Mahindra Atom Electric Quadricycle Spotted Testing, Will Rival Bajaj Qute

Mahindra Atom is the smallest 4-wheeler that has ever worn the brand’s badge. The Atom was showcased to the masses for the first time at the 2020 Auto Expo. With the Atom, Mahindra showcased its capability of offering the last-mile connectivity with green-mobility. Ever since the expo was concluded, the Atom went missing from the news headlines. But, a final-stage, production-spec prototype was recently spotted on test by our avid reader – Arjun Murali. The test mule was wrapped under heavy camouflage and was spotted around the outskirts of Chennai in Tamil Nadu.

In the pictures, the Atom looks identical to the near-production concept showcased at the 2020 Auto Expo. It continues to don a cutesy silhouette with a mass-forward stance. The concept version of Atom featured a van-like front face with squared-off headlamps and a mesh pattern for the air vents. Also, it came in a 2-door layout where the doors were mounted asymmetrically. It was done to elevate more space for the ingress and egress of passengers. In the spy shots, the Atom can be seen doing the job with the same design.

On the inside, the Atom felt spacious for four people. Although it fails to come with any sort of creature comfort, it will offer super-cheap mobility. After all, this is the ultimate goal of the Atom. While it won’t be the first quadricycle of the country, it will be the first electric quadricycle of India. Also, we got a chance to take a ride in the Atom during the 2020 Auto Expo, and it felt like a competent replacement to the auto-rickshaws.

Sadly, not a lot is known about the specifications of the Atom as of now. But, what we do know the compliances that Atom needs to follow. In India, a quadricycle cannot have a top speed of over 70 kmph and a rated power output of 15 kW. Currently, this segment has just one product on sale – Bajaj Qute, which is propelled by a 200cc single-cylinder naturally-aspirated engine. It is available either as a petrol-driven vehicle or a CNG-driven vehicle.