Hansalpur | Gujarat —- In a historic milestone for India’s automobile sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday flagged off the country’s first fully electric car from Maruti Suzuki – the ‘Maruti e Vitara’ – at the company’s Hansalpur plant in Gujarat. Calling it a proud moment for self-reliant India, PM Modi declared that cars with a ‘Made in India’ tag will soon be seen running across the world, carrying with them the “sweat and soil” of the nation’s people.
Speaking at the launch, Modi said, “Now EV cars with ‘Made in India’ tag will be seen running in the world. Things made by Japan are also indigenous. I don’t care whose money it is, whether it is dollar, pound, currency black or white, but the sweat in production belongs to my countrymen. The production will have the smell of the soil of my country. With this sentiment, walk with me, in 2047 we will create such an India that your future generations will be proud of.”
India’s EV Leap
The newly launched Maruti e Vitara will boast a range of 500 kilometers on a single charge and will be exported to more than 100 countries, including Japan. The event also marked the inauguration of a new battery manufacturing unit at the Hansalpur plant. Modi called it Gujarat’s biggest step towards becoming an automobile hub, highlighting how global confidence in India’s EV potential continues to rise.
“The seeds of India’s success story were sown in 2012 when I was the Chief Minister. Land was allotted to Maruti Suzuki in Hansalpur. Even then, the vision was of self-reliant India and Make in India,” he said.
Gujarat and Maruti’s “Teenage Years”
Using a symbolic reference, the Prime Minister described Maruti Suzuki’s journey with Gujarat as entering its teenage years. “Teenage years are about giving wings to dreams. Gujarat and Maruti’s entry into teenage years means the company will spread new wings with new enthusiasm. Today gives a new dimension to the friendship between India and Japan,” Modi remarked.
Maruti Suzuki has already established itself as India’s largest car exporter for four consecutive years, and now, with the EV rollout, the company aims to scale exports to new heights.
Hybrid EVs and Old Cars
Modi also stressed on innovative EV conversions, stating that old cars and ambulances could be transformed into hybrid EVs. “A few years ago, EVs were seen as just an option, but today I believe EVs are a solution. Maruti Suzuki accepted the challenge and prepared a working prototype of a hybrid ambulance in just six months. This will reduce pollution and transform old vehicles,” he said.
The Rs 11,000 crore EV initiative includes a dedicated budget for electric ambulances, aimed at modernizing emergency services while cutting carbon emissions.
India-Japan Ties Strengthen
PM Modi underlined the crucial role of Japan in India’s development journey, recalling the Vibrant Gujarat Summit of 2003 when Japan was the partner country. “India-Japan relations are not just diplomatic; they are much more than that. I remember making my visiting cards in Japanese and promotional videos in Japanese. Today, our relations have reached the speed of a bullet train,” he said.
The Prime Minister also highlighted how cultural sensitivities helped strengthen bilateral ties, from Japanese cuisine to hospitality. “If you want to bring investment, you have to look at every detail,” he added.
A Vision for 2047
PM Modi once again urged Indians to walk the path of self-reliance: “We will live by creating a developed India. By 2047, we will build such a nation that future generations will be proud of.”
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