Ratan Tata arrives at the Taj Mumbai in a modified Tata Nano Electric vehicle

Ratan Tata’s retrofitted Nano electric vehicle is just one of the many projects successfully completed by the ElectraEV startup.

While new and upcoming electric car launches continue to take center stage, much work is being done in the background to accelerate the transition to an all-electric system. ElectraEV, a leading provider of electric powertrains, battery packs, chargers, retrofitted ICE cars, and other related services, is on a similar path. Ratan Tata himself founded the company.

The Tata Nano had a 624cc petrol engine in its original form. A 72V powertrain with a super polymer lithium-ion battery pack has taken its place. On a full charge, it is expected to have a range of 160 kilometers. The Nano electric can accelerate from 0 to 60 kmph in about 10 seconds. Aside from the powertrain upgrade, there are no other significant changes to the vehicle.

Electric Tata Nano

The electrified Tata Nano is a good example of the possibilities that exist in the retrofitting space. Millions of ICE-powered vehicles are still on the road, polluting the environment for years to come. Unless, of course, an effort is made to encourage users to have their vehicles retrofitted with electric powertrains. ElectraEV’s retrofitting work is FAME compliant, as well as ARAI and RTO certified. The company is currently focusing on fleet retrofitting services. ElectraEV also provides vehicle control units, telematics, prototyping, homologation readiness, and after-sales services and diagnostics.

Its success can be gauged by the fact that an ElectraEV powertrain was used in 25% of all electric four wheelers sold in the country in FY20. Currently, the startup provides electric powertrain and data analysis services in 25 cities.

Tata Nano ElectraEV powertrain options

ElectraEV provides powertrain options ranging from 48V to 750V. Tigor EV, which features a 72V architecture, is one example. To meet ARAI standards, the engineering team at ElectraEV worked to increase the Tigor EV range from 140 km to 213 km. Tata Ace was also developed at ElectraEV before being released commercially in EV form. ElectraEV equipped the Tata Ace with a 96V powertrain.

The higher capacity range is for larger vehicles such as e-Bus. ElectraEV’s 650V architecture is ideal for such vehicles. Bus fleet operators can contribute to a greener environment by using this electric powertrain. FAME 2 benefits will be available for these electrified buses. Ratan Tata arrives at Mumbai’s Taj Hotel in his modified Tata Nano electric.

ElectraEV battery packs feature an advanced cooling system, making them suitable for the country’s generally hot weather conditions. These are IP67 rated for effective water and dust protection. A dedicated battery management system and configurable BMS software are also included. ElectraEV powertrains can produce 5 kw (6.80 PS) to 180 kw (245 PS) of maximum power and 4 Nm to 4500 Nm of peak torque.