Lack of policy won’t hit EV development: automakers

Maruti Suzuki will go ahead with its plans, says Bhargava

R.C. Bhargava

Automobile manufacturers Maruti Suzuki, Mahindra Electric and Mercedes-Benz have said that the absence of an electric vehicle (EV) policy will not come in the way of their developing the eco-friendly vehicles.

NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant had said last week that there was no need for a policy for EVs, as an action plan had been prepared and technology should not be trapped by rules and regulations.

“As far as we are concerned, there is no change in our EV programme. We will go ahead with our plans as before,” Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) chairman R.C. Bhargava said.

“The need for electrification [of vehicles] remains and it is for the industry to work out how to do it and if they need support they have to approach the government,” he added.

Tax model

Mahindra Electric CEO Mahesh Babu said, “Currently, we aren’t expecting any additional policy push. We would, however, recommend that the current support under FAME and special tax structure for EVs continues for at least the next 2 years.”

Mercedes-Benz India MD & CEO Roland Folger said, “Mercedes-Benz advocates a technology agnostic approach with the co-existence of all technologies.”