Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present at a ceremony by Maruti Suzuki, the Indian subsidiary of the Japanese automaker Suzuki, to commemorate the start of production of its first EV, the e Vitara.
The firm manufactured the first batch of electric vehicles in this line at its plant in Gujarat, India. It is set to sail for the European region from the Pipavav port this month.
The e Vitara line is claimed to be the largest mass-produced and exported EV line from India. It is designed as an EV-only platform, as opposed to an internal combustion engine vehicle converted to EV and combines Suzuki’s technology with the manufacturing expertise of its Indian subsidiary.
Prime Minister Modi was also present to commemorate the start of local manufacturing of the first lithium-ion battery, cell and electrode for hybrid electric vehicles at Maruti Suzuki’s subsidiary TDSG.
The firm said its subsidiary has electrode level localisation, with both cathode and anode production at its facility in Gujarat. These will be used for its hybrid electric vehicles, particularly the Grand Vitara SUV model.
Toshihiro Suzuki, representative director and president, Suzuki Motor Corporation, said, “These milestones are a testimony to the enduring Indo-Japanese partnership, built on mutual trust and a shared vision for progress and a carbon neutral future. We will provide all products and technologies that will reduce oil consumption and imports and carbon emissions like battery electric vehicles, strong hybrid electric vehicles and vehicles powered by natural gas and biofuels.”
Image: The Indian PM Narendra Modi at the event. Credit: Suzuki.
