Maruti Omni Electric: The unmistakable boxy silhouette stood out in the corner of Maruti Suzuki’s R&D facility in Rohtak. Despite being covered with camouflage wrap, there was no disguising the iconic shape that transported generations of Indians – the Maruti Omni. Only this time, there was something different: no exhaust pipe and a charging port discretely integrated into the front grille.
After tracking development through supplier channels and speaking with sources close to the project, I can confirm what nostalgia-driven enthusiasts and practical-minded fleet operators have been hoping for: Maruti is bringing back the Omni, but with an all-electric heart.
Maruti Omni Electric Reviving an Icon for the Electric Age
The original Maruti Omni, which served Indian families, businesses, and institutions faithfully for over three decades, was finally discontinued in 2019 when it couldn’t meet increasingly stringent safety and emission regulations.
Its departure left a gap in the market that, despite numerous new entrants, has never been adequately filled – a simple, affordable, and immensely practical people mover.
“The Omni created its own category in the Indian market,” explained Shashank Srivastava, Senior Executive Officer of Marketing & Sales at Maruti Suzuki, during a recent industry conference where he hinted at the company’s plans without explicitly confirming the model. “Even today, we receive inquiries from customers asking for a direct replacement.
The shift toward electrification creates an opportunity to reimagine vehicles that might not have been viable under ICE emission norms.”
This reimagining comes at a strategic time for Maruti Suzuki, which has been relatively cautious in its electric vehicle approach compared to rivals like Tata Motors.
The Omni Electric represents a clever entry strategy – leveraging immense brand recognition and addressing practical mobility needs rather than attempting to compete directly in the more crowded electric hatchback and SUV segments.
Design: Familiar Yet Forward-Looking
The test mule I observed maintained the Omni’s characteristic tall, boxy proportions – a pragmatic choice given that the van’s primary virtue was always its space efficiency. However, several modern touches bring the design into the 2020s while retaining its unmistakable identity.
The front end features a fully enclosed grille – no longer needed for engine cooling – with a subtle illuminated Suzuki logo that indicates charge status when plugged in.
The headlights, while maintaining their rectangular shape, now incorporate LED technology with a distinctive light signature that adds a touch of modernity to the otherwise utilitarian appearance.
The side profile remains instantly recognizable, with the sliding door on the right side maintained for practical ingress and egress. The wheelbase appears slightly extended compared to the original model, likely to accommodate the battery pack without compromising interior space.
“The design brief was challenging,” noted a Maruti engineer familiar with the project who requested anonymity due to the vehicle’s unannounced status.
We needed to respect the Omni’s iconic silhouette while making necessary changes for electrification and meeting current safety standards. The goal was evolution rather than revolution – keeping what people loved while addressing the original’s limitations.”
Those limitations included crash safety, an area where the new model shows substantial improvement. The A-pillars are noticeably thicker, suggesting a reinforced safety cell, while crumple zones appear more substantial – changes that would help the vehicle meet current regulatory requirements that its predecessor couldn’t satisfy.
Available in five colors including the traditional white that dominated fleet sales, plus more expressive options like Nexa Blue and Brave Khaki for private buyers, the Omni Electric aims to appeal to both commercial operators and families seeking maximum utility on a budget.
Powertrain: Practical Electrification
The electric powertrain has been developed with Indian operating conditions and price sensitivity in mind rather than chasing headline-grabbing performance figures.
The front-mounted electric motor produces a modest but adequate 45 kW (60 hp) of peak power and 130 Nm of torque – figures that provide better acceleration than the original Omni’s 796cc petrol engine despite the added weight of the battery pack.
Two battery options will be available: a 19 kWh base version offering approximately 150 km of city range, and a 25 kWh extended-range variant that can achieve around 200 km on a full charge.
Both utilize LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry rather than more expensive NMC cells, prioritizing cost-efficiency and durability over energy density.
“For the target usage patterns, range anxiety isn’t a major concern,” explained Tarun Kumar, Head of Electric Vehicle Engineering at Maruti Suzuki. “Our research showed that typical Omni customers in both commercial and private use rarely exceeded 100-120 km daily.
The focus was on offering sufficient range with reliable battery technology that can withstand Indian climate conditions and provide a reasonable service life.”
Charging capabilities include a standard 3.3 kW onboard charger that can replenish the battery from 10-80% in approximately 7 hours through a conventional 15A domestic socket – suitable for overnight charging at homes or small businesses.
An optional 7.2 kW AC charger reduces this time to about 3.5 hours, while DC fast charging capability (on higher variants) enables a 10-80% charge in 45 minutes.
The vehicle’s top speed is electronically limited to 90 km/h – adequate for its intended urban and suburban use cases while optimizing efficiency. The single-speed transmission offers smooth, linear acceleration that’s ideally suited to stop-and-go city traffic, while regenerative braking can be adjusted between three levels via a switch on the dashboard.
Interior: Maximizing Space and Functionality
Step inside the Omni Electric, and the focus on practical functionality becomes immediately apparent. The interior maintains the original’s exceptional space efficiency while introducing modern amenities that contemporary users expect.
The dashboard has been completely redesigned with a simple yet functional layout featuring a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an optional 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system on higher variants. Physical controls for climate and essential functions remain, acknowledging the vehicle’s likely use by multiple drivers in commercial settings where familiarity and simplicity are valued.
Seating configurations include 5, 7, and 8-seater arrangements to serve different needs from family transport to commercial shuttles. The seats themselves have been redesigned for better comfort and safety, with proper three-point seatbelts for all positions – addressing a significant safety shortcoming of the original model.
