Maruti Suzuki’s Bhargava urges fuel-based taxes, cautious on domestic EV rollout

Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, said that vehicle taxation should be based on fuel consumption and pollution levels.He added that the government should provide incentives for low-emission technologies, including hybrids, electric vehicles (EVs), and CNG vehicles.

Bhargava said the company is hesitant to commit to a large number of EVs in the domestic market due to the high cost of importing batteries.

His comments come after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated two projects at Maruti Suzuki’s Hansalpur plant in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, on Tuesday. The event was attended by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Japan’s Ambassador to India, Keiichi Ono.Toshihiro Suzuki, President of Suzuki Motor Corporation, at the event, said the e-Vitara will be exported to over 100 countries, including Japan and Europe. He added that the lithium-ion battery plant uses mostly local components, with only raw materials and some semiconductor parts imported from Japan.

Maruti Suzuki plans to produce 67,000 e-Vitara units in FY 2026, mostly for export. The SUV comes in two battery options, 49 kWh and 61 kWh, offering ranges of 346 km and 428 km for single-motor, 2WD models. A dual-motor 4WD version is available in the UK with up to 412 km range.

Maruti Suzuki plans four EV launches by the end of the decade and will use a multi-powertrain strategy, including electric, strong hybrid, ethanol flex fuel, and compressed biogas.

Also Read: PM Modi flags off Maruti Suzuki’s first global EV, inaugurates lithium-ion battery facility in Gujarat