Tata works with French company on sub-$20,000 EV

Yes, the car will still cost less than $20,000. No, we still don't know when it's coming out.

India-based Tata Motors is working with France-based Dassualt Systems at developing more technology for the eMO ("electric mobility") electric vehicle that's so far only appeared in concept form, the Hindu Business Line reported.

The two companies are working on design touches that will keep both the cost and weight of the vehicle as low as possible in order to reach the goal of selling a vehicle with a 100-mile single-charge range for less than $20,000, according to the publication. But there's still no word on how much Tata's investing or when a production model will see the light of day.

Tata Technologies' President of Vehicle Programs and Development Kevin Fisher, speaking at the North American Auto Show in Detroit in January, called the eMO "a giant business card" that the automaker was using to pitch its new technologies, though he wasn't specific on if or when the car would be made.

Tata has said the eMO's 18.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack can provide as many as 100 miles on a single charge. The car's design aspects include "suicide" rear doors and no B-pillar to allow for a larger opening, which will make up for the fact that the car will have no rear hatch.

Tata, which acquired Jaguar Land Rover from Ford for $2.3 billion four years ago, continues to show signs of entering the electric-drive vehicle market. Tata had planned to start selling its Tata Vista Indica electric vehicle in India last year, though that model has yet to debut. Tata has said the 74-horsepower Vista Indica EV has a top speed of 71 miles per hour as well as a 100-mile single-charge range.