Maruti Suzuki India intends to enhance the domestic production of batteries and other essential components in the coming years to bolster the overall electric vehicle ecosystem in the nation.

The automobile giant, intending to introduce its inaugural electric vehicle - e VITARA in the local market next year, aims to build trust among consumers while working to enhance the complete EV ecosystem.

"We are currently importing the batteries, but we do have a plan for local production. It is indeed highly likely to happen gradually over the coming years," says Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer (Marketing & Sales) at Maruti Suzuki India.

He mentioned that the adoption of electric vehicles in India will increase only when consumers feel assured enough to purchase them as their main vehicle in the home.

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"We think that the customer lacks confidence regarding EVs. The first products introduced, along with the experiences associated with them, have generated significant negativity among people concerning the driving range," he noted. To date, the majority of customers purchasing EV vehicles are mainly using them as secondary vehicles, he noted.

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"It isn't the main vehicle. Due to the absence of public infrastructure, the purchaser is unwilling to take a risk. Therefore, if he intends to purchase his initial vehicle, it turns out to be not an EV, but rather an ICE or a different type of vehicle," Banerjee stated.

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"By then, the industry will be around 5.5-6 million and EV penetration will be around 13-15 per cent. But this was before GST 2.0. So, we now have to reassess the market since there are reports that post GST 2.0, the penetration of EVs is going down. The ideal time to do it will be next FY," Banerjee adds.