[Screwdriva]

This article captures the difference in ethics across Indian vs. International car manufacturers.

Indian companies like Maruti and Tata only care about benefitting from the tax relief that a mild hybrid system brings. In Europe, mild hybrids are called start stop and are standard for most new cars. Pathetic!

[riteshritesh]

Originally Posted by Screwdriva

Indian companies like Maruti and Tata only care about benefitting from the tax relief that a mild hybrid system brings. In Europe, mild hybrids are called start stop and are standard for most new cars. Pathetic!

Necessity is the mother of all inventions. Due to the tax benefits, Tata's and Maruti's are R & D'íng mild hybrids. I don't see anything wrong in that as the Indian consumer is going to be benefitted, which in the first place was the intention of giving incentives ( tax).
The Foreign companies don't even bother offering their hybrid line-up, as they see no business sense in importing without any tax rebates. In my opinion, this approach is very consumer un-friendly.

[narayans80]

All these mild hybrids are pure hogwash. The buyer doesn't gain anything apart from the initial pricing, a benifit I don't know how long it is going to last. The moment these start-stop stuff are de-recognized as a 'hybrid' technology, the R&D time involved is a total waste. I don't see any spike in Ciaz, Ertiga volumes due to this either. They've not contributed one bit in lowering the running costs, by means of increased FE.

On the other end, Mahindra seems to be working on the full electric end. Which good, the penetration is awfully slow. What's the point of working on new models, when the existing models haven't found their place yet in existing markets and not expanded to a wider audience. Nissan with it's Leaf faces similar challenges (infact much much more than Mahindra).

Which brings us to the pure hybrids. Its the technology that has a relatively easier entry point for users, that does not need an infrastructure investment unlike pure electric. A vast majority deciding to introduce in the D2 and luxury segment isn't going to benifit the public. The entries worth mentioning are the (under consideration) Polo/Vento and to a less extent the Corrolla Hybrid. The Corrolla Hybrid would likely have a sticker price to the tune of 25-27 lakhs (a 5 lakh premium over their petrol CVT variant). Polo/Vento (if it becomes a reality) would likely sit at 15-20 lakh ballpark, would likely be the only achievable entry for us.

If the government wants to go the hybrid/electric way, owners should get lot more incentives than the excise duty benifit they get today. The technology is expensive and unless the above happens, the mass market is never going to be able to afford an electric/hybrid vehicle.

Where I live, taxis have taken a liking towards the Prius and in one rare case the Tesla. There are rare privately used hybrids like the Yaris hybrid. A colleague uses the Lexus hybrid commutes 45 km one way.

[volkman10]

Govt withdraws subsidy to mild hybrids under FAME scheme.

Mild hybrid technology will stand excluded from the benefits of the FAME India scheme with effect from April 1, 2017;

Earlier, mild hybrid, strong hybrid, plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles were given incentives under the scheme.

While extending the Phase I of the scheme to September 30, the notification, however, said "sales of mild hybrid vehicles by dealer to retail purchasers effected up to March 31, 2017 will not be affected

Maruti Suzuki will continue to offer the Mild Hybrid variants.

We will continue to provide value to customers through this technology. We do not expect any significant impact due to withdrawal of the FAME incentive

Link

[CarguyNish]

Originally Posted by volkman10

Maruti Suzuki will continue to offer the Mild Hybrid variants.

Will that result in Ciaz Diesel loosing it's price advantage in NCR ?
With no incentives, I guess Maruti will offer Mild Hybrid at same price it was earlier when launched.

I guess the Government is looking at promoting Hybrids in a different way. Let's wait & watch.

[volkman10]

Originally Posted by CarguyNish

I guess the Government is looking at promoting Hybrids in a different way. Let's wait & watch.

Launch of hybrids/EV's from Toyota- Suzuki alliance can be expected shortly!

[kbishwa]

Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles (FAME) India (phase II) will be kicked off by our PM Mr Modi on 7th Sept'18.

Yesterday the finance minister Mr Geete set aside a sizeable amount for the phase-II (₹5500 crore).

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com...w/65581874.cms

The focus is on public transport system and creating basic infrastructure for the EVs (charging stations), the fuel will be free (read vehicle charging) for EVs in public places and Government Offices as a promotional incentive.

I appears, the government is serious about climate change, examples are thrust on RE and commitment towards green vehicles, although they are not sure of the roadmap (remember government not confirming the announcement by Mr Gadkari regarding 100% EVs by 2030.) While the discount on e-vehicles would be the main attraction, few of the challenges remain as follows:

1. Plan for transition of existing automobile industry. Remember, an EV has much lesser components compared to present generation automobiles. There will be paradigm changes.

2. Buying decision of customers. Policy clarity and right guidance.

3. Issue of employment loss and re-skilling requirement. Both in manufacturing and sales & services areas. There is huge unorganised sector dependent on present automobile industry.

4. Dependence on foreign technology or focusing developing indigenous technology both on automobile and the energy storage fronts. However, the latter would also help the renewable industry particularly the solar industry and hence can be developed together.

5. Recycling/disposing batteries.

There are positives like:

1. Faster and quieter cars. A whole lot of automation and exciting control.
2. Cleaner and calmer environment.
3. New avenues of employment generation.

Let me leave something for others also..

Whatever, we appear to be in the right direction for an exciting future relatively free from air and noise pollution.

[rajshenoy]

Let us see how this will transform in reality. I read that cash subsidy of over 1L is as part of this.

The only electric maker Mahindra today increases the price accordingly to ensure that the subsidy becomes profit. I have been tracking the prices of e20 and the prices have only gone north !! even though we keep hearing cost of batteries will become affordable.

[volkman10]

Manufacturers are skeptical over FAME II, voice resent .

1. FAME-II does not provide incentives to private car buyers unlike FAME-I

2. FAME-II states that only those EVs priced under Rs 15 lakh can benefit from this subsidy

The government’s decision to exclude private buyers is a setback for companies, who are in the final phase of launching electric and hybrid vehicles, as less than 10 percent of car buyers at present put their vehicles to commercial use

A section of car makers believe that the Centre will come out with a revised FAME-II scheme after the new government assumes office in a few months.

Link

[volkman10]

e-bike sales come to a halt in April

Lower subsidy under FAME-II, re-certification requirement hit electric two-wheelers industry.

The second phase of the FAME programme, the vehicles have become costlier, owing to a lower subsidy. Only lithium-ion battery electric two-wheelers are eligible for subsidy under FAME-II.

Link

[volkman10]

Three-wheelers may have to go electric from FY24.

After March 31, 2025 all new sales under category of two-wheelers below 150 cc will have to be electric vehicles running on lithium-ion batteries.

A complete switch to electric three-wheelers and two-wheelers in a phased manner, starting from March 31, 2023.

The steering committee on transformative mobility has proposed banning all internal combustion engine (ICE) threewheelers on Indian roads by March 31, 2023, and two-wheelers below 150 cc by March 31, 2025, as part of a larger plan to make India the hub for manufacturing electric vehicles.

the committee has proposed doubling the subsidy for electric three-wheelers under FAME II scheme to Rs 20,000 per kwh to bring initial prices of electric three-wheelers on a par with ICE three-wheelers.

a fee will be imposed on ICE vehicles and the funds thus collected will be utilised for offering rebate on purchase of electric vehicles, charging infrastructure and establishing battery plants of at least one gigawatt capacity.

Link

[condor]

List of vehicles and subsidy under FAME is available here:

https://fame2.heavyindustry.gov.in/ModelUnderFame.aspx

Surprised to see the number of 3-wheelers in this.