Kia Motor may bid for EV tenders once production begins at AP plant
Kia Motor India Pvt. Ltd, a unit of Hyundai Motor Corp. of South Korea, is likely to participate in bids to supply electric vehicles (EVs) to the government once its manufacturing unit is commissioned in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.
Its management has already studied the possibility of launching EVs in India and the company may also introduce an electric power train with its second or third product in India by 2021, a person with direct knowledge of the development said.
Kia Motors India has already announced its plans to enter the Indian market with a compact utility vehicle, the SP Concept, which was showcased at the Auto Expo in February.
However, the firm will introduce EVs in India only if it is satis- fied with the government direction for electric and sustainable mobility, including infrastructure for charging stations.
“Kia Motors has the intent of introducing EVs in India and participate in the bids to supply these vehicles to the Union government as soon as the plant starts production. It will also depend on the kind of direction the government gives regarding the specifications of the vehicles and the infrastruc- ture available. Kia has technologies required for electrified vehicles like hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles,” said the person cited above requesting anonymity.
In the recently concluded Auto expo the company exhibited its electric cars Soul and Niro, and the company has 5-6% share in the global market for electric vehicles.
“Kia Motors is one of the global leaders in the electric vehicles category. Depending on specifications and infrastructure that are shared we could take part in the bids to supply EVs,” said Manohar Bhat, head of marketing and sales at Kia Motors India, said in response to an email query.
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL), a state-run company promoted by the ministry of power, floated a fresh tender for 10,000 vehicles on 9 March to be used by central government officials.
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