Electric Tata Nano - A proposition worth considering.

Electric Tata Nano - A proposition worth considering.

When you think of Electric cars, the first impression that would possibly cross your mind would be that of a compact, light bodied, efficient, easy to manoeuvre, light to the pocket vehicle.


This seems to be the bio-sheet of the Tata Nano (in its electric avatar). And here is my take on why this low-cost people mover has the potential to change the e-mobility industry in India; if Tata Motors were to consider this.

At the outset, let me qualify that I am no automobile expert, nor do I have all the credentials to suggest Tata Motors to have a relook at their e-mobility strategy. All I have is a passion for electric vehicles, a demand to see more e-vehicle options in India and an intent to see my son breathing easy when travelling on Indian roads.

So here is my pitch for the E-version of Tata Nano:

  • At approximately 635 Kgs, Tata Nano is one of the lightest cars on India Roads. Just the right kerb weight for a 4-wheeler electric car.
  • Compact in design and exudes the concept of a low road footprint; which is the larger e-mobility concept.
  • The drive system and overall layout seems ready to 'go electric'.
  • Optimisations in the Nano such as single windscreen wiper instead of the usual pair, manual windows are primed to consume low auxiliary power - a big thanks coming in from the battery for this.
  • Tata Motors already has the designs and dies for this car. While the Nano was recently pulled off the production lines, the cost of retro-designing this car to an electric would be a lot lower than Tata's attempt with the e-Tigor.
  • To be candid, and at the risk of being trolled, the e-Tigor produced for EESL (I had the fair chance to experience one first hand) while a good one, seems to be forcing a sedan to go electric to suit the needs of the chauffeur driven bureaucrats. Granted this is as per EESL’s requirement and hence disqualifies it from being a real attempt of Tata Motors going electric.

In summary, the Nano was positioned as a 'low-cost car' for the Indian masses. It could well be resurrected as the 'low-cost electric car' for sure to match the DNA it was originally created with.

I am sure, the think tanks, designers and engineers at Tata Motors would have thought this through earlier and probably this article could be an attempt in vain. But as a passionate e-mobility believer, I am ready to take the chance - so if you think the Electric Tata Nano looks like a proposition that Tata Motors could consider, do share it. Maybe, someone at Tata Motors could give it a second thought.


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