PM Modi Flags Off Maruti Suzuki’s First Global EV, e-Vitara
Ahmedabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday launched Maruti Suzuki’s first global electric vehicle (EV), the e-Vitara, from the company’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat, marking a major boost to India’s green mobility drive. The all-electric SUV, designed on a new HEARTECT-e platform, will be exported to over 100 countries—including Japan, making India Suzuki’s global manufacturing hub for EVs.
Alongside the launch, Modi inaugurated local production of hybrid battery electrodes at the TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in Gujarat—a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso, and Suzuki. With this, more than 80% of the battery value chain will now be manufactured within India, strengthening the country’s clean energy ecosystem.
“Today is a landmark in our journey of Make in India, Make for the World,” Modi said, recalling how the Hansalpur plant was first allotted land during his tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2012. He credited those early efforts for shaping today’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
The Prime Minister underscored India’s advantages of democracy, demography, and a skilled workforce, calling it a “win-win situation” for global investors. Highlighting that Suzuki Japan now imports vehicles made in India, Modi said this reflects not just the strength of India-Japan ties but also global confidence in Indian manufacturing.
Made in India electric vehicles are now driving onto the global stage. It reflects our nation’s growing strength in green mobility. Addressing a programme in Hansalpur, Gujarat. https://t.co/sZZ7ZCSys1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 26, 2025
Calling Maruti Suzuki a brand ambassador of Make in India, Modi said he will travel to Japan next week, noting that the partnership between the two nations extends “beyond diplomacy to culture, trust, and shared progress.”
e-Vitara: Key Highlights
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Battery Options: 49 kWh & 61 kWh packs, range of 500+ km on a single charge.
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Design: SUV styling with bold aerodynamics, R18 alloy wheels, twin-deck floating console, digital cockpit, 10-way adjustable driver seat, and premium Infinity by Harman sound system.
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Safety: 7 airbags, Level-2 ADAS, energy-absorbing battery mount for crash safety.
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Technology: Next-gen Suzuki Connect with 60+ features.
The launch comes just days before US tariffs on Indian exports take effect, a reminder of the global trade challenges India faces even as it stakes a claim as a hub for electric mobility and advanced technology manufacturing.
