Chennai: India’s electric passenger vehicle (EPV) export story is entering a new phase, with Maruti Suzuki joining the EPV export club backed by strong global ambitions. Although overall EPV exports from India remain modest compared to conventional vehicles, Maruti’s entry is set to expand both volumes and geographic reach. Its first made-in-India electric SUV, the e Vitara, is already reaching advanced automotive markets even as the company prepares for its domestic retail launch. Maruti has exported close to 16,000 units of the e Vitara — manufactured exclusively at its Gujarat facility — to 36 countries since shipments began in August 2025, with Europe and Japan emerging as the primary destinations. Major markets include the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, France, Austria, Finland and Hungary, among others. Europe, with its mature EV ecosystem and stringent regulatory standards, accounts for the bulk of shipments, underscoring growing confidence in India’s EV manufacturing capabilities. “Market-specific positioning, customer communication and charging ecosystem partnerships are managed by Suzuki Motor Corporation and its local distributor network in each country,” a company spokesperson said. An industry analyst said Maruti Suzuki’s scale and global network could materially alter the export trajectory. The company’s strong overseas volumes within months — even before commencing retail sales in India — are providing early momentum to the country’s EPV export ambitions. Despite this progress, EPV shipments remain a small fraction of India’s total PV exports. Until recently, outbound volumes were largely limited to select emerging markets, with Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd (TPEML) accounting for much of the early momentum. Tata has exported nearly 10,000 electric cars and SUVs so far, including models such as the Tiago.ev, Punch.ev, Nexon.ev, Curvv.ev and Xpres-T, depending on market acceptance. “These vehicles have primarily been shipped to neighbouring and regional markets such as Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius and Sri Lanka,” said Balaje Rajan, chief strategy officer, TPEML. French carmaker Citroen, part of the Stellantis Group, is also exporting electric cars from India, though it declined to share shipment details. The company had earlier said its Chennai-built electric car ë-C3 was being shipped to ASEAN markets. Maruti aims to expand exports of the e Vitara to as many as 100 countries over time. Already India’s largest passenger vehicle exporter for five consecutive calendar years, the company has also emerged as the country’s leading exporter of electric cars.
