CV makers looking to roll out hybrid buses in India

The growing popularity of hybrid cars is now rubbing off on commercial vehiclemakers like Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Volvo Buses India, etc, which are eyeing to foray into the similar segment. Even though no companies have yet firmed up its plans to launch such products, a number of them have confirmed that launching hybrid buses is very much on their drawing boards. In the international markets, manufacturers of diesel-electric hybrid buses include Azure Dynamics Corporation, Ebus, Eletra (Brazil), New Flyer Industries, Gillig, ISE Corporation, Motor Coach Industries, Orion Bus Industries, North American Bus Industries, Daimler AG’s Mitsubishi Fuso, Designline, BAE Systems, Volvo Buses, Wrightbus, Castrosua and many more. However, out of them Volvo is only company which is keen to launch such products in the Indian market as others have not yet begun their operations here.

“This is a new concept and we’ll have to see how it develops,” said Sugato Sen, senior director general at industry lobby group Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers. “While state transport undertakings may not be very interested initially, there could be a market among long-distance operators and hotels.”

Hybrid buses, say industry executives, are ideal for city transportation, characterised by numerous stops, slow-moving traffic and engines idling at traffic signals.

When a battery of reporters caught up with a senior representative of Ashok Leyland at the SIAM annual convention, this is what he has to say, “Hybrid CVs is the future in India as it will not only reduce the fuel consumption, but will also be less pollutant. We are keen to foray in to this segment as we can generate volumes. The only downside is the cost factor and the government should provide good amount of subsidies and incentives to promote its production.”

Similarly, the world’s second largest bus manufacturer -Volvo Buses- is also looking to tap this segment, reported Live Mint, citing a senior representative of the company.

“We are in discussions where we would like to bring the buses to India as soon as possible for exhibitions and discussions,” said Edward Jobson, environmental director, Volvo Bus Corp was quoted as saying to Live Mint, adding that the company could start offering test rides to prospective customers next summer, he said, adding that the firm said it is in discussions with the urban development ministry on how the government can make it viable for state transport undertakings to run these buses.

Similarly, India’s largest CV maker, Tata Motors is also looking to roll out hybrid buses for the domestic market in the next few years. A senior representative of the company was quoted as saying to ‘The Business Standard’, “As the technology for alternative fuel vehicles is constantly evolving, we are constantly evaluating the ideal one suited for our buses meant for the domestic market. It will take some time for the launch of these buses.”
Source:[wheelsunplugged.com]