Toyota bets on mass-market hybrid cars in India: Why no Yaris diesel explained

Source : https://www.financialexpress.com/auto/car-news/toyota-bets-on-mass-market-hybrid-cars-in-india-why-no-yaris-diesel-and-partnership-with-suzuki-explained/1154498/

 Toyota Yaris sedan will soon commence its market deliveries and the company will emphasise on Toyota's strong stance on petrol powered cars. The company also shares its vision to bring in more hybrid cars and how it is working with the various state governments for mass adoption of EVs and hybrid cars in India.

 Indian-arm of the Japanese automaker Toyota Kirloskar is now busy with dispatches of its new Toyota Yaris sedan and the company claims it to be a runaway success with the kind of response it has received ever since the announcement of the price. Toyota Yaris is available only in petrol variants and takes on the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Honda City and Hyundai Verna. “Anytime was a good time to be in this mid-size segment, the car buyers in India are now very matured and there is no longer a first mover advantage in the market,” says Shekar Viswanathan, Vice Chairman & Whole-time Director, Toyota Kirloskar Motor.

 Toyota Yaris available only in Petrol: Reasons explained

Toyota Yaris is the company’s fourth sedan in its India line-up and the company does not plan to bring in the diesel version on the Toyota Yaris anytime soon. With the difference in the price of petrol and diesel being at an all-time low, Toyota believes it's the right time to push petrol powered cars. “The move towards petrol will happen only from a cost of ownership perspective. So let's say if the government subsidizes diesel heavily, then the shift towards petrol will never happen. In the past the government has done that but going forward, I doubt the government will have a financial levy to do it again.” Viswanathan further added.

Currently, many oil refineries are configured to manufacture more diesel than petrol and this will not change overnight, There are huge costs involved and with all oil companies investing in rolling out BS-VI fuel, the move to petrol will take some time. Toyota believes there will be a gradual shift to petrol cars going forward. “I don’t think we will bring in diesel on Toyota Yaris. If the price of petrol and diesel widens we might consider it but as of now we don’t plan to bring in a diesel engine on Yaris”

Toyota was also quick to bring in a powerful 2.7L petrol engine during the infamous diesel engine (above 2L) ban in Delhi/NCR region. However, demand for petrol variants of Toyota Fortuner and Toyota Innova Crysta has been lacklustre. Toyota Innova Crysta is used as a fleet vehicle and that's when the cost of economy kicks in so it is not the end of the road for diesel-powered cars.

For Toyota’s future product planning and strategy, a key variable is the price of diesel in the country. “Going forward these variables will increase, it will further include the cost of electricity, availability of electricity for charging purposes and we can opt for CNG and the hydrogen fuel cell. If that comes then the whole dynamics will change” added Shekar.

Hybrids and EVs in India:

Globally, Toyota is a pioneer in hybrids and electric vehicles. Toyota's vision is that by 2050 the world will have a healthy mix of Electric Vehicles (EVs), Hybrids and Hydrogen vehicles. Viswanathan says that its a very dynamic situation and it might also be right to say that CNG, Biofuels and petrol/ diesel will continue to have some share of the market.
“Our suggestion to the government is to promote all the technologies that reduce pollution and to tax vehicles based on their emissions. More the pollution, more the tax and now emissions are measurable.”

Toyota is also working with multiple state governments to push its hybrid plans in India. The company recently signed a MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to start the feasibility study towards the introduction of Prius PHEV and Small EV Commuter. These different state-level policies cover a range of incentives and express the commitment of the state government to provide charging infrastructure. Toyota says it's not necessary for a central EV policy overarching these individual States.
“However, a National Level EV policy will certainly help. For example, charging protocol is something to be decided at the central level and then handed over to the State governments to maintain homogeneity among EV makers to utilise the charging infrastructure efficiently and make it more viable,” he added.

Toyota bets on hybrid cars in India:

Toyota is also betting big on hybrid cars in India and is looking to bring in some of its existing global hybrid cars in India in the mass segment. Shekar Viswanathan said, “We definitely want hybrid vehicles in India as we see that as the quickest way to get to electric vehicles. The concept of leapfrogging which is been doubted by some advisors to the government is misplaced. We need to go hybrid for some distance before adopting EVs. As you do this, there will be other technologies that will come in. For instance, Solid-state batteries, hydrogen cell, these things will happen. The pace at which this happens is what is at stake.”

Toyota on National EV Policy:

It is very difficult for Niti Aayog or any carmaker to assure that EVs is the only way forward or to say EVs will never succeed. The technology is very dynamic but the way it will pan out is very uncertain. Toyota says that incentives or tax policy are not the only way to promote Electric vehicles in India. Simple things like preferred car parking for EVs and special zones where only EVs are allowed will help to promote the overall ecosystem.