Hybrids at present emit less carbon than battery-powered electric cars'

Against the backdrop of the ministry of heavy industries (MHI) setting up a task force to design a road map for the country's electric vehicles and amid states such as Uttar Pradesh exempting registration fee for hybrid cars, RC BHARGAVA, chairman of Maruti Suzuki, in a telephonic interview with Surajeet Das Gupta, talks on the battle between electric and other alternative technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Edited excerpts:

- Surajeet Das Gupta

Do you think it is time for the industry and the government to together relook at the EV policy?

Who is the industry? It is made of companies who are divided. Tatas and others oppose hybrids because they believe it will cut into their electric car sales, but in reality it will only complement the move away from ICE cars. So it is the government which has to take a decision based on what is good for the country. And the government is already taking a relook. We see a similar situation in scooters. Bajaj has launched a CNG motorcycle and wants a reduction in GST but electric two-wheeler players may oppose it.

But don't you think that by pushing battery powered electric vehicles, we would make a big impact on reducing carbon emissions?