Tata Motors’ EV Production Plans at Sanand Plant

Tata Motors is gearing up to kickstart electric vehicle (EV) production at its Sanand plant, acquired from Ford India, beginning in April this year, according to a top company official. The initiative marks a significant step forward in Tata Motors’ electric mobility strategy.

Acquisition and Facility Preparation

Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Motors, acquired the Sanand facility from Ford India for Rs 725.7 crore in January last year. The company has since been preparing the plant for EV production, aiming to leverage its capacity and infrastructure for electric vehicle manufacturing.

Production Timeline and Models

Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, stated that the production of electric vehicles, starting with the Nexon EV, is scheduled to commence in April at the Sanand plant. The facility, with an initial capacity of 3 lakh units per annum, can be further scaled up to 4.2 lakh units per annum. Additionally, Tata Motors plans to produce upcoming EV models at the Sanand facility, including the Curvv EV slated for launch in the second or third quarter of this year. Moreover, the Harrier EV and internal combustion engine (ICE) version of Curvv are expected to be introduced by the end of the year.

Sales Outlook and Budget Wishlist

Chandra expressed optimism regarding the passenger vehicle industry’s growth outlook for the next fiscal, projecting a 5% increase. Tata Motors aims to outpace industry growth by leveraging its planned product launches. Additionally, Chandra highlighted the importance of extending FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacture of Electric Vehicles) benefits to personal electric cars in the upcoming budget to accelerate electrification efforts in the country.

Addressing Challenges and Competition

Chandra emphasized the significance of addressing challenges such as the inverted duty structure in EVs and the need for incentives to drive electric vehicle adoption. Regarding competition, Chandra reiterated Tata Motors’ readiness to face competitors, emphasizing the importance of a level playing field in the EV market. He underscored Tata Motors’ commitment to competing effectively while welcoming any player willing to invest in localization or charging infrastructure development in the EV space.

Tata Motors’ proactive approach to EV production at the Sanand plant reflects its commitment to advancing electric mobility in India while addressing key industry challenges and opportunities.