1. Tesla exploring land in Maharashtra for assembly plant.
There are reports of Tesla exploring land for a Completely Knocked Down (CKD) assembly unit for its EVs in Maharashtra’s Satara. CKD assembly units refer to a business model where vehicles are shipped in parts to a foreign country for assembly and then sold. This strategy is mainly employed as a way to reduce import duties. Tesla had previously held talks with Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering for a possible joint venture for the CKD assembly unit.
Tesla has already secured showroom locations in Delhi & Mumbai.
2. New EV charging tariff structure in Kerala announced.
Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has introduced revised ‘Time-of-Day’ (ToD) billing guidelines for EV charging stations, dividing the day into two zones to promote solar energy usage. According to the new directive, electricity consumed between 9 AM to 4 PM (termed the solar period), will be billed at a 30% lower than the standard rate. For instance, with a base rate of Rs 100, EV charging during the solar period would cost Rs 70. Previously, Kerala followed a three-zone ToD structure: 6 AM to 6 PM, 6 PM to 10 PM & 10 PM to 6 AM, which will now be replaced with the new simplified two-zone model.
Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has also confirmed that its EV charging stations have started following the new structure. KSEB officials expect an increase in daytime charging once private charge point operators adopt the new system. The new tariff changes are only applicable to public EV charging stations and not home chargers.
3. Unique floating solar park unveiled in Madhya Pradesh.
The world leader in floating solar technology ‘Ciel & Terre’ has commissioned a 120 MWp floating solar power project at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh. This project was developed in collaboration with L&T and SJVN Green Energy to generate power for RUMSL (Rewa Ultra Mega Solar Limited). The floating solar plant has been developed on the freshwater reservoir of Omkareshwar Dam, covering 210 acres, which constitutes 20% of the total 1060 acre water area.
The plant comprises 14 individual islands, each with a capacity of 8.5 MWp.
4. Foundation stone laid for solar plant at Delhi Assembly.
Delhi LG VK Saxena laid the foundation stone of a 500 kW solar power plant at the Delhi Assembly. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta & Speaker Vijender Gupta were also present at the event. The 500 kW installation is expected to be completed in 45 days. The previous 200 kW rooftop solar system is being dismantled to make way for the new setup, which will enable the Assembly to run entirely on solar power. The move is expected to result in zero electricity bills, generating estimated savings of Rs 15 lakh per month. The Delhi Assembly will soon become India's first legislative body to run entirely on solar power.
Delhi Government is expected to roll out its EV Policy 2.0 soon. At present, the existing EV Policy is in effect. It was recently extended by 3 months.
5. Tata Motors and Vertelo come together for commercial EV leasing.
Tata Motors has signed an agreement with Vertelo, an electric mobility solutions provider, to offer customized leasing options for commercial EVs. This collaboration will make the entire commercial EV portfolio of Tata Motors more accessible to fleet owners through flexible leasing options. The automaker’s commercial EV portfolio includes electric buses, electric trucks & electric mini-trucks.
The commercial EV lineup of Tata Motors includes the Tata Ace EV & Ace EV 1000 mini-trucks for last-mile delivery, Tata Starbus EV & Ultra EV electric buses for mass mobility and Tata Prima & Ultra electric trucks.
For complete energy management & EV charging solutions, explore the Kazam website and reach out to us at business@kazam.in
