Maruti’s First Electric Car Launched in India, PM Modi Flags Off E Vitara
Maruti’s First Electric Car Launched in India, PM Modi Flags Off E Vitara
The Maruti E Vitara will be produced in Gujarat and exported to over 100 countries including Europe and Japan.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Maruti Suzuki’s first electric car, the Maruti E Vitara, during his Gujarat tour on Friday. The launch took place at the company’s Hansalpur plant in Ahmedabad, where he also inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes to boost India’s EV ecosystem.
Start of Production & Export Plans
The assembly line for the Maruti E Vitara has officially begun operations at the Hansalpur facility. The electric SUV, the first of its kind from Maruti Suzuki, will not only serve the Indian market but also be exported to over 100 countries, including Europe and Japan.
Boost to Local Battery Manufacturing
Alongside the EV launch, PM Modi also inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS lithium-ion battery plant, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. This move is expected to ensure that more than 80% of battery production can now take place domestically, reducing dependence on imports.
Hansalpur Plant’s Role in Maruti’s Expansion
Spread over 640 acres, the Suzuki Motor Gujarat (SMG) plant has the capacity to produce 7.5 lakh units annually, and with the new EV assembly line, production capacity is set to increase further. Maruti Suzuki has already announced its vision to double overall production to 4 million cars annually by the end of this decade.
The Hansalpur plant, operational since March 2014, first rolled out the Maruti Baleno. With proximity to Mundra Port, the plant is a key hub for exports to Japan, Africa, and Europe.
Maruti’s Growing Global Footprint
Currently, Suzuki operates three plants in India—one in Gujarat and two in Haryana (Gurugram and Manesar), with a combined production of 23.5 lakh cars per year. The E Vitara’s launch marks the company’s bold step into the global EV market while strengthening India’s role in green mobility.
