Tatas plan on cornering the European market with an electric Indica

New Delhi: Tata Motors is reported to be developing an electric version of their Indica, targeted at primarily the European market. The variant is reported to be slated for launch sometime in 2009. According to reports, Tata Motors has collaborated with a foreign partner for the project, with a view to tap the environmentally conscious European market. According to sources, work is on to convert the Indica onto an electric platform for the European market, as most car manufacturers foresee Europe switching to electric cars given that climate change and environment sustainability are high on the European Union''s (EU)agenda. In the present, the city of London has decided to give a tax exemption to hybrid vehicles. Other EU member countries like Norway, Sweden and France, which generate surplus power, are also reportedly mulling a shift to battery-powered vehicles. Industry sources indicate that the electric Indica would not fit will into the domestic market in India, as the market is attain a level where it can absorb electric cars. However, reports also indicate that Tata Motors may just launch a hybrid version of the Indica in 2008 in the domestic market, with the prototype being ready. The hybrid version is reported to have the ability to turn off the engine when not required, for example during halts at traffic signals, and then turn it on again. Hybrid vehicles have gained popularity worldwide, including the US, where Japanese car makers Honda with its Civic model, and Toyota with its hugely successful Prius hybrid showing increasing sales trends. In India, however, the lack of homologation rules has been a stumbling block in the entry of hybrid cars.