Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) managing director Masakazu Yoshimura stated that the Japanese automaker is working on multiple technologies, including all-electric and flex fuel strong hybrid vehicles, for introduction in the Indian market in accordance with the government's directive to reduce crude oil imports and vehicular pollution.
In India, the company, which is a joint venture with the Kirloskar Group, has begun testing a flex fuel strong hybrid version of the multi-purpose vehicle Hycross. "This is a prototype that we are testing for the first time globally for the Indian market." It can run on ethanol as well as the strong hybrid and has a better fuel efficiency of about 40-50% (when compared to petrol),' Yoshimura said.
He declined to provide a timeline for commercial production of the vehicle, but said extensive testing is underway, following which the vehicle will be homologated and certified.
"Ethanol, being an indigenous, clean, and renewable fuel, holds a promising future for India," said road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari as he unveiled the prototype of Toyota's world's first BS 6 (stage II), electrified flex fuel vehicle. The government's emphasis on ethanol is to achieve energy self-sufficiency, boost farmer incomes, and have a positive impact on the environment."