Suzuki Motors Japan may join hands with the world’s largest car manufacturer Toyota to jointly develop electric cars. But the top officials of Maruti Suzuki said in a press meet that making electric cars are of no use if they are not affordable for the mass customers. The Chairman of Maruti Suzuki India said in an Annual Press meet that India is a price sensitive market. If electric cars are to be made they should be made affordable for Indian customers.
Maruti Suzuki says Price of Electric Cars double the Price of Petrol Cars
Till now passenger car manufacturers like Mahindra and Tata are working on developing electric cars but the price of electric cars is almost double the price of conventional petrol and diesel cars. Mahindra e2o, the cheapest four-seater electric car in India is priced between Rs.7 to Rs.8 lakh. The dimensions and features of Mahindra e2o are similar to that of Maruti Suzuki Alto that is available at a price from Rs.3.3 to Rs.4 lakh.
Tata Motors rolled out 10000 Tata Tigor EV for EESL India
Also, Tata Motors has recently made 10000 units of Tata Tigor EV an electric car for Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The Tata Tigor EV is priced at Rs.11.35 lakh while its petrol variant price starts from Rs.4.70 lakh. This clearly shows that electric vehicles are priced at a price that is more than double the price of their petrol and diesel variants. The electric cars may benefit the customers in the long term. Indian customers being price sensitive will not be ready to buy electric cars when similar petrol and diesel options are available at half the price.
Maruti Suzuki to Launch its First Electric Car in 2020
Almost 75 percent of the Indian customers buy small cars as they are affordable and fuel efficient. But the major challenge is how to make the small electric cars that are affordable for mass customers. The Indian government that 40 percent of the new cars sold in India should be electric cars by 2030. Under the Suzuki and Toyota partnership, Maruti Suzuki India may launch its first electric car in 2020. Maruti Suzuki India will also conduct a countrywide survey to know what the Indian customers want in an electric car.
Source: moneycontrol.com
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