Electric "Maxximo' plans to come in Oct 2010 , says M&M

At the Auto Expo 2010, the electric variant of Mahindra's mini-truck Maxximo was unveiled. It will find competition in the soon-to-be-launched electric variant of Tata Motors' one-tonner Ace.

The two-cylinder diesel mini truck Maxximo has a payload capacity of 850 kilograms, although its electric variant will have lesser capacity of around 600 kilograms.

To this, President, automotive division of Mahindra, Pawan Goenka said, "Electric Maxximo will be as practical as any other commercial vehicle of its size. It has the capacity of going up to 90 kilometers per full charge of 8 hours. The savings will be high on this vehicle, but it will depend on the price per unit of electricity in different states."

Though not very large in terms of volumes currently, electric vehicles market including two-wheelers, passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles is all set to grow in double digits with rising fuel prices, increasing urbanisation, low-cost of ownership and low maintenance cost.

India has seen many leading manufacturers including Ultra Motor, Hero group, TVS, Tube Investments of India, Atlas and the Lohia group launching or planning to launch electric vehicles, in addition to Reva, Tata Motors and General Motors.

As per the media sources, the launching of an electric scooter is also high on M&M's agenda. "We are certainly looking at them. We will start working upon them in sometime soon," said Goenka.