EESL will acquire 9,500 electric vehicles in second phase of its massive fleet order; 500 EVs being delivered in first phase
Mahindra is enthusiastic about bidding for the second phase of massive electric vehicle fleet tender by EESL. The first phase is ending on 30th November, under which the government agency is acquiring 500 EVs, with 60% of it being supplied by Tata Motors and rest by Mahindra. EESL is expected to issue tender for the second phase in March or April next year, under which it will purchase 9,500 electric vehicles.
These electric vehicles will be leased to various government organisations and ministries. These will replace the petrol and diesel powered vehicles used by central government and its agencies over next 3-4 year period. The purchase of this massive EV fleet comes as part of Indian government’s Mission EV 2030, under which the country is about to adopt zero emission pure electric mobility by 2030.
Also read: Mahindra KUV100 Electric Version To Launch In Late 2018
Speaking about Mahindra’s participation in this project, it initially lost the bid to Tata Motors, as the latter one quoted lowest pricing. However, EESL awarded 40% of the total order to Mahindra on condition of matching Tata’s price quote of Rs. 10.16 lakh per EV (exclusive of GST).
Mahindra believes, this EV fleet order by EESL will boost its electric vehicle project and the automaker also aims to ramp up production of the zero emission models by 2019. Apart from the current EVs like e2o Plus, e-Verito and e-Supro, Mahindra is also working on new models like electric powered KUV100 and XUV500. While the KUV100 EV will launch here in late 2018, the electric powered XUV500 is expected to hit the market in 2019.
Also read: Upcoming Electric Cars in India in Coming Years
Mahindra is currently at the pole position of the Indian EV market and it wants to consolidate its position in coming years. The brand has already invested Rs. 500 crore in EV technology and it also plans to invest Rs. 600 crore more over next 2-3 years.