Mahindra e2o: Indian Electric Car to Break Cover in UK

Eyeing tax benefits for electric vehicles in the United Kingdom, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles will soon launch the small eco-friendly car e2o in London soon, possibly within a month. A sport variant of the car, from the Mahindra & Mahindra conglomerate, was revealed in India at the Auto Expo in Greater Noida earlier this month. 

Putting a stamp of confirmation on this export project, Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (automotive), M&M, said, to a website, “We are ready with the product. We plan to launch the Mahindra e2o in many European markets in the next few months, starting with London very soon.”  

Various other electric vehicle manufacturers enjoy vast tax benefits and incentives in the Queen’s land, and M&M’s new move too is encouraged by the same. “We will get the support and incentives as enjoyed by the other EV makers in the UK. We plan to distribute the e2o on our own,” Shah added.

Powered by a 48V maintenance-free lithium-ion battery pack that provides charge to the three-phase induction motor, the e2o will also be exported to European markets in a few months. Back in 2004, the car was sold as the G-Wiz in the UK, in its Reva avatar. 

Launched in 2013, the e2o had replaced the Indian manufacturer’s Reva electric car, but has not enjoyed substantial success in the Indian markets. Though the Bengaluru-manufactured car has seen prices drop to Rs 1,55,000 following the Indian government’s announcement of the FAME scheme.

“For us the biggest concern is that EVs continue to be expensive due to the high cost of batteries and other components. A breakthrough is required to bring down the overall costs of EVs, and we can be certain that this will happen. The challenge is how to convince the consumer that EVs are good for them, not only from an environment viewpoint, but also from the aspect of financial prudence,” said Shah.