Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s leading automobile manufacturer, is gearing up for a significant expansion into the electric vehicle (EV) market. In preparation for the launch of its first electric offering, a midsize SUV named Concept eVX, slated for release in January 2025, the company is embarking on an ambitious plan to establish a comprehensive charging infrastructure across India.
According to multiple sources familiar with the company’s strategy, Maruti Suzuki aims to install approximately 25,000 EV charging points nationwide. This extensive network is designed to address one of the primary obstacles to widespread EV adoption in India – the lack of a robust charging ecosystem.
To achieve this goal, the automaker is adopting a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, it plans to leverage its existing network of over 5,100 service centres spread across 2,300 cities in India. These service centres will be equipped with dedicated EV charging facilities, effectively transforming them into dual-purpose locations for both vehicle maintenance and charging.
Maruti Suzuki is actively engaging in discussions with oil marketing companies (OMCs) and energy firms to expand its charging network beyond its facilities. This collaborative approach aims to create a more extensive and accessible charging ecosystem for potential EV customers.
An insider privy to the company’s plans revealed that Maruti has already initiated a survey of its dealer workshops to assess their suitability for installing charging points. The company’s vision includes equipping each service centre with at least one dedicated bay for EV charging and a minimum of two charging points. This strategic move not only addresses the charging infrastructure need but also positions Maruti’s service centres as comprehensive EV support hubs.
In anticipation of this shift towards electric mobility, Maruti Suzuki has begun preparing its workforce for the upcoming changes. The company has launched training programs for its service mechanics, with initial sessions taking place in Bengaluru. This proactive approach ensures that Maruti’s technical staff will be well-equipped to handle the unique maintenance and service requirements of electric vehicles.
This comprehensive strategy by Maruti Suzuki India underscores the company’s commitment to electric mobility and its recognition of the critical role that charging infrastructure plays in EV adoption. By addressing this key challenge head-on, Maruti is positioning itself not just as an EV manufacturer but as a facilitator of the broader EV ecosystem in India.
Covered By: Mobility India / Maruti Suzuki
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