Hindustan Motors, European partner complete due diligence for EV project

Kolkata: C K Birla-ownedHindustan Motors Ltdand its European partner have completed due diligence for the proposed electric two-wheeler project, a senior official said on Thursday. The joint venture is likely to launch theelectric vehiclesin the next financial year atHindustan Motors‘Uttarparaplant inWest Bengal.

“The due diligence between HM and the European company is now complete. The name of the foreign partner will be announced shortly,” the official of the Indian company told PTI.

The combined investment for the EV project will initially be around Rs 600 crore, following which the two companies would explore the possibility of entering the electric four-wheeler space.

After the formation of JV, around six months is required to start a pilot run, he said.

The structure of the JV is being finalised, including the proportion of equity to be held by both the partners, the official said.

“The EV two-wheeler would be manufactured on 98 acres of land at the Uttarpara plant after modernisation, as it is lying defunct for several years,” he said.

The official had earlier said the company paid off most of its liabilities and reduced accumulated losses.

HM had shut the plant in 2014 due to a “lack of demand” for its iconic ‘Ambassador’ cars. The West Bengal government had allowed the company to sell 314 acres of land at the facility for alternative use.