Suzuki Motor has launched its first electric vehicle (EV) in India, introducing a battery rental plan to reduce upfront costs for buyers—a model previously offered only by SAIC Motor’s local venture.
The e VITARA SUV, developed in partnership with Toyota under a global model-sharing agreement, has been locally produced in India since August 2025, with 13,000 units exported to 28 countries last year.
Maruti Suzuki, Suzuki’s Indian unit, unveiled the base variant of the SUV at an introductory price of 1.1 million rupees (around US$12,100). The battery rental plan is priced at 3.99 rupees per kilometre (0.62 mile), making the EV more affordable upfront. Analysts note that competitive pricing and the battery-as-a-service model will be key to attracting buyers in India, Suzuki’s largest market.
The launch comes after over a year of development, as Maruti addressed customer concerns, high battery import costs, and limited charging infrastructure. “Battery as a service is a key factor that will bring buyers to Maruti’s showrooms,” said Gaurav Vangaal, analyst at S&P Global Mobility. He added that the per-kilometre battery cost is likely half that of a comparable combustion engine vehicle.
Following the announcement, Maruti shares rose as much as 1.1% before settling 0.6% higher.
EV adoption in India is gaining momentum. SAIC Motor’s Indian venture, JSW MG Motor India, introduced the first battery rental scheme in September 2023. EV sales in India doubled in 2025 to around 5% of total car sales, with the government targeting a 30% EV market share by 2030.
