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Suzuki Motor Corporation of Japan announced on Thursday that as part of its expansion plan, it will deploy six battery electric cars in India by FY2030 and attain carbon neutrality by 2070, as specified by the government.
Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) stated in its FY2030 business strategy posted on the BSE by its Indian branch Maruti Suzuki India that it will deliver not just battery EVs but also carbon-neutral internal combustion engine vehicles in India using CNG, biogas, and ethanol mixed fuels.
“In India, we will debut the SUV battery EV announced at the Auto Expo 2023 in FY2024, with six models to be introduced by FY2030,” SMC stated of its battery EV introduction strategy.
By FY2030, the business expects battery EVs to account for 15% of its overall product line, with internal combustion engine cars accounting for 60% and hybrid electric vehicles accounting for 25%.
Maruti Suzuki India is the country’s leading passenger car manufacturer by sales. SMC introduced the prototype electric SUV ‘eVX’ at the Auto Expo 2023 earlier this month, projected to enter the market by 2025.
SMC also identified the biogas industry in India as a critical emphasis area.
“While we expect the Indian market to grow toward FY2030, we also expect that an increase in total CO2 emission amount is unavoidable, regardless of the reduction in CO2 emission from products. We will challenge to strike a balance between increasing sales units and reducing total CO2 emission amount,” it said.
Suzuki’s one-of-a-kind project to address this dilemma is the biogas company, which will generate and provide biogas derived from cow dung, which are dairy wastes often found in rural India.
“This biogas can be used for Suzuki’s CNG models, that account for approximately 70% of the CNG car market in India,” the company stated, adding that Suzuki has signed an MoU with the Indian government agency National Dairy Development Board and Banas Dairy, Asia’s largest dairy manufacturer, to conduct biogas verification.
The Japanese automaker also stated that it has invested in Fujisan Asagiri Biomass LLC, which generates power in Japan from biogas obtained from cow dung, and that it is doing research.
“We believe that the biogas business in India not only contributes to carbon neutrality but also promotes economic growth and contributes to the society of India,” it added.
In the future, the company plans to expand its operations to other farming regions such as Africa, ASEAN, and Japan.
“Suzuki, the market leader of India’s automobile market, contributing to carbon neutrality and economic growth of emerging countries, is consistent with the intent of the Paris Agreement, which requires harmony between developed countries and emerging countries for reduction of CO2 emission,” it said.
Carbon neutrality is at the top of SMC’s list of important projects for FY2030.
“Based on the target date set by each government, Suzuki aims to achieve carbon neutrality in Japan and Europe by 2050 and in India by 2070,” the company said.
Suzuki headquarters, Yokohama Lab, Suzuki R&D Center India, and Maruti Suzuki will collaborate for efficient development by sharing development in each sector of future technologies, advanced technologies, and mass production technologies, according to the firm.
“Also, the Suzuki Innovation Center is exploring new connections and innovations for Suzuki to thoroughly take root in India,” it added.
The business also stated that it will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities by collaborating with outside partners such as startup companies, the Suzuki Suppliers Association, and colleges in Japan and India.
