Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) is gearing up to launch its first electric vehicle (EV) in January 2025, and the company is not just focusing on the vehicle itself but plans to create a complete customer support system.
This support system will take care of three major concerns of EV owners — range anxiety, charging infrastructure and resale value.
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| Maruti Suzuki first EV will eliminate range anxiety, charging infra and resale value worries. |
500-km range
Hisashi Takeuchi, managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of MSIL, said that the upcoming EV will feature a high-capacity 60 kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery, offering a range of up to 500 km.
“We’re not just delivering a car. We are in fact bringing a range of solutions to ensure that our customers have a seamless experience with their EVs. Our extensive network will provide buoyant after-sales support to build customer confidence,” Takeuchi said at the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual session.
Commitment to sustainable growth
Partho Banerjee, senior executive officer of marketing & sales at MSIL, stressed the company’s commitment to sustainable growth in the EV sector.
“We’re not only launching a product; we’re building a complete ecosystem for EV owners. We understand that the major concerns are range anxiety, availability of charging stations, and vehicle’s residual value after five years. We’re addressing these issues head on,” Banerjee added.
Decline in EV sales
Recent data from the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (Fada) indicates a decline in electric vehicle sales in India. August saw 6,338 EVs sold, marking a 9.97 per cent fall from the previous year.
While July saw a slight increase with 7,541 units sold, it still represented a 2.92 per cent decrease compared to last year.
The month of June experienced a more significant decline of 13.51 per cent, with 6,894 units sold, and May saw a minor drop of 1.24 per cent (from last year) with 7,638 units sold.
New technologies face resistance
Banerjee said that new technologies often face initial resistance.
“Early adopters usually lead the way, but widespread demand follows once common concerns are addressed. We believe that by tackling these three main issues, we can achieve sustainable growth and establish ourselves as a major player in India’s EV space,” he said.
Maruti to unveil first electric car in January
Maruti Suzuki’s first electric car will be unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Show in January 2025.
Through its research, MSIL discovered that 95 per cent of EV owners charge their vehicles at home.
Despite this, the company acknowledges the need for reliable charging infrastructure for long-distance travel.
Range can decrease in inclement weather
Banerjee highlighted that range can significantly decrease in extreme weather conditions, and reliable charging infrastructure is crucial to prevent issues like vehicles running out of battery during trips.
“To ensure we support our customers effectively, we are developing a comprehensive programme to address these challenges. We are actively working on creating a robust support ecosystem,” Banerjee added.
MSIL resale value concerns
Regarding the resale value of their electric cars, MSIL is exploring various solutions to ensure that its vehicles retain value over time.
Festival sales
The company is optimistic about improved sales during the upcoming festival season and has adjusted its dealer dispatches in July and August to optimise both wholesales and retail sales.
E-Vroooom’s views
Overall, Maruti Suzuki is committed to addressing the main concerns surrounding EV ownership and is working diligently to create a supportive and sustainable environment, which could go down well with customers ahead of its first EV unveiling in January 2025.
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