Maruti Suzuki is testing the Wagon R electric on Indian roads since October 2018. The all electric model is expected to be launched in India sometime next year, i.e., 2020. Though the company has been tight-lipped about the progress it has made with its first ever all electric car for India, reports suggest that the Wagon R EV will be priced below Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom).
The said price tag has been achieved thanks to heavy localisation of the car’s components, along with subsidies being provided by the Government under the FAME (faster adoption and manufacturing of hybrid and electric vehicles) initiative. Experts suggest that the Maruti Wagon R Electric will be able to attract subsidies amounting to Rs. 1.24 lakh to Rs. 1.38 lakh. It is worth noting that the Government is already working on the Fame 2 initiative, which is expected to offer even higher subsidies, thus pushing down the Wagon R Electric price in India even further.
Also Read: Modified Maruti Baleno with Lamborghini-type doors
We already know that Maruti Suzuki will equip the Wagon R electric with a battery pack that will be large enough to offer a driving range of over 200 km on a single charge. This, along with the sub Rs 7 lakh price, can make the Wagon R electric as the first ever affordable mass market EV car in India. At the moment, we only have the Mahindra e2O as an affordable electric car in India. However, it will soon be discontinued, owing to the upcoming safety regulations. As a result, the Maruti Wagon R EV will be the only electric car under 10 lakh in India.
Official details about the Wagon R electric are still scarce at the moment. However, we do know that the model will be similar to the Japan-spec Wagon R. As a result, don’t expect the recently launched third-gen Wagon R to come with an electric powertrain. Instead, the carmaker will use a larger body shell that will come with better interior space and more features.