The Mahindra Thar EV Concept is more than just an electric version of an off-roader — it’s Mahindra’s attempt to electrify an emotion. But as bold as it looks, real questions remain: can an EV handle the dust, mud, and wild trails that made the Thar iconic? Or will it lose that old-school toughness?
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Mahindra Thar EV: Electrifying an Icon
Summary generated by AI · Reviewed by Gear Choice Team
The Thar EV Concept leverages the trusted Thar brand for a new electric identity.
Electrifying the rugged off-roader presents challenges in battery placement and maintaining its soul.
Mahindra is strategically building a new electric vehicle identity beyond traditional SUVs.
If you ask me why everyone’s buzzing about the Mahindra Thar EV Concept, my straight answer is trust. The Thar name carries weight. But when you add “EV” next to it, things change. The way Mahindra has shown confidence with this concept, it’s clear they’re not just selling SUVs anymore they’re building a new electric identity.
See, when Mahindra’s Born Electric lineup was first teased, I thought good move, but not an easy one. Making an off-roader electric isn’t just about slapping on a motor. There’s battery placement, weight balance, and most importantly keeping the soul intact. The wild, rugged spirit of the Thar that’s not easy to translate into an EV.
फाइल फोटो : Bold exterior design of Mahindra Thar EV Concept.
A throwback my experience with the XUV400
I still remember when I first tested the Mahindra XUV400 . The company claimed a 456 km range. In reality, on the Delhi–Jaipur highway, I barely got 370 km. Now with the Thar EV Concept, they’re talking about 450–500 km again. Sounds great on paper, but I can’t help remembering that old experience. In EVs, range isn’t just a number it’s the measure of your confidence.
The real test not on a showroom floor
The Thar was never built to be a showpiece. It’s meant to get dirty, to crawl through mud, and still keep going. The question is when the motor and battery face water and dust, what happens? Mahindra says it’s got a sealed battery pack and solid water-wading capability. Sounds good. But honestly, until I drive it through a village trail or rocky hill path myself, I’m not buying it.
About that design
I first saw the Thar EV Concept at Mahindra’s FutureScape event. Visually, it’s futuristic full-width LED strip, wide stance, and that bold glass roof. But the moment I sat inside, that rugged, raw feeling I associate with the Thar it was missing. Maybe because it’s just a concept. But if the production version doesn’t bring that rough edge back, old-school Thar fans might find it too polished, too city-like.
फाइल फोटो : Mahindra Thar EV Concept interior with digital cockpit.
Last month, I was chatting with a Mahindra dealer in Bhopal. He laughed and said, “Sir, Thar EV will sell, sure but people will first wait a year to see if it overheats or not!” I cracked up, but he wasn’t wrong. In India, EV trust is still building slowly. And when it comes to an electric off-road SUV, people will think twice Is it really tough, or just stylish?”
The Thar EV is being built on Mahindra’s INGLO platform, with a dual-motor setup and proper 4x4 capability. On paper, perfect. But in real life, it’s the software and battery management that break the deal. I’ve seen plenty of EVs struggle thermal management bugs, power drops in heat, regen braking glitches, even charger connection issues. The Thar EV will need to rise above all that to be a true revolution.
Mahindra has made a bold statement with the Thar EV. The idea of an electric off-roader is exciting but also risky. Will it still be the same “go-anywhere” SUV we know, or just an urban toy in disguise? Too early to say. But I just hope Mahindra doesn’t dilute the identity that made Thar a legend in the first place.
If the Mahindra Thar EV delivers the same performance in production as it showed in the concept stage, it could be India's first true electric off-roader. But if the real-world performance falls short, fans will be left with nothing but nostalgia.
Gaurav Jha is a seasoned automotive journalist and digital media expert with a passion for new technology, electric vehicles, and unbiased product reviews. As the founder of GearChoice.in, he aims to empower readers with transparent, well-researched information about the latest cars, gadgets, and mobility trends.