Tata Motors on Tuesday said it will launch the electric version of the world's cheapest car Nano in Europe within the next two-and-a-half years, although no timeline has been fixed for its rollout at home.
"The electric Nano will be launched in Europe in two-and- a-half years and it will be launched in select markets like Britain and the Scandinavian countries first, and gradually in other nations," Tata Motors vice-chairman Ravi Kant told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday.
The company, which unveiled the electric version of the small car -- Tata Nano EV -- would also launch the version in the domestic market. However, no possible timeframe has been fixed for its launch in the home market.
"We have not decided the time line for launch of the electric Nano in India, but we are looking at it," Kant said.
Asked about the pricing of the Nano EV, he said it would be decided at the time of launch.
The Nano EV would be four-seater, instead of the five-seater existing Nano. The electric car, using super polymer lithium battery, would have 160km battery range and would touch a speed of 60km in 10 seconds.
The European version of the small car -- Nano Europa -- would be exported from India in the next two years, Tata Motors managing director for India operations PM Telang said.
On an electric Indica Vista, Tata Motors' Kant said the company would start selling the car in Europe from this year.
"The Indica Vista EV will be introduced in select European countries, beginning this year. We will progressively introduce electric vehicles in all relevant markets," he said.
Earlier, the company said it could launch an electric version of its flagship passenger car Indica in domestic market simultaneously with its European launch.
Tata Motors has been developing the electric Indica with a Norwegian firm for launching in the British, Norwegian and Danish markets by 2011, which will mark the global launch of the car.
At the Geneva Motor Show, the company also showcased its multi-purpose vehicle Aria, the sedan Indigo Manza, besides some other vehicles.
Image: (L-R) Vice chairman Ravi Kant, MD Prakash Telang and group CEO Carl-Peter Forster with the Nano EV at the Geneva Motor Show. | Photograph, courtesy: Tata Motors
