In a significant event for India’s automotive industry, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has commemorated two historic milestones: the start of production of Maruti Suzuki‘s first Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), the e VITARA, and the beginning of local manufacturing of the first lithium-ion battery, cell, and electrode for strong hybrid electric vehicles. The events took place at the Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG) plant, a wholly owned subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
Maruti Suzuki e VITARA: Made in India, for the World
The e VITARA, manufactured exclusively at the SMG plant in Gujarat, is set to be the largest mass-produced and exported electric vehicle from India. It is designed for export to over 100 countries, including Europe and Japan. The first batch of the e VITARA is scheduled to be shipped from Pipavav port to the European region this month. The e VITARA is built on a new, EV-only platform, avoiding the design compromises of converting an internal combustion engine vehicle to an EV.
Pioneering Lithium-ion Battery Manufacturing in India
In another major achievement, TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited (TDSG), a subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki, has become the first company in India to achieve electrode-level localization of lithium-ion battery cells. This milestone is crucial for making India self-reliant in battery manufacturing for hybrid electric vehicles. These batteries are used in the hybrid system of the popular Grand Vitara SUV. These developments are seen as a significant step towards the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision through the localization of supply chains and skill development for the electrified powertrain ecosystem.
e VITARA Production and Technology
- The Maruti e VITARA is built on an EV-only platform called 40PL, which was developed in partnership with Toyota.
- It is not an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle that has been converted to an EV, a practice that can involve design compromises.
- The vehicle features e-Axles, which are single units that integrate the motor and inverter.
- The e VITARA will be offered with two battery options, 49kWh and 61kWh, which use LFP (Lithium Iron-phosphate) ‘blade’ cells sourced from BYD.
- The 61kWh battery offers a range of up to 500 km on a single charge.
- There’s also an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) version available with a dual motor setup, which Suzuki calls ‘e-AllGrip’. This system features a ‘Trail’ mode that simulates a limited-slip differential by engaging the brakes on wheels with low traction and directing torque to those with grip.
Production Plant Milestones and Details
- The e VITARA is manufactured at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Maruti Suzuki India Limited.
- SMG has a total of three plants on a 640-acre campus with a combined annual production capacity of 750,000 units.
- The plant achieved the milestone of 4 million cumulative production in March 2025, becoming the fastest to do so among all Suzuki subsidiaries.
- Maruti Suzuki plans to invest an additional INR 32 billion to set up a dedicated EV line (Plant D) by FY 25-26.
- The TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited (TDSG) plant, a joint venture between Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki, is the first company in India to produce lithium-ion batteries from the cell level.
- TDSG started its production in 2021 and has since produced battery packs for a total of over 1 million vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What two major milestones did PM Modi commemorate? Prime Minister Modi commemorated the start of production for Maruti Suzuki’s first BEV, the e VITARA, and the local manufacturing of lithium-ion batteries and cells for strong hybrid electric vehicles.
2. Where are the e VITARA and lithium-ion batteries being manufactured? Both the e VITARA and the lithium-ion batteries are being manufactured at plants in Gujarat, with the car produced at Suzuki Motor Gujarat Private Limited (SMG) and the batteries at TDS Lithium-Ion Battery Gujarat Private Limited (TDSG).
3. Will the e VITARA be sold in other countries? Yes, the e VITARA is designed for sale in over 100 countries, including in Europe and Japan.
4. What is the significance of the lithium-ion battery manufacturing? TDSG is the first company in India to achieve electrode-level localization of lithium-ion battery cells, a step towards making India self-reliant in battery manufacturing for hybrid electric vehicles.
5. How much has Suzuki Group invested in India? The Suzuki Group has invested over INR 1,00,000 crore in India, which has also resulted in the creation of over 11,00,000 direct jobs in the value chain.
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