(April 18, 2016) LONDON — Mahindra, a global automotive and technology company headquartered in India, made its entry into the UK automotive market with the launch of the innovative e2o electric city car.

Designed specifically for urban commuting, and featuring a host of connected technologies, the Mahindra e2o will be available in two trim levels. The entry-level e2o City is priced competitively. The higher-spec TechX version includes a touchscreen infotainment center with reversing camera, telematics, revive remote emergency recharging, leather seats, alloy wheels and a rapid charging port.

In addition to its competitive purchase price, e2o owners that drive the UK average of 7,900 miles per year, and who charge at home at night on an Economy 7 tariff, will pay under £10 per month on fuel, while also eliminating the release of airborne pollutants within their city environment.

Speaking about the e2o's arrival on British roads, Anand Mahindra, chairman, Mahindra Group said, "I am very proud to announce that the e2o is now available in the UK and this marks a true milestone for the Mahindra Group. Sustainability is at the heart of Mahindra's business practices and with the introduction of the e2o to the UK market, we are offering a product that perfectly encapsulates our corporate philosophy."

Pravin Shah, president & chief executive of Mahindra's Automotive operations, believes that the e2o is the right car at the right time for the UK market and according to him, "There has never been a better time for people to make the change to electric, and with the e2o there has never been an easier or more affordable way to make this transition. The e2o is an innovative combination of advancements in automotive, electronics and information technology paired with minimal running costs and zero tailpipe emissions. This makes it the ideal urban runabout or second car for the two-and-a-half-million UK households that can charge the car at home in a driveway or garage."

At the launch of the e2o, Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP said, "I want to congratulate Mahindra on the launch of their new electric car today. Supporting ultra-low emission vehicles has been a priority at City Hall as they can boost air quality, help tackle climate change and reduce fuel costs and I look forward to seeing e2os on London's streets." 

Available from £12,995 ($18,582) — even after factoring in the plug-in car grant subsidy — it appears more expensive than many conventional-powered city cars rivals.

The car has a 31kW electric motor, the e2o produces a 42 horsepower and 67 pound-feet of torque. The car's range has been set at 79 miles.

At the core of the e2o is a collection of connected features that were developed to make the car both easier and more enjoyable to drive and maintain:

• e2o Remote smartphone app — allows users to remotely control key functions of their e2o, including the ability to pre-heat/cool the car, start and stop charging, route plan and search for nearby charging stations. 

• Remote Charging Scheduler — a clever app that allows users to schedule charging of their e2o at a time when electricity costs are at their cheapest rate.

• Revive — remote emergency charging feature to grant the driver up to 8 miles worth of range if the battery is depleted.

• Telematics — on-board sensors send a data 'heartbeat' to Mahindra enabling remote health monitoring and customer alerts.

Blaupunkt touchscreen infotainment centre (TechX model only) - Satellite navigation with "range remaining" maps featuring charge point locations. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot connection, USB, SD card, DAB radio and a built-in reversing camera.

Mahindra says the e2o's tall-boy design offers superior visibility for a compact city car and comfortably seats four adults. It is equipped with dual SRS airbags, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a Regenerative Braking System (RBS) that harnesses energy during braking to extend the car's range while traveling.