Tata’s First Electric Car You Don’t Know About (Video)
Today, we all know Tata Motors as the largest electric four-wheeler manufacturer in India. But did you know that the company had already started making electric cars back in 2011? Well, most likely, you might not be aware that Tata Motors initially created an electric version of its popular hatchback, the Indica Vista. Recently, we came across an old TVC (television commercial) showing Tata Motors’ first electric car, the Indica Vista EV.
Tata Indica Vista EV TVC
This TVC of the Indica Vista EV has been shared on YouTube by Tata Vista 90 on their channel. It starts off with a glimpse of the Tata Indica Vista EV in a European city. The video then shows the exterior and interior design of the Indica Vista. On the outside, it looks like a normal Indica Vista from that time. However, upon looking closely, it can be noted that this vehicle had a number of details that made it unique.
Tata Indica Vista EV: Design
At the front, we can note that this vehicle had a closed-off grille and a very simple front bumper with fog lights. It used the same halogen headlights as the ICE model, which was commonly seen in India. Moving on to the side profile, we can note that the vehicle had unique multi-spoke alloy wheels.
However, apart from this, the rest of the silhouette was the same as the standard model. As for the rear end, not much was changed, and it also had the same vertical taillights and a simple rear bumper. The video also showcased the interior of the Indica Vista EV.
It can be noted that this hatchback came with the exact same layout as the ICE model. The main highlight of the Indica Vista and its EV iteration was that it had a centrally positioned gauge cluster.
It was located just above the air conditioning vents. Also, at the time, Tata Motors did not add its own music system, so this particular model was given a 7-inch touchscreen from Pioneer.
Additionally, automatic climate control systems were not as common during that period, so this vehicle was given a manual AC system. As for the space, the TVC showed five people sitting comfortably in this hatchback with a lot of luggage in the rear.
Tata Indica Vista EV: Not for India
The Tata Indica Vista EV was never designed to be sold in India, as the infrastructure and awareness for electric vehicles were non-existent in the country at the time. It was manufactured in very small batches for trials and testing, and its limited production was only for exporting to the markets of the UK and Europe.
Tata Motors offered the Indica Vista EV with a 26.5 kWh battery pack, which provided a maximum range of 200 km. It boasted a top speed of 110 kmph. As for the charging time, this vehicle could be charged from 0-100% in 8-10 hours using a standard charger. At the time, this hatchback did not offer fast-charging capabilities. Powering the Tata Indica Vista EV was an electric motor that produced 54 bhp and 160 Nm of torque.
Tata Motors Currently Rules the Indian Electric Vehicle Market
Presently, Tata Motors is the leader in the Indian electric four-wheeler market. It has numerous hit models, including the Nexon EV, Punch EV, and the smallest offering, the Tiago EV. Also, this year, Tata Motors is planning to launch five more electric vehicles, including the Harrier EV, Safari EV, and Sierra EV.