Maruti Suzuki Smaller EVs Planned As Charging Network Expands

Maruti Suzuki plans to introduce smaller electric cars in India once it believes the country’s charging infrastructure is sufficiently developed to support wider EV adoption. Managing director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi said the company intends to expand its electric vehicle portfolio as charging availability improves.

The automaker currently sells only the e Vitara as an electric model in India. Smaller EVs could help Maruti Suzuki address more affordable segments, where rivals such as Tata Motors and JSW MG Motor India already offer electric vehicles.

However, the company has not disclosed which smaller EVs are under consideration or provided a timeline for their introduction.

Maruti expanding charging infrastructure

Charging infrastructure is a key part of Maruti Suzuki’s strategy for increasing EV penetration. The company has partnered with 13 charge-point operators and has installed more than 2000 dedicated charging points across over 1100 cities.

The network is also being expanded along highways and expressways. In the country’s top 100 cities, Maruti plans to establish charging facilities at important locations with an intended spacing of roughly 5-10km.

The company has set a longer-term target of having more than 1 lakh charging points across India by the end of the decade.

Maruti’s decision to link smaller EV launches with charging infrastructure indicates that the company remains cautious about entering lower-priced electric segments before it believes customers have adequate access to charging facilities.

EV exports gaining momentum

While its domestic EV portfolio currently consists of a single model, Maruti Suzuki has been increasing its focus on electric vehicle exports.

Takeuchi said the company has become India’s largest EV exporter, accounting for around 90 percent of the country’s electric vehicle exports. Maruti exports vehicles to nearly 120 countries and shipped more than 4.4 lakh vehicles, including petrol-powered and electric models, during the previous year.

Europe was the initial focus for the company’s EV exports. Japan has since become Maruti Suzuki’s second-largest export market, according to the company.

The automaker also expects trade agreements with markets including the UK, Germany and France to provide additional opportunities for exports.

Multiple powertrains to share production lines

Maruti Suzuki does not intend to shift its manufacturing strategy entirely towards electric vehicles. The company plans to continue investing in internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid and CNG technologies alongside EVs.

Management expects conventional powertrains to remain relevant for the foreseeable future, with compressed biogas also being evaluated as another fuel option.

The company is also designing future manufacturing facilities with greater flexibility. New production lines will be capable of manufacturing EVs, hybrids, CNG vehicles and ICE models on the same line, allowing output to be adjusted according to market demand.

This approach could reduce the need for separate manufacturing infrastructure for different powertrain types and allow Maruti Suzuki to respond more quickly to changes in consumer preferences.

Smaller EV strategy depends on market readiness

Maruti Suzuki’s approach reflects the varying pace of EV adoption across India’s passenger vehicle market. While electric models are gaining traction in several segments, charging availability remains uneven, particularly outside major urban centres and along some intercity routes.

The company’s planned expansion of its charging network is therefore expected to play a significant role in determining when smaller electric models are introduced.

For now, Maruti Suzuki’s immediate domestic EV focus remains the e Vitara, while the company continues to expand charging infrastructure and develop manufacturing capabilities that can accommodate multiple powertrain technologies.

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