Indian car manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra launched the all-electric eKUV100, the most affordable electric car in the Indian market with prices starting at Rs 8.5 lakh at the Auto Expo in Noida. The eKUV will hit the market in the second quarter of 2020.
The eKUV100 uses a 40kW (54.4hp) 120 Nm electric motor that can go 150km on a single charge. The e-vehicle can be charged in 5 hours 45 minutes on a regular charger, or 55 minutes on a fast charger.
Mahindra also came out with the electric compact SUV, the eXUV300 at the Expo. The eXUV300 comes with a 350V powertrain. A more powerful 380V version is expected to follow the launch. The BS-VI compliant vehicle comes with mStallion petrol engine with the diesel variant to be added later.
The eXUV300 features a closed-off front grille for better aerodynamics. This feature will be carried over to all electric vehicles based on existing Mahindra models.
The car maker is also likely to provide two battery pack options on the eXUV300. Mahindra eXUV300 SUV is set to launch in the market in the second half of 2021.
Mahindra also showcased the Funster convertible SUV concept at the Auto Expo along with the Atom electric quadricycle. The Funster has a 59.2kWh battery pack and the power output is rated at 313hp. Mahindra claims that it can reach from 0 to 100kmph in under 5 seconds. The claimed range is 520km, with top speed at 200kmph.
The futuristic electric convertible has been designed at Mahindra's design studio in Mumbai, but it is not known when Funster will go into production.
The urban mobility vehicle Atom, Mahindra said, is production ready. Atom highlighted its unique storage capacity, with the car manufacturer boasting that it has the agility of a three-wheeler with the safety of a car.
The CERO initiative, a government-approved vehicle recycling facility, which is currently available in Chennai and Noida and will be expanded to 25 other locations across India.
Mahindra added that it will be investing Rs 15,000 crore in automotive and tractor division in the next three years.