Mahindra electric SUV launch by 2020

Mahindra as an automaker has always prided itself as being the flag-bearer for the Indian automotive industry in the field of latest technological advancements, with special emphasis on electric vehicles. The automobile major backs its claims with not one but two full-fledged electric vehicles namely the e2o hatchback and the e-Verito sedan. Now, Mahindra is firing up all its cylinders to add a third and more sophisticated vehicle to its electric line-up in the form of an affordable electric SUV, that too by 2020.

Mahindra is believed to be working on a new affordable electric SUV, codenamed as ‘S107’, and is planning its launch in the Indian market as early as 2020. No other information is available about the vehicle as of yet, such as the size of the SUV or whether the vehicle will be a fully electric vehicle – like the Tesla or a plug-in hybrid with range extender – like a Fisker Karma or a Toyota Prius. The company says it is working to add more SUVs as well as small commercial vehicle to its electric vehicle portfolio.

Mahindra’s other electric ventures have not been as much of a resounding success as the company expected them to be. The e2o is a good vehicle as a concept but its small size, lack of practicality, high price tag, perceived image and the biggest of all – the range anxiety, have been big hurdles for the company to sell the car in India. Same goes for the e-Verito which has a real world range of less than 100 km and possesses dated styling, thereby is not considered as a recommended product for spending close to a million rupees. One should also note that the company is competing in Formula E races too.

Electric vehicles are the latest fad in the international as well as Indian automotive market, most fabulous example of which is the Tesla Model X crossover with its flashy gull-wing doors and the trioka of hypercars from McLaren, Porsche and Ferrari. In India, for the time being, the companies are focusing on bringing mild-hybrid technologies to their mainstream vehicles such as the Maruti SHVS system. Moreover, Mahindra, Tata and Maruti have also tied up in the past to develop electric-hybrid car parts.