Maruti Suzuki to localize EV components, batteries in India
What's the story
Maruti Suzuki, India's leading automaker, has announced plans to localize battery production and other critical components for electric vehicles (EVs) in the coming years. The move is part of the company's strategy to strengthen the overall EV ecosystem in India. Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) at Maruti Suzuki India, confirmed this while speaking with reporters.
Upcoming launch
Maruti Suzuki's first EV set to launch next year
Maruti Suzuki plans to launch its first electric vehicle, the e-VITARA, in the domestic market next year. The company is currently importing batteries for its EVs from China's BYD but has a phased localization plan in place for the coming years. Banerjee emphasized that consumer confidence is key to boosting EV adoption in India, as many potential buyers are still hesitant about using an electric car as their primary vehicle due to concerns over driving range and public charging infrastructure.
Market strategy
Maruti Suzuki's future EV plans and challenges
By FY30, Maruti Suzuki aims to have five EV models in its overall product portfolio. Banerjee said he expects the industry to grow to around 5.5-6 million units with an EV penetration of about 13-15%. However, he also noted that post-GST 2.0, there are indications of a decline in EV penetration. He identified driving range, public charging infrastructure inadequacy, after-sales service issues, and resale value as major hurdles for EV adoption in India.
Customer assurance
Maruti Suzuki's initiatives to boost EV adoption
To instill confidence in customers, Maruti Suzuki plans to set up 1,500 EV-enabled workshops across 1,100 cities in India. The company has already established 2,000 charging points and plans to introduce an assured buyback scheme and subscription scheme for its EVs. Despite the slow growth of the EV industry compared to internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs), Banerjee believes that OEMs should focus on product quality, after-sales service, and ecosystem development to boost customer confidence.
Expansion strategy
Maruti Suzuki's EV exports and future plans
Maruti Suzuki has already begun exporting the e-VITARA, having shipped 10,000 units of the model to 26 markets. The company intends to introduce multiple electric models across different body styles and establish charging infrastructure nationwide. As part of its ambition to lead in the segment, Maruti Suzuki plans to set up around 100,000 charging stations by 2030 in partnership with dealer partners and charging point operators.