Maruti electric cars to be manufactured in Gujarat

The Government of India’s aim of having an all-electric car fleet by 2030 received a push, post Maruti Suzuki deciding to manufacture electric cars at its plant in Gujarat.

With Suzuki using India as a key global manufacturing base, the electric cars made here will also cater to the international markets.

Suzuki will invest a fresh $600 million (approximately Rs 3900 crore) for setting up a new plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units.

The Japanese company will also increase its investments in the state to over $2.1 billion (approximately Rs 13,400 crore) to boost its annual manufacturing capacity to 7.5 lakh units in the coming years.

To cater to the electric and hybrid vehicles, the company will set up a lithium-ion battery factory. Suzuki has planned to invest $180 million (approximately Rs 1150 crore) along with Toshiba and Denso (a Toyota company) to set up this lithium-ion battery factory. Denso will provide the technology while Toshiba will contribute with cell modules.

Said to be operational by 2020, the batteries made in this factory will be used to power the automaker’s electric vehicles.

Suzuki has also devised an alliance with Toyota that will enable both to seek the possibility of co-operation in fields including alternate fuel technology, IT and mutual supply of products and components.

Suzuki had showcased an all-electric version of the Swift, called the Swift REEV or Range Extender around seven years back, however, that car was never commercially produced.