Consumers can soon expect energy-efficient hybrid cars on the Indian roads. Japanese car major Honda has finalised plans to drive in its Civic hybrid. The hybrid car can run both on petrol and a battery pack, giving commuters a higher fuel efficiency on the road apart from a cleaner environment.
That?s not all. Other carmakers looking to launch hybrid products include Mahindra, which is working on its Scorpio brand, and Toyota with its hugely popular Prius. However, Toyota has sought subsidy from the government to introduce the clean fuel technology by way of reduced taxes/duties.
Industry observers feel as per the present duty structure, the Civic hybrid would be priced ?at least 60% more? than Honda?s existing petrol-only model which costs between Rs 10.5-12 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). For the same performance output in terms of power and torque, a battery pack-petrol combine car can increase the efficiency of a vehicle by over 40-50% with a smaller engine compared to a conventional petrol driven car.
?We are planning to import the Civic hybrid in India and have approached the government to get clear policy guidelines with regard to the testing of the new technology vehicle,? Masahiro Takedagawa, president and CEO of Honda Siel Cars India (HSCI), said.
The company has approached the ministry of road transport and highways through industry body SIAM to get in a mandate for testing and certification of hybrid cars in the country.