Mahindra Electric gears up to launch a host of electric vehicles in India. According to the recent media report, the EV launch proceeding will begin with the eKUV100 which will go on sale by the end of 2022.
The report also states that Mahindra is targeting a range of 250 kilometres on a full charge. Due to the previous success of the e2o brand name, the company could rename the upcoming micro-electric SUV from eKUV100.
To top it off, the eKUV100/e2o could be priced at around Rs 10 lakh making it the most affordable EV to go on sale in the Indian market. Mahindra is looking to take on Tata Motors in the four-wheeler electric passenger vehicle segment, which holds a market share of around 70 per cent.
The arrival of the eKUV100 is no surprise as the SUV made its debut at the 2020 Auto Expo. The company at the time announced a price tag of Rs 8.75 lakh (starting price, ex-showroom). However, the price tag could see an increase at the time of launch.
Apart from the Covid-19 pandemic delaying the development, the media report also suggests that Mahindra’s goal of 250 km range is posing a few difficulties. This is twice the range that was announced during the Expo. However, the company is hell-bent on achieving these numbers to give the EV a practical range for city runabouts.
The company also announced that it will focus sales on fleet operators for the eKUV100. However, the SUV will also be offered to private buyers looking to switch to green mobility in the country.
Electric Powertrain, Range & Charging
The specs announced by the company during the Auto Expo for the SUV includes a 40kW electric motor paired with a 15.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack. This produces a maximum of 53bhp and a peak torque of 120Nm.
Mahindra will be offering the eKUV100 with both standard and fast-charging options. The charge times of the eKUV100 is yet to be revealed by the company. However, using a DC fast charger the SUV is expected to charge up to 80 per cent within an hour.
Exterior Styling
At the front, the micro-SUV feature a closed grilled at the top and a partially opened grille at the bottom for cooling. Other features include updated headlamps, taillights and alloy wheel design, which are different from its petrol-powered counterpart.
The SUV also features several blue accents to indicate the electric powertrain under the bonnet. The overall silhouette of the eKUV100 remains similar to its petrol-powered counterpart. The SUV is also expected to feature charging slots on both sides of the front fender closed by flaps.
Interiors & Technology
On the Inside, the Mahindra eKUV100 features a similar cabin layout that is seen on the gasoline-powered models. This includes the same dashboard-mounted gear selector, multifunction steering wheel with mounted controls and climate controls.
However, the eKUV100 could feature a larger touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The digital instrument cluster will also be updated to provide more relevant data related to electric vehicle use. This includes the range, battery temperature, electric motor speed and more.
Thoughts About The Mahindra eKUV100 India Launch In 2022
Mahindra will re-enter the passenger EV market with the launch of eKUV100, which is expected to be renamed to revive the e2o brand. The upcoming micro-electric SUV will rival the Tata Tigor EV and the Tata Nexon EV when launched in India. The eSUV could become an attractive proposition with a practical range of 250 km and a sub Rs 10 lakh price tag.
Source: ETAuto
Keyword: Mahindra eKUV100 India Launch Expected By Year-End: Could Become India’s Most Affordable Electric Car