After a long wait, Maruti Suzuki’s first electric car, the e-VITARA, is ready. Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the company’s first electric SUV e-VITARA from Maruti Suzuki’s plant in Gujarat. Maruti Suzuki may launch it in India on September 3rd. Initially, it will be exported from India to approximately 100 countries. The e-VITARA is a significant launch as Maruti’s first electric car. In India’s electric car segment, companies like Tata, MG, and Mahindra already have a strong presence. The question arises whether Maruti Suzuki, launching its first electric car later than others, can compete with these companies.
Sales of electric cars in India are rapidly increasing. In July, a total of 15,423 electric cars were sold in the country, which is 93 percent more than last year. These electric cars include all types of models like SUVs, sedans, and MPVs, but SUVs have the highest sales. The EV segment is currently dominated by Tata Motors, followed by MG Motors and Mahindra in third place. Hyundai is in fourth place and BYD in fifth.
Tata Motors sells the most electric cars in the country. Tata has the largest EV portfolio in the country. Tata has EV versions of all its cars except the Altroz. The best-selling electric cars from Tata include models like the Punch, Nexon, Curve, Tiago, and Tigor, along with the recently launched Harrier. However, due to tough competition from MG and Mahindra last month, the market share in the EV segment decreased to 38% from 67% compared to last year.
JSW MG Motor India was in second place last month with sales of 5,061 units. Its market share increased to 32% from 16% compared to last year. The company’s electric portfolio includes Windsor, Comet, and ZS EV, while the M9 MPV and Cyberster electric sports car were also recently launched. In addition, Mahindra’s electric car sales in July were 2,810 units. Mahindra’s market share in the segment doubled to 17% from 8%. Mahindra BE6 and XEV 9e have further strengthened the company’s position in this electric segment.
The electric vehicle segment in India is very limited. Its growth is not as much as expected right now, with 15,000 units sold every month. However, the number is continuously increasing. The question now arises whether Maruti will be able to make a place in this segment. The answer is that the Maruti Suzuki e-VITARA is an SUV segment car, which is currently in the highest demand. It will compete with the Hyundai Creta EV, Windsor EV, and Tata Nexon EV, which are the best-selling electric cars, upon its launch in India. Maruti Suzuki is the largest car-selling company in the country. Maruti’s cars are considered reliable. Therefore, it is expected that people will like the e-VITARA like other cars.
The electric car from Maruti has not yet been launched in India. For now, this made-in-India electric car will be exported. It will be exported to 100 countries, including the UK and Japan. Maruti Suzuki could launch the e-VITARA in India next month, but it will take some time to hit the roads. Maruti has already said that it will not rush the launch of the e-VITARA. It is first working on the EV ecosystem in the country, such as expanding charging stations and service networks. Maruti already has a large network for ICE (petrol or diesel) cars in the country, which is spread from small towns to large metropolitan cities. Maruti will definitely be able to take advantage of the existing network to develop the EV ecosystem.
Speaking of the features of the Maruti Suzuki e-VITARA, it is available internationally in two battery packs: a 49 kWh unit and a 61.1 kWh unit. The smaller pack gives 142 bhp and 193 Nm of torque with a front-wheel-drive setup, with a range of up to 344 km. The larger 61.1 kWh battery is available in two configurations. Front-wheel drive has 171 bhp and 193 Nm of torque and a range of up to 426 km, while the all-wheel-drive version gives 181 bhp and 307 Nm of torque and has a range of 395 km. Maruti may launch this model in India. The price will be revealed upon launch. In the UK, the price of this car is between 35.05 and 44 lakh rupees.