Nitin Gadkari Checks Out Mahindra BE 6 And XEV 9e Electric SUVs: Here’s His Reaction [Video]

Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has been a long time proponent of electric vehicles, highlighting how electric mobility can help make India’s air cleaner, and also save the country billions in foreign exchange by cutting the fuel import bill. The minister recently took a spin in the just-unveiled Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e born electric SUVs, and had to this to say after the short ride in both SUVs.

📍नई दिल्ली

महिन्द्रा की हाल ही में लाँच हुई दो इलेक्ट्रिक कार को देखकर मन प्रसन्न हुआ! अत्याधुनिक तकनीक का इस्तेमाल कर भारतीय कंपनीयाँ भी दुनिया के ऑटोमोबाईल मार्केट में टक्कर दे रही है, यह आनंद और अभिमान की बात है। इलेक्ट्रिक गाड़ीयां भविष्य है। इस दिशा में प्रयासरत सभी का… pic.twitter.com/qXNYnoCITz

— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) December 18, 2024

Through his tweet, Mr. Gadkari congratulated Mahindra to building world-class electric cars that have cutting edge technology. He noted that it was a matter of pride and joy that Indian companies were now competing with global car giants by using the latest technology available. He also wished Mahindra all the best, and his tweet was even retweeted by Mahindra Chairman, Anand Mahindra, who thanked Mr. Gadkari with three ‘Namaste’ emojis. Here, check it out.

🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 https://t.co/3XzMe0fdo0

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) December 18, 2024

Mr. Gadkari’s ride in the Mahindra BE 6 and XEV 9e was organized by the Group CEO and MD of Mahindra & Mahindra, Dr. Anish Shah. Dr. Shah, along with Mahindra officials, took both cars to Mr. Gadkari’s Delhi residence, for the Union Minister to check it out.

Mahindra is leaving no stone unturned to market their latest electric SUVs, both of which will be officially launched in January 2025, when prices of the entire variant line up will be revealed. Test drives will commence later this month even as the XEV 9e and BE 6 have already begun reaching Mahindra dealerships across the country.

Bookings will commence in January 2025 post the full price reveal, and deliveries are expected to commence from February 2025. Mahindra plans to produce 7,500 units of the BE 6 and XEV 9e each month from its Chakan factory, off Pune.

While the BE 6 is tipped to do about 4,000 monthly units, the rest of sales is expected to come from the XEV 9e. Prices for the BE 6 start from Rs. 18.9 lakh for the base trim while the XEV 9e’s base trim starts from 21.9 lakh. In their base trims, both electric SUVs are powered by 59 kWh batteries, and get 230 Bhp-380 Nm outputs.

The BE 6’s claimed range stands at 535 Kms for the 59 kWh trim while that of the XEV 9e running the same battery pack stands at 542 Kms. Real world range will be about 370-380 Kms for both electric SUVs.

Both electric SUVs will also be available with a much larger 79 kWh battery pack, which boosts range to a whopping 682 kilometers for the BE 6, and 656 kilometers for the XEV 9e. The larger battery packs also come with more powerful electric motors (280 Bhp-380 Nm) on both SUVs.

Performance, as expected, is thrilling to say the least. The BE 6 with the 280 Bhp motor accelerates from 0 to 100 Kph in just 6.7 seconds while the XEV 9e achieves the same in 6.8 seconds. While the BE 6 hits a top speed of 202 Kph, making it the fastest India-made electric car – a status that it shares with the XEV 9e.

Both electric SUVs are loaded with features and cutting edge technology, unlike anything that we’ve seen in a car designed, developed and produced in India. So, if Mr. Gadkari is very impressed with both electric cars, it comes as absolutely no surprise.