Mahindra to launch Verito EV by next year

Mahindra launched the Mahindra Verito Vibe in Mumbai yesterday. While the car will be launched in a few more cities in the upcoming days, Mr. Pawan Goenka, president of the Automotive and Farm Equipment sector, Mahindra, told the media that there would be one more launch on the Verito platform next year.

Indian Autos Blog already knows what that launch is. It's the Verito EV that was showcased at the 2012 Auto Expo in Delhi (as the Logan EV). What's more, we even spoke to Mr. Chetan Maini, Founder and Chief of Strategy, Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles. Here's what Mr. Maini said when asked about the electric Verito -

The Verito EV (Logan EV) was showcased and it will probably be out next year.

Maini believes that electric vehicles have a good future, even in India. He is certain that the people's thinking of an electric vehicle will see a positive shift and that improving technology in the EV's and sky-rocketing fuel prices will play a crucial role in the future.

The Verito EV was shown with a 72V Lithium-ion battery pack which could be charged within 6 hours. A 29KW AC motor transmits the power through a single-speed transmission. A top speed of 86km/h and a 100km range was being claimed. The car had four driving modes: reverse, forwards, neutral and boost.

This comes at a time where the Government of India hopes that by 2020, 17.8%-18.9% of the vehicles in India would be hybrid or pure electric vehicles. If the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) is implemented, expect to see the Verito EV compete with the Toyota Etios hybrid, which is also being given due consideration.