Nitin Gadkari, the Union Road Transport and Highways Minister, has been actively promoting green mobility in India by advocating for electric vehicles. He recently participated in an event in Nagpur where he disclosed the future plans for ethanol-powered vehicles.
India to Witness Rise of Ethanol-Powered Vehicles
During the event, Gadkari announced that India will soon witness the emergence of vehicles that run entirely on ethanol. He further revealed that Toyota, a leading car manufacturer, is preparing to convert the Camry model into a fully ethanol-powered car, which will be available in the Indian market by August. He emphasized that this energy source will contribute to generating 40 percent of electricity.
Gadkari also shared that prominent two-wheeler manufacturers like TVS, Bajaj, and Hero are actively involved in the race towards ethanol-powered vehicles and will introduce scooters that run entirely on ethanol in the near future.
Regarding the pricing of ethanol-powered vehicles, Gadkari mentioned that ethanol is priced at Rs 60 per litre, while petrol costs Rs 120 per litre. Therefore, comparing the two, the average cost of ethanol will be Rs 15 per litre. Additionally, he highlighted the positive impact of ethanol on electricity generation, estimating a 40 percent contribution.
Mercedes Benz on Manufacturing Electric Vehicles, Mandatory Air Conditioning in Truck
Furthermore, Gadkari discussed his conversation with the chairman of Mercedes Benz during the event. The luxury car manufacturer expressed its plans to exclusively produce electric vehicles in the future, which Gadkari shared with the audience.
In another context, Gadkari recently attended an automotive event where he advocated for air conditioning to be a mandatory feature in truck cabins. He confirmed that he has signed a file to enforce the installation of air conditioning units in truck driver compartments. This decision was made to prioritize the well-being of truck drivers who endure high temperatures in the cabin.
