Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) is setting an ambitious goal for the electric vehicle (EV) market in India and wants to become the largest electric car maker in the country within just one year, and for this, it has to introduce budget EVs and enter the mass market as well as beef up EV infrastructure in the country rapidly.
Maruti’s managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) Hisashi Takeuchi shared this vision after unveiling the company’s first electric car, the e-Vitara, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Friday.
Maruti Suzuki is investing heavily in EV manufacturing to meet its target. The company already has three production lines, each capable of manufacturing 250,000 units annually.
A fourth dedicated EV production line is also being set up, though its exact capacity has not been disclosed. Takeuchi confirmed that this new focus on electric vehicles is key to Maruti’s growth, but he declined to share specific sales projections for the e-Vitara.
“Our goal is to become the number one electric vehicle manufacturer in India within one year,” Takeuchi said.
e-Vitara: Maruti’s global and local strategy
The e-Vitara, Maruti’s first electric SUV, will initially be exported to international markets before its launch in India.
Takeuchi added that demand from global markets is high, and Maruti wants to prioritise exports before bringing the e-Vitara to the domestic market.
In 2024, around 99,165 electric cars were sold in India, marking a 20 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
Tata Motors currently leads the Indian EV race with a 62 per cent market share.
Addressing customer concerns about EVs
Maruti Suzuki is aware of the key challenges that Indian consumers face with electric vehicles.
Takeuchi highlighted three main concerns: range anxiety, lack of charging infrastructure, and uncertainty about the car’s residual value.
To tackle these issues, Maruti e-Vitara will offer a driving range of over 500 km on a single charge, which Takeuchi believes is more than enough for most consumers.
The company also plans to install fast chargers at its dealerships in over 100 cities as part of the first phase.
By ensuring that charging stations are available every 5 to 10 km in these cities, Maruti aims to rev up infra facilities.
Expanding service and support for EV owners
In addition to charging infrastructure, Maruti Suzuki is focusing on after-sales service.
The company will set up over 1,500 EV-enabled service workshops across more than 1,000 cities.
These workshops will be staffed with specially-trained personnel and equipped with tools to handle all EV-related services, including charging support. Maruti currently has 4,500 service centres across India.
A growing market for EVs in India
Maruti Suzuki understands that to boost EV adoption in India, the company must address customer concerns and offer a wider range of electric vehicles.
Currently, the e-Vitara targets premium SUV buyers, but Takeuchi believes the market needs more options, including smaller models like hatchbacks and larger ones like multipurpose vehicles or MPVs, to attract more consumers.
By providing a diverse range of electric vehicles and improving the overall customer experience, Maruti Suzuki is determined to drive growth in the EV market in India and secure its position as the top EV manufacturer.
E-Vroooom’s views
With strong investments in production, charging infrastructure, and service support, Maruti Suzuki is committed to making electric cars more accessible and convenient for Indian consumers, and with judicious pricing, it can hope to become the top EV maker in India in about 12-18 months.
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