M&M plans more EVs, launches e20 Plus priced up to Rs 8.46 lakh

New Delhi: Homegrown auto major (M&M) is looking for a bigger play in the electric vehicle (EV) segment, with plans to launch electric versions of its existing conventional engine models. The company, which today launched e20 Plus hatchback priced in the range of Rs 5.46 lakh to Rs 8.46 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), is also looking at expanding its EV portfolio further.  “As the pioneers in the integrated and electric mobility solutions in India, it has always been our endeavour to make electric vehicles more accessible across segments,” M&M Executive Director Pawan Goenka told reporters here. When asked if the company would also offer electric variants of its existing conventional models, he said there could be a possibility. “We are continuously looking at expanding our EV portfolio, while we are also looking at offering the electric version of the existing models,” he said. Goenka, however, added that as the current models like Scorpio are very heavy and would require more powerful batteries for which M&M is working on new technology that can deliver up to 80KW of power. “With the e20 Plus we have completed the entry level EV line up. The next step would be to get into the mid and higher segment,” Goenka said without sharing details of the company’s line-up of future EVs. Goenka also said M&M is planning new vehicle with Italian design Pininfarina, which it had acquired in 2015 and there is a possibility of an all electric vehicle. “We have not approved the project as yet. It would take more than 2-3 years for the vehicle to come out, but yes it could be an all-electric vehicle,” Goenka said. M&M’s electric vehicle portfolio includes small car and light commercial models such as e20, eVerito and eSupro among others and has so far sold 7,000 units. Since launching small car e20 in March 2013, it has so far sold around 3,000 units of the car in the country. The company has marked the entry level of e20 Plus, P2 variant of the vehicle for fleet owners but hasn’t disclosed its price yet. The other variants – P4, P6, and P8 – are priced at Rs 5.46 lakh, Rs 5.95 lakh and Rs 8.46 lakh, respectively. Goenka said the launch of e20 Plus marked the company’s foray into the mass market electric city car segment. The vehicle comes with a range of 140 kms on one single charge and achieves a top speed of 85 kmph. The company, which has already invested around Rs 800 crore on its electric vehicles business, including development of technology. M&M President and Chief Executive (Automotive) Pravin Shah said that the e20 Plus is an amalgamation of advancements in automotive technology, electronics and information technology. “As a listening organisation, the e20 Plus has been evolved keeping in mind the feedback from our potential customers,” he added. The e20 Plus is primarily meant for city commuting and comes with various features such as easy hone charging, hill assist, reverse camera, charging ports and smart phone connectivity among others.