Maruti Suzuki WagonR EV ready for 2020 launch: Check expected price, other features

Maruti Suzuki's all-electric WagonR EV, which is said to be launched in India by next year, is likely to come under the price tag of Rs 7 lakh. This will include the subsidies proposed for all electric and hybrid vehicles under the FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric) scheme, said an AutoCar report.

Citing sources, the report said the vehicle's on-road price, with all the subsidies, should be around Rs 7.5 lakh mark, considering the current subsidy structure. Since FAME 2 is expected to be in the near future, WagonR EV may also witness price revision by the time of launch. 

Suzuki WagonR EV could get a subsidy of about Rs 1.24–1.38 lakh, according to current structure, said the report, adding that this will most probably change if FAME 2 proposals are implemented.

According to the report, Maruti's WagonR EV was initially expected to come at a price of Rs 10 lakh, and with 25 per cent reduction in cost, along with overall range of over 200 kilometres on a single charge, would the new EV a big boost in the country. It would also proved to be a benchmark for new electric cars in India.

So far, there is no clarity if the car will have fast charge capabilities. This facility would charge the car's battery to 80 per cent in about 40 minutes through new DC fast chargers, which are expected to be installed across the country soon, according to the report.

This Maruti WagonR EV will give a tough competition to Mahindra e2o. Since the e2o will reportedly be discontinued later this year, the Maruti EV is likley to be the only affordable option in India.

The new Maruti EV would be spacious, rivalling features of standard petrol-powered version. The vehicle is said to be extensively being tested around the country. 

Notably, the WagonR EV will come packed with the latest infotainment features including a touchscreen infotainment with the updated user interface along with smartphone connectivity options like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

According to the government statement, the Phase-II of the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME-India) Scheme proposes to give a push to electric vehicles (EVs) in public transport and seeks to encourage adoption of EVs by way of market creation and demand aggregation. 

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The draft scheme envisages the holistic growth of EV industry, including providing for charging infrastructure, research and development of EV technologies and push towards greater indigenization.