Automakers accelerate EV journey on day 1 of Bharat Mobility

Electric vehicles stole the spotlight on the first day of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The auto manufacturers unveiled 34 vehicles at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the majority of which were electric. Companies’ focus remained on providing sustainable mobility solutions for the future, in line with the government’s vision.

Among mass passenger vehicle manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki unveiled its first-ever electric sport utility vehicle, the e-Vitara, and Hyundai launched the electric variant of Creta. Tata Motors also showcased the electric variant of its Harrier and multi-powertrain Sierra.

Even the luxury carmakers drove the EV wave on Friday, with the likes of BMW India unveiling the BMW X1 Long Wheelbase All Electric, and Mercedes-Benz launching EQS Maybach SUV 680 ‘Night Series’. Porsche India also unveiled two battery-electric vehicles, the all-new Macan SUV and the updated Taycan sports saloon. Further, Kia India unveiled the new Kia EV6, and MG Motors expanded its EV portfolio with MG Cyberster and MG M9.

In the two-wheeler category, Suzuki Motorcycles India unveiled its first electric scooter e-Access, and Honda announced the price of Activa-e. However, most other launches included internal combustion engine models. Hero MotoCorp marked its entry into the 250cc motorcycle segment with the Xtreme 250R and enhanced its adventure lineup with the Xpulse 210. In the scooter category, the company introduced the Xoom 125 and Xoom 160. Suzuki Motorcycle also showcased the all-new Access 125, and the Gixxer SF 250 Flex Fuel, India’s first E85-compliant sports bike.

In the commercial vehicle segment, VE Commercial Vehicles unveiled the Eicher Pro X Range marking its entry into the 2-3.5T small commercial vehicle segment. Greaves Cotton introduced premium variants of the Ampere Nexus, including the Race and Executive editions. The company also unveiled the 'Xyber' e-motorcycle, offering a certified range of up to 200 km per charge with fast-charging capability.

While inaugurating the expo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed the government remains committed to electric vehicles, green technology and biofuel.

“This is the right time for big-ticket investments in this sector,” he said, urging the industry to focus on beefing up India’s battery sector with Indigenous technology

The entrance of players like Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai Motor will boost the competition in the electric vehicle segment.

Tata Motors Passenger Vehicle and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Managing Director Shailesh Chandra noted that more competition in the electric car segment with multiple launches by OEMs will help expand the market. “It will be a challenger for the EV market if there is no competition,” he said.

Chandra said electric vehicle penetration in the passenger vehicle segment is likely to be around 15% for the industry by the end of this decade, while Tata Motors anticipates the penetration in its portfolio to be at 30%.

Maruti Suzuki has chosen India as the manufacturing hub for its new energy vehicles with plans to first export e-Vitara to Europe and Japan. "In terms of production volume of electric vehicles, we are targeting to become the number one electric vehicle manufacturer in India, within one year," he said.