Which Indian Company Made the First Electric Car?
India has a growing interest in electric mobility as the nation strives to reduce its carbon footprint. Various companies have contributed to this movement, but it was Mahindra and Mahindra who took the lead with the launch of their electric vehicle (EV) in India.
The Pioneers in Electric Vehicles in India
India's journey towards electric mobility began earlier than many might realize. Morris Garages India, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra, PMV, and Revolt are some of the companies that have played crucial roles. Among these, Mahindra and Mahindra stands out as a pioneer in the field of electric vehicles, setting a precedent in the Indian market.
Mahindra and Mahindra's Pioneering Role
Mahindra and Mahindra (MM) was the first company to produce an electric vehicle in India with the launch of the Mahindra Reva e2o in 2013. This marked a significant milestone in India's automotive industry. However, MM's interest in electric mobility began much earlier. In 2001, the company launched the Mahindra Reva, which was India's first electric car. The Mahindra Reva was a significant move towards sustainable transportation in India.
MahaEV, a division of Mahindra Electric, has been at the forefront of this movement. In fact, Mahindra Electric became the first Indian car manufacturer to cross 170 million kilometers traveled on its EV fleet.
List of Major Electric Vehicle Manufacturers in India
Aptly dubbed the 'Electric Vehicle Revolution,' India is seeing a surge in electric mobility. Here's a list of key players:
Tata Motors: Tigor EV and Nexon EV. The Nexon EV has been one of their best-sellers. Mahindra and Mahindra: Mahindra eKUV100, XUV300 Electric, Mahindra Atom EV. Hyundai: Kona Electric. The global lite version can do 350 km in one charge with a certified range of 452 km. MG Motors: MG ZS EV, which can travel 300 km in one charge, with a certified range of 419 km.Going into smaller vehicles,
Two-wheelers include Hero Electric's Optima NYX and Photon, Ampere Electric's Reo V48 Zeal, Magnus Pro, Magnus, Bajaj's Chetak, and Okinawa's range of lithium-ion bikes. Three-wheelers include Revolt's RV300 and RV400 electric motorcycles, and Piaggio's Ape eCity electric three-wheeler.Testing and Quality Assurance
We had the opportunity to test drive the Mahindra Atom EV, which is a notable electric three-wheeler. If you're interested, you can watch our video on this for a detailed review. If you found the video informative, please like and subscribe!
A historical perspective
It's worth noting that before MM, Scooters India Limited was the first company in India to manufacture an electric vehicle, the Vikram SAFA, in 1996. You can find more about the history of electric mobility in India in the 'National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020' document by the Department of Heavy Industries, Government of India.
Conclusion
India's journey towards electric mobility is a tale of multiple players and advancements. Mahindra and Mahindra, with its historic launch of the Mahindra Reva in 2001 and the Mahindra Reva e2o in 2013, has been at the forefront of this movement. MahaEV, a division of Mahindra Electric, continues to lead the way, making India a more sustainable and electric-friendly nation.