Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) plans to unveil its e-autorickshaw by the fourth quarter of this financial year, said Sirish Batchu, head of advanced technology.
“Electric technology should be simplified,” Mr. Batchu said at a conference on mobility in the city on Thursday. “It is much more efficient and its green footprint is beneficial. Electric technology is at a tipping point. Carmakers are electrifying their entire fleet.”
Observing that EV technology was benefiting from government backing, Mr. Batchu said, while the policy environment was now positive it also needed to be consistent. “States, such as Karnataka, are looking at it. By the fourth quarter, we will also launch our driverless tractor.”
Mahindra was in talks with “several institutions” to sell its e-auto, he said. “There are several pilot projects which are going on and I cannot reveal the names of [the] institutions with whom we are talking.”
Retail foray
“To get into retail, we have to go through a lot of legal procedures. That will be the next phase,” he said. To start a greenfield project for electric vehicles requires a 3-4 year time period, he added.
“It will be better to identify the existing platforms that can be electrified. One will also have to keep in mind the return on investment. So, the debate is on pure electric platforms or conversion of existing platforms,” Mr. Batchu noted.