5 More Electric Cars To Be Built On Maruti Suzuki eVitara’s 40PL Platform: Details
Maruti Suzuki recently took the covers off its first all-electric SUV, the e-Vitara, at the EICMA show in Milan, Italy. At the event, the company revealed that this new EV SUV is based on the brand’s 40PL EV architecture, which it has co-developed with Toyota Motor Corporation. As per reports, the company will now be utilizing this flexible platform to launch five more electric vehicles. The same platform will also be utilized by Toyota.
Maruti Suzuki to launch five more EVs
In the coming years, Maruti Suzuki is planning to launch a total of five new EVs based on the 40PL platform. Now, before going into the details of the five EV models, let’s learn about the 40PL EV platform. It is a skateboard architecture that offers flexibility in various aspects.
Both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota can alter aspects like wheelbase, overhangs, and battery capacity. This will help both automakers to launch multiple models. However, it should be noted that there are still a number of components that will remain the same in all models.
These include motor positioning, driver seat alignment, and battery pack width. Now, regarding the upcoming electric cars that will be launched using this platform, the first will be the e-Vitara, which has already been showcased. In addition, Toyota will also be launching its Urban Cruiser EV SUV based on the e-Vitara.
Apart from these, Maruti Suzuki is also working on the development of a medium EV sedan. Our guess is that it could be an EV alternative to the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz. Apart from this, the company is also planning to launch a hatchback and a medium-sized crossover as well.
As per reports, it will most likely be the Fronx EV. Additionally, the company will be launching a large SUV utilizing the 40PL platform. Lastly, the company is also planning to launch a medium EV minivan. Presently, the company has not revealed any details about these upcoming EVs. However, most likely, we will see them in the coming few years.
Production targets
It has been reported that Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corporation are targeting a volume of 1,25,000 units a year for their 40PL platform-based vehicles. The majority of these EVs—60,000 units—will be for India. Meanwhile, Europe and Japan will get 40,000 units and 25,000 units, respectively.
Competitive pricing
Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are also aiming to keep the costs of these upcoming EVs as low as possible. According to sources, the companies will be utilizing locally produced battery packs from TDSG in Gujarat. It should be noted that initially, the battery cells will be sourced from BYD in China.
Is betting big on EVs the right move?
Over the years, when the hype around electric vehicles was at its peak, Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Motor Corporation were hesitant about launching new EVs. However, now that a number of major automakers are abandoning EVs, both of these Japanese automakers are betting big on EVs.
Whether this will play out in their favor or not is unknown. It should be noted that over the last few months, the sales of electric vehicles have been significantly declining. This is the case both in India and in international markets.
The main reasons behind this fall in EV demand are the higher upfront costs, poor charging infrastructure, range anxiety, and uncertainty about battery pack life.