Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest carmaker, has officially commenced production of its first electric SUV – the e Vitara – at its Hansalpur plant in Gujarat. The sub-compact electric SUV is being manufactured for both domestic sales and export markets, marking a historic milestone for India’s EV industry.
A Milestone Moment for India & Suzuki
The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara EV is being positioned as India’s most globally significant electric car to date. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Suzuki President Toshihiro Suzuki, flagged off the first production unit on Tuesday, underscoring the SUV’s importance to India’s electric mobility roadmap.
Hansalpur will serve as the global production hub for the e Vitara, with Maruti Suzuki building both right-hand and left-hand drive versions for over 100 international markets.
Exports will include:
- Emerging markets: Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Philippines
- Developed markets: France, Germany, UK, Japan
Production Plans & Targets
The e Vitara was first showcased in late 2024. Initially, Maruti Suzuki had planned to manufacture 26,512 units between April–September 2025, but later cut the target to 8,221 units due to China’s rare earth material export restrictions.
Now, the company has revised its strategy, announcing plans to produce 67,000 units by March 2026, with the first batch headed to Europe. Sales are expected to begin there by autumn 2025.
Maruti Suzuki e Vitara Variants & Specifications
The e Vitara EV will be offered in three variants – Standard Range FWD, Long Range FWD, and Long Range AWD.
Battery & Range Options:
- Standard-Range FWD:
- 49 kWh LFP battery (BYD-sourced)
- 106 kW motor
- 344 km WLTP range
- Long-Range FWD:
- 61 kWh LFP battery
- 106 kW motor
- 426 km WLTP range
- Long-Range AWD:
- 61 kWh LFP battery
- Dual-motor setup (135 kW)
- 395 km WLTP range
Hansalpur – The Global Hub for Maruti Suzuki EVs
The Hansalpur plant currently has three production lines, each with an annual capacity of 2.5 lakh units. The e Vitara is being built on the third line, operational since April 2021.
By March 2026, Maruti Suzuki plans to add a dedicated EV production line with a capacity of another 2.5 lakh units.
Investments:
- ₹3,200 crore (approx. €313 million) for current EV expansion
- ₹70,000 crore (approx. €6.9 billion) earmarked over the next 5–6 years for India’s EV growth
Why the e Vitara is a Game Changer
- First mass-market EV from Maruti Suzuki
- Global production hub in India – catering to 100+ countries
- Affordable EV for emerging markets + advanced model for Europe
- BYD-sourced LFP batteries ensure cost efficiency and range stability
Conclusion
The Maruti Suzuki e Vitara marks a transformational step in India’s electric vehicle journey. With production kicking off at Hansalpur and plans for large-scale exports, this EV is set to become a game-changing global model for Maruti Suzuki, putting India firmly on the global EV manufacturing map.
FAQs on Maruti Suzuki e Vitara
Q1: Where is the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara being manufactured?
At the Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, India, which will serve as the global production hub.
Q2: What battery options does the e Vitara offer?
It comes with 49 kWh (Standard Range) and 61 kWh (Long Range) battery packs, both using LFP cells from BYD.
Q3: What is the driving range of the e Vitara?
- Standard Range FWD: 344 km WLTP
- Long Range FWD: 426 km WLTP
- Long Range AWD: 395 km WLTP
Q4: When will the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara launch in India?
Maruti Suzuki has started production, but domestic sales are expected after exports commence, likely in 2026.
Q5: Which countries will get the e Vitara first?
The first export batch is headed to Europe, followed by Asian and African markets.