Even as the uncertainty about diesel prices continue to keep car makers on tenterhooks, Maruti Suzuki might launch electric cars in India. This statement comes from the sidelines of the Tokyo Motor Show where Suzuki Motor Corporation Representative Director and Executive Vice President, Toshihiro Suzuki made a few observations regarding the possibility of Maruti launching electric cars in India.
Toshihiro Suzuki said,
It is under consideration to launch electric vehicles in India. We cannot tell you what are the specifications. There is possibility, but the only problem is infrastructure in terms of electric plugs. When the time comes, we will introduce.
From the above statements, it is quite evident that Maruti Suzuki might launch electric cars in India only if the need for electric cars become more acute than ever before in India. For the Indian market, a petrol or diesel hybrid car would be a better fit as access to electric charging points and other electric car infrastructure are still things that needs to be developed and improved vastly for electric car to become viable options for car buyers and manufacturers alike.
Currently, Suzuki has a practical petrol-electric hybrid car in the form of the Suzuki Swift Hybrid, which uses both a petrol engine and an electric motor as sources of propulsion. On the lithium ion battery powered electric motor alone, the Swift Hybrid is capable of doing around 30 kilometers. Once the lithium ion battery is exhausted, a small capacity petrol motor will take over propulsion duties.
This kind of concept could work quite well in India, especially for commuting distances in Indian cities traversed by an average Indian office goer. However, the higher cost associated with a hybrid set up on a car might mean that this technology will still take some time to cater to Indian needs. Perhaps, Maruti Suzuki will bring the Swift Hybrid to India when the cost of the hybrid car is comparable to a diesel engined Swift.
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