Mahindra eKUV100 will reach out many with its attractive price tag

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M&M plans to expand its electric car models in 2020. Mahindra eKUV100 complete details

The Mahindra new electric vehicle Mahindra eKUV100 will be available in Indian market in second Quarter of 2020. The car already showcased at 2018 Auto Expo (New Delhi). The production ready car will be showcased at upcoming AUTO Expo of 2020. Pawan Goenka, Managing Director and CEO, Mahindra & Mahindra has given the green flag to this car and price will be brought less than 9 lakhs (ex-showroom Delhi).

Many automakers have already launched their EVs and others are trying to give best product which will be competitive, fully featured, advanced and have a unique design. You must upgrade yourself as per the technology and mindset of people where they are heading towards. Now-a-days, Indian customers don’t run behind the price tag. They also judge the car based on outer and inner design, feature and space. All are important to them and any car fits to the mentioned criteria take dominance in the market.

Mahindra EV’s like e2O and e20 plus- didn’t meet the customer expectation and went out of production last April. To meet the future demands, safety norms and emission norms, Mahindra come up with electric KUV100. It will replace e20, e20 plus and will compete with other EV’s.

The Mahindra eKUV100 will be the replica of petrol engine based micro SUV- KUV100. Some changes are essential specific to the EV’s requirement. This may include- new design of dashboard showing battery SOC, drive mode, digital dashboard, Bumper grille design changes, Rear Quarter panel modification to accommodate Charging port to look different, front and rear lights but outer body and dimension of the part will be same. New eKUV100 was seen during the road test in Chennai.

Mahindra eKUV100 Performance

Let’s talk about it’s Powertrain, how Mahindra made it possible to deliver it under 9 lacs-

It will not use the same Powertrain, which company has put in eVERITO and e20. The car will have 40 kW electric motor which provides 53 BHP power and peak torque of 120 Nm. The motor will be coupled with single stage gearbox to further amplify its torque. Further, the power will be transferred to the road wheels. So, the design is simple and has less option to alter gear ratio.

Battery capacity and charging

What goes into creating optimal EV batteries for Indian roads? In Mahindra Electric's EV innovation centre, we use complex algorithms and stringent tests to create reliable, road-ready EV batteries. #ItStartsWithME #DriveElectric pic.twitter.com/PSYByphAfG

— Mahindra Electric (@MahindraElctrc) January 17, 2020

15.8 kWh Lithium-ion battery will supply the power to the electric motor. It will offer a range of 120 km (approx) on one-time charge. You can charge your vehicle with wall charger fitted on the quarter panel. The company may provide socket for both – standard and fast charging. So, the wall socket as well as the charging station, both will be available to charge the new eKUV100.

Mahindra eKUV100 Price in India

Pawan Goenka, the Managing Director of Mahindra and Mahindra Limited– has already mentioned it in one of his public conference that the new Mahindra eKUV100 will be priced under 09 lakhs. We also can assure it because, now M&M is working with the shared mobility business and the major player like the Lithium- Urban Technology, Blu Smart, Ola and Uber. So, high price would be a big hurdle to sustain in this market.

Even the Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Operations at M&M told in an interview to CNBC channel that how they are targeting the electric shared mobility market. He also confirmed that the new Mahindra eKUV100 will be priced around Rs 9 lacs.

M&M'S Electric Drive | Arvind Mathew, Chief of International Ops at M&M tells @Parikshitl the #eKUV100, set to be launched in Q1FY21, will be priced at around Rs 9 lk. Also shares the company is very well positioned for the BS-VI transition #BSVI @Mahindra_Auto @MahindraRise pic.twitter.com/u75ldHzFX4

— CNBC-TV18 News (@CNBCTV18News) January 10, 2020

Mahindra eKUV100 Vs GWM ORA-R1

Recently GWM announced the world cheapest electric car ORA-R1, and ekuv100 will be having tough competition with this car. Range, price and feature provided by ORA-R1 are as per the market demands, Renault also can launch their Renault KWID electric in the meantime, then competition will be more in low budget EV’s. Tata Tigor EV also comes in the same price range and is up to the mark based on design, look and comfort.

In order to match and compete with the other same range EV’s, Mahindra must be competitive in each aspect. Mahindra is also planning to launch electric version of XUV300.

My Words:

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Maximum driving range of Mahindra eKUV100 is very less and can be a major setback for the company. In the early 20th century, because of less range of electric vehicle, petrol vehicle won the race. Here, customers have lots of opinion and less driving range can pull the Mahindra eKUV100 to the back-end. The driving range should be more than 200 km which other EV offers.

Some more research needed to decrease battery charging time. The company can try some other battery technologies to improve the range within the competitive price. If this car would achieve GOOD SAFETY RATING, then this will definitely give some advantage to the car. Driving experience, how vehicle respond to the road driving conditions also matters, which Mahindra is already taking care and if they continue the same with this vehicle, then smooth driving and less jerks, will be plus point the car.

But the one thing is clear that the new Mahindra eKUV100 will be the popular choice for the commercial electric vehicle fleet or service provider companies. Because recently we saw how this market is growing.

ORA R1: World’s Cheapest Electric Car will disrupt the Indian EV market