Not less than a week after Nissan Leaf electric car was launched, another electric car, Mahindra’s e2o was launched in Thimphu, yesterday. The Prime Minister, Tshering Tobgay, launched the car at the Taj Tashi hotel.
The Mahindra e2o is manifestation of Mahindra’s vision of the future of mobility, expressed by the 5C’s framework, Clean, Convenient, Connected, Clever and Cost Effective.
The Mahindra e2o can charge from any 15 ampere power socket available in any home, with five hours required for fully charging can be ready to be driven over 100 kms. It takes only 15 minutes to travel 25km, if the quick charging stations are being used.
Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay said that the launch of Mahindra e2o, a zero emission electric vehicle, marks the future of sustainable and effective transport system in Bhutan.
“Our short distances here will ensure that electric vehicles can get us from one point to other from Thimphu to Paro and back, form Thimphu to Phuentshogling and back in one single charge. Whereas rest of the world is still grappling with the psychological block that electric vehicles and batteries cannot be a viable from of transport.” The Prime Minister said, in Bhutan it is viable. “We can rest assure that our short distances will allow electric vehicles to work.
The Prime Minister added that government is willing to consider subsiding totally for charge for electric vehicles stations.
The Mahindra e2o comes with a 6.2 inch touch screen, is fitted with GPS navigation system, radio, DVD, Bluetooth and i-Pod connectivity. The regenerative braking feature in the Mahindra e2o also pumps energy back into the car’s batteries and charge them every time slow down or apply the brakes.
With the seating capacity of four adults, the car is available in three options, starting price of close to Nu. 700,000 to more than Nu. 800,000.
Meanwhile, the Mahindra Group also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government, yesterday. The signing of the MoU is expected to promote the usage of Electric Vehicles in Bhutan toward an effective transport system, environmental conservation and sustainable development. Mahindra will also be assisting Bhutan in setting up charging infrastructure network for Electric Vehicles across the nation.
