Hydrogen as a fuel is for commercial vehicles, says Shailesh Chandra

From internal combustion engines (ICE) to hydrogen, Tata Motors has taken the big leap forward in meeting customer requirements. With six new electric vehicles (EVs), the automotive player is also looking to become the largest player in the fastest-growing EV segment. Shailesh Chandra, president, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, in conversation with Nitin Kumar, talks about the company’s plans of meeting consumer expectations across segments. Edited excerpts:
 

What is different about Wednesday’s launch?
 

We are bringing personalised and customised interventions to appeal to certain groups of customers.
 

We unveiled 12 vehicles and concepts of India’s best-designed, smartest, and greenest range of personal mobility solutions.

In the EV segment, we have showcased the Sierra, the Harrier, and the Avinya.
 

In ICE, the Concept Curvv. In the compressed natural gas (CNG) segment, the Altroz iCNG and the Punch iCNG — revolutionary twin-cylinder technology delivering super space and performance.
 

For performance enthusiasts, the Altroz Racer and the sporty version of the Tiago.ev in their fun-to-drive avatars with gritty on-road presence.
 

CNG is a compromised vehicle in terms of performance, features, and no boot space. Our vehicles will not compromise on any of these.
 

Our Zen-2 Harrier EV with a four-wheel drive has a range upwards of 450 kilometre (km) to 550 km. We intend to bring our Sierra EV in 2025.
 

On Wednesday, we also launched two new engines — the 1.2-litre GDI and the 1.5-litre GDI. They are more powerful but low on emission and are fuel-efficient.
 

We also declared our aim to be net-zero carbon by 2040.
 

What is the share of EVs in the total passenger vehicle (PV) segment?
 

It is about 9.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2022-23. It was about 8.2 per cent for Calendar 2022.
 

What is your growth outlook for the EV segment?
 

We are aiming for double digits. In the next five years, we will take it to 25 per cent of our PV segment. By 2030, it should gravitate towards 50 per cent.
 

This year, we’ll get the Tiago EV. Over volume will significantly increase and reach double digits.
 

A majority of the vehicles sold in India were in the affordable segment. Do you plan to launch inexpensive vehicles?
 

Our focus is not affordable. It is to bring products which suit the entire spectrum of the Indian market. Our focus is on bringing all kinds of body styles and products at different accessibility points from the lowest possible to the highly aspirational.
 

We have launched four products in the market; there are six more to go. On Wednesday, we unveiled three — the Avinya, the Harrier, and the Sierra. Some of them are at a higher price point to cover the entire price spectrum.
 

The Indian market today is not just looking at affordable cars, but at feature-loaded ones. We work on products depending on customer requirements and then we work on bringing them at the lowest cost.
 

Tata acquired Ford’s Gujarat plant. Any plans to buy Ford’s Chennai plant for the production of EVs?
 

There is no such plan. We have 300,000 capacities.
 

What is the waiting period for your products?
 

It has significantly reduced from what it was when there was a supply-chain crunch. It is anywhere from two weeks to three months, depending on the variant. For EVs, the waiting period is similar. But for the Tiago, it is very high.
 

What is the number of bookings you have received for the Tiago?
 

It has crossed 20,000. We are going to start deliveries soon. It is going to rise as we have started the displays and test drives. 
 

Will the rising number of Covid cases globally impact the Indian automotive market?
 

We have to be watchful. So far there has been no big impact, except for certain items. But it is a risk that has to be monitored.
 

Are you planning to launch more outlets for EVs, especially in rural areas?
 

We have a network of 1,200-1,300 showrooms in rural areas. Today, we sell both ICE variants and EVs as a shop-in-shop concept. We have not opened up in all cities. But we are going to expand from 90 cities to about 170 in the next seven months as we launch the Tiago.
 

What are your plans for hydrogen?
 

Hydrogen as a technology is for commercial vehicles. As a technology, the company will be ready, but when it will become viable for cars remains to be seen. Globally, the hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen ICE are being used in commercial vehicles and long-haulage applications, whereas smaller applications for commercial vehicles and lighter vehicles, battery EVs still make more sense. There is no immediate plan to bring hydrogen cells to cars, but technology-wise, we will be experienced, knowledgeable, and ready.
 

What is the deterrence to India’s transition to EVs?
 

Charging infrastructure, range, and battery life are the major reasons why people do not opt for EVs. But these will not be a problem in two to three years.
 

How is Tata working towards that transition?
 

We are working with Tata Power to bring more focus to highways. The city does not require public-charging infrastructure. Over 90 per cent of people charge their vehicles at home. We install smart chargers (fast chargers with 7.2 kilowatt) in societies, where one can go and charge their vehicle. At least 750 such chargers have been installed.