Mahindra Born Electric Platform to use Volkswagen MEB components

MANILA: Volkswagen and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. are looking at using MEB electric components in Mahindra's new Born Electric Platform. Both companies signed a Partnering Agreement last Wednesday, May 18, to explore the scope of their partnership. Mahindra plans to include MEB electric components such as electric motors, battery system components, and battery cells in its "Born Electric Platform." The Partnering Agreement also specifies both binding and non-binding rules for the evaluation phase. The binding supply agreement will be established in a collaborative and legally compliant manner, with a goal of concluding it by the end of 2022.

The MEB electric platform and its components were designed as an open vehicle platform to allow carmakers to quickly and cost-effectively expand their electrified vehicle offerings.

The two firms have a common goal of electrifying the Indian automotive market, which is one of the world's key automotive markets and an important element in the global decarbonization of the mobility sector.

In a statement, Volkswagen Group Board of Management for Technology Member and Volkswagen Group Components Chief Executive Officer Thomas Schmall said, “Mahindra is a pioneer in the electric mobility space in India and a great partner for our MEB Electric Platform. Together with Mahindra, we want to contribute significantly to the electrification of India, a huge automotive market with enormous growth potential and high relevance for climate protection. It’s another proof point that the MEB is both technologically state of the art and highly competitive in terms of cost. The MEB is thus progressively developing into the leading open platform for e-mobility, generating significant volume and economies of scale. That’s crucial for every company in the EV world and the key to competitive solutions for our customers.”

With over three million vehicles sold each year, India is one of the top five automotive markets in the world. The market might grow to up to five million units by 2030, according to current estimates. Vehicles with diesel or petrol engines have led the market so far. However, at the Glasgow Climate Summit in 2021,  India agreed to register solely zero-emission passenger cars and vans beginning in 2035. Because of this, the electrification of the passenger car category is projected to obtain substantial momentum in the coming years. According to industry experts, by 2030, more than half of all new vehicles will be fully electric.

“We are very pleased to have Volkswagen, a significant global investor in the electric mobility space, as a strategic partner in achieving our ambitious Born Electric Vision. The complementarity of their extensive technology, innovation, and vertical integration in supply chains, will provide a framework to develop our next gen ‘Born Electric Platform,’ to be revealed soon in Oxfordshire UK. Our teams across India, UK and Detroit are passionately creating a breathtaking future,” Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. Auto and Farm Sectors Executive Director Rajesh Jejurikar stated.

The MEB Electric Platform is already being used by Volkswagen Group brands Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, and Seat/Cupra, as well as external partners. In charge of these collaborations is the "Platform Business" department, which was established particularly for this purpose.

Photo from Volkswagen Group

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