Hybrid cars on Indian roads by 2008?

With fuel cost soaring to new highs, automobile firms are launching hybrid models to tackle the problem.

The Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar Motors is testing its best-selling hybrid car, the Prius, at the Pune-based Automotive Research Association of India facility for a possible launch of the dual fuel-powered car in the country.

Similarly, Mahindra & Mahindra is all set to introduce a hybrid Scorpio in the second half of 2008.

A senior official from ARAI, an industry research organisation, said: "Apart from the hybrid Scorpio of M&M, Toyota's Prius is at the ARAI facility for testing and homologation."

A Toyota official said the company had no plans to launch the car in the immediate future, given the lack of market size. He, however, said the company might contemplate of launching the vehicle at a later stage, when demand would grow.

The Mumbai-based utility and tractor manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra has already developed a hybrid prototype of its popular SUV model Scorpio, which is undergoing homologation tests at the ARAI facility. The vehicle, powered by a diesel engine and an electric motor, can give a mileage of 15-16 km per litre.

Pawan Goenka, president (automotive sector), M&M, said: "They were planning to launch the hybrid model of the Scorpio in the second half of 2008."

A hybrid vehicle uses two distinct power sources, such as an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (like a battery) and a fuel power source (petrol or diesel), for propulsion. They combine the best features of the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and can significantly improve fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or driving range.

Hybrid-electric vehicles combine the benefits of gasoline or diesel engines and electric motors to provide improved fuel economy. The engine provides most of the vehicle's power, and the electric motor provides additional power, when needed. This allows a smaller and more-efficient engine to be used. The electric power for the motor is generated from regenerative braking and from the gasoline engine.

In the recently released report of the Auto Mission Plan, the government announced to encourage automobile manufacturing firms building fuel-efficient and hybrid vehicles.

Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Santosh Mohan Deb said: "The government will henceforth support those companies, which achieve substantial reduction in energy consumption and at the same time look for use of alternative fuels including hybrids."

Internationally, the US remains as the largest market for hybrid vehicles. According to JD Power and Associated Automotive Forecasting analysts, by 2009, sales of hybrid cars will nearly double to about four per cent (673,000) of all passenger car sales from the current of 346,000 units.

Earlier this week, Tata Motors, in an effort to bring variations to its R&D operations, signed an agreement with France-based MDI for sharing of technology for engines powered by air.