Catching Up With Partho Banerjee, Maruti's Senior Executive Officer Of Marketing And Sales On e Vitara And Plans Ahead

Maruti Suzuki has an interesting year ahead, as they plan to launch one of their most important products in recent time, i.e. the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, the brand's first EV for India!

We got a chance to interact with Partho San, Senior Executive Officer for Marketing and Sales from Maruti Suzuki to discuss their very important launch and the plans ahead.

Here's how it unfolded:

ZW: MSIL has long championed mobility for the masses. What does the launch of the e Vitara mean for the brand in terms of accessibility and aspiration in the EV space?

Partho San: The e Vitara marks a pivotal moment not just for Maruti Suzuki but for the broader Suzuki Group as we enter the era of electric mobility. As our first EV offering, it has been positioned as an aspirational, global product that reflects our commitment to cutting-edge technology, sustainability, and evolving customer expectations.

Our EV strategy follows a top-down approach, beginning with a premium SUV to establish strong technological credentials and deliver a best-in-class ownership experience. This enables us to set benchmarks in performance, safety, and reliability—core values our customers associate with the Maruti Suzuki brand.

At the same time, we are consciously laying the groundwork to democratise electric vehicle (EV) ownership over time. By localising production, investing in supplier ecosystems, and establishing a robust support infrastructure, we are working towards making electric mobility both desirable and practical for a broader cross-section of customers. With e Vitara, our focus is on delivering a holistic, worry-free EV experience.

ZW: Why was the e Vitara chosen as Maruti Suzuki’s first EV? What does it represent for the company and for Indian customers? 

Partho San: The choice of the e Vitara as our first electric offering is both strategic and customer centric. It reflects our deep understanding of Indian consumer preferences, where SUVs continue to lead market growth and customer aspiration. By entering the EV space through a premium SUV, we are able to introduce cutting-edge electric technology while expanding our presence in the SUV segment. For Indian customers, the e Vitara stands at the intersection of trust and innovation. It brings together proven Maruti Suzuki engineering with the promise of advanced EV technology.

ZW: How does Maruti Suzuki view the current state of EV charging infrastructure in India, both urban and rural? Is it a challenge or an opportunity? Also, do you see home charging as the primary solution for most e Vitara buyers? Or is there a vision to push public charging infrastructure around your dealer touchpoints and workshops?

Partho San: India’s EV charging landscape is evolving rapidly today, presenting both a challenge and a significant opportunity. As early EV adoption accelerates, we see strong potential to shape a reliable and future-ready charging ecosystem.

For most e Vitara buyers, we expect home charging to be the primary mode. However, we also recognise the growing need for dependable public charging to support intercity mobility and ease range-related concerns. To that end, Maruti Suzuki is enabling the rollout of fast-charging infrastructure in the top 100 cities, which currently account for the lion’s share of EV sales. In parallel, we are equipping over 1,500 service workshops across more than 1,000 cities to be EV-ready, leveraging our nationwide network to offer integrated solutions that combine charging access with Maruti Suzuki’s hallmark service experience.

This phased yet comprehensive approach ensures that e Vitara customers enjoy a seamless ownership journey while we contribute meaningfully to building India’s broader EV ecosystem.

ZW: Given the concerns around range anxiety and battery life, what steps is Maruti taking to educate customers and build trust in its EV tech? Will the e Vitara be marketed as a family SUV, a tech-forward vehicle, or as a cost-efficient urban EV?

Partho San: Our priority is to make the transition to electric mobility as seamless and reassuring as possible for our customers. With the e Vitara, we are focused on building trust through transparency, offering clear and credible communication on real-world range, fast-charging capabilities, and performance that has been extensively tested for Indian road and climate conditions.

To support this, we are investing in robust customer education initiatives through our extensive dealership network and digital platforms. We are also setting up dedicated EV experience zones at our dealerships where customers can engage with the technology, understand the charging ecosystem, and experience the e Vitara firsthand.

The e Vitara will be positioned as a modern, full-featured SUV that happens to be electric from the ground up, not as a compromise. It combines the familiarity of an SUV with the innovation of EV technology, making it a compelling choice for young and tech-savvy individuals.

