M&M plots an electric SUV

Mahindra & Mahindra is learnt to be working on electric SUVs both for the Mahindra and SsangYong brands. Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles, a pioneer in electric vehicles in India, is helping with the development of the SUVs. According to a source, Mahindra Reva is using its resources to develop the electric powertrain for both Mahindra and SsangYong.

However, Mahindra Reva doesn’t have any immediate plan of building its own electric SUV. “An electric SUV is possible, but there’s no such plan at this point,” says a senior company official.

Both Mahindra and SsangYong have showcased their efforts in building hybrid SUVs. SsangYong’s e-XIV concept showcased at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, for example, has a claimed driving range of 80km in full electric mode. It will be interesting to see if any of the brands come up with a full electric SUV. Overseas, there are recent examples of full electric SUV/crossovers like the Model-X from Tesla Motors and Toyota’s RAV4 EV.

M&M’s engineers are at work to tap into the advantages offered by Mahindra Reva for the benefit of its automotive and two-wheeler business sectors. Mahindra 2-Wheelers is also working on developing an electric two-wheeler. “That you will see one (electric two-wheeler) is certain,” said Anand Mahindra, chairman, M&M, in July 2012, without discussing the timeline of its introduction.

The Maxximo mini-truck is also on its way to go the electric way, and of course, the three-wheeler Bijlee – the company’s first electric vehicle –will also get a boost from the technology at Mahindra Reva.

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Photograph: Projects such as the Scorpio Hybrid (above) will benefit from the access to electric vehicle technology at Mahindra Reva.