Skoda India is planning to launch a new electric car in the Indian market. The mass-market EV is expected to be priced under Rs 20 lakh.
CarandBike reports that Skoda Auto is all set to launch a new entry-level electric car in India. It is expected to be priced under Rs 20 Lakh. This means that the new model will have the Tata Nexon EV and the Mahindra XUV400 in its crosshairs. The upcoming model is bound to attract budget-conscious customers who are looking for sustainable options with low running costs. It will give the Czech automaker an early mover advantage in the Indian market. Recently, a Skoda official revealed that the company plans to focus on affordable options that can also generate profit. It could be launched in partnership with other brands in India. Let’s take a closer look.
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In recent years, there has been a huge growth in the EV market. An affordable electric car be a game-changer in a price-sensitive market like India. Skoda believes that it is a perfect time to bring an entry-level EV. “We have to come to India with an entry-level BEV. We will now be bringing Enyaq, which is a premium car, but an entry-level BEV or a more affordable BEV than Enyaq is a necessity for us in India,” said Martin Jahn, Board Member for Sales and Marketing at Skoda Auto in an interview.
Cost Challenges For Skoda Electric Car (Tata Nexon EV Rival)
The Volkswagen Group-owned company is also looking to partner with other brands to develop cost-effective EVs. “For the entry-level EV’s architecture, we are exploring possibilities; it could be either MEB adjusted [modified] or it could be in cooperation with another partner,” added Martin Jahn. Several reports suggest that it might partner with Mahindra to bring economical electric cars to the Indian market. While specific details are yet to be revealed, Skoda is expected to use the Mahindra’s INGLO architecture.
Additionally, the upcoming car might be based on Volkswagen Group’s MEB21F platform to lower production costs. The efficient platform can accommodate batteries with capacities over 50 kWh. Along with, efficient cooling systems, the MEB21F platform uses shorter wiring harnesses. It also enables the company to use various battery chemistries to cater to varied consumer needs. Skoda faces several challenges in terms of battery pricing as well. “The most important issue is actually the battery price, the battery cell, and the battery package. That is the factor that influences the price of the EV the most,” said Martin Jahn.
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What We Think
Skoda is expected to bring the new EV in the next 2-3 years. The company has not revealed an exact timeline as yet. Clearly, Skoda hopes that the demand for electric cars will be enough to market and sell a mass-market electric car. Many brands are planning to bring more affordable EVs to India. This includes Tata Motors, Mahindra, and Maruti Suzuki. The upcoming Skoda EV’ is likely to feature an’s SUV body style, which will help it take on the likes of Tata Nexon EV. More details are likely to emerge in the coming days.
