With the Government of India’s initiative to put 1 million electric vehicles on the roads by 2019 , car and bike makers are preparing to manufacture electric and hybrid systems. The western state of Gujarat is set to become the electric vehicle hub of India.
Ford Motor Co., which has a manufacturing unit at Sanand in Gujarat will partner with Mahindra Group to explore electrification of vehicles as a potential area of co-operation on which they would collaborate and work together for the next three years.
Mumbai-based JSW Group signed an agreement with the government of Gujarat to promote production of battery operated vehicles in the state along with the production of electrical battery, storage solutions and charging infrastructure. The company will invest $700 million (4000 crore) in the project.
Suzuki Motor Corporation is gearing up to manufacture EVs in a factory at Hansalpur in Gujarat, and has committed $600 million for the venture.
Tata Motors is looking to revamp its Nano as an EV, in a bid to boost sales; its factory too will be in Gujarat.
Live Mint says that MG Motors India Ltd, a subsidiary of China’s largest auto maker SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd is also considering launching electric and hybrid cars in India. The company has recently taken over General Motors India’s manufacturing facility in Halol, Gujarat “from where we aim to roll out environment-friendly vehicles,” said P. Balendran, executive director at MG Motors India.