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Sunday, March 23, 2008

A car that can swim under water

I am not talking about a submarine. It's actually a car that can swim! Hollywood has long dreamed of such a car and now its a reality. Rinspeed sQuba is a submersible car which can actually move like fish under water. And, to no surprise, its an electric car

Yet another proof that the future of cars is electric. sQuba is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and has three electric engines. It uses LED lighting technology, which is quite powerful, yet saves energy.

The car is open roof for safety concerns and provides scuba oxygen masks for under water travel. And yes, the car does travel on road. The maximum speed of the car is 120 km/h which is fair enough. It can dive upto 10 meters under water and can swim at the speed of upto 3 km/h.

The looks of the car are stunning and futuristic. It gives us an idea of what future vehicles are going to be like. A swimming car was first shown in the Bond flick - The Spy who loved me. However, that was portrayed through computer animation. But, this car is definitely for real!

Monday, March 17, 2008

First Pictures of Tara Tiny

Nano did not disappoint. Neither did Tara's Tiny. Here's a look at the world's cheapest car. And what, it is going to be priced at Rs 99,000 /- only (USD 2450). That is USD 50 less than Nano. Like what all can you buy from that saving.


And when you refer to our earlier analysis, you will find that there is actually a lot of cost saving. Tara Tiny and Tara Titu are the two cars which are going to be sold around Rs 99,000/- mark. The difference between the two cars is just that one is two seater and the other is four seater. Two other electric cars will be Tara Shuttle and Tara Carrier. These cars won't come cheap and are expected to be priced around Rs. 5,00,000.

More details on this soon! Till then enjoy this new car.

(Image courtesy: jalopnik. Originally posted on Flickr)

Sunday, March 16, 2008

GE to foray in Electric Vehicle market

When one sits back and thinks, if we can produce high speed bullet trains, than why not high performance electric cars. Why not even decent mobikes? Agreed bullet trains run on electric lines and any EV will have to be battery operated. But, is it really that difficult? The answer here is simple -- the oil lobby.

For years now the cash-rich oil companies have made tie-ups with carmakers around the world to prevent them from investing in technology that will all the use of energy source alternative to petrol and diesel. Unsurprisingly, no big company ever commits big on a completely electric vehicle. Yes, they are bringing out the hybrid ones and is probably left to the trouble of next generation. There are small companies which do come out with good products, but they are far behind in providing the required technology and performance of these cars due to lack of resources and also pseudo demand for petrol and diesel cars.

A very good example is that of Tata motors (of Nano fame). Recently, Tata motors announced the introduction of the electric version of their Ace truck. But, Ratan Tata was quick to say, "Tata will not be a major player in electric vehicle segment." Now, whether that was a deliberate ploy only time will tell.

But all this is set to change. The fearless GE - General Electric has entered the arena and the rules are going to change this time. GE has reportedly invested in electric vehicle maker Think and battery makers A123Systems. Now, GE is a company which produces drinking water from sea water. The oldest company to be listed on the Dow Jones index. A huge giant!


If GE thinks, GE does. Of course, you need to show them the profit and they will do anything that it takes. GE philosophy has long been to be either number 1 or number 2 in the business or just get out of that business. Now, it will be worth watching how GE twists its muscle in the electric vehicle segment.

And, did I tell you GE calls itself the green company with ecomagination! Now, if and when this venture succeeds, will this car match the price of a Nano or a Tiny? I doubt. GE's products have always been over-priced as they vouch for cutting edge technology and superior quality. While that may be true, but they have always had a policy of 40% margin. So mass market never suit them. Will that change or not only time will tell.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Tara's Tiny is here


Move over Tata Nano, because it might no longer be the world's cheapest car. A West Bengal based company Bengal Enamel is bringing out an electric powered green-car called Tara Tiny, which will be priced at Rs. 99,999/- only ($2500). This ex-showroom price is Re. 1 less than that of Tata Nano, thus making it the world's cheapest car. Also, with the recent reduction in the tax and excise duties of green vehicles, this might turn out to be a better preposition in comparision to the Tata's Nano.

