Mahindra to take aim at Hyundai Kona Electric with XUV300-based EV

An all-electric version of the Mahindra XUV300 (codename: S210) is in the works, and latest details of its powertrain with us suggest it will have the numbers to take on the Hyundai Kona Electric. The Mahindra will be powered by a near 130hp electric motor that will draw juice from a 40kWh battery pack. The car will have a range of 300km and come with DC fast-charging capabilities.

Interestingly, this configuration will be the high performance version of the powertrain. In the past, Dr Pawan Goenka, managing director, M&M had said that there may be two battery packs on offer with the S210. “One version will be more of an object of desire with higher kWh, one version that will be more an object of mobility, perhaps more for commuting experience.” Goenka had said. The S210 will also be the first product with battery cells developed exclusively for India applications by LG Chem, a Korean manufacturer of batteries that has been collaborating with Mahindra in the field of advanced lithium ion battery technology.

In the higher-spec versions, the Mahindra’s numbers will closely match those of the Kona Electric. The Hyundai comes with a 39.2Kwh battery pack that provides an ARAI-rated 452km of range, a 136hp/395Nm electric motor, and a fast-charging option that allows a 50kW DC fast charger to bring the battery up to 80 percent in 57 minutes.

The Mahindra XUV300 EV will be smaller than the Kona Electric, and will be significantly more affordable as well. The Mahindra’s sub-4 metre length will qualify it for tax sops on small vehicles. The 4,180mm-long Hyundai Kona Electric, is an altogether larger, roomier and pricier car. At present, the Kona Electric retails at Rs 23.72 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India). The Hyundai EV made a compelling case for itself as a proper (if expensive) urban runabout in our review.

Mahindra had confirmed just last month that the all-electric XUV300 will be preceded by the KUV100 EV, and be followed by a Mahindra-badged electric version of the Ford Aspire, which is likely to launch in 2021 launch. Rivals for the Mahindra XUV300 EV will also come in the form of the Tata Nexon Electric.

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