PM Modi to Inaugurate Maruti Suzuki's eVitara SUV Production Line Tomorrow
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will cut the ribbon on Maruti Suzuki's first dedicated electric vehicle assembly line tomorrow at the Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, signalling the carmaker's earnest entry into India's electric mobility era. The e Vitara, Maruti's inaugural battery-electric SUV, will roll off this line, marking a strategic shift from exclusively internal-combustion models to electrified offerings.
Construction of the new line was completed in a record 12 months and represents a ₹2,000 crore investment. Hansalpur will now feature dual assembly streams: one dedicated to conventional vehicles and the other to electric. This segregated setup accommodates the e Vitara's distinct production needs, including high-precision battery pack installation and motor mounting processes absent from Maruti's existing lines.
The e Vitara rides on the all-new HEARTECT-e platform co-developed with Toyota and Daihatsu. Available with two lithium-iron-phosphate blade battery packs, it offers a choice between a 49 kWh module delivering a claimed 500 km real-world range, and a larger 61 kWh pack rated for 620 km under standard test cycles. Both variants employ a front-axle electric motor—142 bhp/192.5 Nm for the smaller battery and 173 bhp/192.5 Nm for the larger—paired with a single-speed reduction gearbox.
Battery cells are sourced from BYD and assembled into packs using a structural "cell-to-pack" layout for compactness and enhanced rigidity. The pack resides beneath the floor, lowering the centre of gravity and benefiting handling. It is encased in corrosion-resistant aluminium and insulated with IP67-rated seals, protecting against water ingress and electrical faults. Thermal management uses a liquid-cooling circuit governed by a high-precision pump and microchannel heat exchangers to maintain optimal cell temperatures under varied ambient conditions.
The SUV measures 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and 1,640 mm in height. Its 2,700 mm wheelbase positions it between the Brezza and Grand Vitara in Maruti's lineup. Ground clearance is 185 mm, enabling mild off-road capability. Suspension employs MacPherson struts up front and torsion beam at the rear, tuned for ride comfort over India's uneven roads.
In-cabin, the e Vitara debuts Suzuki's "Digital Cockpit Experience" featuring a 25.65 cm floating touchscreen running the latest SmartPlay Pro interface with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A 10.25 cm digital instrument cluster displays real-time energy consumption, regenerative braking usage and driving range indicators. Rear-seat occupants benefit from a 60:40 split-fold bench, sliding on rails for improved knee room when needed. A twin-deck floating centre console houses an enclosed cubby, two wireless phone chargers and multiple USB-C ports.
Safety gets top priority: seven airbags come standard (dual front, side, curtain and driver-knee), along with ISOFIX anchorages. Level 2 ADAS is offered on top variants, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and collision mitigation braking. The HEARTECT-e platform's reinforced battery cradle enhances crash energy management in frontal and side-impact scenarios.
Modi's visit will also see the inauguration of infrastructure projects totalling ₹5,400 crore, including doubling of the Mehsana–Palanpur rail line and expansion of power substations in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar. His address is expected to emphasise India's push toward sustainable mobility and energy security, praising Maruti Suzuki for domestic R&D in battery and motor technologies.
Domestic pricing is expected between ₹20 lakh and ₹25 lakh, with bookings opening from 3 September and deliveries by October. Maruti plans to export the e Vitara to over 100 markets, primarily in Europe and Japan, leveraging the Hansalpur facility as a global hub. A nationwide charging network rollout, branded "e for me," will accompany the launch: DC fast chargers at 200 Nexa dealerships, and smart home chargers with mobile-app control.
Maruti Suzuki's decision to enter the BEV segment follows years of hybrid powertrain development on models such as the Brezza and Fronx. The company has invested in battery assembly lines, motor test benches and advanced inverter production within India, reducing reliance on imports. Analysts view the e Vitara's launch as critical to Maruti's long-term growth, as regulatory standards tighten and customer shifts favour electrification. Early indications from pre-launch customer surveys suggest strong interest among urban families seeking low-running-cost SUVs.