The Supreme Court recently banned the registration of new diesel cars and SUVs above 2,000cc in Delhi for a period of three months. The presumable move by automakers like Mahindra would be downsizing diesel engines. Incorrect, they are going all electric. Mahindra has announced that they will launch electric variants of the Verito and even a Maxximo mini truck by February.
Mahindra is talking to taxi companies to find a large customer base and spread awareness on electric cars in Delhi. The company plans to replicate the Bangalore-based electric cab service model, run by Lithium Urban Technologies in other parts of the country. Mahindra is also working with Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki to develop EV and hybrid components.
The electric Verito was displayed at the Auto Expo in 2012 and 2014. The car had a claimed range of 80km and a top speed of 85kmph, and the batteries would take seven hours to charge. We expect, Mahindra has managed to juice out additional range and top speed since then. It will be priced higher than the top-of-the-line diesel Verito which is priced at Rs 7.71 lakh (Ex-showroom Delhi). Mahindra, however, has also said that if there is a demand of up to 40,000 units they could lower prices.
