M&M launches electric vehicle for cargo, passengers

Automobile major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) on Thursday launched the country's first zero emission electric cargo and passenger vans, eSupro, at a price of Rs 8.45-8.75 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Prices in other states will depend on local taxes and subsidies.

The company has tied up with online grocery retailer Big Basket to deliver fifty cargo vehicles initially. "The retail market is getting reorganised with the advent of e-commerce grocery business. We believe these are the right products for last-mile delivery," said Pravin Shah, president and chief executive (automotive) at M&M.

The two vehicles launched on Thursday are targeted at intra-city transportation of goods and passengers. Running on rechargeable lithium ion battery, both the vehicles will run for 112 kilometre upon full charge. The company said that the operating cost of both these vehicles will be less than half as that of vehicles which run on fossil fuels.