While the Indian market is slowly embracing hybrids and electric vehicles, there is still a long way to go.
While tennis ace Novak Djokovic, director Steven Spielberg and actors Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt and Ashton Kutcher drive a Tesla, actors Ryan Gosling and Sarah Jessica Parker drive a Toyota Prius. Actor Reese Witherspoon has a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid, actor-politician Arnold Schwarzenegger a Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, actor Courteney Cox a BMW Active 7 Hybrid, musician Dave Matthews a Honda Insight Hybrid and singer Selena Gomez a Ford Escape Hybrid. And, in England, actor Kristin Scott Thomas drives a REVAi G-Wiz, similar to what for-mer Miss India Gul Panag drives in India—a Mahindra ego, powered by an electric motor, which runs on batteries.
At a time when many conversations revolve around global warming end deplet in natural resources, it is fly natural that talk turns to alternative sources of energy. And what better than plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs), which have their green credentials in place and are perfect city runabouts?
At the moment, though, India is yet to cotton on to these vehicles and there is no saying which way it will swing—towards hybrids or EVs. Indian companies, however, have been hard at work. Currently, Mahindra has about 6,000 electric vehicles on the road and an annual growth rate of 60 to 70 per cent, says Mahesh Babu, CEO, Mahindra Electric. While Mahindra's e2o has been on the road for about three years, it is now joined by three more EVs—e2o Plus, eVerito and eSupro. Besides, Mahindra has micro hybrid and full hybrid vehicles in the market and has already launched the micro-hybrid Scorpio. "But, given the pur-pose to develop sustainable mobility and tackle pollution, we believe EVs will lead the way," says Babu.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
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India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
