In what is seen as a first in the passenger car industry in the country, Mahindra Reva has said it is ready to license electric vehicle technology to other car-makers.
The outgoing CEO of Mahindra Reva, Chetan Maini, told BusinessLine that the company has developed electric vehicle kits for this purpose.
“We have developed EV ‘kits’ that comprise a full suite of integrated electric vehicle technology solutions, including the know-how for developing drivetrain, battery pack, HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) and telematics for remote diagnostics.”
By using the kits, original equipment manufacturers can reduce development costs and even the time required to market the product, he added.
Maini, who will be replaced by Arvind Mathew, the former managing director of the Indian operations of Ford Motor, said the electric variants of the Verito sedan and the Maxximo mini-van from M&M will be launched soon.
Four battery-powered Maxximo electric vans were recently handed over to the Agra Development Authority, which will be used along the clean, green Taj Mahal Zero Emission Corridor.
A European version of Mahindra Reva will be launched shortly, he added. More than 5,500 Reva electric vehicles have been launched so far in over 24 countries.
Regarding the e2o electric vehicles, Maini said: “The launch of a new variant of Mahindra e2o with a range of 120 km and electric power steering has been received positively in July. We had set certain targets at the beginning of the financial year, wherein sales in India may not have completely fulfilled that expectation. Despite the odds, we have received a very good response for the e2o across the country.”
He was optimistic that over a period of time, electric vehicles will attract more buyers as the mindsets are changing. With the Bengaluru plant capable of producing 30,000 cars a per year, the company is geared up to meet any surge in demand, Maini said He is expected to take up the role of incubating technology companies in M&M once he leaves his current post in May.
Maini said he expects the Budget to provide stable long-term subventions to boost electric mobility.
Till now, there has been no incentive for the electric vehicles industry from the Centre, though a few State governments have provided some tax benefits.