Maruti Suzuki and Toyota Confirm Their First EVs For India

Maruti Suzuki and Toyota are among the backbenchers when it comes to the EV race in India. The duo has remained silent as the competition is heading towards rapid electrification. That all is now changing as the duo are planning to bring forth a midsize SUV as their first electric vehicle. Unlike the Baleno-Glanza and Brezza-Urban Cruiser badge engineering exercises, each brand will have its own distinctive styling for this all-electric SUV.

Designed not just for India but as a global car, Suzuki and Toyota have big plans for exporting the model. As such, it will be manufactured in Suzuki’s Gujarat plant for India as well as international markets.

The Maruti Suzuki version (codename: YY8) will sport a new design language that is expected to be futuristic and radically different from the current lineup of cars. The YY8 is being developed in both two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations. It’s not clear if the all-wheel-drive version of the YY8 will be offered in the domestic market or is mainly for exports. On the other hand, the Toyota derivative is likely to be launched in India with both two-wheel and all-wheel drive options.

The YY8 will be based on the 27PL platform, a skateboard architecture meant for small electric vehicles, derived from Toyota’s 40PL global platform. Considering the packaging freedom offered by such a born electric architecture – something that both Maruti Suzuki and Toyota will take full advantage of the interiors of the YY8 are likely to be revolutionary.  The Maruti Suzuki YY8 and its Toyota equivalent are likely to launch in India by 2025.