Bjørn Nenseth, CEO, interviewed by Russia’s AutoPlus TV
Using its proprietary lithium-ion battery technology, Miljøbil Grenland AS will convert Tata cars to electric power. The first model to be developed is the Tata Indica, which will launch in 2009 and go on sale in 2010. The car, known for the time being as the Tata Indica LI, will have a range of 200 kilometres, a top speed of 115 kilometres per hour and a price tag of around NOK 250,000 in Norway. It will be produced at Herøya Industripark in Porsgrunn.
Tata Motors has chosen Miljøbil Grenland as its partner primarily because of the expertise we’ve accumulated over many years in this business. Our past projects have demonstrated our ability to convert vehicles to electric power, as well as giving us cutting-edge expertise in battery technology, -said Bjørn Nenseth, CEO of Miljøbil Grenland.
Miljø Innovasjon AS
A newly formed company, Miljø Innovasjon AS, will be responsible for converting the Tata Indica LI and producing lithium batteries.
Battery production and conversion of cars to electric power will employ technology developed at the conceptual and development stage, when Miljøbil Grenland worked closely with other companies including Smart Car and Electrovaya,www.electrovaya.com a Canadian battery technology company
The production facility to be built at Herøya will employ around 85 people. The goal is to produce 5,000 cars a year from 2011.
Miljøbil Grenland AS
Miljøbil Grenland will be responsible for selling and servicing the Tata Indica LI. Norway and the other Nordic countries will be the primary market for the first few years.
We see clear market trends suggesting that electric cars are headed for a renaissance. Significant improvements have been made in recent years when it comes to battery technology, and we have strong manufacturing partners on board, -said Mr Nenseth.
In early 2007, there were around 1,700 electric cars registered in Norway. Miljøbil Grenland supplied over 300 of these, which were French-built cars converted under agreements with Renault, Citroen and Peugeot.
www.miljobil.no
