The project is being carried out in association with Suzuki Japan’s engineers. The information has been disclosed by two senior officers of the company while speaking to CNBC- TV 18. The officers confirmed that the project is still in its very initial stage of conceptualization and design process, thus further details are much awaited. The company, however, finds hybrid vehicles to be the “vehicle of future generation”. Though the consumers of the Indian market are not very enthusiastic about only electrically driven cars, Maruti is playing safe with the petrol option. The electric motor used in the hybrid cars are powered by lithium batteries.
The Indian government is introducing a new scheme called National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020. Through this government is trying to reduce pollution and thereby control global warming. Moreover this will promote more eco-friendly cars to raise in Indian car segment. In Union Budget the ministry of heavy industry is planning to invest around Rs.6000 crores for the development of small hybrid cars. The ministry has also a plan to provide a considerable reduction on import taxes levied on imported machines and car parts in respect to hybrid vehicles.
Toyota and Honda have already tried their hands in the India's hybrid car segment. Due to the high cost needed in the production, the effort wasn't a successful. So it was a tricky suggestion for the manufacturer to offer a hybrid vehicle with adequate power and decent equipment list at an affordable price. So Maruti Suzuki will be venturing into the hybrid segment keeping in mind the cost factor. As per the latest news, Tata is contemplating on its EMO, the electric car, which is also in the concept form. Mahindra and Mahindra plans to launch e2o soon, the electric car can also be powered using solar panels on top of the roof.
Toyota Prius(hybrid car), which reaches the Indian market through CBU route, costs around Rs 30 lakh. Maruti Suzuki’s hybrid car is expected to be available the price range of below 10 lakh. Let's hope that some more details of the Hybrid model will be revealed in the Auto Expo in New Delhi 2014.
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