The company’s next big leap in electric mobility is shaped by real customer stories and everyday Indian realities—revealing that an SUV here is more than a body style; it’s a state of mind.
By T. Murrali
Mahindra’s electric SUV journey has already rewritten the playbook for India’s EV market as its current E-SUVs have clocked more than 200 million kilometres. According to Mr. R. Velusamy, President – Automotive Business, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. and Managing Director, Mahindra Electric Automobile Ltd., two-thirds of owners drive their vehicles at least 20 days a month—proof that these EVs have moved beyond curiosity and become a part of daily life. More than 9,000 customers have even covered 400 kilometres in a single day, validating Mahindra’s promise of a real 500-km range and 20-minute fast charging. In just seven months, 30,000 E-SUVs with Mahindra’s signature designs were sold, marking a major milestone in India’s electric mobility story.
However, “Mahindra soon realised something bigger was happening. Customers were no longer buying EVs for the attention they attracted—likes, clicks or social buzz. They were buying them out of affection. They connected with the vehicles emotionally, wanting them to reflect their identity, their aspirations, and how they wished to be seen. This shift from ‘attention’ to ‘affection’ has become central to Mahindra’s future EV thinking,” Mr. Velusamy noted.
Customer conversations revealed a deeper truth about the Indian market. A businessman in the North asked for a “big, commanding Mahindra electric SUV.” A family from Delhi wanted a larger vehicle with a true third row, where every passenger—not just the driver—enjoyed comfort, features and space. These insights reaffirmed that in India, an SUV is not just a body style—it’s a state of mind. It represents confidence, capability, family togetherness, a sense of freedom, and the belief that you can go anywhere, anytime.
To meet these evolving expectations, Mahindra turned to its INGLO platform—an Indian-global architecture designed for the future. The result is a new 7-seater electric SUV – XEV 9S – crafted around what Indian families actually want, Mr. Velusamy said. The new SUVs offers a spacious cabin with a flat floor, a lower centre of gravity for better ride and handling, and a quiet driving experience that allows passengers to “hear their inner voice.” With a range of over 500 kilometres, 20-minute fast charging, and support from 180 high-speed chargers already deployed, the vehicle eliminates the biggest EV anxieties, he pointed out.
What makes this SUV truly new is its focus on inclusivity. Features are designed for everyone in the cabin—second and third rows included—with thoughtful touches like screens and charging options for children. And at its core sits “the most powerful mind in the automotive world today”—a suite of advanced technologies that lift the entire driving experience.
Shaped by real customer insights and built on the INGLO platform, Mahindra’s new 7-seater E-SUV offers the freedom to include everyone and the freedom to explore more. It blends Mahindra’s heritage with modern technology, comfort and a strong road presence to show what an electric SUV can truly be for India’s next generation of drivers, Mr. Velusamy added.
