Toyota Kirloskar Motor has called for a broad-based push across multiple clean vehicle technologies, arguing that India’s diverse geography, varied consumer needs, and energy security priorities make a single-solution approach impractical, reported PTI
The automaker believes that relying only on battery electric vehicles or hybrids will not be sufficient to cut emissions or reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels. Instead, it advocates a mix of solutions including electric vehicles, hybrid and plug-in hybrid models, flex-fuel vehicles, and emerging options such as hydrogen-powered technologies.
As per the news report, speaking on the issue, Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s Country Head and Executive Vice-President, Vikram Gulati, said India’s wide-ranging conditions—from infrastructure readiness and energy availability to consumer acceptance—require a combination of technologies to meet national goals. He noted that such an approach would support energy independence, encourage local manufacturing, create jobs, strengthen the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the economy, and help curb pollution and carbon emissions.
Gulati pointed to government initiatives such as the ethanol blending programme and the national hydrogen mission as key efforts aimed at reducing fossil fuel usage and enhancing energy security. He added that alternative fuels like ethanol, compressed biogas (CBG), and hydrogen are particularly important for addressing local pollution challenges in different parts of the country.
Highlighting urban conditions, Gulati said hybrid vehicles are well suited for congested cities like Delhi, where average driving speeds are low. In stop-and-go traffic, the electric motor in a hybrid can operate efficiently, helping to reduce emissions. As a result, hybrids can complement electric vehicles in tackling air quality issues, rather than being seen as a competing technology.
Looking ahead, Gulati stressed that localisation will be central to India’s journey toward sustainable mobility. He said Toyota already has access to a full spectrum of clean technologies, including electric vehicles, strong hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell vehicles, and models running on alternative fuels. However, he noted that wider EV adoption will depend heavily on the expansion of charging infrastructure across the country.
Toyota, he said, is committed to introducing all clean technologies that can contribute meaningfully to sustainable mobility. The company aims to move away from petrol and diesel at the fastest possible pace, aligned with Toyota’s global environmental goals set in 2015, which include achieving carbon neutrality across vehicle life cycles.
At the same time, Gulati emphasised that customer preferences and local conditions must be considered when deploying green technologies. Regardless of the pathway chosen, he said, the common challenge remains reducing fossil fuel consumption and cutting carbon emissions.
On the growth of electric vehicles, Gulati highlighted the need to bring down manufacturing costs. He cautioned that the industry cannot rely indefinitely on subsidies or favourable tax regimes, stressing that long-term viability will come from achieving scale. According to him, that scale can only be reached by steadily expanding the range and availability of electrified vehicles in the market.
