Mahindra poised to enter mini electric truck market, challenging Tata Motors

Having captured leadership in the small commercial vehicle segment, led by its pick-up trucks, Mahindra & Mahindra is set to challenge Tata Motors in the mini electric truck segment.

The maker of Supro and Jeeto is ready with its electric mini truck, which will be launched within the next few months, said the company's top management at the Q1 earnings media meet.

However, the company management is awaiting clarity from the government regarding the third edition of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME III) scheme to introduce its range of E-LCVs. 

Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director and CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), told Autocar Professional that the firm has already lined up a couple of models within the sub-2-tonne category that are ready for launch.

"We are ready with a couple of options, one of which we plan to introduce as we get clarity on the following FAME scheme because we are waiting to see what comes out. As you know, in the current one, they excluded the four-wheelers. So we're just waiting to see what FAME III has to offer, and then we'll decide on its launch plan," he added.  

Stating that the total cost of ownership for e-LCVs is favorable compared to ICE alternatives, Jejurikar said that e-LCVs would have a critical role in mass rapid transportation in decarbonising the economy.

Currently, the ongoing Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS) only provides demand incentives for electric two- and three-wheelers, not light electric trucks, which were also missed by the previous FAME schemes.

The forthcoming E-LCV range from Mahindra will compete in the expanding e-commerce and on-demand delivery services markets.

With the government tapering the subsidies from Rs 15,000 per kWh to Rs 5,000 per kWh with the current Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme, M&M too has made the switch from NMC to LFP chemistry, which is much cheaper and more energy-dense, Jejurikar indicated.