PM Modi flags off Maruti Suzuki's first e-Vitara, company's first global EV open for exports to 100+ countries

Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off Maruti Suzuki's e-Vitara from the company's Hansalpur plant in Gujarat on Tuesday. He also inaugurated the next phase of a plant to produce hybrid battery electrodes on the second day of his visit to the state. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was also present at the event.

Suzuki's Gujarat project is a big leap towards the Make in India target. Maruti Suzuki is the face of Make in India, PM Modi said at the inaugural event.

"On the occasion of Ganesh Utsav, a new chapter is being added to the Make in India yatra. ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ is a big leap in that journey. From today, electric vehicles made in Bharat will be exported to 100 countries," he said.


The prime minister also noted that exporting India-made cars to Japan shows trust global companies have in the country.

In a post on social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter), he said, "Today is a special day in India’s quest for self-reliance and being a hub for green mobility."

Also read: Suzuki pledges Rs 70,000 cr investment in India over next 5-6 years

e-Vitara is the company's first global strategic Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) which will be exported to more than one hundred countries, including advanced markets such as Europe and Japan, making India Suzuki’s global manufacturing hub for electric vehicles.


PM Modi also inaugurated the local production of hybrid battery electrodes at TDS Lithium-Ion Battery plant in the state. The plant is a joint venture of Toshiba, Denso and Suzuki.

"We all know that the most critical part of the EV ecosystem is the battery. Until a few years ago, batteries were entirely imported. To strengthen EV manufacturing, it was essential for India to also produce batteries. With this vision, we laid the foundation of the TDSG battery plant here in 2017," he said.

This development ensures that more than eighty percent of the battery value will now be manufactured within India, the government said in a release. These initiatives underscore India’s emergence as a global hub for green mobility while advancing Prime Minister’s commitment to Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat, it mentioned.