India's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki is all set to showcase its first electric car concept, the e-Survivor at the upcoming Delhi Auto Expo. The company said, “It symbolises Maruti Suzuki's commitment to help develop the entire lifecycle of Evs in India, including the local manufacture of components, charging infrastructure and recycling of batteries.” In a statement, India's largest carmaker said, “Positioned as a futuristic concept, Concept e-Survivor brings together many new technologies that depict the new and exciting F.A.C.E of Suzuki's intent for Future Mobility. (Four-Wheel Drive, Autonomous, Connected & Electric).”
The brand new e-Survivor is an open-top, two-seater SUV. The Indian government has set an ambitious target for the country to be selling only electric vehicles by 2030. Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has even said that he's not going to “ask” carmakers and users to make the shift, but will “bulldoze” the scheme. Maruti Suzuki chairman RC Bhargava said, “We as Maruti don't have the tech for e-vehicles. It's a fact.”
As far as charging infrastructure is concerned, Maruti Suzuki had earlier said that they "will set up some (charging) infrastructure for people to be able to use these cars." The company believes, it should be able to do the set up itself and won't need a foreign or an external partner, as such.
