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Maruti Suzuki drives out first electric SUV, e Vitara at Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025
MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India is moving int higher gear as far as its e-vehicles are concerned. The automaker officially launched its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) SUV, the e Vitara, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The unveiling is part of the company’s commitment to eco-friendly transportation and customer convenience through its new ‘e for me’ electric eco-solutions.
The e Vitara is built on the all-new Heartect e platform, specifically designed for electric vehicles. This robust platform promises superior performance, an excellent driving range, and uncompromised safety features. MSIL plans to market the e Vitara through its premium Nexa channel, embodying values of innovation, sophistication, and premium customer experiences.
Suzuki Motor Corp president Toshihiro Suzuki addressed the gathering, emphasising the strategic approach to making BEVs appealing to consumers. “We are focusing on three main strategies: developing a dedicated BEV platform for optimal performance, evolving products tailored to meet customer needs, and leveraging our economies of scale through centralized manufacturing in India,” he stated, highlighting the alignment with prime minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” vision.
Maruti Suzuki India managing director & CEO Hisashi Takeuchi elaborated on the e Vitara’s technological features. “This SUV, equipped with an efficient 61kWh battery, can deliver ranges exceeding 500 kilometers on a single charge,” he said, adding that the car includes advanced capabilities such as Level 2 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and integrated digital displays for a seamless user experience.
In a bid to enhance electric vehicle adoption across India, MSIL introduced the ‘e for me’ initiative. “The goal is to create electric eco-solutions that cater to our customers’ needs,” Takeuchi explained.
This initiative includes smart home charging solutions with installation support, a plan for fast charging stations in over 100 cities, and the establishment of 1,500 EV-enabled service workshops nationwide. The company aims to ensure that customers can find a charging station every 5 to 10 kilometers in major urban areas.
The e Vitara will be gradually rolled out across Nexa dealerships, with a significant ambition to export the vehicle to over 100 countries, including major markets like Japan and Europe. This move reinforces MSIL’s commitment to position India as a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.
The design of the all-new e Vitara reflects Nexa’s signature “crafted futurism” philosophy, merging advanced technology with a sense of adventure. Its striking exterior features a bold stance, aerodynamic details, and advanced lighting systems, while the interior boasts a modern digital cockpit, premium sound system, and thoughtful amenities designed for passenger comfort.
Constructed with high-strength, high-tensile steel, the Heartect -e platform enhances structural integrity and passenger safety. The e Vitara also incorporates cutting-edge technology to optimise driving performance under varying conditions, with a driving experience enriched by multiple driving modes, including eco, normal, and sports.
Safety is paramount in the e Vitara , featuring standard seven airbags, electronic parking brakes, a tyre pressure monitoring system, and built-in Level 2 ADAS. The next gen Suzuki Connect offers over 60 advanced features, enabling remote vehicle controls and real-time updates via a user-friendly mobile application.
The e Vitara will be available in two battery options and a palette of 10 colors, including four dual-tone variants. As Maruti Suzuki embarks on this transformative journey, the introduction of the e Vitara signifies the company’s dedication to reshaping the future of India’s automotive landscape, delivering unmatched value and innovation to its customers.
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MS Dhoni joins Cars24’s Crashfree India as Goodwill Ambassador
Cricketing legend lends his voice to the fight against road fatalities in India.
MUMBAI: MS Dhoni has traded his cricket whites for a new kind of captaincy, one that aims to save lives on India’s roads. The former India captain has been appointed Goodwill Ambassador for Crashfree India, Cars24’s national road safety initiative. The move brings one of the country’s most trusted and disciplined public figures to a cause that desperately needs both credibility and urgency.
India continues to record the highest number of traffic fatalities globally. In 2024 alone, 1,80,000 people lost their lives on Indian roads, one every three minutes. The country has roughly 1% of the world’s vehicles but accounts for 11 per cent of global road deaths. Shockingly, 66 per cent of those killed were between 18 and 34 years old, the most productive age group, and nearly 10,000 were school students. Seven in ten fatalities were linked to overspeeding.
Dhoni, known for his calm judgment under pressure, did not mince words when speaking about the issue. “A vehicle gives you freedom, but it also gives you responsibility,” he said. “On our roads, too many people still see safety as a rule to follow only when someone is watching. That mindset has cost us far too much.”
He added: “We already know what is going wrong. We know how many lives are being lost. What we need now is not more excuses. We need more responsibility, more discipline, and more respect for life.”
For Cars24, the association goes beyond a celebrity endorsement. Founder and CEO Vikram Chopra described Dhoni’s involvement as a game-changer: “His understanding of Indian roads is grounded in lived experience. He holds us to a higher standard and his involvement challenges us to push this mission further.”
Crashfree India aims to shift the national conversation on road safety from reaction to prevention, from accepting deaths as routine to treating them as the urgent failure they are. With Dhoni on board, the initiative gains a powerful, trusted voice that transcends statistics and connects directly with millions of Indians.
In a country where dangerous driving is too often mistaken for confidence, Dhoni’s message is refreshingly clear: true strength lies in control, discipline, and respect for life. When one of India’s most respected captains decides to lead this fight, the conversation suddenly becomes much harder to ignore.
The roads just got a new captain. And this time, the goal is not to win a trophy but to save lives.
