On the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, Mahindra, the country’s premier maker of utility vehicles, has announced a major electric vehicle (EV) initiative. It has outlined plans to launch four electric SUVs between December 2024 and October 2026 while the rollout date for the fifth is yet to be announced.
While the company was an early mover in this space having bought Reva and rolled out EVs, it is currently trailing Tata Motors by a significant margin. It has, however, been gathering valuable experience with EVs as it has been the consistently participating in the Formula E championships for quite a few years now. And it is about time it put its knowledge into vehicles that people can buy in its showrooms.
All the five vehicles would be built of the company’s new INGLO platform that has been designed for compactness, light weight and high energy density. Going by the specs it should not only give vehicles built on it decent driving range but also performance. Mahindra says 0-100kmph should take 5-6 seconds. Plus 80 per cent recharge is being claimed at sub-30 minutes.
There will be two lines of battery EVs. The first will be a continuation of the XUV moniker but with an ‘e’ inserted for electric — XUV.e8 and XUV.e9. Then there’s going to be another whole bunch that will be called BE — BE.05, BE.07 and BE.09 as of now. Both lines look quite distinctive with their Tonka toy meets stealth bomber looks that could be divisive.
What Mahindra seems to be betting on heavily are the technology, essentially the flexibility of the INGLO platform in its ability to be the basis for different kinds of vehicles. Speaking of which, Mahindra seems to be giving the hot-selling compact (sub-4m) SUV segment a pass and going straight for the midsize (think Hyundai Creta) and big (think Toyota Fortuner) segments of the market. And if this is the entire EV pipeline, then there will be nothing small till at least 2027.
One thing is for sure though, this does seem like one exciting bunch of SUVs to look forward to.
Pictures courtesy Mahindra
MAHINDRA’S EV PIPELINE
1. BE.05
Launch: October 2025
Based on: INGLO Platform
LxWxH (mm): 4,370 x 1,900 x 1,635 mm
Wheelbase (mm): 2,775 mm
The promise: A true standout. It is being billed as a Sports Electric Vehicle (SEV), making it a category in itself. It would have a bold racing-inspired design that would be complemented by multi-sensory experiences.
2. BE.07
Launch: October 2026
Based on: INGLO Platform
LxWxH (mm): 4,565 x 1,900 x 1,660
Wheelbase (mm): 2,775
The promise: A family space to explore the places you love with the people you love. It is being designed to offer a first-class experience, with versatility, configurable profiles and curated multi-sensory experiences.
3. BE.09
Launch: TBC
Based on: INGLO Platform
Dimensions: TBC
The promise: A head turning SUV grand tourer with a chiselled design, dynamic roof and solid stance. Allowing four passengers a first-class experience.
4. XUV.e8
Launch: December 2024
Based on: INGLO Platform
LxWxH (mm): 4,740 x 1,900 x 1,760
Wheelbase (mm): 2,762
The promise: A combination of performance, best-in-class technology and safety. The intelligent all-wheel drive system along with sophisticated cabin to offer supreme ride comfort both on and off the road.
5. XUV.e9
Launch: April 2025
Based on: INGLO Platform
LxWxH (mm): 4,790 x 1,905 x 1,690
Wheelbase (mm): 2,775
The promise: A modern design with the strengths of an authentic SUV combined with the aerodynamic silhouette of a coupe. Intelligent interiors highlighted by a panoramic sky roof.