Tata Motors in Talks to Make Micro-Hybrid Version of Nano

Published January 05, 2009

Tata Motors is in talks to develop a micro-hybrid version of its affordable, though not-yet available, Nano car, according to Indian news channel CNBC-TV18.

The micro-hybrid system does not actually include hybrid fuel technology; it is the so-called start-stop system found in hybrid electric vehicles that turns the engine off when the vehicle is idling.

Such a system can cut fuel use and emissions by 5-10 percent. CNBC-TV18 reported Tata is discussing the micro-hybrid system with German engineering company Bosch, which already supplies the fuel and braking system for the Nano.

Tata first presented the Nano in January 2008, calling it The People's Car and saying the $2,500 vehicle (the addition of the micro-hybrid system could increase that cost by up to a couple hundred dollars) would be available in India by late 2008. Production has been delayed, though, due to land issues related to Tata's manufacturing plants. The company now plans to start churning out Nanos in small batches late this year.
Tata Nano - CC license by Flickr user Sudhanwa..

Tata Nano - CC license by Flickr user Sudhanwa..

The announcement of the Nano spurred concerns that making cheap cars available to such a large population in India could lead to dramatic increases in gas consumption and related emissions. Tata is reportedly also working on diesel and all-electric versions of the Nano.

Toyota Going Solar?

Toyota Motor Corp. is reportedly working on a vehicle powered only by solar energy, according to numerous news outlets citing a report by the Nikkei business newspaper.

Nikkei reported the company is working on a vehicle that gets some of its power from solar cells on itself and plans to eventually make a car that is powered solely by its own solar cells. Nikkei did not cite its sources for the news, and Toyota has yet to publicly respond to the reports.

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Tata Motors in Talks to Make Micro-Hybrid Version of Nano

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