Mahindra Expands India’s EV Market With Launch of New Seven-Seater Electric SUV
Bengaluru – Mahindra has intensified its electric vehicle strategy with the launch of a new seven-seater electric SUV priced from around 2 million rupees, signaling a strong push to secure a larger position in a fast-growing segment where competition has been rising steadily across India.
The introduction of the new model, named the XEV 9S, arrives at a time when battery-powered vehicles are gaining momentum nationwide, supported by policy incentives, improving consumer acceptance, and increasing interest from automakers eager to meet the country’s evolving mobility expectations.
Industry data shows that sales of electric cars in India have crossed 100,000 units so far this year, marking a sharp rise from the previous year’s total of just over 23,000 units, reinforcing expectations that the country’s EV transition is beginning to gather real traction.
Mahindra plans to invest about 20 billion rupees specifically into the development and rollout of the XEV 9S and a new edition of its BE 6 electric model, forming part of a broader 160-billion rupee investment commitment aimed at creating electric origin SUVs developed independently of existing petrol-based platforms.
According to the company, the XEV 9S lineup includes six variants designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers, with the top model priced at around $33,000 and offering a driving range of up to 500 kilometers, along with a mix of premium features aimed at families seeking larger capacity EV options.
Bookings for the new SUV are set to begin on January 14, with deliveries starting from January 23, a timeline that positions Mahindra to capture early-year demand and respond to the increasing preference for longer-range and higher-seating electric vehicles in urban and semi-urban markets.
Analysts note that the model could reshape the limited seven-seater EV category in India, with some estimating that Mahindra could redirect between 5,000 and 10,000 annual sales from competing models, especially as the segment currently offers only a few large-format electric SUVs.
The company, which is the second-largest SUV manufacturer in India by volume, has stated its intention for electric vehicles to represent at least 20 percent of its total SUV sales by the 2027 financial year, reflecting a key strategic shift toward future-ready mobility solutions.
Data presented at the launch event indicates that Mahindra sold more than 30,000 electric SUVs between March and October this year, highlighting growing interest in its EV portfolio as consumers increasingly prioritize sustainability, lower running costs, and next-generation vehicle technologies.
Production of its earlier EV models—such as the XEV 9E and BE 6—is currently in the range of 4,000 to 5,000 units per month, and the company aims to double its EV manufacturing capacity starting from April 2026, signaling confidence in long-term demand projections.
Market analysts say that electric vehicles are attracting a new set of customers to Mahindra, with reports that around 80 percent of EV buyers are first-time consumers of the brand, a trend that could offer substantial long-term benefits as the company scales its portfolio.
Competition within India’s EV space remains strong, with Tata Motors continuing to lead the market through a lineup of six electric models, including affordable entry-level options such as the Tiago EV priced from about $8,950 and larger SUVs like the Harrier starting from around $24,000.
Hyundai Motor India is also expanding its EV offerings through models under the Creta EV and IONIQ series, while other global and domestic automakers continue to explore opportunities supported by India’s rapidly evolving policy framework and consumer behavior.
Electric vehicles currently account for roughly 2 to 3 percent of India’s total passenger vehicle sales, with adoption limited mainly by high upfront costs and inconsistent charging infrastructure across cities and highways, though ongoing investment aims to improve accessibility.
The government’s long-term goal of achieving 30 percent EV penetration by 2030 continues to be a major driver for industry expansion, with automakers such as Mahindra positioning their portfolios to meet anticipated shifts in consumer demand, technological capability, and environmental priorities.
