Maruti Suzuki has already been spotted testing an electric vehicle which is likely to be based on the 2018 WagonR platform. The electric vehicle however has an all new design language, similar to the international WagonR and according to a media report, the brand is likely to introduce the EV in the Indian market by 2020 and will be sold via the NEXA showrooms.
The brand sells its premium offerings from the NEXA dealerships and Maruti Suzuki launched the first dealership five years ago which provides a premium experience to its customers. The Nexa outlets currently retail the Ciaz, S-Cross, Baleno and the Ignis cars and with the higher price perspective, that the EV is expected to be sold at, Maruti may offer it through the Nexa network.
In recent developments, the brand has partnered with Toyota and is likely to benefit from the brand’s electric technologies and the new Maruti Suzuki electric vehicles are expected to be powered by a 72V electrical system with a 10-25 kWh lithium-ion battery which is likely to return a driving range of around 130 km.
The Government of India has proposed a mass electrification plan and has proposed to lower the GST (Goods and Services Tax) rates levied on electric vehicles. Additionally, the Government also proposed that the registration tax on electric vehicles be waived off to encourage sales. The FAME II scheme already provides subsidies to the manufacturers if more than 50% of the vehicle is under localisation. Maruti Suzuki is also planning to start a lithium-ion battery manufacturing plant in India which is expected to be operational from 2020 which will help keep the costs in check.