Seeking German cooperation for making available clean auto fuel in the country, Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel today said India would follow the “strictest” environment norms for the transport sector.
Addressing a meeting of the Indo-German Working Group on Automotive Sector here, Mr. Patel said the environment norms for auto fuel would be stringent in India. In this regard the country would also promote electric and hybrid vehicles, he said.
Visiting German Minister of Transport, Building and Urban Development Peter Ramsauer, who also attended the meeting of the working group, had a bilateral discussion with Mr. Patel on a range of issues, including cooperation in the automobile industry.
“The ministers met to discuss areas of mutual cooperation, including roadmap for India’s auto fuel policy and electric mobility plan,” an official statement said.
The Indian government recently approved a national mission for electric mobility to promote manufacturing of electric/hybrid vehicles in the country.
As a first step, an enabling, empowered and fast decision-making bodies have been set up for expeditious implementation of the initiative.
Emphasising the importance of energy efficiency in the transport sector, the German minister extended cooperation in this area.
Mr. Patel also sought German investment in services, chemicals and automobile.
Referring to economic ties, Mr. Patel expressed hope that the bilateral trade would touch euro 20 billion by 2012.
