M&M plans cheaper e-cars

New Delhi, March 6: Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is focusing on developing three or four electric vehicles in the `8-10 lakh price bracket as it aims to bring in models that are affordable for masses and help in reducing air pollution.

The auto major, however, has not ruled out an electric SUV and may bring out a model in the next three to four years based on group firm Pininfarina’s design inputs. “We are focusing heavily on vehicles that can go into the Olas and Ubers and become the prime mover for the masses in the commercial segment, in the personal mobility segment, in the aggregators, that is our prime focus,” said M&M managing director Pawan Goenka.

The company’s focus currently is to bring 3-4 affordable electric vehicles which will be more of “`8-10 lakh kinds”, he added.

Elaborating for developing easy-to-own electric vehicles, Mr Goenka said pollution could be reduced only if more and more people are able to buy electric vehicles.

“Globally, people are working on electric vehicles that are high performance, high powered and sell at a significant premium over petrol and diesel vehicles. The view that we have taken is the reason we want to do electric vehicles is to help clean the environment which means that it has to be mass affordable, it cannot be a niche segment,” he explained. — PTI