Pune: Mercedes Benz India MD & CEO Santosh Iyer said that electric vehicles ( EV ) are the cleaner option when it comes to energy transition in the automotive sector and while hybrids are less polluting than pure combustion engines, they are behind the curve compared to EVs. Considering the experience seen globally, where most countries have already transitioned from hybrids to EVs, it is prudent to avoid taking a step back, he told TOI when asked about the Uttar Pradesh’s recent move to waive road tax on hybrids. “We have the portfolio.
That is not the problem, but it will be prudent to focus on one technology and the zero-emission mobility rather than the in-between step (hybrids),” he said. If the policy wants to target carbon neutrality and zero emissions , EV is the only choice, he added. While EV has costlier technology, the central and state govts are subsidising them to make them more attractive and bring them at par with combustion engines.
State incentives vary in different parts of the country as some states rolled back zero tax on EVs. But from the centre’s perspective, India is able to provide sops for EVs as combustion engines are heavily taxed, whereas other countries are struggling to do a differential on EVs. The cost structure for EV is lucrative, and if this continues, buyers may switch to luxury EVs.
Mercedes Benz, which gets 5% of its volumes from EVs, has set a goal of going fully electric by 2030. The company expects to continue on double-digit sales growth in 2024 and to support that, it has planned the launch of 10 models this year. The company on Thursday launched CLE 300 Cabriolet and GLC 43 4MATIC Coupe, both priced around Rs 1.
1 crore. The company is also in the process of revamping its dealerships to customer experience centres by bringing in luxury elements . We also published the following articles recently Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet, AMG GLC 43 coupe launched in India: Prices and what's special Mercedes-Benz India launched the CLE Cabriolet and AMG GLC 43 4Matic Coupe, priced at Rs 1.
10 crore and Rs 1.11 crore respectively. The CLE Cabriolet features a 2.
0-litre turbocharged engine, 11.9-inch infotainment display, and soft top. The AMG GLC 43 offers a 2.
0-litre engine, 416hp, and a 9-speed gearbox. Incentives for hybrids regressive: Tata Motors Cars MD Shailesh Chandra Tata Motors' MD Shailesh Chandra criticized calls from Maruti Suzuki and Toyota for incentives on hybrid vehicles, stating it would slow EV adoption and waste government funds. He argued that hybrids, an older technology, only improve fuel efficiency but do not achieve zero emissions.
Tata recently launched its Curvv EV, underscoring its commitment to electric vehicles. International luxury resorts continue to bet heavily on Goa International hospitality giants like IHCL and Marriott expanded luxury resorts in Goa's Anjuna and Colva in June. Oberoi Group plans a Rs 421 crore investment by 2027.
With occupancy over 90% in December, Goa has become a hot spot for destination weddings and premium leisure travel, indicating robust growth in the luxury travel market..
