Toyota to launch Electric vehicles with BHEL

The auto industry today is opting for the optional mode of fuel from electricity. Toyota, the premium auto brand is wooing the government based electricity firm-Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd for designing electric vehicle in keeping with the environment conscious efforts.

There have been several reports from the Ministry of Heavy Industries of India that Toyota is on the verge of negotiating with the officials of BHEL. The initiative is to avail subsidy for electric vehicles. The move also comes in the wake of earlier moves by the firm on producing electric buses and electric locomotives. There will be official visits by the team from BHEL to the camps of Toyota Nagoya in Japan. Before Toyota, GM and Nissan-Renault haven been involved in the electric vehicle concept globally. Toyota is also on the scene with its Prius hybrid and M&M is cashing in on the Reva. However, major players like Maruti, GM, Hundai, Tata Motors and others are yet to involve in the EV concept.

Toyota, on the other hand is on the scene with its Prius hybrid and M&M is running its Reva. Besides, there are other major players like Maruti, Hyundai, GM, and Tata Motors, ready to step into the EV concept. The primordial aim for Toyota has been partnering for delivering good vehicles under the electric version. The proposal may either culminate as a JV or as a sharing of technical set up. BHEL had similar offers from the Dutch based DHBC BV for availing similar facility under Inter-Ministerial Governing Council on EVs.

The Indian auto market is slowly inching toward alternative fuel in the wake of the sky rocketing fuel prices. In a bid to promote such moves, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will offer incentive of 20% subsidy for electric cars and two wheelers on factory price. Additionally the scheme is valid till 2011-12. The fund allocated is Rs95 crore. There is however a pre condition that there ought to be a minimum of 30% localized components.