Mahindra bets big on e-mobility, opens new EV tech plant, launches Treo 3W at Rs 136,000

Mahindra Electric Mobility, part of the Mahindra Group, today inaugurated India’s first-ever electric technology manufacturing hub in Bangalore, Karnataka. According to the company, the new hub aligns with its strong belief in an all-electric future and is based on its ‘Future of Mobility’ vision of producing clean, connected and convenient vehicles. With the new EV hub, Mahindra, the pioneer of EV technology in India, is gearing up to realise this green motoring vision with its new, futuristic EV products, concepts and solutions.

The new facility, located in Bangalore, Karnataka is set to revolutionise the way electric vehicle (EV) technology would be used in India, under Mahindra’s +ME brand. The facility was inaugurated by KJ George, Minister for Large & Medium Scale Industries, IT & BT, Science & Technology, government of Karnataka, along with RV Deshpande, Minister for Revenue, Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Livelihood, Government of Karnataka; Priyank M Kharge, Minister for Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka and Dr Pawan Goenka, managing director, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Chairman, Mahindra Electric Mobility.

State-of-the-art facility
This first-of-its-kind, EV technology manufacturing facility, has been set up with a total investment of Rs 100 crore. Branded under the umbrella of +ME technologies, the facility will manufacture battery packs, power electronics and motor assembly which are integral part of an electric powertrain. “Mahindra Electric will become the first company to manufacture internal permanent magnet (IPM) motors for EVs in India, a reflection of our commitment to Make in India,” said Dr Goenka

The plant uses global standards of manufacturing processes and will increase the manufacturing of Mahindra Electric to 25,000 units per annum. The facility will create additional direct employment of around 200 people and some more through the allied services, in the state of Karnataka. This is the first such project to be cleared by the Department of Industries & Commerce’s SLSWCC since the announcement of Karnataka State Electric Vehicle & Energy Storage Policy in 2017.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Pawan Goenka said “As the pioneers of electric mobility in India, Mahindra is poised to be at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution while spearheading the endeavour through its range of clean mobility solutions. The manufacturing hub inaugurated today is the next step by Mahindra in the Electric Technology space to increase local value addition and bring affordable EV technology to redefine mobility in India. We are proud to launch Treo, the first Li-ion 3-wheeler auto developed in India. The Government of Karnataka has been very supportive in this initiative with their progressive policy framework for EVs. It has always supported accelerated adoption of EVs in the state.”

According to Mahesh Babu, CEO Mahindra Electric “At Mahindra Electric, our aim is to bring about a monumental change in the way India moves by enabling more EV products on the road through our +ME technology solutions. Reiterating our strong faith in EVs we have now invested in technologies that are core to EVs and have set up manufacturing of battery packs, motors, power electronics etc. in our new facility at Bengaluru. The government of Karnataka has been extremely supportive of this initiative.” Mr. Babu further added, “Driven by the same +ME technology, we are also proud to roll out the first Treo. Built on India’s first Lithium-ion three wheeler platform, we are confident that Treo will transform the way urban India travels.”

Mahindra Electric launches Treo three-wheeler range 
The company also today rolled out its first lithium ion, electric three-wheeler Treo and Treo Yaari, with pricing starting at Rs 136,000 ex-showroom Bangalore, including FAME subsidy. The Treo was revealed at the MOVE India summit earlier this year. 

The Treo range of electric three-wheelers uses Mahindra Electric’s home-grown powertrain and maintenance-free lithium ion battery. The variants include Treo electric auto and Treo Yaari electric rickshaw, both available in the industry-first, hard-top, weather-proof variants.

With the use of lightweighting technologies and composite body panels, the Treo boasts of a certified range of 170km (eAuto), thereby addressing range anxiety issues in the market. It is also claimed to offers the best-in-class comfort for passengers with one of the most spacious interiors in the segment and for the driver through its clutch-less, noiseless and vibration free drive, thereby reducing the overall fatigue of the journey. The Treo range is built on an indigenously developed common platform with a view to serve market demands as they scale up. During the first phase of its launch, the vehicles will be available at select dealerships across Bangalore and Hyderabad and later in other cities in a phased manner.

Also read: Mahindra & Mahindra ups stake in e-mobility