Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Maruti Suzuki’s e-Vitara, the company’s first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), from the Hansalpur plant in Gujarat on Tuesday. Calling Maruti Suzuki the “face of Make in India,” PM Modi highlighted how this development marks a significant leap in the country’s green mobility journey.
Expanding India’s Global EV Footprint
The e-Vitara will not just serve domestic markets but also be exported to over 100 countries, including advanced markets like Japan and Europe. PM Modi emphasized that exporting India-made EVs to Japan itself demonstrates the global trust in Indian manufacturing. This aligns with the government’s broader goal of “Make in India, Make for the World.”
Strengthening India’s EV Ecosystem
Alongside the EV launch, PM Modi also inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat, a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. He noted that just a few years ago, India relied entirely on imports for batteries. With the TDSG plant operational, more than 80% of battery value will now be manufactured locally, reducing dependence on imports and strengthening the EV ecosystem.
Towards Self-Reliance in Green Mobility
The prime minister linked the occasion with Ganesh Utsav, stating that a “new chapter” in India’s self-reliance journey has begun. The e-Vitara’s launch and battery production initiatives are not just technological milestones but also powerful symbols of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Suzuki’s Gujarat project and its continued investments reinforce India’s emergence as a global hub for EV manufacturing and green mobility solutions.
