Did Nitin Gadkari just call out India’s biggest carmaker for lagging on EVs?
While he didn’t name names, the message was clear.
At the 64th Annual Session of the Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari shared an interesting anecdote.
“A good friend of mine, a giant in the automobile industry… I kept urging him to adopt electric vehicles, but he never took me seriously,” Gadkari revealed. “Now, he tells me they didn’t believe me because their past experiences with politicians weren’t credible.”
Gadkari believes they’ve missed the bus.
He emphasized that companies willing to embrace cutting-edge, cost-effective technologies that reduce pollution will thrive.
“Those companies with strong sales and market caps but unwilling to change… I wish them luck. They’ll face challenges in the future,” he added.
Though he didn’t mention Maruti Suzuki directly, the hints were unmistakable.
Amidst a surge in EV adoption—with India recording sales of 6,338 electric vehicles in August 2024 and 1.5 million in 2023 (a 50% year-on-year increase)—Maruti Suzuki remains focused on hybrids and alternative fuels like CNG, ethanol, and biogas.
In their 2023-24 annual report, Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach, considering India’s unique resources and socio-economic conditions.
The company plans to introduce electric cars soon but continues to advocate for strong hybrids as a viable alternative to pure petrol and diesel models.
Rahul Bharti, Maruti Suzuki’s Executive Director of Corporate Affairs, insists the debate isn’t between EVs and strong hybrids but between strong hybrids and internal combustion engines.
“Strong hybrids are a powerful way to cut oil imports, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce CO2 immediately without the pressures of range anxiety or lack of charging infrastructure,” Bharti stated.
As India’s EV industry navigates policy changes like the discontinuation of the FAME scheme and fluctuating sales, the path forward remains dynamic.
Is Maruti Suzuki making a strategic move, or are they truly missing the EV bus?
