Maruti Suzuki’s First EV To Launch In 2025

Maruti Suzuki confirmed it will launch its first-ever electric vehicle (EV) in India in 2025. While not confirmed, it is likely to be the eVX SUV first showcased at the Auto Expo in 2023. This will also be the first of the six EVs Maruti Suzuki will launch by the end of the Financial Year 2031 (FY31). 

Alongside this, R C Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki, also said that it is imperative that Indian consumers should adopt environmentally-friendly technologies like strong-hybrid, biogas, flex fuel and CNG to reduce emissions and fuel consumption. Addressing the shareholders, Bhargava said, “While electric cars use increases, customers should be encouraged to buy cars using strong hybrid technology, or CNG or ethanol and biogas. Pure petrol and diesel car use should be minimised.”

Bhargava also claimed that hybrid cars help increase fuel efficiency by up to 45 per cent and reduce emissions (carbon and greenhouse gas) by up to 35 per cent. Currently, Maruti Suzuki has two hybrid models in its line-up – the Grand Vitara compact SUV and the Invicto MPV. Furthermore, the brand’s Chairman also said that while CNG isn’t as clean as hybrids, it is better than using fossil fuels. Maruti Suzuki has the most diverse portfolio of CNG vehicles, starting from the Alto K10 and going up to the Grand Vitara, excluding the Swift, Ignis and Ciaz in the middle. 

Maruti Suzuki, along with Toyota Kirloskar Motor, has been at the forefront of hybrid vehicles in India. The two brands collectively sell five hybrid models in India, including the two from Maruti Suzuki mentioned earlier and three from Toyota (Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Innova Hycross and Camry). Recently, states like Uttar Pradesh have announced a waiver of the registration fee for hybrid vehicles. 

While these two manufacturers are urging the government to rationalise taxes on hybrid vehicles, manufacturers like Mahindra and Tata Motors, who are going the full EV route, argue that such concessions on hybrids will slow down the adoption of EVs.