Apex bodies on hybrid vehicles to form this week

The government will set up two high-level bodies this week to frame policies for promotion of hybrid and electric vehicles in the country, which depends largely on imports for its automobile fuel.

While the National Council for Electric Mobility (NCEM) will be a political forum headed by Heavy Industries Minister Praful Patel, there will also be a junior body at the executive level, dubbed the National Board for Electric Mobility (NBEM).

"Within three to four days, we would be setting up these bodies," Department of Heavy Industry Joint Secretary Ambuj Sharma said at a function organised by the National Automotive Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project (NATRIP) here.

Cabinet approval for the NCEM and NBEM has already been obtained.

Patel recently indicated that the government may provide an direct or indirect subsidy for the manufacture of green vehicles.

At the NATRIP function, Sharma said it was time India took steps to develop and promote hybrid and electric vehicles as there is a need for alternative and emission-friendly initiatives.

Of the country's total imports of $304 billion for the April-February period of 2010-11, oil imports amounted to $88.17 billion. India meets 75% of its crude oil requirement through imports.