India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki’s parent company Suzuki Motor Corporation is planning for big investments in electric vehicles in the Indian market.
The company said in a statement, “We will introduce the SUV battery EV announced at the Auto Expo 2023 in FY 2024, with 6 models to be launched by FY2030 in India. To provide a full range of sales and services, we will provide not only battery EVs but also carbon neutral internal combustion engine vehicles that use CNGs, biogas and ethanol mixed fuel.”
The company’s first BEV in the domestic market will be the eVX unveiled at the Auto Expo. The company said it aims to achieve a powertrain ratio of 15% BEVs, 25% HEVs and 60% hybrids by the end of this decade.
Based on the target date set by each country’s government, Suzuki aims to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan and Europe by 2050 and in India by 2070 and added that it will also focus on biogas business, in which biogas is derived from cow dungs, which are dairy wastes that can be seen mainly in India’s rural areas. This biogas can be used for Suzuki’s CNG models that account for approximately 70% of the CNG car market in India.
The company said, “While we expect the Indian market to grow towards FY2030, we also expect that an increase in total CO2 emission amount is unavoidable, regardless of reduction in CO2 emission from products. We will challenge to strike a balance between increasing sales units and reducing total CO2 emission amount.”
An MoU has been signed between Suzuki, the Indian government agency National Dairy Development Board and Banas Dairy, Asia’s largest dairy manufacturer, to conduct verification of biogas.
“We have also invested in Fujisan Asagiri Biomass LLC. that makes power generation from biogas derived from cow dungs in Japan, and are beginning its study,” Suzuki said while adding that it is in view of expanding the business to other farming areas in regions including Africa, ASEAN, and Japan in the future.
The Suzuki Innovation Center is exploring new connections and innovations to thoroughly take root in India additionally. “We will enhance our manufacturing strength by also cooperating with outside partners including startup companies Suzuki Suppliers Association, and cooperation with universities in Japan and India.”
While continuing to be a competitor to Toyota Motor Corporation, it will cooperate in development of advanced technologies including autonomous and battery of electrified cars, and formation of a recycling-based society, the company added.
