World's cheapest car Nano in its electric avatar soon

Tata Motors on Monday 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.