ZW: Can you give us a sneak peek into the unique features or innovations the e Vitara and what kind of localisation levels can we expect for the e Vitara?

Partho San: The e Vitara is a sophisticated eBorn SUV meticulously engineered on the dedicated HEARTECT-e platform to deliver superior performance. It’s design philosophy masterfully integrates high-tech innovation with an adventurous spirit, manifested through bold, masculine styling, featuring R18 (18-inch) aerodynamic alloy wheels and a futuristic front fascia. The vehicle’s interior represents a pinnacle of technological and ergonomic design, featuring an immersive digital cockpit experience. An integrated digital display, complemented by a twin-deck floating console and a bespoke steering wheel, creates an environment that seamlessly blends functionality with premium aesthetics. Passenger comfort is elevated through meticulously designed seating configurations. Ventilated front seats and a best-in-segment 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat provide exceptional comfort. While the rear seating system offers unprecedented versatility with its 40:20:40 split configuration, ensuring adaptability across diverse requirements.

Safety remains a paramount consideration, and e Vitara is equipped with Level 2 ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System and a comprehensive suite of safety features, including standard seven airbags, all-disc brakes, electronic parking brake, tyre pressure monitoring system, and emergency call functionality. To ensure a seamless connected experience, the e Vitara is also equipped with Next Gen Suzuki Connect that comes with over 60 connected features.

As for localisation, it is central to our EV roadmap. India will serve as the global production base for the e Vitara, supported by a Rs. 3,200 crore investment in a dedicated 2.5 lakh unit EV manufacturing facility at our state-of-the-art Gujarat plant. This reflects our firm commitment to build a scalable EV ecosystem in India, for India and the world.

ZW: Do you see hybrids as a long-term bridge or more of a short-term transition? Will we see more strong hybrids in other MSIL segments? How will the coexistence of ICE, hybrids, and EVs play out in the MSIL portfolio over the next 5 years?

Partho San: Hybrids are both a bridge and a long-term solution for India’s diverse market. For the next five years, we see a strong coexistence of ICE, hybrids, and EVs in our portfolio. Our strong hybrid technology offers customers a balance of performance and sustainability. This multi-technology strategy is our way of ensuring no customer is left behind in the green mobility transition.

ZW: By when can we expect EVs to form a significant part of MSIL’s total sales volume? Do you have a target year or milestone in mind?

Partho San: In a country as diverse and complex as India, we believe a multi-powertrain strategy is essential for an inclusive and pragmatic transition towards carbon neutrality. At Maruti Suzuki, we remain committed to advancing electric vehicles while continuing to strengthen our portfolio across strong hybrids, efficient internal combustion engines including CNG and biofuels. 
When it comes to EVs specifically, our approach is to help shape it responsibly. This means aligning our EV rollout with the readiness of the ecosystem and most importantly, building long-term customer confidence. Over the second half of this decade, we expect EVs to account for a meaningful share of our portfolio.

Conclusion

The e Vitara marks a significant milestone for Maruti Suzuki, not just as its first electric offering, but as a reflection of how the country’s largest carmaker is choosing to approach a changing automotive landscape. Rather than jumping headfirst into mass-market electrification, MSIL seems to be opting for a measured, top-down strategy: starting with a premium SUV to build credibility, invest in infrastructure, and test the waters before scaling down.

This approach aligns with the broader reality of India’s EV ecosystem, where charging access, affordability, and consumer trust still present very real challenges. At the same time, the e Vitara’s debut signals a shift in Maruti Suzuki’s positioning. It’s a step into more tech-forward, aspirational territory, perhaps aimed as much at global markets as domestic ones.

Of course, the success of the e Vitara won’t just hinge on specs or design, it will depend on how effectively the company can build confidence in its EV tech and support systems. With localisation, dealer training, and charging infrastructure in the mix, the building blocks are being laid. But whether this SUV can lead the charge, or simply start the conversation, remains to be seen.

Are you excited for Maruti's first electric SUV, the e Vitara? Let us know in the comments below!