A new chapter begins for India as Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first battery electric SUV, the e-VITARA, at the Maruti Suzuki plant in Hansalpur, Gujarat, on August 26, 2025. This event also marked the commencement of the company’s new electric vehicle unit.
The e-VITARA is slated for export to over 100 countries, including Japan and those in Europe, in addition to its availability in the Indian market. Production of the initial batch has already commenced.
Prime Minister Modi highlighted the day’s importance for India’s self-reliance and green mobility goals through a post on X. The e-VITARA was officially launched at the Hansalpur event.
This initiative supports the ‘Make in India’ campaign while promoting India’s commitment to sustainable mobility.
The Maruti e Vitara incorporates a lithium iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack. It will be available with two battery pack options: 49kWh and 61kWh. The SUV is equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, measuring 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, and 1,635 mm in height. The company estimates a range exceeding 500 kilometers on a single charge. The design and dimensions of the new Maruti e-Vitara resemble the concept Maruti eVX from the previous year.
Further underscoring the progress, PM Modi also inaugurated the production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-ion battery plant in Gujarat. The move will see over 80% of batteries produced domestically, boosting India’s battery ecosystem and diminishing reliance on foreign sources.
In addition, PM Modi initiated a freight train service dedicated to transporting cars. The Hansalpur plant currently ships over 600 cars daily by rail, with three trains operating daily to supply Maruti vehicles across India.