Suzuki Motors will also aggressively launch hybrid vehicles by getting technical support from Japanese multinational Toyota Motor Corporation
Focusing on the Indian electric vehicles (EVs) market, Japanese automotive maker Suzuki Motors said that the company is road testing its 50 EVs in the country.
Toshihiro Suzuki, President, Suzuki Motors Corp said that the company is exploring EV as well as hybrid options for Indian market, keeping the focus on the reduction of pollution.
“We are road testing 50 EVs electric vehicles in India, in order to reduce CO2 further. It is crucial to fully utilise existing technologies in addition to electric vehicles, Suzuki said while speaking on the sidelines of Vibrant Gujarat Summit on Friday.
He further said that in the Indian context, Suzuki Motors firmly believes that both hybrid and CNG vehicles are the most effective solutions, providing fastest outcomes.
“Particularly, it should be noted that hybrid technologies are developing at a faster pace,” he added.
The company will also aggressively launch hybrid vehicles by getting technical support from Japanese multinational Toyota Motor Corporation.
Plant for lithium-ion battery
Suzuki is also setting up a plant for manufacturing automobile lithium-ion battery in Hansalpur, in the district of Ahmedabad, Gujarat and also localising other components that are needed for EVs.
“Since the technologies for hybrid and electric vehicles have similarity, we will first localise components of hybrid vehicle and followed by electric vehicle,” the company president said.
The production at the engine and transmission plant of the company will begin soon, informed Suzuki.
The second manufacturing plant of Suzuki will start functioning shortly, whereas the company is also planning to commission third assembly plant by 2020.
With the operations started in all the three plants of Suzuki Motors, the annual production capacity of the company in the state of Gujarat will be reached up to 750,000 units.
The first assembly plant of the company in Gujarat was started in September 2017.