With increasing fuel prices and rising environmental concerns , vehicles powered by hybrid or green technology have become a focal point at the 12th Auto Expo, which has about 15 electric and hybrid products across car, mini-van, two wheeler and three wheeler categories on display.
An array of hybrids, plug-ins and electric vehicles are sparking interest among e visitors with people getting an opportunity to drive some of the vehicles on a small special track next to the Electric Mobility Theme Pavilion here.
Exhibitors at the pavilion told The Hindu that in the past two days, electric vehicles (EVs) attracted a higher number of visitors when compared with the previous edition. “The vehicles are definitely creating some positive wave among the people,” said officials at the pavilion.
Some of the vehicles on display include Mahindra & Mahindra’s two-door and 4-seat hatchback e2o and mini-passenger van Maxximo, Toyota’s hybrid version of premium sedan Camry, Tata Motors electric versions of LCVs — Iris and Magic, TVS Motor’s electric scooter and an auto-rickshaw and electric two wheelers from Hero Electric and Yo Bikes.
While M&M’s e2o has been available in the market since March, 2013, most of other vehicles are yet to go on sale in India. M&M has, so far, sold about 400 units of e2o, mostly in cities . The Toyota Camry hybrid, priced Rs.5 lakh more than the diesel variant, promises 30 per cent more fuel efficiency.
Meanwhile, M&M also launched a diesel-electric hybrid version of its popular SUV XUV 500, which is expected to hit Indian roads next year.
Honda showcased its Accord Hybrid, while luxury car makers such as BMW and Audi also showcased their hybrid models.
While the key challenge lies in making EVs affordable, issues so far include the high cost of the batteries and limited network of charging stations.
However, the government has been chalking out measures to promote EVs under the National Electric Mobility Mission (NEMM), which envisages the domestic market growing to five-seven million units from a few hundred now.
