Suzuki to test 50 e-vehicles in India next month, plans launch in 2020

Japanese auto major Suzuki Motor Corporation plans to start road tests of its electric vehicles (EVs) in India next month as a precursor to launch of EV in 2020, its chairman Osamu Suzuki said Friday.

Suzuki said the company has decided to launch Electric Vehicles in India around 2020 in cooperation with Toyota Motor Corporation.

It will commence production of lithium-ion batteries, used in electric-vehicles, at its Gujarat plant in 2020.

"I am pleased to announce today that we will start road running test using fleet of 50 EV prototype vehicles in India from next month for developing safe and easy-to-use EV for Indian customers in line with Indian climatic and traffic conditions," Osamu Suzuki said at the Global Mobility Summit 'MOVE' in New Delhi.

For increasing the penetration of EVs in India, it is obvious that it cannot be done without sufficient charging infrastructure development, he noted.

"In this regard, we look forward to proactive leadership from the Government of India," Suzuki said.