Mahindra Invests Rs 500 Crore to Boost EV Infrastructure in Tamil Nadu

1 Aug 2023 , 12:44 PM

Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) invests over Rs 500 crore in Tamil Nadu to strengthen its EV infrastructure and accelerate electric SUV development.

The company established an EV battery test lab with an investment of Rs 210 crore at Mahindra Research Valley, inaugurated by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin.

The lab will test EV batteries for safety-critical driving situations and vehicle safety, allowing tests at temperatures ranging from -40 to 80°C.

Mahindra is investing Rs 290 crore to set up an EV crash test unit at the Mahindra SUV Proving Track (MSPT) in Cheyyar. Electric vehicles require different crash test procedures and standards due to potential fire risks from traction batteries. The EV crash test unit is expected to be operational by January 2024.

Mahindra also invests about Rs 12 crore in its Software Defined Vehicle Centre in Coimbatore. The company plans to launch at least five electric SUVs under the new EV platform INGLO.

Mahindra’s first electric SUV, XUV400, with a 39.4 kWh battery pack and a range of 456 km, was unveiled in September 2022. Deliveries started in March 2023, with an order book of 20,000 units and over 3,000 units sold as of May this year, according to management statements.