Upcoming Maruti EV SUV to get 550 km range
MARUTI Suzuki is gearing up to make its mark in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. The company has announced that its maiden foray into the EV space will be marked by a top-tier SUV, set to be launched in the upcoming financial year 2024-25. This high-specification SUV is anticipated to be a game-changer, boasting an impressive 550 km range on a single charge, thanks to its robust 60-kilowatt-hour battery.
The manufacturing hub for this groundbreaking EV will be Maruti Suzuki’s facility in Gujarat, located at Hansalpur. Rahul Bharti, Executive Director (Corporate Affairs) at Maruti Suzuki, revealed to the press that a new production line, referred to as a plant, will be incorporated into the existing Hansalpur facility to facilitate the production of the EV SUV. The Hansalpur facility, operated by Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Ltd (SMG), is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki and has been operational since February 2017.
Bharti emphasized the company’s commitment to export the EV SUV manufactured at the Gujarat plant. This move aligns with Maruti Suzuki’s broader strategy to not only cater to the burgeoning domestic demand for electric vehicles but also to tap into international markets.
Looking back at March 2022, Suzuki Motor Corporation, the parent company of SMG, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Gujarat government, signaling a substantial investment of Rs 3,100 crore in the Hansalpur plant for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. Bharti reiterated this commitment and shared insights into the upcoming EV, stating, “Our EV concept car has already been unveiled. It will be a high-specification SUV having 550 km range (on a single charge) and a 60-kilowatt-hour battery.”
However, Bharti refrained from specifying the exact production volume planned for the Gujarat plant, keeping the anticipation alive. This EV initiative marks a significant stride for Maruti Suzuki, aligning with the global shift towards electric mobility and contributing to India’s ambitious electric vehicle adoption targets.
In a separate announcement, Maruti Suzuki celebrated a milestone achievement at the SMG plant – surpassing 3 million cumulative productions. The three-millionth car rolled off the production line on December 4, highlighting the success and efficiency of the Gujarat facility. The plant, with an annual production capacity of 7.5 lakh units, manufactures popular models like Baleno, Swift, Dzire, Fronx, and Tour S, catering to both domestic and export markets.
As Maruti Suzuki gears up for its electric future, the unveiling of the EV SUV next year is eagerly awaited, promising a blend of cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and the renowned performance associated with the brand.
