Honda for clarity on government policy to move into EVs
GREATER NOIDA: Japanese auto major Honda said on Wednesday that it will wait for clarity in the policy for electric vehicles (EVs) in India before firming up its plans for the segment.
“In order to stitch up a strategy (for EV segment ), we are requesting to have a road map regarding plans of charging stations ... Without a clear policy, it will be difficult to select models ,” Honda Cars India (HCIL) President and CEO YoichiroUe not old reporters here. Only after there is clarity, the company would be able to assess whether such vehicles could be manufactured in the country, he said.
Terming the establishment of charging infrastructure as the biggest challenge in the EV space in India, Ueno said that in a big country like India a combination of various kinds of E Vs, including photo-electric and plug-in hybrids, would be beneficial. He said the company is also requesting the government to reduce the tax difference between small and big cars .“The tax benefit favou rs small cars. We are requesting the government to moderate tax structure. Then we can bring more models to meet the requirements of various customers ,” Ueno said. With rising incomes, demand for premium cars would be much higher in the country going ahead, he added.
When asked about the sales growth outlook for the next fiscal, U en os aid the company expects to grow better than the industry. “The industry is expected to grow by 6-7%. We aim to grow higher than that,” he said.
On new launches, Ueno said the company is assessing the introduction of the HR-V model SUV in India.