We have learned that Mahindra is working on Hybrid vehicle. Also according to Pawan Goenka, President, Automotive and Farm Sectors of Mahindra and Mahindra, the vehicle would be ready for sale by 2015.

He added ,”We are developing the powertrain for the next generation electric car to be developed and sold under the Reva brand. In addition, there are over 40 people working on the full-fledged hybrid vehicle project. We are also working partners for biofuels and hydrogen-powered vehicles.” “We have sold 30,000-40,000 units of the micro hybrid versions of the Scorpio, Bolero, Xylo and XUV. Full hybrid technology is not easy to develop and we are working with an international company for it”.

In India,there has been no manufacturer which has launched a full Hybrid car in the market.A hybrid vehicle is that which is powered by two different energy sources— a traditional internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This twin combination results in higher fuel efficiency and lesser emission.While hybrid vehicle technology is expensive, Mahindra is confident in bringing the costs down with indigenous designs produced at lower costs. A team of 14 Mahindra engineers and a European consultant are working on the hybrid project at the manufacturer’s R&D facility in Chennai.

Mahindra is also working with Gurgaon-based Earth-100 Biofuels which claims it can run its vehicles on 100 percent biofuel or B100. Biodiesel is made from renewable natural resources like vegetable oil and is cost-efficient and easy to make and use. The manufacturer also inaugurated its Rs 650crore R&D centre in Chennai which it calls the Mahindra Research Valley (MRV). The manufacturer will be using the facility to develop work on their auto and tractor department ranging from engine development to the development of prototypes. “The MRV will become the hub of our R&D activities. Except for the design work, which will stay in Mumbai, all other work is shifted to Chennai” said Goenka.