Mahindra & Mahindra, India’s second-largest SUV manufacturer, has made a significant move into the electric vehicle (EV) market by launching two new electric SUVs: the compact BE 6e and the luxurious XEV 9e. This strategic entry aims to challenge established players like Hyundai and Toyota in key market segments.
The new vehicles boast impressive specifications, with a driving range exceeding 500 kilometers (311 miles) on a single charge. Pricing is competitive, starting at approximately $22,500 for the BE 6e and $26,000 for the XEV 9e. The company is targeting the rapidly growing compact SUV market, which has seen nearly 20% growth in the first half of the current fiscal year.
Unlike current market leaders Hyundai’s Creta and Toyota’s Urban Cruiser Hyryder, which are primarily hybrid or petrol-powered, Mahindra’s fully electric offerings provide a unique value proposition. The company claims a competitive advantage in terms of running costs and believes these vehicles will create an entirely new category in the Indian automotive market.
While EVs currently represent only about 2% of India’s total car sales of 4 million units annually, the government has ambitious plans to increase this share to 30% by 2030. Mahindra is positioning itself strategically in this growing market, with plans to manufacture 90,000 units of these two models annually, scaling up to 200,000 units by March 2026.
The SUVs feature modern amenities, including plush interiors and an expansive touchscreen spanning from the driver to the front passenger. Mahindra has invested over $500 million in developing the new EV platform, with a total planned investment of nearly $2 billion between 2022 and 2027.
The company’s long-term EV strategy is ambitious: it aims to have EVs constitute at least 20% of its SUV sales by 2027 and plans to launch five additional electric models by 2030. These new vehicles represent Mahindra’s committed effort to establish a strong presence in India’s evolving electric vehicle market.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
