New Delhi: Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Tuesday announced the launch of its first ground-up electric sport utility vehicles (SUVs), the BE 6e and XEV 9e. These models are the first of six electric vehicles (EVs) planned under Mahindra’s XEV and BE brands, with new products set to roll out all the way up to 2028.
The BE 6e and XEV 9e are built on Mahindra’s electric-only INGLO platform.
The BE 6e offers an ARAI-certified (Automotive Research Association of India) range of up to 682km, while the XEV 9e provides up to 656km, both powered by lithium iron phosphate battery packs. A fast-charging option allows the batteries to go from 20% to 80% in 20 minutes with a 175kW DC charger.
Mahindra launched the smaller sporty BE 6e and luxurious XEV 9e electric SUVs late on Tuesday. The vehicles have a driving range of more than 500 km (311 miles) on a single charge, the company said, and are priced starting at around $22,500 and $26,000, respectively.
With its smaller SUV, Mahindra will enter India’s fast-growing compact SUV market, which grew nearly 20% in the first six months of the current fiscal year and is dominated by Hyundai’s (HYUN.NS), opens new tab Creta and Toyota’s (7203.T), opens new tab Urban Cruiser Hyryder – both priced between around $13,000 and $24,000.
However, the rival offerings are either hybrids or petrol fuelled. Mahindra says that gives it an edge in terms of running costs.
“We believe we have a very competitive offering which will create a category,” Mahindra’s Executive Director and CEO (Auto and Farm Sector) Rajesh Jejurikar said during Tuesday’s event.
India’s EV market is small, making up about 2% of total car sales of 4 million last year, but the government wants to increase EVs’ share to 30% by 2030.
