Car Articles

Read articles on cars and car industry. Get fully updated on all information related to cars. Read exciting happening in the Indian and Global Car industry, tips to help you and more...

Old Articles

Hybrids to Scorch Indian Roads!

Hybrid cars have not yet been introduced in India, but they definitely loom large in the horizon. India expects to see atleast 3 or 4 Hybrid car models launched in the year 2008. Japanese car companies like Toyota have hybrid vehicles in their portfolio and Indian companies are also adopting these technologies for a greener environment.

Hybrid cars, as the name suggests, run on a mix of two or more energy sources. The petrol run engine could receive supplementary energy from electricity, bio-fuels, hydrogen, or battery power. This supplement energy helps the car run a specified distance without petrol. Therefore, the fuel efficiency increases vastly in these vehicles. Many countries are providing subsidies to car manufacturers to develop these types of vehicles.

Honda was the first to lead the hybrid car caravan by announcing its intentions to launch the Honda Civic Hybrid in India in 2008. The car was recently showcased at the 9th Auto Expo in New Delhi. Indian car manufacturers have shown little interest in these technologies, but recently, Mahindra and Mahindra and Tata Motors have shown interests in researching and developing these technologies.

Tata Motors along with Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is developing Hydrogen cars and buses. The same fuel is used to propel rockets outside the earth’s atmosphere. If the intended hydrogen based car is successful, Tata Motors plans to adopt this technology for its entire range of vehicles. Mahindra has already entered into an understanding with the Royal Dutch Shell Company for developing hydrogen-based passenger cars and is investing 25.4 million dollars to develop these green cars. This Indian SUV manufacturer plans to launch 10 new hybrid vehicles, including a global SUV, in the next three years.

The reasons that manufacturers look at the Indian auto market as a second option compared to western countries in regard to hybrid cars is that hybrid vehicles are comparatively more expensive than other vehicles that run on petrol or diesel. While a petrol-run Honda Civic costs anywhere between Rs 10.9 to Rs 12.3 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Hybrid version of the same would cost nearly Rs 20 Lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Analysts say that the Indian market is not yet ready to receive hybrid cars. The most common form of green vehicles is the auto rickshaw, which sources energy from CNG or LPG kits.

CNG and LPG run vehicles did not interest a majority of people, who complained of the lack of infrastructure to support the running of such vehicles. The same troubles could haunt the owners of hybrid cars. Therefore, government support of infrastructure for hybrid vehicles by developing proper re-fuelling facilities at regular distances is extremely important for the Hybrid breeds success.

There is some hope for hybrid car manufacturers, because rising environmental concerns and crude oil deficits are sure to determine future government policies regarding cars and car fuels. Meanwhile, the car manufacturing companies have been asking the government to provide subsidy for hybrid vehicles, so that costs reduce and make the hybrids more price competitive in the market. However, with or without government support, the leading Indian car manufacturers have already decided to develop green cars in India as a next step towards progress in the Indian auto industry.

» Read more Articles On Hybrid cars

» Read more Articles On Eco-friendly cars

» Read more Articles On Green cars