“The interior design focused on maximizing versatility,” noted Kishori Lal, Senior Manager of Vehicle Packaging at Maruti Suzuki. “We studied how the original Omni was used across different scenarios and sought to enhance these use cases while incorporating modern safety requirements and user expectations.”
Practical touches abound, from multiple storage compartments throughout the cabin to USB charging ports for all three rows. The rear cargo area features a completely flat load floor when the seats are folded or removed, with tie-down points for securing cargo – acknowledging the vehicle’s likely dual-purpose use for many owners.
Climate control consists of a manually adjustable AC system with roof-mounted vents for rear passengers, offering effective cooling without the complexity and cost of an automatic system. This pragmatic approach to feature selection runs throughout the vehicle, keeping it affordable while providing genuine improvements over its predecessor.
Technology and Safety: Necessary Modernization
While not feature-laden by contemporary standards, the Omni Electric incorporates essential technology and substantially improved safety equipment compared to the original model.
The base variant includes dual airbags, ABS with EBD, rear parking sensors, and electronic stability control – features that would have been unimaginable in the original Omni but are now regulatory requirements. Higher variants add side and curtain airbags, a reversing camera, and ISOFIX child seat anchors.
The infotainment system supports wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a connected car platform enables remote monitoring of charge status, cabin pre-conditioning, and vehicle location tracking – particularly valuable features for fleet operators.
For commercial users, a fleet management system offers detailed usage analytics, driver behavior monitoring, and preventive maintenance alerts through a smartphone app or web portal. This system can be integrated with popular ride-hailing and delivery platforms, enhancing the vehicle’s utility for small business owners.
Market Positioning and Pricing Strategy
With prices expected to range from ₹9.50 lakh for the commercial variant with the smaller battery to ₹12.75 lakh for the fully-equipped extended-range family version (ex-showroom), the Omni Electric positions itself as one of the most affordable purpose-built electric vehicles in the Indian market.
This pricing strategy places it below most electric hatchbacks while offering significantly more space and versatility. For commercial operators, the lower operating costs of an electric powertrain present a compelling total cost of ownership equation despite the higher initial purchase price compared to entry-level ICE alternatives.
“The business case for commercial users is particularly strong,” explained Srivastava. “With running costs approximately one-third of a petrol vehicle and substantially lower maintenance requirements, the payback period could be as short as three years for high-usage applications like last-mile delivery or shuttle services. For these operators, the Omni Electric represents a practical entry point into fleet electrification.”
Maruti expects to sell approximately 2,500-3,000 units monthly, with commercial users accounting for roughly 60% of sales initially. This volume would immediately establish the Omni Electric as a significant player in India’s nascent electric vehicle market while providing Maruti with valuable real-world data to inform its broader electrification strategy.
Production Plans and Timeline
According to sources within Maruti’s supplier network, production preparations are already underway at the company’s manufacturing facility in Gujarat. The Omni Electric will utilize a modified version of Suzuki’s Heartect platform, adapted specifically for this application with reinforcements for battery mounting and improved crash structures.
The official launch is expected in late 2025, with deliveries commencing in early 2026. Maruti plans a phased rollout, focusing initially on major metropolitan areas where charging infrastructure is more developed, before expanding to smaller cities and towns.
Battery production will leverage Suzuki’s partnership with TDSG, the joint venture between Suzuki, Denso, and Toshiba that is establishing battery manufacturing capabilities in India. This local production is crucial to achieving the targeted price points while qualifying for government incentives under the PLI scheme.
Challenges and Opportunities
The Omni Electric faces several challenges despite its compelling value proposition. The most significant is the general consumer hesitation around electric vehicles in India, particularly regarding charging infrastructure and resale value. Maruti plans to address these concerns through a comprehensive ownership package including a 7-year battery warranty, free home charger installation, and a guaranteed buyback program.
Another challenge is the vehicle’s utilitarian image, which might limit its appeal to private users accustomed to more contemporary designs. Maruti’s marketing strategy will likely emphasize the practical benefits and emotional connection many Indians have with the Omni nameplate rather than positioning it as a lifestyle product.
“We see the Omni Electric as filling a specific need in the market rather than trying to be all things to all people,” noted a Maruti marketing executive. “There’s significant demand for affordable, practical electric mobility solutions that don’t currently exist in the market. By focusing on these pragmatic buyers rather than early adopters or technology enthusiasts, we’re addressing an underserved segment.”
Maruti Omni Electric Conclusion: Practical Electrification With Purpose
The Maruti Omni Electric represents a thoughtfully pragmatic approach to electrification – leveraging a beloved nameplate to introduce affordable electric mobility to a broad audience rather than focusing on premium segments. By prioritizing practical utility over cutting-edge features or flashy design, Maruti has created a vehicle that addresses genuine market needs while maintaining accessibility.
Will it succeed? The execution will be crucial. If Maruti can deliver the promised range, reliability, and pricing while addressing the safety shortcomings of the original model, the Omni Electric could become a significant presence in India’s commercial transportation sector while winning over practical-minded family buyers.
In a market where electric vehicle adoption has been limited primarily by cost and charging concerns rather than lack of interest, the Omni Electric’s focus on affordability and practicality might prove more effective in driving real-world electrification than more ambitious but expensive alternatives. Sometimes, evolution serves the market better than revolution – a philosophy that has served Maruti well throughout its history in India.