Mahindra Reva Opens Purpose-Built EV Plant in Bangalore
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles has inaugurated a new Bangalore facility with a 30,000-unit annual capacity, aiming to advance electric mobility in India from September 2012.
Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles, the electric mobility subsidiary of Mahindra Group, has opened a dedicated electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Bangalore. The new facility, inaugurated in August 2012, is designed to produce up to 30,000 cars annually and is set to begin production in September.
The Bangalore plant is the first in India built from the ground up for electric vehicle assembly. Mahindra Reva, formed after Mahindra & Mahindra acquired a majority stake in Reva Electric Car Company in 2010, is positioning the new factory as a cornerstone of its commitment to clean and sustainable mobility. The company has outlined its approach using the '5 Cs': Clean, Convenient, Connected, Clever and Cost Effective.
Production capacity and technology focus
With an annual output target of 30,000 vehicles, the Bangalore site gives Mahindra Reva a significant boost in manufacturing scale compared to earlier operations. The company says the plant is designed for energy efficiency, with a third of its power requirement met by solar panels. It is also on track to achieve the Indian Green Building Council's platinum rating, reflecting its focus on sustainability.
Mahindra Reva's new facility is intended to serve as a model for low-energy, low-emissions automotive manufacturing in India. The company claims it will use less energy per vehicle produced than any other Indian car plant at the time of opening.
Mahindra's electric strategy
The opening of the Bangalore plant comes as Mahindra seeks to establish itself as a leader in India's emerging electric vehicle sector. Company executives have described electric vehicles as a viable alternative to conventional cars, and the new factory signals Mahindra's intention to scale up production and investment in this area.
What it means for Indian manufacturing
For the Indian automotive sector, Mahindra Reva's new Bangalore plant marks a step towards localised, large-scale electric vehicle production. The factory's design and energy use set a benchmark for future projects in the country, particularly in integrating renewable energy and efficient processes into automotive manufacturing.
Production at the new plant is scheduled to begin in September 2012, with Mahindra Reva aiming to supply both domestic and export markets from the site.
