Mahindra, Tata Motors to deploy 1,000 EVs each in Maharashtra

Mahindra and Tata Motors today announced that they will supply 1,000 electric vehicles each to the Maharashtra government as a part of the government's efforts to boost electric vehicle (EV) mobility in the state.

The Maharashtra government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with both the carmakers today for deployment of electric vehicles. Under the MoU, the electric vehicles deployed by Mahindra will be used by various fleet partners, taxi aggregators, logistics companies, amongst others.

Mahindra further signed another MoU with the Maharashtra government, under which the company pledged to invest an additional Rs 500 crore in its Chakan plant for manufacture of EVs, e-motors, controller, battery pack and other electric vehicle components.

Meanwhile, Tata Motors announced that it will facilitate setting up of EV charging stations in Maharashtra in partnership with its group company, Tata Power Ltd. India’s largest integrated power company, Tata Power, set up Mumbai’s first electric vehicle charging station in Vikhroli last year followed by two more locations in January 2018. The company has set up EV charging stations at nine new places, taking the total count to 12. 

Marking the first deployment of EVs under the pact with the government, Mahindra today supplied 25 Mahindra e2oPlus vehicles to self-drive car rental major, Zoomcar, in Mumbai, while government body Energy Efficiency Services Ltd (EESL) delivered five Tata Tigor EVs to the Maharashtra government.

EESL has procured 250 eTigors and 150 e-Veritos from Tata Motors and Mahindra, respectively, under Phase I of the tender to procure electric vehicles for government use. The tender was floated last year for 10,000 EV units, and EESL plans to roll out the remaining EVs by March 2019.

"We are excited to join forces with the Government of Maharashtra towards their vision e-mobility in India. With Tigor EV, we have begun our journey in boosting e-mobility and will offer a full range of electric vehicles to the Indian customers," Guenter Butschek, CEO & MD, Tata Motors said in a company statement.