[TheTeacher]

Mahindra & Mahindra has confirmed that it will launch the electric version of the entry-level Verito sedan within a year. The company is investing about Rs. 150 crore to develop electric versions of three vehicles - the Gio, Maxximo and Verito.

"We will be using electric vehicle technology for some of our existing products. We are almost ready with the electric Gio and Maxximo, while we have also developed a prototype of the electric Verito," M&M President Pawan Goenka said.

The company has kept a fleet of 50 electric Maxximos ready; these will be launched commercially after assessing the response to the e2o, he added. Commenting on the electric Verito, Goenka said "The prototype is ready. Verito is a heavier car than the e2o. There has to be adjustment and optimisation of the technology".

The company expects to sell 400-500 units of the e2o per month in India. Keeping its steep pricing in mind outside of Delhi (related news), that's not going to be easy. M&M has gotten enquiries from Europe, mainly the Scandinavian countries, for the e2o. In another 8-9 month's time, e2o exports to Europe will begin. Northern Europe is the primary market for the e2o. The company expects equal contribution in e2o sales from the domestic and export markets.

Mahindra has plans to extend electric technology to its two-wheelers as well.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Seriously?

I thought Mahindra is working to bring out its own hatchback. Why try and invest huge money on making an electric version of Verito, which anyways is not a big seller nor has a lifestyle vehicle image like the Reva/ e20. Cabbies wont come anywhere near an electric vehicle considering the range + maintainence costs for batteries after few lakh kilometers.

Might be good idea for the Maxximo/ Gio since electric motors are known for torque! But then - would commercial sector be interested at all - given the limited range, high charging time, high maintainence costs, and a complete lack of supporting infrastructure (like wayside charging points etc).

Might be true as well. Mahindra suddenly has access to advanced electric vehicle technology (After aquiring Maini), that they might want to show off under their brand name!

[swarnava.m]

Here is something similar:

LINK

More specs about the electric Verito are given, and it also says that prototypes for all EVs are ready.

[zenren]

One thing that I make out of all these announcements is a possibility of Mahindra following the footsteps of Tata motors. If they are planning to launch an EV version of Verito in 2014, when are they planning for a next generation Verito? Unlike SUVs, car designs look outdated in a few years.

Though the trusted horses in the stable are best sellers, none of the Mahindra vehicles got a major facelift anytime in the recent past. Scorpio still looks more or less the same way as the version when it was launched. Same with Bolero, Xylo etc. They are adding new vehicles to the portfolio which is a good thing but a fully refreshed and modern design language in their existing line up still seems to be low in their priority list.

[speedmiester]

I think it's a good move. Instead of developing an all new car for electrification, why not use the existing model.
We all know Verito is quite spacious and can accommodate a bigger motor and a bigger battery pack which can increase the range and the top speed.
If Mahindra can price the electric Verito at around 8-9L range with a 200Km range and top speed of around 100, I will definitely buy it.

[JayPrashanth]

Link to News Section

At yesterday's Verito Vibe launch, Dr Pawan Goenka, Head-Automotive at Mahindra &Mahindra, announced that a new variant of the Verito is lined up for 2014. While Dr Goenka didn't do into details about the new Verito variant, our hunch is that the electric variant of the Verito could make the cut next year. Mahindra has already announced that the Verito Electric will be ready for launch in 2014, and Dr Goenka's latest comments only seem to confirm what we're already aware of. Mahindra's electric car making division, Reva Electric, will be instrumental in developing the Verito Electric. Notably, Reva Electric is also readying up electric variants of the Gio and Maxximo mini pick up trucks.



The exact specifications of the electric motor that'll power the Verito Electric remains unknown at this point in time. However, an electric motor mated to lithium ion batteries seems likely given the fact that Mahindra-Reva has wholeheartedly jumped on to the lithium ion battery route with the E2O. The Mahindra Verito Electric was first showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo. If put into serial production, the Verito Electric will be the first instance of the Dacia Logan taking the electric car route. Currently, Mahindra sells the Verito(a rebadged and restyled Dacia Logan) in sedan and hatchback versions.

While the Verito Electric has the potential of becoming a cost effective city car given the limited range that conventional electric cars deliver, the price of the Verito Electric will determine its sale-ability in the cost conscious Indian car market. The Verito Electric's business viability could depend on the Indian government's National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020(NEMMP), an ambitious 20,000 crore+ rupees project that aims to put 1.5 million electric vehicles on Indian roads by 2020. This plan aims to deliver subsidies for development and manufacture of electric vehicles in India. The plan will also deliver direct subsidies to electric vehicles.

