Tesla Motorsplans to begin selling electriccars in Europe next year, taking advantage of the weak dollar. Ze'ev Drori, chief executive of the US start-up, told the Financial Times that Tesla would start selling the roadsters, which will be priced at just under

After switching the entire public bus transport fleet in the Capital to eco-friendly Compressed Natural Gas, the Delhi Government is now making efforts to introduce electric vehicles in the city to fu

The Budget provision to cut duty on hybrid cars from 24% to 14% is a step in the right direction to make them more affordable in India, thereby increasing their quicker adoption by people.

TAX TO CONSIST OF 8% ADDITIONAL EXCISE FOR BELOW-90% EFFICIENCY OF AVERAGE, INCREASING TO 24% THE government is planning to impose higher taxes on manufacturers of personal vehicles with high emissions. The gas guzzler tax would be an additional 8% excise duty for vehicles at efficiency of below 90% of the average and would increase to a maximum of additional 24% duty as the fuel economy drops. The government hopes the calibrated excise duty structure would result in better compliance of fuel efficiency norms by car makers. Tax incentives for manufacturers with relatively low pollutant emissions and high fuel efficiency is also on the cards. The committee

P Chidambaram's push for hybrid cars may not see an immediate splash of green cars on the roads, but it would certainly encourage more companies to seriously look at the segment. Hybrids, that alternate between a fuel and a battery to power your vehicle, have received a special focus from FM, who prefers cars that are less taxing on environment. He has cut excise duty for hybrids cars by 10%, bringing it down to 14%, giving a big incentive for companies to look at the option. This move will benefit Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), which will introduce hybrid versions of Scorpio and Bolero by June. And, prices may be cheaper than the existing petrol or diesel versions. "The duty cut will certainly boost work on hybrid vehicles,' said Arun Jaura, senior V-P. While Honda is close to launching a hybrid version of its sedan Civic, it will be imported, which means price will be nearly double the petrol version due to over 100% duties. The company says it is not feasible to make that car in India, as it would have limited volumes of 200-300 cars annually. "Excise duty cut would encourage manufacturers to bring in environment-friendly cars with advanced technology,' said Honda Siel India president and CEO M Takedagawa. While Honda does not get any direct benefit, the cut in excise helps it indirectly, in terms of lower counter-vailing duty on import

INNOVATION Minister Kim Carr will launch a concerted push to secure production of hybrid cars for Australia when he meets senior executives of Toyota in Tokyo tomorrow. Senator Carr will brief the senior management of Toyota in Japan about the Rudd Government's review of the automotive industry being undertaken by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks. The Government is keen to use its proposed $500 million green car fund to convince Toyota to set up production of hybrid vehicles

TVS Motor Company on Wednesday launched its first electric scooter

After the Rs 1-lakh 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 hydrogenpowered vehicles, some of which could be commercial ly produced by 2011.

Toyota's Prius hybrid stole a march on the car industry. What comes next?