Anand Mahindra remembers his company’s first EV, made 24 years ago

Anand Mahindra remembers his company’s first EV, made 24 years ago

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Sep 12, 2023: Companies like BYD and Tesla dominate the global electric vehicle (EV) market today. However, long before these international firms launched their first EV, Mahindra Automobiles did so – way back in 1999. The three-wheeler was christened Bijleee which refers to electricity as well as lightning in Hindi.

 

On the occasion of World EV Day, held on September 9 every year, Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra shared a picture of himself alongside the vehicle and its creator S V Nagarkar.

 

Today is #WorldEVDay And it has propelled me back into the past. 1999 to be precise, when a stalwart of @MahindraRise Mr. Nagarkar, created our first ever EV—the 3 wheeler BIJLEE. It was his gift to us before retirement. I’ll never forget his words then: He wanted to do something… pic.twitter.com/f9KIXr1lkp

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) September 9, 2023

He wrote, “Today is #WorldEVDay And it has propelled me back into the past. 1999 to be precise, when a stalwart of @MahindraRise Mr. Nagarkar, created our first ever EV – the 3 wheeler BIJLEE. It was his gift to us before retirement. I’ll never forget his words then: He wanted to do something for the planet. The Bijlee, sadly, was way ahead of its time & we bid goodbye to it after a few years of production. But the dream behind it continues to inspire us & we will not rest till those dreams become reality.”

Commenting on it, an X user wrote, “Good to know. After 24 years people have realised the importance of saving the environment and EV are being produced in large quantity. Hopeful we meet the barrier of electricity production as well through various renewable energies and make the world a better place to Live. We all have to do our part for the Ecosystem.”

Another person recalled, “Once I happened to travel in Bijlee in 2001 and the experience was amazing! Silent and super smooth auto. I never ever had such experience in any other autos till date.”

Courtesy: Indian Express