EVs on the anvil for India, part of a multi-technology approach to combat emissions: Toyota
Japanese car giant Toyota will introduce electric vehicles in India, as part of a multi-technology approach to combat air pollution in the country, which EVs alone cannot deal with, according to senior officials of the company’s Indian unit.
The company feels that under the current conditions, a solid hybrid is the most viable solution with the addition of other technologies, including electric, variable fuel, electric fuel, and plug-in hybrid in India, Toyota Kirloskar Motor & Lexus India, Deputy Managing Director – Sales-Service-Used Car, Tadashi Asazuma told PTI.
“India itself is one of the most important country markets that we are aware of. So technically, we are thinking about how we can contribute to the Indian car market, what will suit India.
“However, as of now, we think that a solid hybrid is the kind of practical answer to start with,” he said here in an interview on the sidelines of the Auto Expo held as part of the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025.
Elaborating, Toyota Kirloskar Motor Vice President and Country Head Vikram Gulati said that the company has a multi-modal tunnel from electric batteries to hydrogen, plug-in hybrid and flex fuel.
“Our approach is that we see we have to deal with the problem of carbon (emission) and energy as soon as possible.
For that, everything is needed, including electricity, flexible fuel, flex fuel-electrified, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, because not all consumers have the same need,” said Gulati.
When asked about Toyota’s plans for a full electric car in India, “It’s true, we think. However, as we have said repeatedly as a solution (EV) is not the only answer.
We have many answers.” He said EVs have seen a decline in global markets in the past, which may or may not happen in India and the company would first like to “test customer preferences”.
“We will do it… But as a business policy we are not saying,” said Gulati when asked if Toyota will launch an EV in India and how soon, given that Suzuki, the company with global product and technology partnerships, has launched its electric vehicle. SUV and VITARA.
He pointed out that regarding the existence of EV technology “it is not a challenge at all as Toyota had it since 1996”.
At the exhibition, TKM showcased the all-electric concept ‘bZ4X’ and ‘URBAN BEV’ without alternative fuel technologies as part of its multi-pronged approach to driving carbon neutrality.
When Asazuma was asked if he was thinking of bringing in more SUVs, MPVs, and larger cars as the Indian market approaches those, Asazuma said, “Why?
He continued, “That’s why we are increasing our production capacity after seeing this kind of momentum and how we can provide the best cars.”
Gulati said Toyota Kirloskar Motor recently announced a massive investment of Rs 3,300 crore for a third line at the Bidadi plant in Karnataka.
It will increase the production capacity of the plant by 1 lakh units per annum to 4.4 lakh units per annum when it becomes fully operational by 2026.
