Could electric Indian off roader be headed for NZ?

Indian auto manufacturer Mahindra has shown a rugged off-road vehicle with an all-electric drivetrain – and it could have a future in New Zealand.

The Thar.e has been unveiled in South Africa, a five-door concept spun off the brand’s Thar Jeep-like model, but based on its INGLO (INdia GLObal) P1 EV platform. It came with confirmations the Scorpio, recently launched in New Zealand, will be electrified in the long term.

A production timeline is undetermined, with a potential price range starting from around $40,000.

While it is not a production vehicle yet, and Mahindra NZ has not confirmed the Thar.e is a possibility, EVs and Beyond travelled to India earlier this month with the brand, learning it is keen to send a range of electrified products down under.

No longer on a ladder chassis, the Thar.e has a noticeable ground clearance, Baja-type suspension, and squared dimensions. The vehicle’s front features square headlight units within a rectangular grille.

The interior of the Thar.e is designed with functionality in mind. A straightforward dashboard layout, central touchscreen, three-spoke steering wheel, and an instrument panel with a ‘status’ pictogram are among the inclusions.

Regarding its EV components, Mahindra plans to incorporate motors potentially sourced from Volkswagen, with power outputs between 80kW and 210kW. The battery options being considered include a 60kWh unit, with a larger 80kWh variant offering a range up to 450km under the WLTP cycle. It is likely lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries will be used.