This Modi govt move may cut your car travel cost by half, make old vehicle owners rejoice!

A recent draft notification by the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways can provide triple benefits to car, and other vehicle, owners if it comes into effect. First, it will likely cut the cost of running a by car by half. Second, it will likely help those who are worried about their old vehicle. Third, it can also sharply reduce vehicular emissions. 

The draft notification, which has been put in the public domain for people's views, seeks to allow retrofitting of electric kits to motor vehicles. These changes will have to be introduced by amending the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The notification said, " As per the draft amendment retro-fitment of Hybrid Electric System Kit to motor vehicles or conversion of motor vehicles for pure electric operation with fitment of Pure Electric System Kit shall conform to the requirements of provisions given in applicable standards as described below."

The retrofitting of petrol or diesel engines with the hybrid system will likely help reduce the cost of running a car by 50 per cent. 

Three types of retrofitting have been suggested in the draft for different categories of vehicles: 

a. Retro-fitment of Hybrid Electric System Kit to vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight not exceeding 3500 kg of M & N categories of motor vehicles. This will have to comply with the AIS 123 (Part 1).
b. Retro-fitment of Hybrid Electric System Kit to vehicles having Gross Vehicle Weight exceeding 3500 kg of M & N categories of motor vehicles. This will have to comply with the AIS 123 (Part 2).
c. Conversion of motor vehicles for pure electric operation with fitment of Pure Electric System Kit by replacing the engine of Motor Vehicles of categories L, M, N1 and N2. This will have to comply with the AIS 123 (Part 3). 
Standard internal combustion engines can be replaced by hybrid or electric powertrain only at authorised workshops. Also, it will be compulsory for electric or hybrid kit manufacturers and suppliers to be certified by a government-approved testing agency.

What's is so special about the move

Several technology companies are already working on fitting hybrid motors in petrol, diesel or CNG-based cars. Other than this, batteries can also be fitted in the cars. After retrofitting, petrol and diesel cars can run on electric powertrains. 

For example, KPIT technology has developed a product named Revolo, which helps improve the fuel efficiency by up to 35 per cent and reduce emissions by 30 per cent. Several other companies are also providing the electric kit. Electric or hybrid retrofitting kit of Tara International is said to decrease the cost of running a car by 60 per cent. 
How much will it cost?

For an entry-level car, the cost of retrofitting electric engine can cost up to Rs 80,000. For a big diesel SUV or Sedan, it can cost around Rs 1 lakh. 
For those worried about their old vehicles, especially after the government ordered the scrapping of vehicles older than 15 years, the draft has proposed to offer incentives to owners who have junked vehicles older than 12 years. For those wishing to retain their old cars, taking electric or hybrid powertrain would be the option.