The Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit EV switch became one of India’s most shared car stories on Sunday. A day after taking charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, the new IAF chief was seen using an electric SUV for official travel.
ANI posted a video on November 1 saying he had “switched to an electric vehicle.” Car sites then identified the vehicle as a black Mahindra XEV 9S with an “Air Force 1” designation. That detail has not been officially confirmed.
Here is what we know, what we don’t, and why a single official car is getting so much attention.
What do we know about Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit EV switch?
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge on October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of service. On November 1, ANI reported that he had moved to an electric vehicle for official use, calling it a step towards greener mobility.
News18 published photos at about 11:09 AM IST the same day. Later in the afternoon, Cartoq reported that an image circulating on social media showed a black Mahindra XEV 9S carrying an Air Force 1 designation and a special registration plate, with the chief’s entourage around it.
SSBCrack, a defence news site, added a caution. It said the specific model had not been confirmed in public releases. So the EV switch is confirmed by ANI, while the exact model comes from media identification of photos.
Who is Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit?
He is a fighter pilot, flying instructor and experimental test pilot commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986. According to the official details carried by News18, he has logged more than 3,300 flying hours on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants and the Jaguar.
He commanded a Mirage-2000 squadron and Air Force Station Bidar. He also worked on the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrades and on clearances for the LCA Tejas. Before becoming chief, he was Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
That background matters to the story only in one way. A test pilot choosing a quiet electric SUV makes for an easy headline, and social media picked it up fast.
What is the Mahindra XEV 9S?
The XEV 9S is Mahindra’s flagship three-row electric SUV, built on its dedicated INGLO EV platform. Mahindra launched it with prices starting at Rs 19.95 lakh. It comes in six-seat and seven-seat layouts, with three battery sizes and rear-wheel drive, according to Mahindra and Cartoq.
| Mahindra XEV 9S (as reported) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Platform | INGLO (dedicated EV) |
| Seating | 6 or 7 seats |
| Battery options | 59kWh, 70kWh, 79kWh |
| Power | 231 bhp, 245 bhp or 286 bhp |
| Torque | 380Nm |
| Claimed ARAI range | 521km to 679km |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| September 2026 sales | 4,636 units (Cartoq) |
The ARAI figures are lab claims. Real-world range in Delhi traffic, with the AC running, will be lower. Higher variants get Level 2+ ADAS, a three-screen dashboard, ventilated seats and a powered “boss mode” for the second row.
Is this the first time the IAF has used electric cars?
No. The IAF has been adding EVs for several years. In November 2022, then chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flagged off the first batch of Tata Nexon EVs at Vayu Bhawan for use in Delhi NCR, according to SSBCrack. The plan included more charging points and more EVs replacing conventional cars.
Cartoq points out that the outgoing chief, AP Singh, was associated with a Mahindra Scorpio Classic diesel. If the XEV 9S identification is right, the top official car has moved from a ladder-frame diesel SUV to an electric one.
Other officials are moving the same way. Cartoq notes that Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has been seen using an MG Windsor electric car. Our coverage of the MG Windsor EV Indulge Edition explains why that car is popular as a chauffeur-driven EV.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit EV: confirmed vs not confirmed
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| Took charge as 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Oct 31 | Confirmed (official release via News18) |
| Switched to an EV for official use | Confirmed by ANI video, Nov 1 |
| Car is a black Mahindra XEV 9S | Reported by Cartoq from photos; not officially confirmed |
| “Air Force 1” designation on the car | Seen in circulating image; not officially stated |
| Battery size or variant | Not known |
| Wider IAF fleet change | No announcement |
Why does an official car choice matter for EV buyers?
It matters because public figures shape what ordinary buyers see as normal. When a service chief, a chief minister or a minister is seen in an Indian-built EV, it sends a simple message: the car is reliable enough for daily official work. That kind of visibility is worth more than many advertisements.
It also helps answer a common worry among first-time EV buyers: whether an electric car can handle a demanding daily schedule without letting its owner down. An official car that runs on tight timings every day is a very public test of that.
It is also a win for Mahindra. The XEV 9S competes with upcoming three-row electric SUVs such as the Tata Safari EV, which is expected in early 2027. Being seen as the Air Chief’s car gives Mahindra a talking point that Tata used to own with the Nexon EV.
There is a practical side, too. Official cars in Delhi mostly cover short city routes and return to a fixed base each night. That suits EVs well, as long as charging at home bases works. India still has gaps in public charging, a point we covered in our piece on EV charging reliability in India.
CarBike Insight Analysis
This is a small story with a big signal. One officer’s car will not change the market. But it shows how quickly Indian-made EVs have become acceptable at the top of government, where the Ambassador and then the Scorpio once ruled.
The XEV 9S makes sense for the job. A senior officer usually sits in the back, so second-row comfort, a quiet cabin and a smooth ride matter more than top speed. The three-row layout also leaves room for staff.
We would still treat the model name carefully until the IAF or Mahindra confirms it. Photos can mislead, and several Mahindra EVs share design elements. The XEV 9S shares much of its design with the XEV 9e, so a single social-media image is not proof on its own. A clear statement from Mahindra or the IAF would settle it.
Who should care? Families shopping for a three-row EV can take this as one more sign that the XEV 9S is trusted for long daily use. Who should wait? Anyone expecting a big government EV order should wait for an official announcement, because none has been made.
FAQ
Which car does Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit use?
ANI confirmed on November 1, 2026, that he switched to an electric vehicle for official use. Cartoq identified the car as a black Mahindra XEV 9S with Air Force 1 markings, but the IAF has not officially named the model.
When did Ashutosh Dixit become Chief of the Air Staff?
He took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on October 31, 2026. He succeeded Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of service. He was previously Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
What is the range of the Mahindra XEV 9S?
Cartoq lists three battery options of 59kWh, 70kWh and 79kWh, with claimed ARAI ranges from 521km to 679km. These are laboratory figures, so real-world range in city traffic with air conditioning will be lower.
Has the Indian Air Force used electric cars before?
Yes. In November 2022, then chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari flagged off the first batch of Tata Nexon EVs at Vayu Bhawan for use in Delhi NCR, according to SSBCrack. More EVs and chargers were planned after that.
Will the IAF buy more Mahindra XEV 9S SUVs?
There is no announcement of a larger order. The reported XEV 9S is the chief’s official car. Any wider fleet purchase would go through a separate procurement process, and no details have been made public so far.
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