General Motors of India announced last week that a pre-production version of its all-electric Chevrolet Beat mini-car would go on display in April to spur interest for what could become GM India’s second Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).
In January 2010, at GM’s 10th Auto Expo, Chevrolet showcased its first BEV concept, the e-Spark mini-car, a project jointly created with long-established Indian electric automaker REVAi.
The e-Spark is scheduled to launch as India’s first 4-door electric passenger car by the end of 2011. The popular car was chosen as the first to electrify, even as GM also ramped up production for the internal-combustion-powered Spark, and the 100,000th model traversed the assembly line not long after.
Of the conventional Spark, Chevrolet – GM’s only Indian brand as of yet – says “it has already emerged as the most sought after mini car in its segment,” and won J.D. Powers’ accolades in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
At this point, GM says the electric Beat – also popular in gas-powered form – is not yet a certainty for production, but dependent on how much demand it can drum up, and government incentives it can help foster.
An electric-powered version of the Beat will be exhibited next month. (Gas-powered version shown. Photo courtesy of GM.)
Presently, incentives for Indian hybrid and electric automobiles include exemption from customs fees and breaks on other duty charges.
As of yet, we know little about the electric powertrain or performance capability for the prototype electric Beat. Requests for information from GM India were not returned before deadline.
Source: GM-Volt.com
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment