The Hindu Business Line : Tatas eye Europe with electric Indica

Tata Motors is working on an electric version of the Indica for the overseas market, slated to be launched by 2009. It has roped in a foreign collaborator for the project and hopes to tap the environmentally conscious European market. “We are working on converting Indica into an electric platform for the European market,” said Mr V G Gujrathi, Senior General Manager, Engineering Research Centre, Tata Motors to Business Line on the sidelines of an auto event organised by SIAM here.

Car makers are betting on Europe for electric cars given the fact that climate change and environment sustainability are high on the European Union agenda. For instance, London has given tax exemption to hybrid vehicles. Countries such as Norway, Sweden and France that have surplus power are also shifting to battery-operated vehicles.

Meanwhile, for the domestic market Tata Motors would be launching a ‘mild hybrid’ of Indica in 2008. The company said that electricity-run Indica would not suit the Indian scenario as the domestic market is yet to mature.

Mr Gujrathi said, “The prototype of Indica hybrid is ready. But we are waiting for the technology to be made completely adaptable .” The hybrid version would have the facility to turn off the engine when it is not needed such as when the car is stopped at signals, and turned on again.

Japanese car makers such as Honda (Civic) and Toyota (Prius) have also been mulling over the prospect of introducing their hybrid cars in India. However, the lack of homologation rules in the country has been a hurdle.

Besides the passenger car, Tata Motors is also working with a US-based company on electrification of its most popular light commercial vehicle, ‘Ace’, and hybrid buses for city transport.

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