the EV that has been ordered by the Kerala MDV has not been disclosed. The Nexon EV doesn’t have any direct rivals at the moment, as its most direct competitor – the Mahindra eXUV300 – still has a year to its launch. At the moment, the other electric SUVs available in India include the MG ZS EV and the Hyundai Kona Electric.

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