Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari Launched Toyota’s first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) in India, which would run on 100% petrol as well as 20 to 100% blended ethanol and electric power. Union Ministers Mahendranath Pandey, Bhupender Yadav, Union MoS Rameswar Teli, Karnataka Minister Dr Murugesh Nirani, Vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt Ltd Vikram Kirloskar and MD & CEO of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Masakazu Yoshimura were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Gadkari said 6 – 8% increase in agricultural growth rate is necessary for AtmaNirbhar Bharat. He emphasized on importance of converting surplus foodgrain and sugar into ethanol for boosting rural economy.
Encouraging ‘Anndatas’ to become ‘Urjadatas’, he said that the success of this pilot project will create an ecosystem of electric vehicles and make NewIndia, a global leader in the manufacture of these electric vehicles. He said such technologies are innovative, revolutionary, sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient & will completely transform the transportation sector in New India.
