In line with government’s plan to go all electric auto makers are looking at developing electric vehicles of their popular models. Media reports suggest, Hyundai is considering electric versions of its stellar models, Grand i10 and i20 for the Indian market. Hyundai is also said to conduct a feasibility study to launch an electric mini-SUV by next year. The compact sized cars, as Hyundai claims are more convenient and practical for the Indian market compared to the bulky large vehicles. While the company offers electric vehicles in prominent international markets, the company will first study the feasibility before making an investment in India. Also Read – Upcoming Hyundai Cars In India
The Grand i10 and i20 models belong to volume segments and are currently available in petrol and diesel fuel options in India. Earlier this year Hyundai launched Grand i10 facelift with subtle cosmetic updates, a new diesel engine and additional features. The company is currently working on a facelift version of i20, which is likely to be launched soon. If all goes well
The government is pushing automakers to explore the untouched segment in India by offering benefits under the FAME scheme and reducing the total cess to 12 per cent under the new tax regime (GST). On the contrary, there has been a sharp rise in cess on hybrids from 30 per cent to 43 per cent.
2017 Hyundai Grand i10 Images
The government’s ambitious plan to mass shift to electric cars by 2030 seems impractical to some of the car giants, who believe petrol and diesel cars cannot be scrapped completely. While the plan to go all electric seems unsuitable, car giants including Hyundai opine that certain segments could be upgraded by 2030. Besides, the public transport, ride-sharing and cab-operators can include entire fleet of electric cars. Knowing that India lacks infrastructure to support electric vehicles, government should look at building charging stations etc before mass shifting to electric vehicles.
Source – TOI
