NEW DELHI — Mahindra Reva Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd. has launched its long-awaited Mahindra e20 on March 18. The model, which weighs about 830 kilograms, uses about 80 kilograms of plastic.

"About 50 percent of the weight has been reduced with use of plastic compared to the sheet metal," said Rajan Wadhera, head of technology, product development & sourcing.

In addition to the instrument panel, fenders, front and rear bumper, the model is clad in a plastic body.

"The plastic body panel are resistant to dent and scratches on the crowded Indian roads," he said.

The model will initially be sold in India, and an export version will be launched next year.

"The model for the European market would be launched in March or April 2014," he said. The first export markets will be Norway and Iceland.

Mahindra Reva opened a 30,000-unit-per-year plant in Bengaluru, India, in August 2012. The firm invested $100 million on the facility and model development.

The new model is priced at about US$11,000 in India.

"Our target is to sell 400-500 units every month as this number allow us to invest into R&D to make the product better over a period of time," said Pawan Goenka, president of the automotive division of Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., which is Mahindra Reva's parent company.

M&M bought a majority stake in Reva Electric Car Co. in mid 2010.