India: Skoda starts working on locally manufactured EV

According to a recent report from Business Standard, Skoda plans to launch a new fully localised EV manufactured in the city of Chakan in India’s western state of Maharashtra. The company is looking at exports as well, although the article does not state any specific target countries or regions. Petr Janeba, Skoda’s Brand Director in India, told the Indian newspaper that the future Skoda EV will measure 4.5 metres in length, indicating a compact or C-segment model comparable to the Elroq.

Speaking further, Janeba said that Skoda plans to offer the India-focused EV with two battery pack options, which should allow it to set the floor price attractively low while also appealing to affluent buyers seeking greater long-distance usability. Janeba did not disclose the cell chemistry, energy storage capacity, or any other critical details about the battery packs, though.

“While the platform is decided, product development is ongoing,” Janeba said. It is a unique car that we don’t have in Europe,” the Indian Skoda chief added. After various speculations in the local media over the last two years, this marked the first time a Volkswagen Group official shared concrete details about the company’s plan for an India-made mass-market EV.

Janeba did not reveal the platform of the India-made Skoda EV, but the Elroq’s rear-biased MEB platform is likely off the table. In a recent podcast, Autocar India Editor Hormazd Sorabjee said Skoda and Volkswagen are evaluating a new multi-energy platform that supports ICE, hybrid, and electric applications. The company had considered an India-focused derivative of the FWD variant of MEB, dubbed ‘MEB21G’, as well as an ‘India Main Platform (IMP)’ based on the Compact Main Platform (CMP) for its locally manufactured EVs, but ultimately ruled out both bespoke solutions.

The new rumoured mixed platform may appear to be a step backwards, especially considering Volkswagen Group has moved to dedicated EV platforms across most key markets, if not all. Still, it might be the only feasible path to develop low-cost India-focused EVs and more competitive successors to the current ICE models in the country. Otherwise, the company would require two new platforms, demanding significant capital investment.

“The investment decisions and capacity are not finalised — it’s an evolving situation,” Janeba said, speaking about the upcoming India-made EV. Naturally, Volkswagen may be planning a close cousin of the India-made Skoda EV, although the company has yet to confirm such plans.

business-standard.com (paywall), youtu.be (new multi-energy platform), youtu.be (IMP cancelled after MEB21G)