We have seen electric two-wheelers already in India, but they have not become so popular. However, Tara might bring in a whole new surge in the electric-vehicle (EV) market that will extend to electric powered Buses and Trucks as well, if it is successful.

The company plans to import components from China's Aucma, which specializes in electric vehicles and appliances. According to the company, 60-70% of these components will be imported directly from China, while the rest being manufactured locally. It will also bring out higher versions of the car namely Titu, Micro and Mini.

Now one can't stop but ponder how it can stand against the Nano. So lets make a comparision ourselves on different parameters.

Cost
Nano: Rs. 1,00,000 (+ taxes)
Tiny: Rs. 99,999 (+ taxes)
Tiny might actually win here if the "green" taxes applied are less than that for Nano

Travelling Cost (monthly)
Nano: Rs. 500 (for 240 kms, 25 kmpl and Rs. 50 per liter petrol)
Tiny: Rs. 120 (for 240 kms, 50 paise per km)
No doubts here as to who the clear winner is! Tiny all the way.

Maintenance (monthly)
Nano: Rs. 250 (average - Tata does not have a good reputation in this regard, but that's for diesel cars)
Tiny: Can't predict (Pros: maintenance cost will be low as it will not have an engine, clutch or gears, or a carburetor, radiator, exhaust. Cons: China product)
We will have to wait and watch in this regard.

Power
Nano: Top speed 105 kmph (65 mph)
Tiny: Top speed 70 kmph (45 mph) (based on that of Reva)
Both are supposed to be city cars. It may not be a big concern. But Nano wins in this regard.

Looks like Tiny wins on more counts. However, Bangalore based Reva EV (see image) has been around for a while, however it is a touch expensive and inspite of getting a lot of praises it has not become that popular in India. Only time will tell!

Friday, January 18, 2008

People's car! Really?


R. K. Laxman's cartoons glorified the common man's grief. Then came Deccan, which made the common man to dream to fly. Now, that Deccan has become Simplify, his feet are back on the ground. It's time for a smaller dream -- a dream to own a car. Tata Nano, widely known and promoted as the people's car could help realize that dream -- if it really existed in the first place. But, lets not doubt that and assume that every middle class family dreams of owning a car.

With a price tag (ex-showroom) of just Rs. 1,00,000/- ($2500), less than half the price of any other car available in India, (or in the world), it would seem to be a very attractive proposition. It has been promoted that a bike owner who spends Rs. 60,000-70,000 on a bike could spend a "little" more to buy a Nano. A simple calculation and here is where the irony lies!

India has a huge middle class with an average income of roughly Rs. 10,000. And then, there is an upper middle class, the one which actually buys a Rs. 60,000 bike. Even Ratan Tata had imagined providing a car to a family of four travelling on a Bajaj scooter that costs roughly Rs. 22,000. Now, you need to calculate yourself, what a "little" more means. Add to that the maintenance costs and fuel spendings (which would atleast double - in ideal conditions).

The numbers count and here they are:

Bajaj scooter owner with average usage of 240 kms per month
Average income: Rs. 10,000
A two-wheeler loan: 3 years EMI Rs. 750 (on a loan of Rs. 22000) even interest free options available
Fuel costs: Rs. 200 per month (Mileage: 60 kmpl, Petrol: Rs. 50 per liter)
Maintenance: Rs. 50 per month (average)
Monthly cost on travel: Rs. 1,000

Nano owner with average usage of 240 kms per month
Average income: Rs. 10,000
A four-wheeler loan: 3 years EMI Rs. 3750 (on a loan of Rs. 100000) Rs. 15000-20000 extra for road-tax, upfront payment, etc
Fuel costs: Rs. 500 per month (Mileage: 25 kmpl, Petrol: Rs. 50 per liter)
Maintenance: Rs. 250 per month (average - depending on how Nano actually performs)
Monthly cost on travel: Rs. 4,500

So now lets decide whether it is indeed a people's car. Not just yet!

Does this mean Nano will flop? Not necessarily. It will find buyers in the owners of Pulsars, Unicorns and Apaches. And once the diesel version is out, we will find the Indica cabs being gradually replaced by Nano cabs. Others might still buy it, but not for daily use, only for weekend outings and family occasions.