Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) has launched the Urban Cruiser EV in India, marking the company’s entry into the country’s battery-electric vehicle market.
The model is Toyota’s version of a compact electric SUV developed in partnership with Suzuki and is produced by Maruti Suzuki at its manufacturing facility in Hansalpur, Gujarat.
TKM announced three variants of the vehicle—E1, E2 and E3—but has initially disclosed pricing only for the range-topping E3 grade, which is priced at 2.36 million rupees.
Battery Subscription Option Available
Customers can also purchase the vehicle through a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) programme, under which the vehicle is offered at a lower upfront price of 1.525 million rupees, with an additional battery subscription fee of 4.99 rupees per kilometre.
The launch comes as automakers explore alternative ownership models aimed at reducing the initial purchase cost of electric vehicles.
The Urban Cruiser EV shares its underlying platform and manufacturing base with the Maruti Suzuki e Vitara, another electric SUV produced at the Gujarat facility.
Range of Up to 543 Kilometres
The E3 variant is equipped with a front-mounted electric motor producing 129 kW of power and 193 Nm of torque.
Power is supplied by a 61 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack, which delivers a claimed driving range of 543 kilometres.
The mid-range E2 variant uses the same powertrain configuration, while the entry-level E1 model features a 106 kW motor paired with a smaller 49 kWh LFP battery, offering a claimed range of 440 kilometres.
Focus on Technology and Safety
Toyota has equipped the Urban Cruiser EV with a range of comfort, connectivity and safety features.
Available equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, a sliding and reclining rear bench with a 40:20:40 split configuration, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and wireless smartphone charging.
The vehicle also includes advanced driver assistance and safety technologies such as a 360-degree camera system, seven airbags, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.
More Electric Models Planned
According to industry reports, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is preparing to expand its electric vehicle lineup in India with a second battery-electric model.
The reported vehicle is expected to be an electric multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) based on the same platform as the Urban Cruiser EV and is understood to be derived from a future Maruti Suzuki model currently undergoing road testing.
The launch reflects Toyota’s broader efforts to strengthen its electric vehicle presence in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing automotive markets, as competition in the country’s EV segment continues to intensify.