A report suggests that Mahindra will look to BYD to supply its “Born Electric” range with electric vehicle batteries.
Autocar Professional reports Mahindra has been struggling with Volkswagen, which was meant to supply batteries and electric motors for the Indian brand’s upcoming BE.05 and BE.07 electric vehicles (EVs).
Reportedly, Mahindra has underestimated the amount of intellectual property rights (IPR), legal and compliance issues as well as product delays that have arisen from dealing with the German carmaker.
According to Autocar Professional, Mahindra entered into a non-exclusive arrangement with the German car giant which has allowed its talks with BYD to intensify.
Mahindra will provide customers with a choice of 60kWh and 80kWh battery packs for the BE.05 and BE.07.
Volkswagen was supposed to supply Mahindra with a 60kWh battery while BYD would supply a larger 80kWh battery.
Reportedly due to delays, however, Volkswagen is unable to provide Mahindra with the 60kWh battery packs for its upcoming BE range, leaving the Indian carmaker to lean more heavily on BYD to supply both battery packs.
This could change once Volkswagen’s next-generation batteries launch, featuring unified cell technology and lithium iron phosphate chemistry.
The cell technology will reportedly allow for higher energy density and increased thermal management which will provide longer range and faster charging times.
Autocar Professional reports this technology is more scalable, flexible and can be adapted to different vehicle sizes and power requirements.
CarExpert previously reported that Mahindra will launch its BE.05 electric ‘coupe SUV’ in India in October 2025, while its larger BE.07 will join the line-up in April 2026.
Single-motor versions of the Mahindra BE.05 and BE.07 are confirmed to receive a Volkswagen-sourced rear-mounted electric motor producing 210kW and 535Nm.
All-wheel drive models will add a Volkswagen-sourced front-mounted electric motor producing 80kW and 135Nm. Mahindra hasn’t confirmed total system outputs for these model yet.
In August 2022, the Indian carmaker detailed five EVs that it will launch using components from Volkswagen Group’s MEB architecture.
The first of these vehicles will be the XUV.e8 which is set for launch in December 2024.
Mahindra Automotive Australia marketing manager James Halliwell told local media that it will likely launch an EV in Australia around 2025 or 2026 but is yet to confirm the model.