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    Hybrid Cars, not pure Electric Vehicless, ideal for India: Lexus’ Asia Pacific Division head

    Synopsis

    As per estimates available with the company, every single hybrid electric vehicle that it puts on the road saves one tonne of CO2 over a period of three years.

    e-vehicle-ThinkStock Photos
    Socco said high cost of battery-electric vehicles, and lack of charging infrastructure are the main deterrents to immediate mass-scale adoption of pure electric vehicles.
    NEW DELHI: Despite the increase in taxes on hybrid vehicles under GST, luxury car maker Lexus would continue to add on to its offerings in the space as it believes it is the best solution to address concerns related to vehicular pollution and rising fuel bills in India.

    “Our point is that the government of India must consider a comprehensive view of electrification rather than a very specific one, battery electric. We are ready with the technology, but we are conscious about how the consumer can adapt that technology. Otherwise it is just on paper. It is zero emission, but it is not deployable, therefore we cannot realise zero emission,” Vince Socco, executive vice-president heading Lexus’ Asia Pacific Division, told ET.

    Socco said high cost of battery-electric vehicles, and lack of charging infrastructure are the main deterrents to immediate mass-scale adoption of pure electric vehicles.

    Hybrids, Socco reckoned, can realise the twin goals of curbing crude imports as well as reducing carbon emissions without further investments from the government.

    “They are deployable and are part of the solution today… At some point, pure battery electric vehicles will also be a solution, but it needs time to get to the point where critical mass will happen because there are issues,” said Socco.

    As per estimates available with the company, every single hybrid electric vehicle that it puts on the road saves one tonne of CO2 over a period of three years.


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