India’s ambitions for electric transportation and production have advanced dramatically with the official opening of Maruti Suzuki’s electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility in Hansalpur, near Ahmedabad, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition to producing hybrid battery electrodes, the facility will introduce the e-VITARA, the company’s first worldwide battery electric vehicle (BEV), which will be shipped to more than 100 nations, including Japan and important European markets. “The made-in-India e-VITARA will mark a significant step in India becoming an export hub for electric vehicles,” Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X, referring to it as a “special day in India’s quest for self-reliance and green mobility.”
The site’s production of hybrid battery electrodes is another indication that the EV supply chain is becoming more locally oriented. TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki, is developing the battery unit. It will now generate more than 80% of the battery’s value domestically, lowering dependency on imports. The e-VITARA, which was first unveiled at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo earlier this year, is now formally in commercial production. Both FWD and AWD versions of the electric SUV will be offered, along with lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) battery packs that have capacities of 49 and 61 kWh.
Setting a high standard for Indian EVs, the e-VITARA boasts a dramatic design, sharp LED headlamps, digital instrument panels, touchscreen infotainment, JBL audio, ADAS, and a 360-degree camera. In FY25, Maruti Suzuki sold over 19 lakh automobiles in India and exported over 3.3 lakh vehicles, with a total of 2.6 million units produced annually across four factories. India’s debut on the international EV scene is marked by this new factory and the e-VITARA; it is innovative, domestically produced, and prepared for the worldwide market.
