Internal Combustion Engines and CNG vehicles hold the lead over Electric Vehicles at present for India's top automaker

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd, the country's largest carmaker, has recently launched a mid-size sport utility vehicle called the Victoris. The new vehicle will be available in internal combustion (ICE), hybrid, and CNG variants, marking Maruti's continued commitment to sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.

Despite the electric vehicle (EV) launch in the domestic market still being pending, Maruti's intent is clear: to price the Victoris competitively and expand its footprint in the SUV segment. The company is also looking to launch its EV in the current financial year.

The chairman of Maruti, R.C. Bhargava, has highlighted the lack of battery cell production in India as a significant challenge for scaling electric vehicles. However, the company has taken a step towards addressing this issue with the TDSG (TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited) manufacturing lithium-ion accumulator batteries for the strong hybrid version of the Victoris, located on a site in Gujarat, India.

Maruti is the only carmaker in the top four with a hybrid offering in the domestic market. The company views hybrids as a technology that can help reduce emissions on Indian roads, and they are bullish about CNG's prospects, taking it into account in the Victoris' product design.

The Victoris Strong Hybrid version comes fitted with a lithium-ion battery with deep-level localization. This move is part of Maruti's strategy to promote the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in India, where EV penetration currently stands at less than 3%, significantly lower than the 8% in the US and 12% in Europe.

The company's managing director, Kenichi Ayukawa, attributes the weak adoption of electric vehicles to the lack of adequate public charging infrastructure and range anxiety for consumers. However, data shows that wherever Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle (SHEV) incentives have been given, EV sales have not reduced but increased.

Customers are mostly buying EVs as second or third cars, according to Ayukawa. The major growth market for Maruti's electric vehicles will be abroad, not in India. Despite this, Maruti wants both EV and SHEV sales to grow, reflecting the company's long-term commitment to sustainable transportation.

The Victoris will be sold through Maruti's mass-market Arena dealership network, ensuring easy access for customers across the country. As Maruti continues to innovate and adapt to the changing landscape of the automotive industry, the launch of the Victoris marks an exciting step forward in their journey towards a more sustainable future.

Internal Combustion Engines and CNG vehicles hold the lead over Electric Vehicles at present for India's top automaker