Volkswagen, Mahindra to test MEB electric components for Born Electric Platform

The companies announced a partnership to explore the use of MEB modular electric drive matrix electric components for Mahindra's new Born Electric Platform This agreement will evaluate the binding rules for the evaluation phase as well as the non-binding scope of supply, according to a joint statement by Volkswagen and Mahindra Mahindra M&M.

The aim of the two companies is to electrify the Indian automotive market, one of the most important automotive growth markets and a key element in the global decarbonisation of the mobility sector.

The binding supply agreement will be negotiated and concluded by the end of 2022, it said.

With this partnership, Mahindra intends to equip its Born Electric Platform with MEB electric components such as electric motors, battery system components and battery cells.

The MEB electric platform and its components allows car manufacturers to build their portfolio of electrified vehicles quickly and cost-effectively.

It is proof to the fact that the MEB is competitive in terms of cost and technologically state of the art. The MEB is advancing into the leading open platform for e-mobility, generating significant volume and economies of scale. Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board of Management member for Technology and CEO of Volkswagen Group Components, said that it was crucial for every company in the EV world and the key to competitive solutions for our customers.

India is one of the top 5 automotive markets in the world with more than three million vehicles per year. The market could grow to up to five million vehicles by the year 2030, according to current forecasts. The market is dominated by vehicles with diesel or petrol engines.

A framework to develop our next gen Born Electric platform will be revealed soon in Oxfordshire UK due to the complementarity of their extensive technology, innovation, and vertical integration in supply chains. The teams across India, UK and Detroit are passionately creating a breath-taking future, said Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto and Farm Sectors, Mahindra Mahindra Ltd.

Starting in 2035, a 2021 climate summit in Glasgow, India undertook only zero-emission passenger cars and vans. The passenger car segment is expected to gain a lot of momentum in the coming years, as a result of the electrification of the passenger car segment. In 2030, more than half of all new vehicles will be fully electric, according to industry experts.

Mahindra is a pioneer in the space of electric mobility in India and a great partner for the MEB Electric Platform. 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, said Schmall.