Tata Motors has taken a small step for its lineup and a giant leap for the electric vehicle segment. The new Harrier EV is the first capable off-roader with dual motors. The Indian automobile company has openly come out saying that they aim to rule the roost in the EV class with a market share of 50%.
Express Drives caught up with Anand Kulkarni, Chief Products Officer, Head of HV Programs and Customer Service, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, who talks about the EV segment, the Harrier EV and how China is holding the world ransom with its rare Earth metals tax curbs.
Harrier EV is Tata Motors’ first all-wheel-drive electric SUV. So, spill the beans and tell us what changes you make to this Gen 2 EV’s architecture.
The Harrier EV marks Tata’s first all-wheel-drive electric vehicle and introduces a fundamentally new approach to platform architecture. While the original ICE Harrier and Safari were based on the Omega platform, itself a heavily modified version of the Jaguar Land Rover D8 architecture, the transition to a pure electric vehicle necessitated a complete reengineering. In a true Gen 2 EV like the Harrier EV, the design process starts with the battery pack, around which the entire vehicle is developed. As a result, the underfloor structure of the Harrier EV is entirely different from that of its ICE counterpart, bearing no resemblance to the previous platform.
This new architecture, called the “Acti.EV Plus” platform, is a significant evolution from Tata’s earlier Acti.EV base, first seen on the Punch EV. While some manufacturers simply modify the underbody or the exterior, Tata has chosen to retain the Harrier’s iconic design and familiarity while completely reworking the underpinnings for electrification. This approach ensures the Harrier EV offers the latest in EV-specific technology and packaging, setting a new benchmark for Tata’s electric vehicles while preserving the brand identity and customer recognition associated with the Harrier nameplate.
What were the key benchmarks considered during the development of the Harrier EV, particularly regarding the battery setup, driving range, and overall performance?
The Tata Harrier EV is truly breaking new ground in the Indian market, setting benchmarks as the country’s first all-wheel-drive electric SUV. While there are global references for such vehicles, Tata’s approach recognizes that what works internationally doesn’t always translate to Indian needs. Here, accessibility is as crucial as performance, building an EV just for the sake of high specs or exclusivity isn’t enough. Tata’s vision was to create a vehicle that’s not only credible and capable but also comfortable and practical for Indian consumers.
The car is designed to serve as a “third space” in people’s lives, offering safety, connectivity, convenience, and the comfort you’d expect at home. The range was a key consideration, given India’s developing charging infrastructure, so Tata targeted a real-world range of 500 km, with the ability to add another 250 km in just 15–20 minutes of fast charging, addressing both daily usability and long-distance travel. Ultimately, the Harrier EV is about more than numbers; it’s about the sense of freedom, confidence, and new possibilities it brings to Indian drivers. Its specifications are impressive, but the real achievement is how it reshapes expectations for what an Indian EV can be.
Given the growing uncertainty around China imposing supply restrictions on rare earth metals, what could this mean for India—especially for Tata Motors and its electric vehicle ambitions?
The concerns around China imposing supply restrictions on rare earth metals are largely geopolitical and have fluctuated significantly over the past six months. For Tata Motors, this issue does not present an immediate risk. In the short term, the company is well-protected with adequate supplies already in place, and in the medium term, it is prepared to explore alternative sources should the situation persist.
Looking ahead, advancements in technology are expected to reduce reliance on rare earth metals altogether, with new solutions emerging that deliver similar performance without depending on these materials. Tata Motors sources its materials globally and is not dependent on any single region, working with leading suppliers worldwide to ensure continuity and resilience. This global approach brings together the best expertise to support Tata’s electric vehicle ambitions, allowing the company to remain agile and secure even as the geopolitical landscape evolves.
So coming back to the Harrier, can we see our all-wheel drive system making its way for the Harrier Ice also?
The Harrier ICE is a different vehicle category compared to the Harrier EV, and being an internal combustion engine model, it requires its own set of modifications and considerations. Just because certain advancements or changes have been made on the electric version does not automatically mean they will be applied to the Harrier ICE. However, this also doesn’t rule out the possibility of future updates. Any decisions regarding changes to the Harrier ICE will be made at the appropriate time, based on evolving needs and circumstances.
Recently, Tata Passenger Electric Mobility outlined a target of gaining 50% market share over the long term. So in terms of competition, if I can ask you, like JSW, MG Motor, what do you think would be a key play, which section will be a key play and which is the key area or the key segment?
Tata Motors once held over 90% EV market share, but as more players entered and new products launched, short-term sales spikes caused fluctuations. Despite this, Tata remains the only brand with such a wide EV portfolio and continues to invest in new technologies, localisation, and affordability to maintain its leadership. Last year, Tata’s share hovered around 60–65%, even as the market grew from just 3,500 annual EVs in 2018–19 to over 1,20,000 today. Tata aims to keep its dominant position as the market expands, focusing on mainstreaming EVs for Indian consumers.
