Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari yesterday launched Toyota’s first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV) in India  which can run on 100% petrol as well as 20 to 100% blended ethanol and electric power.

During the launch, the Toyota Corolla Altis FFV-SHEV, which has been imported from Toyota Brazil for the pilot project, was unveiled.

Union Ministers Mahendranath Pandey, Bhupender Yadav, Union MoS Rameswar Teli , Karnataka Minister Dr. Shri Murugesh Nirani , Vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motors Vikram Kirloskar and MD & CEO of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Masakazu Yoshimura were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering Gadkari said said pollution is a big concern in India and the transport sector is contributing to pollution. "Therefore, there is a need to encourage use of electric vehicles and vehicles that run on biofuels like ethanol and methanol," he added.

He also said that 6 to 8 percent increase in agricultural growth rate is necessary for AtmaNirbhar Bharat. He emphasized on the importance of converting surplus foodgrain and sugar into ethanol for boosting the rural economy.

Encouraging 'Anndatas' to become 'Urjadatas', the Minister said the success of this pilot project will create an ecosystem of electric vehicles and make NewIndia, a global leader in the manufacture of these electric vehicles. He said such technologies are innovative, revolutionary, sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient & will completely transform the transportation sector in New India.