Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava

NEW DELHI : Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava has said it awaits a govt policy framework for push to all green technologies. Including strong hybrids, as an alternative over petrol and diesel vehicles in addition to curb carbon dioxide emissions. India wants to go carbon neutral by 2070, but automakers are distributing on which way is forward.

The country’s tax policy around EVs, for instance, is something out of a wishlist. Japanese giants with battle-hardened government lobbying arms like Maruti Suzuki. Toyota wants a hybrid fuel cut to help the automotive industry ease into full electrification. There are big doubts about whether pure electric vehicles (EVs) can sustainably play what some call an interim emissions reduction role.

Home-grown brands such as Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M). However, they have opposed the GST cut, rallying the decarbonization of Indian roads. It only happens once we go on a full-throttle EV route.

While EVs in India also charge just five percent of goods and services tax (GST), hybrid car owners pay 28 percent GST.

This divide also surfaced in the auto industry following an Uttar Pradesh government order on July 5 to exempt strong hybrid vehicles from paying a registration tax of as high as 8-10 percent.

Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava said in the MSIL annual report released on Sunday., “There is another view that your company has been slow to manufacture electric vehicles. We felt that with our national objectives in mind. We needed to spread things around and not put all of our eggs in one basket. The government has also admitted that we need to enable the use of many technologies in India.

“While some states like UP have already begun work in this regard. He said, “We eagerly await a policy framework that promotes any technology by which petrol and diesel cars are replacing with other technologies.

At present, MSIL offers two strong hybrid vehicles in India — Grand Vitara and Invicto. And the debut of its first EV is a few months away. MSIL plans to introduce a total of six EVs by 2030-31.

Quite simply, the car is a major national objective focused on carbon and greenhouse emissions. As well as imported fuel supplementation.

Noting that India was in a “different” economic and social environment and had the resources available to adopt newer technology. Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava said Maruti Suzuki felt it would be best for the people. Here, they were given cars of varying technologies, ranging from entry-level models.

The only thing that will boost electric vehicle adoption is cost reduction and charging infrastructure.

“Mostly, this has to come from localization of production and better technology,” Maruti Chairman RC Bhargava said.

It is the conclusion as well that petrol and diesel cars continue to become Black Sheep. If we see carbon emission and greenhouse gas emissions plus fuel consumption. Therefore, customers must also be pushed to purchase cars with strong hybrid systems.

As well as those running on CNG or biogas and ethanol. If not discouraged, use pure petrol and diesel cars. “Hybrid cars increase mileage by 35-45 percent. Cut down carbon plus greenhouse gas emission by about 25 to 35%,” he added.

Gasoline and diesel CNG cars fall between traditional hybrids. But are much cleaner to drive and use none of the oil.

India has much growth potential in the development of biogas from agriculture and animal and human waste. This material source is subtle and continuous biogas, an import-less, wholly renewable activity that we have right now. Biogas production will also have significant environmental benefits. This could lead to a massive reduction in the burning of paddy stubble and usher clean levels here,” he said.

MSIL has launched a pilot production of biogas.

“Hopefully, we will have policy decisions from the governments under which this fuel is being developed at a very fast pace. The country, for example, is modifying car engines. We are ready to use a mixture of petrol which has 20 percent ethanol. Cars can use more ethanol; there is technology to enable that, he added.

FAQs

Q1: What is Maruti Suzuki India’s stance on green technologies?

Maruti Suzuki India Limited supports a diverse approach to green technologies, including strong hybrids, to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and not solely rely on pure electric vehicles.

Q2: What is the tax policy for electric vehicles and hybrid cars in India?

In India, electric vehicles are charged a 5% goods and services tax (GST), while hybrid cars face a higher GST rate of 28%.

Q3: According to Maruti Chairman R C Bhargava, what are the potential benefits of hybrid cars?

Hybrid cars can increase mileage by 35-45% and reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 25-35%, making them a cleaner alternative to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.