This is still India and you read the title right. The capital will host the trials for hybrid powered three-wheelers, mini busses and busses from August, reports the Times Of India.
The government apparently, wants to explore the use of alternative fuel based transportation which is expected to come with certain subsidies.
A review conducted by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Tuesday has approved pilot projects for use of electric and hybrid vehicles for public transportation. The implementation of this project would be worked out within the next four weeks.
Pilot projects would also follow in other cities and the results would help the government in tweaking the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) which aims to put about 17% of the vehicles on sale in India as electrics/hybrids by the year 2020.
Toyota would be looking to launch the Camry hybrid while Mahindra has confirmed that a Verito EV would be seen next year.
Another initiative agreed on (which sounds ambitious) is a 70-100 seater commercial aircraft. India says that China has already commenced work on such an aircraft and that we shouldn't be left behind.
If India firms up its plans for electric/hybrid vehicles, the world of possibilities is endless: A Bajaj RE60 EV, a Tata Nano EV..if we were to brainstorm, we can also imagine a Renault Twizy competitor from Tata or Mahindra. Participants in the quadricycle program can spin out battery-powered variants to suit the financials and application of Indian customers.
A PMO press release said -
India has the potential to emerge as a global manufacturing hub for electric and hybrid vehicles.
[Source - Times Of India]
[Images used for representation purposes only.]
