Mahindra Electric on Wednesday delivered 20 electric sedan Verito models to Energy Efficiency Services (EESL), as part of its first phase of the tender.
M&M is the only passenger vehicle manufacturer in India, which already has two electric cars e2o and electric sedan Verito models in production.
Commenting on this, Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, tweeted: “A big day for EV movement in India. First lot of vehicles of EESL tender ready for delivery in Delhi. Moment of pride for Mahindra.”
M&M had earlier stated that it would not supply more than 150 electric cars in the first phase, as it would incur losses if it goes beyond that. Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Motors are the only two companies selected by state-owned EESL to supply 500 electric cars in the first phase.
The orders for supply of nearly 9,500 electric cars in the second phase will be issued after the completion of deliveries of the 500 EVs in the first phase. Under real-world conditions, the e-Verito can cover 140 km with a single charge. Currently, the cost of M&M’s electric vehicle is over Rs 2 lakh more than that of Tata Motors.
Tata Motors will provide electric cars for Rs 11.2 lakh, which will be inclusive of GST and a comprehensive 5-year warranty. Although, Goenka had earlier commented that it would be difficult for M&M to participate in the second phase of the tender, saying it would lose money with the present cost structure.
M&M has a few products under its Verito label, which is essentially a soupped down Renault Logan, which Goenka claimed is more powerful and bigger than the Tigor, the sub-4 meter compact sedan Tatas launched a few months ago.
According to EESL tender, the sedan should have a range of 130 km on a full charge, can be fully charged in 6 hours and should have a fast charge option of 90 minutes. Goenka had also said they had not decided on bidding for the second phase saying, “will take a call if we are able to bring down the cost”. Mahindra is the only domestic company to have launched electric passenger cars though the EESL contracts.
