Tata Motors has global ambitions for electric vehicles: N Chandrasekaran

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran stresses the automaker's global plans for its EVs over the next three years

With an eye on expanding its footprint across the globe, Tata Motors on Friday broke cover on its first pure electric car concept Avinya. The concept is based on the firm’s third-generation architecture, and will be the basis for a number of new electric vehicles (EV) from the automaker.

The model is expected to go on sale by 2025.

Avinya can travel a distance of 500 km in a single charge of under 30 minutes, has features like voice-activated systems and swivelling seats, and has been made screenless to bar any distractions inside the car | Photo: Reuters

While laying out the company’s plans, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said the home-grown automaker has global ambitions for its EVs and is looking to serve markets outside India with the existing and upcoming range of EVs it plans to bring over the next three years.

“Our goal is to go global eventually and we are benchmarking to be the best whether it is terms of software, electric and electronic architecture or the intuitive experience. We have really high aspirations,” said Chandrasekaran, without divulging details on the markets the company would be keen to tap into.

This will mark the beginning of the globalisation strategy of Tata Motors’ passenger vehicle business which has been confined to India and South Asia due to the variance in emission standards.  

“The EVs open up a whole new set of possibilities for the company,” said Chandrasekaran.

In a bid to fortify its position in a segment where it is the first mover, Tata Motors plans to have a portfolio of 10 EVs over the next five years in various styles and driving range options at varied price points.

“We have already started testing the vehicles in some of the markets where we want to launch our EVs,” Shailesh Chandra, managing director, Tata Motors passenger vehicles and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility (TPEM), told Business Standard. 

Based on third-generation architecture, the word ‘Avinya’ has been derived from the Sanskrit language and means innovation.  

While speaking about the features of the car, he said: “One of the major highlights of Avinya is that it would offer a lot more space inside with the same footprint, offer a minimum range of 500 kilometres and will boast of all the latest technologies.”

“Avinya is not only a concept but is our new identity, an identity which is here to challenge the status quo,” he added.

While speaking about the company’s other plans, he added, “Tata Motors is also looking to piggy-back Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to get into the markets where the UK subsidiary has a presence.”

“Tata Motors also plans to sell the internal combustion engine (ICE) models in some of these markets.  The decision with regards to which markets to enter with the EVs will also be governed by the markets that offer better policy support for EVs. We are in the process of identifying the markets and in certain markets we have also started testing our vehicles,” said Chandra.

Several Tata Group companies including Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Tata Elxsi and Tata Consultancy have come together for TPG-backed TMEP.  “We will not be restricted by anything. Be it capital, talent or supply chain,” said Chandrasekaran.  “The job at hand is very big. We are happy at the progress we have made in the last couple of years,” he added, alluding to the turnaround of the passenger vehicle business.

Avinay is Tata Motors’ first pure EV concept

To be commercialised in 2025

It’s the first of the new breed of EVs that TPEM plans to bring.

Boasts of next gen connectivity, advanced features

Will have a minimum range of 500 kilometres

Global platform that will churn more models

Claims high structural safety, next level of waterproofing and dust protection, suitable for all terrains