Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV
The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV is expected to launch next year in India, and the car has been spotted road testing. It could be one of the most important vehicle/platforms in the ongoing battle against climate change and pollution in the world’s most air-polluted country.
The Wagon R EV was first spotted on the road in India sometime last year, and a new photo was recently posted on Reddit. It’s clearly marked as an “electric vehicle” all over so there’s no question about its drivetrain.
It’s unclear if the car will have fast charging capabilities. But Autocar India reports the Wagon R EV may have an overall range of over 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge.
Suzuki has produced its Wagon R for a quarter century now. Branded as the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R in India and Sri Lanka, the car has long been an affordable option for Sri Lankan drivers. It’s to be watched on how an inexpensive EV version of a make and model that we Sri lankans already use could be a big boost for EVs in Sri Lanka.
Maruti Suzuki is a dominant brand in India, making 7 of the 10 best-selling cars in the country in 2018, according to CarWale India. The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R placed sixth on the list last year.
Some companies are still waiting for the right conditions in the market before moving in with EVs. Daimler just said it would bring EVs to market when the company finds it “suitable,” India’s News18 reported.
No proper specs have been published yet.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Nissan Leaf 2019
That original Leaf has amazingly loyal and satisfied customers with a few exceptions. They love the cheaper running costs, convenience of home charging, silence, and simple practicality which they look in a car -
- five seats
- good boot
- easy to drive
- affordable to buy [the older ones]
But that first Leaf had weaknesses. It was slow and lacking in range (though it got better with the 30 kWh battery upgrade). It looked odd. And as all cars got better connectivity and driver assist, the Leaf needed upgrades there too.
So those are the new Leaf’s promises. Quicker, further-reaching between charges, better-looking, more assistance. And prices are lower, model for model.
The motor is the same as before. But a new inverter [the heavy-duty electronic device] that supplies and controls the electricity going around the car is made more powerful. So the motor can now develop much more power,
150 bhp, and the 0-62 time in 7.9 sec.
The battery is the same physical size as it always been, but new chemistry and management means it has a capacity of 40 kWh. Nissan has tested it in the new more realistic global test protocol and got 168 miles range.
How often do you drive more than 80- 300 kilometers a day? So for all those days, a home charge is enough, even if it takes eight hours on a 6.6 kW 32-amp AC wall box. You could also go somewhere 240 kms away, charge while it’s parked for a few hours, and drive home.
This gen-2 Leaf hits a broad sweet spot of usability, likability and affordability.
How often do you drive more than 80- 300 kilometers a day? So for all those days, a home charge is enough, even if it takes eight hours on a 6.6 kW 32-amp AC wall box. You could also go somewhere 240 kms away, charge while it’s parked for a few hours, and drive home.
If you’re a total road warrior, hell-bent on end-to-end 300-mile highway stints with just a snacks between, the Leaf will not serve you.
If you’re a driver who loves the process of combustion and the involvement of a chassis, then again NO.
But that still leaves a vast constituency who are scared of a pure EV. This Leaf dismantles those fears. It can go a long way from a home charge. Recharging en route [ presently few towns are been identified and setup], if planned in advance, needn’t be a hurdle. Then the cheapness of avoiding petroleum opens up ahead of them.
But the real joy of the Leaf isn’t the money, it’s the motor, and its charming grace. For the way most people drive (literally not for petrolheads), it’s simply a better source of motion.
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