Mahindra Reva, India’s only electric car manufacturer, is looking at building a strong product portfolio over the next few years as the demand for electric vehicles is likely to increase with growing fuel prices.
Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which acquired Reva in 2010, is also simultaneously leveraging the technology of the company for electrifying some of its existing products.
Chetan Maini, founder and chief technology officer, Mahindra Reva, said the group will launch one new variant every year for the next 2-3 years from the Mahindra Reva platform and a couple of platforms from the Mahindra portfolio.
“Mahindra has a strong research and development team and now we have a full-fledged facility where we have the flexibility to manufacture different kind of cars; and we have a good distribution network. So we have a pipeline of products coming out, probably one new variant every year for the next two years,” said Maini.
M&M showcased electric Verito at the Delhi Auto Expo this year, which was co-developed with Mahindra Reva. Reva is also working on Mahindra’s existing light commercial vehicles such as Maxximo and GiO.
“Last auto show, we showcased an electric vehicle; the technology is very scalable to other platforms. So, over time, you will see Mahindra vehicles getting electrified. They are all in a development stage and in a couple of years you will start to see them coming out. Like Verito, the prototypes of GiO and Maxximo have been done,” said Maini.
The company last week inaugurated its plant near Bangalore with a capacity of 30,000 units per year. It is expecting to utilise the entire capacity in the next three years. The company’s NXR (a four-seater car) will be launched around Diwali.
Mahindra Reva recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Australian government for setting a greenfield facility in that country. The company is also in talks with a few more countries for a similar business model. Though the company did not reveal the countries as the talks are at initial stages.
