Maruti e-Vitara Price, Booking Date & 543km Range | Partho Banerjee Interview Revealed

Maruti is all set to enter the highly competitive Indian EV industry with its first electric car, the e-Vitara. However, Maruti enthusiasts and various EV users have ignited various questions and curiosity regarding Maruti’s first product related to pricing, bookings and most importantly, is Maruti’s EV ecosystem ready for the Indian market? 

Thus we will be clearing all the questions of users regarding the e-Vitara and will provide you all the information on the basis of Maruti’s senior leadership’s exclusive interview. This interview stated that the company’s first focus is on gaining consumer’s trust as Maruti always believes that “EVs in India will be only successful when customers have no fear of charging, range anxiety, and fear.”

Range & Real-World Testing

According to the interview, the Maruti e Vitara has a real-world range of 460-480 Km (Confirmed by a test drive in January). However the range figures are not claimed but based on actual driving experience. Maruti tested the e Vitara in all four directions ranging from Kashmir, Kanyakumari, Bhuj, and Kaziranga. 

The best thing is that the Vitara performed at par without any major issues reported during the drive, proving that e Vitara is a highly reliable vehicle. 

• Infrastructure Test = PASSED ✔️

Maruti’s Charging Network Facts

• 2000 Fast Chargers: Exclusively installed by Maruti for development of charging infrastructure.
• 70% of India’s fast chargers are integrated into one platform as per One India, One App concept. 

Thus Maruti has developed a platform where CPO of any company can be located via Maruti’s in-house developed single application and it also has the functionality of book and pay. For example, between Delhi and Chandigarh, there are chargers located every 25-30 Km. 

Thus, the total number of chargers between Delhi and Chandigarh route is approx 60 chargers which include multiple charging stations across Panipat, Sonipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala, which means practically eradicating all the range anxiety. 

Nexa Showrooms & Workshop Network 

Apart from charging infrastructure, Maruti has also installed EV-enabled workshops in more than 1,100+ cities, ensuring if you opt for E-Vitara, then you don’t have to worry about servicing. 

• 1,500+ Workshops are almost ready. 
• 1.5 lakh+ EV trained staff. 

Maruti E-Vitara: When is it available for Test Drive? 

Maruti has officially confirmed that they will be providing test drives starting from January which clearly reflects the strategy of the manufacturer by focussing on providing a superior experience first and then looking for bookings. 

According to Maruti, “let the customer first experience the product through a test drive and then take bookings.” This approach is quite rare and practical for those users experiencing EVs for the first time. 

Maruti E-Vitara Expected Price

However, Maruti has not revealed the exact price, but the manufacturer has hinted that they will decide the prices after understanding the customer’s needs. 

The company is also focussing on long-term trust and relationship, as quoted by their official words, “Wait can be a bit longer, but the result will be sweeter.”

Resale Value: Maruti’s Smart Strategy

The biggest fear of an EV buyer is what will be the resale value of their EV after 4-5 years? Maruti is working on this and has implemented various strategies regarding this. 

• Assured Buyback Program is included, which will provide a sense of confidence among EV users and their faith will increase with the brand. 
• Providing 50% salvage value for ICE vehicles after 5 years. 
• Maruti will be soon introducing a new structured resale assurance program for EV users wanting to sell their old EV vehicles. This will ensure an increase in the value preposition of old electric cars. 

EV vs CNG vs Hybrid: Maruti’s Clear Vision

Maruti is following a simple approach, “providing options to Customers.” According to a current data 

• 37% Maruti Cars = CNG
• Strong Hybrid + EV + CNG
• Underbody CNG technology is already implemented 
• The ultimate vision of Maruti is to establish green mobility in a gradual process, so that the transition is seamless instead of forced conversion. 

AllAboutEVs Analysis

According to our knowledge and analysis of the industry, the biggest strength of Maruti e-Vitara is trust, developed network, and Infrastructure readiness. The E-vitara can become a revolution in the EV industry if it implements

• Aggressive pricing for all the variants of e-Vitara. 
• Real-world range is close to the claimed numbers by the company. 
• Maruti’s in-house Buyback program which will increase the value of their EVs. 

Conclusion

Maruti e-Vitara is not just a normal EV but a successful foundation of Maruti in the evolving Indian EV industry. Maruti has strengthened its core infrastructure and developed its ecosystem for their inaugural electric car. Thus it will be interesting to see whether e-Vitara will witness huge response from the people or not?