As of today, the NEMMP 2020 is yet to offer direct subsidies to electric vehicles, and the effect of this can be directly seen on the high price of the Reva E2O. So, this direct subsidy will be crucial for the Verito Electric sedan. Mahindra-Reva has big plans for the electric vehicle segment in India. Apart from the Verito Electric, electric variants of the Gio and Maxximo mini pick up trucks are said to be ready for commercial production. Mahindra is waiting for the Indian government to announce the quantum of direct subsidy for electric vehicles. Once that happens, expect the electric commercial vehicles to hit Indian roads.

[Loud]

After the launch of the Mahindra Verito Vibe, a hatchback based on the Mahindra Verito platform, the company plans to take the struggle to an even higher level! There are no guesses yet.

Mahindra has just launched the Verito Vibe— a hatchback/notchback, which sub 4-metre in length and also based on the Verito platform. This is the second vehicle on this platform and sometime next year. Dr Pawan Goenka stated, “We will have three products from the Verito platform, and the third one shall be launched sometime next year.”
The prototype of the Verito EV was showcased last year at the Auto Expo, after the recent deal back then between Mahindra and Reva. Earlier, Reva had a JV with General Motors, and we had seen the Spark EV at the 2010 Auto Expo.
Mahindra is also developing a compact SUV, as there has been a rise in the market for such vehicles. The compact SUV will be a front-wheel drive and a monocoque chassis.

Source: Cardekho
Link: Read More.

[MODS: Please merge if topic exists.]

[ad3952n]

Hi all, Verito EV has been caught testing at Bangalore. Mahindra had already showcased the Verito EV concept at the 2012 Auto Expo but as per reports from I A B and Mahindra sources this Verito EV is being primed for a possible launch at the forthcoming Auto Expo 2014.


Thanks

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Source: https://www.facebook.com/IndianAutosBlog/photos_stream

[theMAG]

I hope the government does what is right and subsidizes EV vehicles - they deserve a fighting chance. There is only so long a country can make its middle class stretch the petro-buck as the first recourse.

[Tushar]

While it was believed that the Indian automaker would launch the sedan in 2014, a report suggests that it may now be launched in mid-2015.

Link to Team-BHP news article

[humyum]

What a waste of money and manpower. What does it take for the people at Mahindra to understand that things like these NEVER sell in India. The mindset does not support it, neither the infrastructure supports it, neither in a big country like India will anyone buy a sedan like this which is electric.

RIP Verito electric.

[zenren]

Originally Posted by humyum

What a waste of money and manpower. What does it take for the people at Mahindra to understand that things like these NEVER sell in India. The mindset does not support it, neither the infrastructure supports it, neither in a big country like India will anyone buy a sedan like this which is electric.

RIP Verito electric.

It might be better than the 2-seater Reva, since this is a more practical vehicle than Reva. Again, since the body part and mechanicals are shared with the IC engine version, you are not going to face parts shortage on that front either.

[humyum]

Originally Posted by zenren

It might be better than the 2-seater Reva, since this is a more practical vehicle than Reva. Again, since the body part and mechanicals are shared with the IC engine version, you are not going to face parts shortage on that front either.

Price buddy, Do you think this Electric Verito will be priced at 8 lakhs on road when the Reva E20 sells at that price ? Would u buy a 10 lakh plus Electric Verito ? I sure would not even think about touching it. Since this is heavier than the E20, the battery pack will be bigger, motor will be bigger and hence the price higher.

Parts shortage is not an issue, these things hardly need any parts unless you end up having a crash or if something goes wrong in the cabin (shifter, dashboard, the integrated control system on the dashboard etc). The electric motor is pretty much bullet proof, so is the battery and ECM. Suspension/steering parts may wear and tear like a usual car but electric cars will never cover distances like what a IC engined car will, so suspension replacement/overhaul job is also many many many years away after a buy.

Cars like these are like an RC car, what can possibly go wrong with it ? Almost nothing.

[Rajeev1]

I have not been able to understand what drives Mahindra & Mahindra invest in this venture. The Verito and its cousin the Verito Vibe are duds - this is not my perception, a look at the sales figures will prove this. Together they sell no more than 220 units a month across the country. My guess is that most of these 220 numbers are being sold as taxis which again is a dying market for the Verito as there are newer players like the Etios which have taken over. The concept of an electric car in India is not very popular due to the inherent disadvantages of an electric vehicle in a country which is running woefully short of electricity for its basic needs. Combining these two concepts (dud car + not so popular concept) seems to me like throwing good money after bad money.

Could carbon credits be the driving force behind the EV 'investment'?

[arnabchak]

+1 to you Rajeev.

Its like flogging a.

It is high time that M&M either resurrects the Verito completely or just rests it.

A good rendition here in Team BHP with a Xylo grille completely transformed the ugly Verito into a much better looker.

It is a capable sedan but bogged down due to its design and interiors.

The rendition(Source T-Bhp Thread)