Bridging The Gap

We spend a couple of days decoding intelligent technologies packed in Toyota’s luxurious green saloon – the Camry Hybrid

- Suvrat Kothari

TWO YEARS AGO, OUR TRANSPORT MINISTRY expressed its desire to move to 100 per cent electric vehicles by 2030. A goal that was ambitious but utterly unrealistic. With the future of the Indian automobile industry in the fists of self-appointed economic and automotive experts, this announcement sent shockwaves around the country. This would not only affect millions of jobs but also put a question mark over the billion-dollar manufacturing plants set up for ICE cars by Indian and foreign brands. Thankfully, our netas introspected and another announcement followed soon after, diluting the target by a significant margin. From 100 per cent electrification of passenger cars to 30 per cent by 2030.

The shift to EVs is fast approaching and there’s no running away from that. But the quantum leap from internal combustion engines to pure electric powertrains is a bit too much to adapt to, in such little time. More time is essential for buyer sentiment to change while EV makers and local governments work in tandem to set-up adequate charging infrastructure. Even developed nations like the UK and France don’t plan to phase out ICE vehicles before 2040, so expect India to take even longer. So, what is the next logical step? Hydrogen fuel-cell tech is still in its development stages and plug-in hybrids need proper infrastructure. Self charging hybrids are our best bet at the moment!