Maruti Suzuki working on low-cost hybrid technology for its small cars

Looks like the top Indian car maker doesn’t want to just make regular cars, it wants to few usable technology as well. Maruti Suzuki is currently working on low-cost hybrid technology that will be used in their cars, starting right from the Alto to the Swift hatchback over the next three to four years.

R&D engineers from India are working closing with the Japanese counterparts where the large part of the development is happening. This upcoming hybrid technology is expected to be 25 per cent more fuel efficient and will help to cross the 25kmpl mark easily. While regular hybrid systems are expensive, Maruti plans to price this marginally above its regular petrol models. This is achievable for the company because of the sales volume it generates, which allows to spread cost wide and keep prices low, just like it did with the automated manual transmission (AMT). 

Hybrid vehicles usually have a non-conventional propulsion system, such as an electric motor, in addition to the engine that runs on conventional fuel. They also often include mechanisms to capture energy, such as while braking, to recharge the battery. While hybrid vehicles offer better fuel efficiency and are more environment friendly, heftier price compared with those running on conventional fuels has been the biggest hurdle for their wider adoption globally.

"It is no more a concept. The real work is under way and the hybrid technology development is at an advanced stage. A large part of the development is happening in Japan and key inputs from Indian R&D engineers are also being absorbed. The idea is to offer a technology to the mass with not a major price difference over existing petrol cars," said a source to ET.