Its time for hybrid cars in india!!!

There are more hybrid cars rolling out into the Indian market in 2008. Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) is planning to launch a start-stop option of its Scorpio diesel-electric hybrid by end of 2008. The company also has a hybrid version of the Bolero on the cards, which, to begin with, will also be a start-stop.

"We plan to launch the start-stop option of the Scorpio hybrid before the end of this year since it is fuel efficient without adding on too much cost," said Pawan Goenka, president, automotive sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

The start-stop option means that the the engine shuts off and restarts automatically. The other features in a hybrid vehicle include the electric launch, regenerative braking and torque supplementation by an electric motor. "Hybridisation offers many advantages, primarily the benefits of fuel economy and reduction in emissions," said Arun Jaura, chief technology officer, Mahindra Group and chairman, National Hybrid Propulsion Platform (NHPP).

Currently, the Honda Civic hybrid is the only fully hybrid version in the market. Priced at Rs 22 lakh, the car is imported as completely-built-unit (CBU) from Japan and is powered by a 1.3-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that delivers 47%-more fuel efficiency than the regular 1.8-litre Civic. Tata Motors is also working on a hybrid version of the Indica. The Toyota Motor Corporation is also planning to launch its Prius hybrid in India by 2009-10. Also on the cards is the launch of the indigenously-developed hybrid called the Beaver which is expected to cost under Rs 3 lakh.

Indicating the presence of a a niche market for hybrids in India, Pinaki Mukherjee, lead analyst, Datamonitor, said, "Reduction in import duty and awareness about hybrids are seen vital by OEMs in a bid to kick off the product in the country." The recent budget announcement of an excise-duty cut on hybrid vehicles from 24% to 14% is seen as a step by the government to promote such vehicles in the country.