On India’s 75th independence anniversary, Mahindra and Mahindra announced its entry into electric vehicles (EVs). Taking inspiration from its Formula E division, M&M has unveiled five EVs that will be sold under two brand names.
The carmaker has revealed three products under the BE brand, including the BE.05, BE.07, and BE.09, while the Electrifies Twin Peak products will use the 'XUV' name tag with two models, the XUVe8 and XUVe9.
Interestingly, each EV will follow M&M’s EV-specific design language called HEARTCORE Design while underpinning its latest EV skateboard platform, INGLO, with a semi-active suspension system.
Alongside, M&M has also integrated a structural gauge around the passenger cell for improved vehicle safety. The new platform is said to be modular and scalable in nature and can handle different SUV body styles, including varying lengths and widths.
Moreover, M&M announced that the platform will feature battery capacity between 60kWh to 80kWh while having 175kW fast charging capabilities helping the vehicle to get the batteries 80% full in 30 minutes.
Interestingly, the lithium-ion LFP battery packs are said to feature two different cell architectures: blade and prismatic, R Veluswamy, Senior Vice President, Mahindra Rise, confirmed.
In terms of power generation, the products will also come with an integrated EV engine with motor, transmission and inverter integrated into one unit.
The new EVs will get an option for RWD with 170kW power and all-wheel drive with 250kW of power new terrain response system along with thrust mode. M&M claims that the products are capable of reaching 100 kmph from a standstill in under six seconds.
Veluswamy further said that the products will feature break-by-wire technology for multiple regenerative braking systems while having 5.5RRC tyres and zero drag wheel bearings for the low drag coefficient.
Speaking of technology, Veejay Nakra, President-Automotive Division, Mahindra Rise, said that the new EVs will come with five radar one vision ADAS capabilities with Level-2 autonomy.
Further, Veluswany said these products will come with three high-performance integrated computational platforms for microservices, embedded 5G network capability, OTA capabilities, and dual octacore HD resolution edge-to-edge vista screen. Additionally, these vehicles will support household appliances too.
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, earlier, while sharing the Q1FY23 financial results, confirmed that the first EV product from the stable of Mahindra will be the XUV400 which is expected to be unveiled in September.
Making Of The Mahindra BEVs
In July 2022, the UK's Development Finance Institution and Mahindra & Mahindra announced a binding agreement to invest up to INR 3,850 crore in a newly incorporated wholly-owned subsidiary of M&M ('EV Co.') that will focus on four-wheeler passenger vehicles.
Under the agreement, the British finance institution has announced to invest up to INR 1,925 crore in the form of compulsory convertible instruments at a valuation of up to INR 70,070 crore, resulting in 2.75% to 4.76% ownership for BII in the EV Co.
M&M had noted that the total capital infusion for the EV Co is envisaged to be approximately INR 8,000 crore between FY24 and FY27 for the planned product portfolio.
The funds will be utilised primarily to create and market a world-class electric SUV portfolio with advanced technologies, M&M added.
Jejurikar stated that Mahindra and Mahindra expect 20-30% of its SUVs to be electric by 2027. Additionally, the carmaker aims to retail 200,000 EVs by 2027 and expects a majority of these sales to happen in India.