Maruti Suzuki plans to launch electric vehicles (EVs) in the near future, as announced by Chairman R.C. Bhargava in his address to shareholders included in the company’s 2023-24 annual report. The automaker is also looking forward to a new policy framework that supports various clean technologies such as CNG, biogas, and ethanol.
“Certain states, like Uttar Pradesh, have already made progress in this area. We are now waiting for a comprehensive policy framework that will encourage the adoption of technologies that replace petrol and diesel vehicles with alternatives,” Bhargava remarked.
He expressed hope that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi will continue to focus on infrastructure development, maintain fiscal responsibility, manage inflation, support the private sector, and implement reforms to boost manufacturing competitiveness.
Bhargava noted, “We plan to introduce electric cars in the next few months. The speed at which these cars gain acceptance will depend on the development of infrastructure and the reduction in their costs, which largely hinges on local production and improved technology. It is evident that traditional petrol and diesel vehicles have the highest carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. Therefore, as electric vehicle use increases, customers should be encouraged to opt for vehicles with strong hybrid technology, or those running on CNG, ethanol, or biogas, while minimizing the use of pure petrol and diesel cars. Hybrid vehicles improve fuel efficiency by about 35% to 45% and reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 25% to 35%. While CNG cars are not as clean as hybrids, they are better than petrol or diesel cars and do not use oil.”
Bhargava also highlighted the potential for developing biogas from agricultural, animal, and human waste in India. He emphasized that biogas is fully renewable, has no import content, and is overall carbon-negative. Producing biogas could significantly benefit the environment by reducing the burning of paddy stubble and increasing cleanliness. Maruti Suzuki has begun trials to produce biogas and is awaiting government policies that will facilitate its rapid development. We are also working on modifying engines of cars and presently can use petrol blended with 20% ethanol. Technology exists to enable cars to use higher amounts of ethanol.
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