With pollution rising to hazardous levels, vague future of diesel engines and forthcoming strict emissions norms, several carmakers are looking to launch eco-friendly vehicles in the country. Following the same footsteps, India leading Utility vehicle maker Mahindra and Mahindra is looking to introduce an electric variant in its Indian portfolio. The electric range will also include brand’s flagship models XUV500 and Scorpio. M&M was the first brand to enter into this segment with Reva followed by e2o.
India sold around 10,000 electric along with hybrid cars for 2015 as compared to 1.21 million units across the globe. Despite being the fifth largest automotive in the world, India failed to appear even in the top ten lists of hybrid vehicle markets.
Besides electric technology, the SUV giant had also launched Intelli-hybrid technology in the new Gen Scorpio which claims to reduce the fuel consumption of the vehicle by 7 percent. In addition, the brand is also pepping up to bring the luxury electric vehicle under Pininfarina brand that will be pitted against Tesla.
Maruti Suzuki has also launched mild-hybrid technology which is entirely different from Mahindra’s as it boosts the fuel mileage of the vehicle by 18 percent to 20 percent. Currently, this technology powers Ertiga and Ciaz though it is expected to feature in brand’s future models. Toyota also plans to bring hybrid plug-in vehicles with Prius while Hyundai also considering the same with new Gen Verna.
To promote pollution free eco-friendly vehicles, the government has initiated the FAME scheme offering incentives on electric vehicles, up to Rs. 29,000 for two-wheelers and up to Rs. 1.38 lakh for cars with support to Rs.795 crore for the first two fiscals in the year 2015 – 16.
