The Hinduja group company Ashok Leyland is exploring technologies for launching electric buses and trucks.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the 16th Asia Pacific Auto Conference, Dr V. Sumantran, Executive Vice-Chairman, Hinduja Automotive, said, “We are looking at technology solutions for electric vehicles across the spectrum of light, medium and heavy vehicles.” This will include an electric variant of the recently launched light commercial vehicle ‘Dost' as well.

While the power crisis in the country may pose a challenge, electric systems are still the way to go, said Dr Sumantran. “The industry has to get past this infrastructure hump. In the long run, the energy efficiency of electric vehicles is far more than other vehicles.”

Though India is at the threshold of developing electric systems, electric vehicles have a “great future in the country.” There are also opportunities in developing software for electronic control units, said Dr Sumantran.

“It will take 5-7 years of maturation and we must allow that to happen.” Like it happened with CNG technology… “Delhi today runs the largest fleet of CNG buses globally.”

Affordability

Affordability of electric vehicles is another challenge. This will drive the industry to develop products that are frugally executed, using fewer materials. But frugal engineering does not mean development of low technology, said Dr Sumantran. “Frugal engineering is, in fact, high technology.”

There is also the need to set common standards for electric vehicles, as this will bring down costs for consumers, said Mr David L. Schutt, CEO, Society of Automobile Engineers International.

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