The latest to join the plug-in pack is Ford with its Escape hybrid.Ford is already testing this one out and if all goes well may even commer...
The latest to join the plug-in pack is Ford with its Escape hybrid.Ford is already testing this one out and if all goes well may even commercially roll it out.That’s close on the heels of Toyota announcing that it will formally launch a plug-in version of its Prius,a hybrid best-seller in the American market.
The plug has all the qualities necessary to be an American sweetheart technology.For one,its charge on the go concept is very user friendly. For another,its seriously eco friendly—not a half way house.Given that Toyota and Ford,two of the top hybrid players,are already adopting it, others like Honda could well follow suit,sooner rather than later.
Back home,the plug-in concept could be an alternative for companies like Reva whose charge range has so far restricted it to hometown Bangalore.And it could also be an option for M&M which is working on a homegrown hybrid to take on the Japanese and Americans in their backyard with an affordable alternative.M&M has indicated it will soon productionise the hybrid Scorpio so a plug-in version could also be on the cards.
As for Tata Motors,the company has reportedly signed up with Chrysler for a deal involving e-versions of the Ace pick up truck.The Tatas will ship the Ace without engine and gearboxes and Chrysler will strap on the motor and roll them out as neighbourhood vehicles.It’s not yet clear whether that arrangement would be expanded to include other Tata Motors products.And whether the e-Ace will also roll out in India.
Of course speaking of the Japanese,Honda has already taken the lead and announced its intention to launch the Civic hybrid in India.It won’t be cheap though.But if you want to drive a cool technology,a la half of Hollywood including Julia Roberts and Leo DiCaprio,then you’d be a prime candidate for the hybrid Civic
