Maruti Suzuki has unveiled a three-pronged approach to catch up with its rivals in the EV market, including home charging solutions, city-wide fast charging networks, and a dedicated mobile app.
17 Jan 2025 | 19854 Views | By Shruti Shiraguppi
After having lagged its peers like M&M and Tata Motors when it comes to the EV market, Maruti Suzuki India is all set to close the distance and make up for lost time with a new three-pronged strategy for the EV sector under its "e for me" initiative. The company ...
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After having lagged its peers like M&M and Tata Motors when it comes to the EV market, Maruti Suzuki India is all set to close the distance and make up for lost time with a new three-pronged strategy for the EV sector under its "e for me" initiative. The company has invested more than Rs 2,100 crore for manufacturing the e VITARA, its first electric vehicle, which was unveiled today.
At the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025, Managing Director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi outlined the new strategy. As part of the three-pronged strategy, the company will offer home chargers along with installation to ease the transition to electric mobility.
The second focus area will be on charging infrastructure, with the company planning to provide fast charging support in the top 100 cities. It will be expanded to more cities later. Takeuchi said the company’s goal is to have a charging point every 5 to 10 kilometers within these cities. Additionally, the company is setting up over 1,500 EV-enabled service workshops across more than 1,000 cities.
The third aspect to the new strategy is a new mobile app, which will allow customers to locate nearby charging stations, check real-time availability of slots, charge their vehicles, and make payments. Moreover, the app will provide roadside assistance across India, including support for situations where the battery runs out.
The company today launched the e VITARA. The model comes with features such as Level 2 ADAS, Integrated Display System, and Next Generation Suzuki Connect.
Suzuki Motor Corporation, which operates in India through Maruti Suzuki, initially took a conservative approach to EVs, focusing on hybrid vehicles. However, the company is now accelerating its EV plans, investing significantly in Gujarat for EV production and battery manufacturing.
India's electric vehicle market has seen significant growth in recent years, with Tata Motors emerging as the dominant player. Tata commands over 60% of the electric passenger vehicle market through successful models like the Nexon EV, Tigor EV, and Tiago EV.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has also been expanding its EV portfolio, particularly focusing on electric SUVs. The company launched the XUV400 electric SUV, and recently unveiled its "Born Electric" platform. M&M has partnered with Volkswagen for EV components and has invested in its Chakan facility for EV manufacturing.