HC stays Delhi govt order suspending subsidy for Tata Nexon EV

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As one of the steps to push the electric vehicles segment the Delhi High Court has brought up the say on Delhi government order of suspending subsidy of Tata Nexon electric vehicle (EV) over allegations that there were differences between the ARAI-certified and the real-world range.

Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva said that Tata Motors had asserted the range of Nexon EV based on the figure of 300 kilometres per charge certified by the Automotive Research Association of India. It was noted that the car maker had applied for a subsidy based on this. “The Honourable Delhi High Court has issued the notice on our writ and granted interim relief by directing a stay against the delisting of Nexon EV from Delhi government’s eligible list of vehicles,” said a Tata Motors’ spokesperson. “The Honourable High Court has granted time to the Delhi government to file counter affidavit in the matter.”

The AAP government in Delhi had cancelled the subsidy on Monday following complaints on the difference between Nexon EV’s certified range and users claim. Under its Electric Vehicles (EV) policy, the Delhi government offers subsidies, and road tax and registration fee waivers, for electric vehicles bought in the Capital.

Tata Nexon EV, the most-affordable electric SUV has priced between Rs 13.99 lakh and Rs 16.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The EV is fitted with a 30.2 kWh battery pack with a claimed range of up to 312 kilometres against one full charge.

The difference between range v/s reality is not only Nexon EV in particularly but in almost every vehicle. The certified range of electric vehicles may vary in the real-world due to factors like air conditioning, terrain, road conditions, cabin load and more to have a role to play in the final per-charge figure achieved. Meanwhile, Tata motors have already started working on its further improvement.

Overall electric vehicle segment is pushing hard to grow. Electric 2/3 wheelers are comparatively contributing more than 4-wheeler electric vehicles. Adding up to the concerns Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Ayog said,” The world is at the cusp of mobility revolution which will be EV driven. Two and three-wheelers constitute 80% of total sales in India. These r low-hanging fruits. We should target 100% electrification of new 2/3 W sales in near future. Will give size & scale to penetrate global markets.’’

In the electric four-wheeler segment, 3,400 units were sold in FY20 compared to 3,600 units in the previous year. There are surely several gaps in the four-wheeler EV market such as a limited number of products, high prices, insufficient battery promise, low performance and an underdeveloped charging ecosystem are yet to be filled but the industry is working hard on all of them so that Indian could turn pollution-free and fuel-free. And, the government has to offer decent support for the boost.