India unveils the world’s first BS 6 Stage II electric flex-fuel vehicle
India unveils the world’s first BS 6 Stage II electric flex-fuel vehicle
New Delhi
Indian government on Tuesday unveiled the world’s first BS 6 Stage II electric flex fuel vehicle.
The vehicle is developed by Toyota Kirloskar Motors and it can make use of flex-fuel (ethanol blended fuels) and an electric powertrain.
Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the government and industry association will make India a global hub for cleaner technologies and achieve self-reliance in the energy sector.
“The initiative by Toyota in introducing the world’s first BS 6 Stage II electric flex fuel vehicle is quite important.
It can aid in the substitution of petrol by Ethanol as it can use higher ethanol blends (beyond 20%).
The vehicle has a flex-fuel engine with an electric powertrain which offers higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel efficiencies.
The innovative vehicle is based on Innova Hycross and is engineered to adhere to India’s stricter emission standards,” he added.
Puri said it also marks the launch of the first-ever BS 6 Stage II Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle prototype globally.
“India has huge Ethanol potential, much beyond the E20 mix.
This excess potential can be utilized by the country by promoting Flex Fuel vehicle (FFVs) and Flex Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
An Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle has both a Flexi Fuel engine and an electric powertrain.
This gives it the ability to provide the dual benefits of higher ethanol use and much higher fuel efficiency as is in the case of a SHEV.
It can provide 30-50% higher Fuel Efficiency as it can run 40-60% in EV mode with the engine shut off,” said Puri.
