Mahindra Electric today delivered the first set of 20 electric Verito sedans to the state-run Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL). Seventy-five more are to be delivered soon. This is part of the 150-car order the company secured for delivery in Phase 1 which calls for delivery of 500 cars, the deadline for which is November 30, 2017. Phase II involves the balance 9,500 EVs.  

The eVerito has a certified driving range of 180km and 140km in real-world driving conditions on a single charge. 

Right now, as per EESL’s first tender for EVs, the vehicle should be above 3990mm. This puts cars a tad shorter than four metres and those above four metres long in the same basket. This anomaly could have been the reason for Tata Motors’ e-Tigor stealing a march over Mahindra Electric’s over-four-metre-long eVerito in the bidding process.

Speaking to Autocar Professional, Mahesh Babu, managing director, Mahindra Electric, said, “We have requested EESL to relook at the specifications for the tender."

Saurabh Kumar, managing director of EESL, gets a feel of the Mahindra eVerito (Pic: Mahesh Babu/Twitter).  

Commenting on the delivery of the first eVeritos to EESL, Dr Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, tweeted: ”A big day for EV movement in India. First lot of vehicles of EESL tender ready for delivery in Delhi. Moment of pride for Mahindra.”

It may be recollected that Mahindra & Mahindra matched the lowest bid price offered by Tata Motors. As reported on September 30, Tata Motors emerged as the lowest bidder for the 10,000 EV order with its lowest price of Rs 10.16 lakh exclusive of GST. Tata Motors’ offer of Rs 11.2 lakh, inclusive of GST and a comprehensive five-year warranty which is 25 percent below the current retail price of a similar e-car with a three-year warranty, helped the company bag the deal.