Energy in Motion to launch two heavy-duty electric trucks in 15 months from new Talegaon plant

Energy in Motion (EIM), a Mumbai-based company, will bring two new heavy-duty electric trucks to the Indian market in the next 15 months. The company has begun the preparations as the country's electric commercial vehicle market grows rapidly. A manufacturing and battery assembly plant has been set up at Talegaon, near Pune. EIM is trying to establish its position in the electric truck segment through collaboration with China's BAIC Foton Motor and CATL.

EIM currently sells an electric tractor called Ashwa 4x2 in India. The company will now expand its electric commercial vehicle portfolio. It plans to introduce an electric tipper for the mining and construction sectors and a rigid-body electric truck for freight. The vehicles can be used for industrial transport, carrying construction material and other commercial work. Electric trucks could be an important option for reducing dependence on diesel vehicles.

The Talegaon plant spreads over more than 35,000 square metres. Besides assembling electric trucks, it has facilities to make and test battery packs. The plant can assemble 5,000 electric trucks a year. The battery assembly line covers about 10,920 square metres and has an annual capacity of 2.4 GWh. Production capacity may be raised if demand grows.

EIM has signed a six-year technology licence and supply agreement with China's BAIC Foton Motor. Under it, the focus will be on manufacturing, marketing and distribution in India of commercial vehicles weighing more than 18 tonnes. The agreement could be important for the company's heavy-duty electric truck business. However, the prices of the new trucks, exact launch dates and full technical details are yet to be announced by the company.

On batteries, EIM is also working with China's CATL. The company is preparing to assemble lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs in Pune. According to the information provided, the current 282 kWh battery gives a range of about 150 km. The proposed new 400.5 kWh battery pack is claimed to give a driving range of more than 200 km. The battery is based on CATL's CB7T0 cell technology and its expected life is said to be about 7.5 lakh km. Actual range and battery life will depend on load, road conditions, temperature and the pattern of use.

Together with Automotive Test Systems (ATS), EIM is preparing to set up a battery testing centre over about 4,983 square metres in Pune. The information provided puts the initial investment at Rs 60 crore. The centre will have 50 test benches, on which battery performance will be checked under extreme temperatures, shocks, vibration and the harsh conditions of Indian roads.

Overall, EIM's new electric truck plan, its collaboration with Chinese companies and its investment in battery manufacturing could be significant for India's electric commercial vehicle market. Customers are now watching for when the new trucks arrive, what they cost and how much range they actually deliver.