As part of the Indian government’s National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP), Mahindra has announced the launch of the first pilot EV project. As part of this, four battery-powered Mahindra Maxximos were provided to the Agra Development Authority, and will be used along the Taj Zero Emission Corridor.

The electric vehicle pilot project was flagged off by Rajan Katoch, secretary, Ministry of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India, in the presence of Chetan Maini, CEO, Mahindra Reva. This is the first such project under the central government’s NEMMP. The Maxximo electric vans will initially be used to ferry tourists to the Taj Mahal. Mahindra will also provide charging stations, technical assistance, spare parts and additional service support for this project.

The Maxximo Electric Van is an eight-seater, zero-emission, mini-van powered by lithium-ion batteries. It is capable of covering 100km on a single charge, and has an electronically-limited top speed of 65kph.

Unveiled in January 2013, the NEMMP lays out a detailed and comprehensive roadmap for electrification of the road transport sector in India. Expected to be implemented in the coming months, it aims to grow sales of electric vehicles to six-seven million units a year by 2020 and includes direct subsidies for the purchase of both four- and two-wheeled electric vehicles.