Go green: Tatas plan hybrid Indica, buses

After the Rs 1-lakh wonder, Nano, Tata Motors is now embarking on another path-defining move to come out with electric and hybrid vehicles in both passenger, including its flagship Indica, and commercial segments.

According to industry sources, the company is working on blended fuel, partial and complete hybrids, electric vehicles and hydrogen-powered vehicles, some of which could be commercially produced as early as 2011.

The company is working on a petrol-electric hybrid vehicle capable of delivering about 20 km per litre complying with BS III and IV emission norms that could be applicable to Indica and its variants and also a possible adaptation of the concept to other platforms in future.

Moreover, the sources said Tata Motors is also working on five prototype electric vehicle using lithium ion batteries to be produced on the Indica platform, which could have a range of 200 kilometres per charge.

These developments are a part of the company's green technologies programme, to be carried out with short-term (less than three years), medium-term (3-8 years) and long-term (more than 8 years) goals.

When contacted, a Tata Motors spokesperson said: "The company is working on or supporting development of alternate fuels, including bio-fuels, hydrogen etc, and also electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles, both for passenger cars and public transport."

He, however, declined to comment on specific plans for specific products.

According to the sources, in the short-term, the company plans to roll out blended fuel, dual fuel and micro and mild hybrid vehicles over the next three years.