Will Launch Small EVs as Soon as EV Charging is Ready: Maruti Suzuki CEO

Maruti Suzuki will add smaller electric vehicles to its portfolio once its electric vehicle charging infrastructure in India is ready, according to its Managing Director and CEO Hisashi Takeuchi.

"As soon as our EV charging will be ready in India, we will add smaller EVs in our portfolio," Takeuchi said at the company's annual general meeting. Maruti Suzuki entered India's electric car market with the e Vitara, a mid-size SUV manufactured at its Hansalpur facility in Gujarat. 

Maruti Suzuki's EV Charging Infrastructure Plan

Takeuchi said Maruti's approach to electric vehicles would be supported by the development of charging infrastructure. The company has previously said it is targeting more than 100,000 charging points across India by the end of this decade and has partnered with 13 charge-point operators.

It has already set up more than 2,000 exclusive charging points across more than 1,100 cities. The company has also said it is focusing on highways and expressways, with plans for chargers at an average distance of 5-10 km at key locations across the top 100 cities.

Currently, market leaders Tata Motors and JSW MG Motor offer small electric cars in the market.

ICE, Hybrid and CNG Investment to Continue Alongside EVs

Maruti Suzuki's expansion of its EV portfolio will come alongside continued investment in vehicles using other powertrains. Takeuchi said ICE vehicles would remain a significant part of the company's business, with increasing use of compressed biogas expected to support their continued role.

"Hence, investment in ICE facilities will continue to be an integral part of our manufacturing process," he said.

The company is also designing its new manufacturing facilities to remain flexible as demand for different powertrains changes.

"In our new plants, we can make EVs, hybrid vehicles, CLG and ICE vehicles on the same line," Takeuchi said.

The flexibility is intended to allow Maruti to use the same manufacturing lines for different types of vehicles rather than committing production facilities to a single powertrain.

Maruti Suzuki's EV Export Growth

Maruti Suzuki is also expanding its electric vehicle exports. Takeuchi said the company exports vehicles to nearly 120 countries and shipped more than 440,000 vehicles last year, a 34% increase.

"We have started our EV exports to Europe first. Now, we are the largest exporter of EVs from India, with about 90% share in total EV exports from India," he said.

Japan has also become Maruti's second-largest market, Takeuchi said, while trade agreements are expected to provide opportunities to increase exports to countries including the UK, Germany and France.

"In future, exports are expected to grow further and will play a greater role in our business growth," he said.

Maruti Suzuki's multi-powertrain approach comes as the company seeks to respond to changing customer preferences while expanding its production capacity. Takeuchi said the company was building flexibility into its manufacturing plants at the design stage itself.

Rs 77,500 Crore Capex and Future Technology Plans

The carmaker is also working with Suzuki Motor Japan on future technologies and using digital technologies in vehicle design and development to improve the speed at which new products reach the market. It is also engaging with startup companies to explore new product and manufacturing technologies.

The company has planned capital expenditure of Rs 77,500 crore between FY2027 and FY2031.