New Delhi: Tata Motors plans to introduce the electric version of its Indica hatchback, the ‘Indica EV’ in Norway in 2009 and a year later in India. The car can run for 175 to 200 km when fully charged with a “two-pack” battery, though mileage could vary according to the type of battery used. The company unveiled the prototype of the vehicle along with the electric version of its successful sub-1 ton light commercial vehicle, ‘Ace’, at an auto meet in New Delhi recently.

The left-hand drive ‘Indica EV’ was developed at the Tata Motors research facility in the UK, in collaboration with the top electric vehicle research and development firm in Norway, Miljoebil Grenland.The production of the car has not yet started and Indian buyers would have to wait another two years for the launch of this car as the country does not possess the necessary infrastructure at the moment.

Bangalore-based Reva Electric Car Company has been manufacturing a 2-door, 4-seater electric car for seven years now. These cars can cover upto 80km on a single charge. Mahindra & Mahindra is also working on a four-seater electric car that will be bigger than the Reva and plans to bring it on Indian roads by 2010. Currently, M&M has an electric three-wheeler called Bijlee, and is working on an electric version on its three-wheeler Alfa.

Globally, Nissan, Mitsubishi, General Motors, Fuji Heavy Industries and Toyota are also in the race for developing electric cars.