Mahindra and Mahindra unveiled up to five electric vehicles on Monday, August 15, as part of its electrification campaign. The first of these will be introduced towards the end of this year.
Mahindra and Mahindra has expanded its partnership with the Volkswagen Group on electric vehicles. On the eve of unveiling its five new electric SUVs, Mahindra has signed an agreement with the German automotive giant to equip the next five electric vehicles with MEB components. These components are for Mahindra’s new INGLO electric car platform. The two automakers are targeting more than one million units over the lifetime and are further exploring possibilities for a broader strategic alliance to accelerate electrification in India.
The deal was signed on Monday, when Mahindra unveiled its first five electric SUVs at an event held at the automaker’s new design studio in Banbury, UK. Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director of Automotive and Agricultural Sectors at Mahindra and Mahindra, said: “Our vision is to lead the electric mobility revolution in India by bringing genuine electric SUVs with cutting-edge technology as showcased in the Kingdom. United today. We are very excited to explore other areas of potential collaboration with Volkswagen and are confident that together we will be able to shape an exciting electric future.”
Mahindra’s new INGLO platform will power the five electric SUVs shown on August 15. The platform offers batteries with a capacity between 60 kWh and 80 kWh and fast charging up to 80% in less than 30 minutes. However, Mahindra did not specify the range these EVs will offer on a single charge.
Volkswagen also aims to expand its relationship with Mahindra in the electric mobility sector, which will include EV projects, local manufacture of EV battery cells as well as EV charging infrastructure. Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said: “Together, Volkswagen and Mahindra can make a significant contribution to the electrification of India, a huge automotive market with ambitious commitments to climate protection. The MEB electric platform and its components are essential to affordable sustainable mobility around the world. The partnership not only demonstrates that our platform business is highly competitive, but also that the MEB is well on its way to becoming one of the leading open platforms for e-mobility.”
With the new family of electric SUVs, Mahindra aims to take on Tata Motors in the EV space in India. Currently, Tata Motors dominates the segment with over 80% market share. Its Tata Nexon EV, which has three different models, is the country’s best-selling electric car.
Date of first publication: August 16, 2022, 09:26 IST