The Tata Indica Vista EVX, developed
by Tata Motors’ UK subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre
(TMETC) engineers, bagged the Most Economic Small Passenger EV and
the Most Economical & Environment Friendly Small Passenger EV under
the Small Passenger EV Category at the inaugural RAC (Royal
Automobile Club) Brighton to London Future Car Challenge.
The Royal Automobile Club’s new
initiative was staged as part of the 2010 LBVCR weekend to actively
promote and demonstrate environmentally-friendly energy
technologies. The event saw the participation of 60 vehicles from
the major OEMs, as well as entries from private companies and
individuals. The challenge was open to Electric, Hybrid and Low
Emission Internal Combustion Engine vehicles and energy consumption
was measured in various modes during the journey from Madeira Drive,
Brighton to Pall Mall, London. The Tata Indica Vista EVX competed
alongside vehicles from BMW, Mitsubishi and SMART. This success at
the 2010 RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge is testament to
the capability and experience of the engineering teams at Tata
Motors and TMETC.
The Tata Indica Vista EVX completed
the journey from Brighton to London at a highly economical energy
cost of £1.35. This compares very favourably to journey costs of
£6.17 and £4.80 for a similar sized vehicle running either a petrol
or diesel engine at standard energy prices. The 58 mile route was
completed with only a 36% depletion of the lithium ion phosphate
batteries. This would give a vehicle range, in typical real-world
driving conditions, of approximately 160 miles, producing an
efficiency equivalent mileage of 176 mpg plug to wheel.
With the Tata Indica Vista EVX,
Tata Motors continues its innovative approach with the Tata Indica
Vista EV, which has been developed on Tata Motors hugely popular
petrol/diesel car, Tata Indica Vista.The Tata Indica Vista EV will
be a more practicable option for the consumer, capable of carrying
four individuals, adequate luggage space, with a predicted range of
up to 200 km and acceleration of 0-60 kmph in under 10 seconds.
Future developments in battery technology and lightweight structures
will only further enhance the efficiency and ultimately the
effective range of the vehicle, thereby addressing the current range
anxiety issues typical with this new technology.
