India Enters Global EV Market As Maruti Suzuki Begins e-VITARA Production In Gujarat

Gandhinagar, Aug 26 (KNN) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated Maruti Suzuki’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat, marking a significant step in India’s push for green mobility and self-reliance in the automotive sector.

The plant will produce hybrid battery electrodes and commence commercial production of Maruti Suzuki’s first global battery electric vehicle (BEV), the e-VITARA. 

The model will be manufactured in India and exported to over 100 countries, including Japan and several European markets.

"The seeds of India's success story were sown 13 years ago when we allotted land to Maruti Suzuki. Back then it was about 'Make In India' too. The world will drive EVs that say 'Made in India'," PM Modi said.   

Earlier, in a post on X, he wrote, “Today is a special day in India’s quest for self-reliance and being a hub for green mobility. At the programme in Hansalpur, e-VITARA will be flagged off. This Battery Electric Vehicle is made in India and will be exported to over a hundred nations. In a big boost to our battery ecosystem, production of hybrid battery electrodes will also commence at a plant in Gujarat.”

The hybrid battery electrodes will be manufactured at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. 

With this initiative, more than 80 percent of battery value will now be produced domestically, reducing import dependency.

Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, first showcased the e-VITARA at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January 2025. 

The company currently operates four plants in India with a combined annual capacity of 2.6 million units. 

In FY25, it exported over 3.32 lakh vehicles and sold 19.01 lakh units in the domestic market. The Hansalpur facility will now lead the production of the company’s first electric SUV.

The e-VITARA features a modern SUV design, sharp LED headlamps with three-piece DRLs, a blacked-out bumper, and rugged silver skid plates. 

It will offer two lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery options—49kWh and 61kWh—alongside front-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations. 

Key features include LED lighting, 18/19-inch wheels, a digital instrument cluster, touchscreen infotainment, powered driver seat, wireless charging, JBL audio system, 360-degree camera, sunroof, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

(KNN Bureau)