Toyota would provide the technical knowledge for the project while Suzuki will manufacture the vehicles
The collaboration of Toyota and Suzuki intends to host electric and hybrid vehicles for the market of India. As per the government plans of shifting towards cleaner and greener mobility solutions to address the rising pollution and fuel prices.
According to plans of an alliance, four electrified models are likely to be ready by 2020-21 and shared between the two Japanese automakers. Maruti Suzuki which is an Indian unit of Suzuki is testing an electric version of the Wagon R. In addition to electric vehicles, a range of hybrid vehicles are likely to be shared between the two companies, such as the Baleno, Vitara Brezza and Corolla.
Fuel efficiency may get improve in hybrid cars
These hybrids will come with power outputs of 12 volts to 72 volts. It is estimated that this will help improve their fuel efficiency by five per cent to 45 per cent. Maruti Suzuki may showcase its Wagon R EV at the Move Summit which is the government-organised global summit on mobility in New Delhi on September 7-8th.
A prototype line has been put up at the Gurgaon plant and about 50 vehicles are already made and being tested in Mumbai and Bengaluru. It is said that Baleno and Brezza are likely to get a lithium-ion battery pack and a 12-volt system. The Wagon R electric vehicle is likely to be powered by the 72-volt system with a battery capacity of 10-25 KWH.
Gaurav Vangaal, senior analyst told that India needs latest technology which is frugal, cleaner, cost-effective, has potential to be exported which will not only reduce the import but also project Indian manufacturing at the global level. Meanwhile, there is a lot of efforts on the localisation of parts and components to ensure the cost of the vehicles is affordable to Indian buyers.
