Viable Hybrid Solution for Automobiles

It's not everyday that you get to witness a discovery, or get to stand on the same platform when a potential world changing announcement is being made. I guess those who witnessed such changes might not have known about the future at the time, however I recently had the opportunity to be present at such a function where the announcement was truly a world game changer!

Bharat Forge and KPIT Cummins Infosystems Limited have formed a joint venture to further their breakthrough technology of a fully compatible plug-in parallel hybrid system that can be fitted to small cars, sedans and even small LCVs. According to the company, the technology just takes 4 to 6 hours to fit onto a car, and viola, you have a hybrid car that can save you fuel in the range of 40-70 per cent! If that isn't magic, I don't know what is. Of course there is a cost to this technology, and the company is looking at it being in the range of Rs 70,000 and above for a kit, however if a manufacturer were to take this proposal up and provide it as an OEM fitting, the possibility of reducing the cost would definitely play up. Regardless, a low cost hybrid solution that can be retro fitted into a vehicle is literally unheard of, and the fact that this technology is born in India, is a sure reason for national pride.

The Indian manufacturing league is surely and steadily working its way up the ranks to finding its own place in the sun. With low cost viable solutions that have literally made the world take a look at the Indian market, this country is on a roll. Of course, due credit goes to the Nano which redefined the small car market globally, and now we have this hybrid technology, which, if you ask me is also set to redefine the market globally. The potential of such a device is immense and its only a matter of time before you see this on the roads (6 months, say company officials).

It's a bit of a wait and watch game, however if the technology works its wonders at saving fuel costs in the region of 40-70 per cent, I can see takers not just in India but globally!