New Delhi, February 17 Maruti Suzuki India formally entered the electric vehicle segment on Tuesday with the launch of its first battery electric vehicle, the eVitara, in the country.
The market leader has already begun exporting the all-new mid-sized electric SUV to various markets. Along with its parent company, Suzuki Motor Corporation, the company aims to sell the car in over 100 countries globally.
"This month holds great significance. 45 years ago, this was the month Maruti was incorporated with the primary objective of putting India on wheels. We took small, initial steps, and slowly those steps began to shape something extraordinary today. Today, in the same month of February, we are preparing to embark on a journey of transformation that will redefine the auto industry," said Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) at Maruti Suzuki India, during a virtual press conference.
He added that the EV penetration in the domestic market has been hovering around 4-5 per cent for the past two years, and it is now time for this market to experience exponential growth.
The company has launched the e Vitara at ₹10.99 lakh with a "Battery-as-a-Service" (BaaS) ownership plan.
Banerjee noted that the e-VITARA comes with 61kWh and 49kWh battery pack options, offering a driving range of up to 543 km.
He also stated that every e-VITARA owner will receive a complimentary 7.4 kW AC Wall Box Charger along with installation.
He further added that before launching the model in the domestic market, the company built EV ecosystems to systematically address all barriers to EV adoption.
"Whether it's the public charging infrastructure, the concern about resale value, the after-sales and service network, or the product range, we believe that it's not just the product itself, but the overall package that makes the difference," he stated.
He also noted that Maruti Suzuki's EV strategy has been developed to ensure that the e-VITARA becomes the primary EV choice for customers.
"The e-VITARA offers a commendable driving range of over 543 km, supported by the 'e for me' charging ecosystem that mirrors the reliability our customers have trusted for decades. With over 1,500 EV-ready service centres, specially trained NEXA EV relationship managers, and dedicated charging managers, the e-VITARA offers complete peace of mind," Banerjee said.
The company is also introducing flexible ownership plans with BaaS, along with exclusive benefits for early adopters, he added.
In December last year, Maruti Suzuki India MD and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi had noted that aligned with Suzuki's global vision, Maruti Suzuki plans to introduce multiple EVs in the country.
"And to support this, our aim is to enable a network of over 1 lakh charging points across India by 2030, along with our Dealer and CPO partners," he had stated.
