The government's new EV policy is a game changer
The news this month is obviously the new electric vehicle policy of the government and the doors that it opens up for companies wanting to set up base in India like Tesla, VinFast, Fisker, Lucid, and others, and also companies that are already present in India like Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes and BMW as well as the Volkswagen Group. And while MG Motor seems to have found a way forward with its joint venture with the JSW Group, there still hangs a question mark about BYD which is making great electric vehicles, has wanted to invest in India but has not got the nod to go ahead with its investments. Our cover story this month is another really path-breaking electric SUV from Kia, the Indian launch of which has also been delayed as the company decides the route it should take for launching its flagship model in the country. Of course, GST of five per cent and import duties of just 15 per cent have both been considered and make more sense as opposed to direct import. We have logged on another 10,000 plus km with three XUV700s this month as we partnered with Mahindra Automotive to launch our Drivers of Change initiative. We love to drive cars and we keep finding different reasons to drive them over long distances, but our Drivers of Change journey has been one of the more fulfilling ones and you can read all about it in this issue of the magazine. Also in this issue are drives of the uprated BMW iX as well as the Hyundai Creta N Line – both sportier versions of existing models at different ends of the SUV spectrum – not just in terms of fuel or energy used but also in terms of positioning. And finally, apart from all the usual sections we also have the updated Jawa 350 as well as the 650 Twin custom bobber from Royal Enfield, the Shotgun – both of which we have ridden and appreciated. As I sign off on another editorial, remember that cars are only as safe as you allow them to be – by wearing seatbelts. So always buckle up whenever you are in a car and no matter where you are seated in it. And always don a helmet when you are in a two-wheeler, and strap it tight!
Yogendra Pratap
Editor
yogendra.pratap@intoday.com @YogenPratap