India’s green mobility push: PM Modi flags off Maruti’s ‘made-in-India’ EV, to be exported to over 100 countries– top points about ‘e-Vitara’ project
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off Maruti Suzuki’s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), e-Vitara, at Hansalpur, Gujarat. The EV, made in India, will be exported to over 100 countries, signifying India’s growing ambitions in green mobility and self-reliance.The launch coincided with the commencement of hybrid battery electrode production at a new plant in Hansalpur, giving a boost to India’s EV battery ecosystem. PM Modi hailed the day as a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a hub for sustainable transportation.First showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in New Delhi earlier this year, the e-Vitara is Maruti Suzuki’s debut EV and marks the company’s global push in the electric segment.
What you need to know about the e-Vitara Project
Here’s a quick insight into what the project is all about:
- Variants & powertrain: The e-Vitara comes with two lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery options — 49 kWh and 61 kWh — available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, offering flexibility for diverse markets.
- Design & features: The SUV is equipped with sharp LED headlamps and DRLs, 18/19-inch alloy wheels, a fully digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment, powered driver seat, wireless charger, JBL premium audio, 360-degree camera, panoramic sunroof and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).
- Market impact: With electric vehicles currently accounting for just about 3 per cent of car sales in India, the e-Vitara is expected to accelerate adoption at home while positioning India as Suzuki’s global manufacturing hub for EVs, exporting to over 100 countries including Europe and Japan.
In a further push for EVs PM also also inaugurated a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility set up by Suzuki, Toshiba and Denso to support production of batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles.
