While announcing the Q3 financial results, Mahindra revealed that they will be launching the eXUV300 during the third or fourth quarter of FY2022-23. The eKUV100 on the other hand is expected to launch by the end of this year.
Veejay Nakra, CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra Automotive said, “We had already announced our plan about bringing in electric cars to India. In Q3 or Q4 of FY23, we will launch the all-electric XUV300. We are in the process of announcing our portfolio plan as regards EVs in India and we’ll tell you more about it soon.”
The media reports say that Mahindra wants to differentiate between the ICE version and the EV version of the XUV300. So, it might be called XUV400 once it launches. However, nothing is confirmed as of now. Mahindra first showcased the electric version of XUV300 at the Auto Expo 2020. It was called the eXUV30o Concept.
The production-spec XUV300 EV is expected to be offered in two battery sizes. The lower battery size would be preferred by the people who will be using the electric SUV for daily commutes. It is expected to have a driving range of around 200 km. Then there will be a long-range version of the electric SUV which is expected to have a driving range of 375 km. So, people who will be using the compact SUV for long journeys would be going for the long-range version.
The main competitor of the Mahindra XUV300 EV is the Tata Nexon EV. It has a claimed driving range of 312 km. In the real world, the range is close to 200 km. There is also a long-range version of Nexon EV coming which will compete against the XUV300 EV’s long-range model. Moreover, both these SUVs would also have to compete against the MG ZS EV.
Mahindra will try to ensure that the electric version of XUV300 stands out against the ICE version of XUV300. So, expect it to come with blue accents on the exterior and on the alloy wheels. We already know that the charging port will sit on the front left fender. There will be EV badging also. Moreover, the interior will be technologically driven. So, expect a slightly different interior that could match to the interior of XUV300 Facelift.
The XUV300 EV will use Mahindra Electric Scalable and Modular Architecture (MESMA) platform. The platform itself has been designed for electric vehicles. It is a 350V powertrain that will be used on the compact SUV. The new powertrain has been built by Mahindra in-house. The powertrain supports battery capacity up to 80 kW, dual or single-motor setup and electric motors from 60 kW to 280 kW output. The battery cells will be sourced and developed by LG Chem.
The XUV400 is part of eight electric vehicles that Mahindra plans to launch in the Indian market. Mahindra is already testing the XUV300 EV and eKUV100 on the Indian roads. They are also working on an electric version of the XUV700. The first test mule is ready but it is not road worthy. There are also rumours of an electric vehicle based on body on frame chassis which is quite unique.
Keyword: Mahindra eXUV300 (XUV400) launch timeline unveiled