While many car companies are racing towards electric vehicles, Maruti Suzuki is taking a different route. The company believes that India is not yet fully ready for 100% electric mobility, and is instead focusing on CNG, hybrids, and even biogas as practical fuel choices for the near future.
Why Maruti is Cautious About EVs
Electric vehicles may look like the future, but in India, there are still big hurdles. Charging stations are limited, battery costs remain high, and rural areas have very little access to EV infrastructure.
Maruti Suzuki understands that these challenges will take time to solve. This is why the company is not rushing into the EV race, unlike some of its competitors. Instead, it wants to give customers affordable and reliable options through CNG and hybrid cars.
e Vitara: Export First, India Later
One clear example of this strategy is the upcoming e Vitara. This will be Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, and it will be manufactured only in India. However, instead of launching it here immediately, the company plans to export it to around 100 countries.
By doing this, Suzuki is using India as a global production hub, but for Indian customers, the wait for Maruti’s EV could be longer.
Strong Bet on CNG Cars
At present, Maruti Suzuki is the leader in the CNG car segment. Models like WagonR, Alto, Swift, and Dzire are already available with factory-fitted CNG options. This makes CNG cars popular among middle-class buyers who want low running costs.
With petrol and diesel prices fluctuating, Maruti is expected to launch more CNG variants in the coming years.
Exploring Biogas as a Fuel of the Future
Beyond CNG and EVs, Maruti is also studying compressed biogas (CBG) as an alternative. The company’s chairman, R.C. Bhargava, has said that India has strong potential to produce biogas on a large scale.
If developed properly, biogas can provide a cheap, renewable, and eco-friendly fuel option for millions of Indians. This could become a game-changer in the future, especially for rural areas.
A Long-Term Strategy
Maruti Suzuki’s approach shows that it is playing the long game. Instead of focusing only on EVs, it wants to offer a variety of fuel choices that fit India’s real conditions. By strengthening its CNG and hybrid lineup, and preparing biogas for the future, Maruti is ensuring that it stays relevant for all kinds of customers.
Conclusion
Maruti Suzuki is not in a hurry to dominate India’s EV market. Instead, it is focusing on practical and affordable solutions like CNG, hybrids, and biogas while exporting its first EV, the e Vitara, to global markets.
This balanced strategy shows that Maruti is preparing for a future where multiple fuels will coexist, rather than relying only on electric cars. For Indian buyers, this means more variety, more affordability, and more sustainable choices in the years to come.
FAQs
Why is Maruti Suzuki not focusing only on EVs?
Because India still lacks strong EV infrastructure and batteries are costly, Maruti wants to offer practical fuel options like CNG and hybrids for now.
What is the e Vitara?
The e Vitara is Maruti Suzuki’s first electric SUV, made in India but mainly for export to over 100 countries.
Will Maruti launch biogas-powered cars?
Not immediately, but the company is studying compressed biogas as a future fuel source in India.
Which Maruti cars are available in CNG?
Popular models like WagonR, Alto, Swift, Dzire, and Ertiga are already available with factory-fitted CNG options.
How does Maruti’s strategy benefit Indian customers?
By offering CNG, hybrids, and future biogas options, Maruti gives Indian buyers affordable, fuel-efficient, and environment-friendly choices.