Maruti Suzuki Studying Market For Electric Vehicles

Country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) is optimistic with the Indian government's plan to go all electric by 2030. The company will, however, conduct its own survey of the Indian market to see how feasible the idea of electric vehicles is in the country. According to the company, it is important to understand what the people want for the success of electric vehicles in India. The company announced that the market survey will start in the next 2-3 weeks and will conclude by end of February.

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RC Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki India said, "When we first launched the Alto and Omni in India, it was based on a market survey that we had conducted. It is very important to understand what the people want, as they are the actual buyers. Similarly, for electric vehicles, we will conduct a survey to understand what the pulse of the country wants and will plan our strategy accordingly."

He added, "We expect some answers in the next 6 weeks, and will plan accordingly."

At the annual meet, Maruti stressed on the need of electric vehicles in the country and are working with its parent company, Suzuki, in developing electric vehicles and batteries.

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In September, Suzuki announced its lithium ion battery manufacturing Joint Venture (JV) with Toshiba and Denso. The JV will invest Rs. 1151 crore ($180 million) and will begin supplying batteries to the car business by 2020. The batteries will primarily be used by Suzuki for its car models; however the JV would be open to supplying batteries to other OEMs as well.