Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated Suzuki Motor’s new plant for local production of hybrid battery electrodes and flagged off exports of Maruti Suzuki’s first global electric SUV, the e-Vitara, to more than 100 countries, including Japan and several European nations.

Before the event, PM Modi posted on X, “Today marks an important milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance and green mobility. At Hansalpur, the e-Vitara will be flagged off. This Made-in-India Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) will reach over a hundred countries. Alongside, Gujarat will also begin production of hybrid battery electrodes, strengthening our battery ecosystem.”

The initiative is expected to give a strong push to India’s EV and hybrid battery sector. Modi also inaugurated a lithium-ion battery manufacturing unit jointly set up by Suzuki, Toshiba, and Denso. The facility will be capable of producing over 80% of the required components and processes for lithium-ion batteries within the country. This will cut down dependence on imports and enable India to become Suzuki’s global base for EV manufacturing.

The e-Vitara is designed as a worldwide electric SUV. It comes in at 4,275 mm long, 1,800 mm wide, 1,640 mm tall, and with a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The SUV uses an integrated 3-in-1 system combining motor, inverter, and transmission. Buyers can pick between two battery options: a 49 kWh pack with a front-mounted motor delivering 144hp and 189Nm, or a larger 61kWh unit producing 174hp and 189 Nm.

For higher performance, the bigger battery will also be available with an all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup, using a 65hp rear motor to deliver a total of 184hp and 300Nm. This AWD variant is expected to offer a driving range of over 500 km per charge.

To support customers, Maruti Suzuki will set up a wide charging and service network. Every buyer will get a smart home charger with installation assistance. The company also plans to install public fast chargers in the top 100 cities within the next 2–3 years, at every 5–10 km. Additionally, 1,500 EV-ready workshops will be established across more than 1,000 cities to strengthen after-sales service.

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