Mahindra XUV300 Electric In The Works; Launch Expected In 2020

Expected to be the most expensive Mahindra EV at launch

• Codenamed the S210, the XUV300 Electric is already under development,

• Likely to come in two variants with different range options

• Expected to launch in mid-2020

• Will be the first Mahindra EV with made-in-Korea Li-ion cells

Mahindra has just unveiled its new sub-4m SUV -- the XUV300. The XUV300 is going to rival the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Ford EcoSport in India. The car manufacturer has also announced its plans to introduce an electric version of the XUV300 in India in 2020.

The electric XUV300 is already in the works and Mahindra is internally calling it the S210. We don’t expect Mahindra to offer major cosmetic updates to the electric XUV300. The electric version will continue to be a sub-4m SUV, and it is set to be the first sub-compact electric SUV in India (not counting the KUV100 as an SUV). It will, however, not be the first electric SUV, as Hyundai is slated to launch the Kona Electric in India in 2019.

The electric XUV300 will be the first Mahindra that will use Korea-made cells. The carmaker had announced its collaboration with LG Chem of Korea in 2018 to develop a unique cell exclusively for India application and also supply Li-ion cells based on NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt) chemistry with high energy density. Until now, the cells were imported exclusively from China.

Mahindra is planning to offer the electric XUV300 in two variants with different range and output. One of those is likely to be positioned for city-use while the other will offer an extended range for longer distances or perhaps improved performance. Understandably, the version with better performance will be more expensive.

Since the S210 will be similar to the XUV300 in terms of dimensions, cabin space and safety equipment, it should be similarly equipped in terms of features as well. So equipment like a touchscreen infotainment system, a sunroof, rear parking sensors with reversing camera, upto seven airbags, and ABS with EBD should be on offer.

The electric XUV300 would be the fourth all-electric passenger vehicle from Mahindra after the e2o Plus, the e-Verito and the eKUV100, which is expected to arrive in 2019. Mahindra is expected to price the all-electric XUV300 under Rs 20 lakh and thus make it more affordable than the larger Hyundai Kona Electric, which is expected to have a price tag of around Rs 25 lakh. At present, the most expensive electric Mahindra car in India is the e-Verito, which is priced between Rs 9.87 lakh to Rs 10.65 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi, post subsidy) and delivers a maximum range of 140km.