India may partner with the Netherlands, which is counted among the most developed markets for electric and hybrid vehicles, to set up infrastructure for developing such vehicles indigenously, two officials familiar with the development said.
“We are trying to reach an understanding with the government of the Netherlands in the hybrid and electric vehicles segment to reduce our dependence on traditional fuels,” said a senior official in the heavy industries department, who did not want to be named. “A proposal has been sent to the nodal ministries such as finance, road transport and environment for review.”
Electric vehicles are environment-friendly as they run on chargeable batteries rather than traditional fuels such as petrol and diesel. Hybrid vehicles allow both options.
The manufacture of electric vehicles is still a fringe business in India.
The Netherlands, however, has been encouraging the sale of electric and hybrid vehicles by exempting buyers from paying road tax.
The number of hybrid cars registered in the Netherlands more than doubled to 23,000 in 2009 from 11,300 on 1 January 2008, according to Statistics Netherlands.
“When it comes to infrastructure, the Indian government can learn from the experience of the Netherlands as they have some pilot projects running,” said Yash Saxena, consultant, climate value advisory, Emergent Ventures India Pvt. Ltd, a consulting firm.
DHV Group, a Netherlands-based engineering consultant that focuses on sustainable development technologies, has approached the heavy industries ministry in this regard, said a second official familiar with the development, who also declined to be identified.
“A group had come a couple of months back and made a presentation on development of infrastructure,” the official said.
The firm couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.
