Mahindra eThar imagined: Should Mahindra make an all-electric Thar?

With the second-gen Mahindra Thar ready to launch, enthusiasts and custom houses at large have started imagining it in all possible off-road-focused avatars. We at ElectricVehicleWeb.in, on the other hand, have worked on a Mahindra Thar Electric variant called the ‘Mahindra eThar’ with the help of Sreejith Krishnan. Before you generate ideas, note that Mahindra has no plan for an electric version of the Thar at this time.

Aligning with the Indian government’s vision of achieving 30% e-mobility by 2030, automakers have already started offering pure electric powertrain options in their mainstream models. Mahindra is pitching its second-gen Thar, unlike the old model, as a mainstream, high-volume model that customers can use as an everyday family vehicle. It is even planning a version with rear doors that would come out next year.

A Mahindra Thar Electric could offer significant advantages for both types of customers, those seeking it for off-road adventures and even those considering it as their daily driver. The benefits for the latter are obvious, such as quieter and more comfortable driving, better performance because of more torque and quicker peak torque delivery (instantly), charging using solar energy, cheaper maintenance, more storage space, etc. If the battery pack is spread across the chassis, it makes the car nicer to drive due to the lower centre of gravity.

Mahindra eThar - Mahindra Thar Electric front quarters rendering
The charging port on the Mahindra eThar is located on the left-side front fender and features Mahindra Electric’s logo.

The way off-road enthusiasts could see a Mahindra eThar as an attractive vehicle are fewer but significant enough we feel. The first advantage is the absolute quietness in the cabin and no vibration, which would allow much better concentration on off-roading maneuvers. Imagine being able to stealthily crawl through an off-road trail feeling each rock and clearly hearing the crack of every twig or branch that you drive over. The gap between the terrain and the vehicle would seem virtually lesser.

Electric powertrains lead to simpler construction of the chassis and electric vehicles are less prone to mechanical failures. Also, regulating torque that goes to each axle or wheel is easier, and the modulation keeps the vehicle from getting stuck and easily driving out terrains which an ICE-powered vehicle would find daunting. A party trick that is made possible with individual motors is the “tank turn” which can allow the Thar to effectively turn on the spot, by spinning the left and right wheels in the opposite direction, letting the car to pivot on its axis. The off-roading community would no doubt be thrilled with this feature.

There’s of course the aforementioned plus point of instant peak torque availability which could make the Thar EV a more potent vehicle not just off the beaten path but at the drag strip (if such an idea would ever cross your mind). Any Mahindra electric car with the high-voltage & high-performance MESMA powertrain in our view is a potential ‘sleeper.’

Should M&M launch a Mahindra Electric Thar?

Absolutely, we’d love to see a Mahindra Thar Electric. The unit we have rendered features several modifications to get it looking more attractive than the regular SUV.

The standard variant has a polarising grille design, and we’ve kept that portion closed in the case of the electric variant as there is no need for cooling an engine. Chunkier alloy wheels in a more urban and more aerodynamic design improve styling and efficiency. LED headlamps and LED fog lamps give a more sophisticated character to the vehicle’s front end and, more importantly, enhance visibility and reduce power consumption. The fitment of two tow hooks at the front should make rescue operations easier, and their blue paint reflects the vehicle’s eco-friendly nature.

Will Mahindra launch an electric Thar?

M&M does not plan to launch a Mahindra Thar Electric version at the moment. The first electric mobility wave from Mahindra will include urban products like the KUV100 and XUV300 adopting a zero-emission powertrain. We see the Thar being among the company’s last models to be fully electrified. We doubt that even external factors like government policies, EV infrastructure development and customer demand are likely to push the company to introduce an electric Thar earlier.