IEC 2025: Maruti Suzuki bets on localisation, customisation to drive India’s EV transition, Says Partho Banerjee

At the India Economic Conclave 2025, Maruti Suzuki's Partho Banerjee emphasized the importance of tailoring electric vehicles (EVs) to Indian needs, addressing consumer concerns like range, infrastructure, and resale value. The company is focusing on localization and customer-specific customization rather than hastily entering the market. Despite the availability of numerous EV models, only 4% of passenger vehicle sales are electric, indicating a need for further adoption.

Keshav Rajput

Updated Dec 18, 2025, 04:55 PM IST

Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing & Sales, Maruti Suzuki India

At the India Economic Conclave 2025, Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, Maruti Suzuki India, said the country’s largest carmaker believes EV adoption will scale only when products are designed specifically for Indian conditions and address core consumer concerns such as range, charging infrastructure, after-sales support and resale value.

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What are the key features of Maruti Suzuki's first high-range electric vehicle launching in 2025?

Maruti Suzuki's first high-range electric vehicle, set to launch in 2025, will feature a 500 km range powered by a 60-kilowatt-hour battery. This vehicle aims to emphasize the 'Make in India' initiative and will cater to both domestic and international markets, including Europe and Japan. The company is also focusing on localization by developing semiconductor and electronics manufacturing to support its EV strategy.

How does Maruti Suzuki plan to enhance its EV charging infrastructure by 2030?

Maruti Suzuki aims to establish over 100,000 public EV charging points in India by 2030 as part of its infrastructure development plan. They have already installed more than 2,000 charging points across 1,100 cities and are collaborating with 13 charge point operators to expand access. The 'e for me' mobile app will further support EV owners by providing easy access to charging facilities.

What role does the Indian government play in supporting EV production through the 2025 Union Budget?

The Indian government's 2025 Union Budget focuses on sustainability and aims to boost domestic production of lithium-ion batteries for EVs. It includes customs duty exemptions for critical capital goods and key minerals like cobalt and copper. This initiative is expected to lower the overall cost of EVs, benefiting manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki, which is entering the EV market.

What are the expected production milestones for Maruti Suzuki in the coming years?

Maruti Suzuki aims to produce six million vehicles annually by 2030, driven by the growing demand for feature-rich and environmentally friendly cars. The company recently surpassed milestones of 30 million vehicles produced in India and aims to enhance its EV lineup, including the e-Vitara, while continuing to invest in various powertrain technologies.

What future plans does Maruti Suzuki have regarding small electric vehicles?

Maruti Suzuki plans to launch a small electric vehicle hatchback in the near future, with the e-Vitara serving as a starting point for customer feedback. The company faces challenges related to range and weight but aims to introduce six EVs by 2031, diversifying its offerings to include affordable options across different segments.

Maruti Suzuki India is anchoring its electric vehicle (EV) strategy around deep localisation and customer-centric customisation rather than rushing products to market, outlining automakers roadmap for mass adoption of electric mobility in India.

Also Read: Maruti Suzuki WagonR Crosses 35 Lakh Production Mark

“Being a market leader, we cannot afford to offer only a partial solution. We need to play across all technologies: EVs, hybrids, CNG and ICE across all segments,” Banerjee said. He noted that despite more than a dozen EV models being available, electric cars account for just about 4 percent of total passenger vehicle sales, highlighting the gap between early adoption and mass acceptance.

Banerjee said Maruti Suzuki has deliberately prioritised learning from early market experiences before launching its own EVs in India. Customer research, he said, shows four key barriers to EV adoption: uncertainty around real-world driving range, limited charging infrastructure beyond cities, concerns over service readiness, and unclear resale values linked to battery life.

Focusing on Make in India

To address these issues, Maruti Suzuki is investing heavily in localisation and ecosystem development. The company has EV-enabled around 1,500 workshops across 1,100 cities and brought multiple charge point operators under a single digital platform, enabling seamless charger discovery, booking and payment. Over 70 percent of fast chargers in the country are now integrated into this network, Banerjee said.

Local manufacturing is central to this strategy. Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, the e Vitara, is being produced in Gujarat and exported to global markets including the UK and Japan, reinforcing India’s role as a manufacturing hub for world-class EVs. “A vehicle made in India and running on UK roads is testimony to how far localisation and quality standards have progressed,” Banerjee said.

Alongside localisation, the company is focusing on customisation and personalisation, but in a segment-specific manner. While premium and mid-SUV segments allow for higher levels of personalisation, Banerjee said affordability and accessibility remain critical for expanding car ownership in a market where penetration is still just 34 cars per 1,000 people.

Also Read: MG Motor India Announces Price Hike of up to 2 Percent, Effective from January 2026

“Each segment has a role to play: hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and MPVs. One size does not fit all,” he said, adding that enabling first-time buyers to transition from two-wheelers to four-wheelers is essential for long-term industry growth.

Maruti Suzuki plans to offer customers a choice of powertrains and formats rather than pushing a single technology.

The company is expected to begin test drives and bookings for its electric offerings in the domestic market in the coming months, marking the next phase of its calibrated entry into India’s EV space.

IEC 2025: Maruti Suzuki bets on localisation, customisation to drive India’s EV transition, Says Partho Banerjee

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