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. Meanwhile, on Monday, he also laid the foundation stone and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth Rs 5,400 crores at Khodaldham ground in Ahmedabad.
