The Indian automobile industry finally seems to be waking up to the environment. Major infraction point being Mahindra & Mahindra capturing  52.2% controlling stake of electic car manufacturer – Reva, which  will now be known as Mahindra Reva Electric Based Company. Reva was India’s first electric car and did not do too badly for itself. While the car itself is not much to look at, it sells in 24 countries and has till date sold 3,500 vehicles. Not a bad job for something that the Hulk would use as weights. One might almost dismiss this as M&M auto climbing on the environmental wave of automobiles, but this is indeed a very promising move for Indian Auto makers.

While India as a nation still sits on the fence, not being sure of whether it wants to listen to big brother America with regard to its environmental norms, the wheels of change are turning…slowly, but surely. We saw Honda launch the Prius in India. And with all the hype of that car from the US markets, the Prius is seen as a bit of a status symbol, Jeff Dunham jokes notwithstanding. And this move further cements the fact that the next generation of Indian car buyers are environmentally responsible.

According to its press release, Mahindra has been working years on developing green technologies for about 10 years now. It currently deploys diesel hybrid technology on the Scorpio and hydrogen Alfa three wheelers. Besides, Bijlee (electric three wheeler) developed in 1999, it is also currently working on an electric version of its mini-truck Maxximo. Reva’s EV technology should prove very useful for Mahindra. Now, don’t expect people to be going gaga over the new Reva, not until it can improve on the look of the car, and it receives more infrastructure support from government authorities. Reva will now have access to decent car technology from Mahindra too, so it looks like a win-win-win situation. The last win is for the environment.

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