Tata Motors is committed to localization, aiming to provide a broad range of options at affordable prices.
Tata Motors, India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, aims to expand its range of technology options in the electric mobility sector. To enhance the localization of key components, Tata Motors plans to offer motors with voltages increasing from the current 500 volts to 800 volts in the mid-term, and over 1000 volts in the long term. The company is also exploring different battery structures, from modules to cell packs, in the medium term and potentially installing cells on the chassis in the long term.
Rajendra Petkar, Chief Technology Officer of Tata Motors, announced that these solutions will be available for passenger vehicles, small commercial vehicles, and large trucks. Petkar’s presentation highlighted plans to offer a Battery Management System transitioning from wired to wireless and eventually integrating into vehicle power electronics.
The presentation emphasized the focus on localizing EV aggregates with advanced features. According to the investor presentation, Tata Motors intends to upgrade from the current Combined Charging System (CCS) to flash charging for passenger cars and pantograph-based charging for electric buses.
Additionally, Petkar mentioned that Tata Motors is considering incorporating Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS) for commercial electric vehicles, such as heavy-duty vehicles and buses, to ensure minimal downtime and maximum efficiency.
Petkar shared Tata Motors’ roadmap for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), which will enhance features like forward collision warning, lane-keeping assistance, lane centering, adaptive cruise control, and road sign recognition for medium and heavy commercial vehicles, as well as intermediate and light commercial vehicles.
Moreover, Tata Motors may implement “highway platooning,” using electronic and mechanical coupling to adjust distances between vehicles. The company is also considering a driver-assist feature called the Moving Off Information System (MOIS) to detect and alert drivers to pedestrians and cyclists in the vehicle’s forward blind spot. These features use sensors on the front and sides of the cab to detect potential collisions and send alerts to the driver.
The adoption of higher voltage batteries and chargers will significantly improve range and reduce charging time by 2 to 4 times compared to a sub-500-volt architecture, according to Randheer Singh of ForeSee Advisors. ForeSee Advisors collaborates with India’s leading OEMs and battery manufacturers.
Singh further explained that higher-voltage architectures will enhance vehicle efficiency by reducing weight and heat loss. Flash-charging technology allows for rapid charging during brief stops, improving operational efficiency and saving fleet operators money. Pantograph-based charging involves physically connecting the vehicle to the charger via a cable, similar to trains that draw electricity from overhead wires. This type of charging is recommended for batteries with high energy density and is easy to install at bus depots.
