Frank Loeschmann, former president and chief executive of Volkswagen India, is scouting for domestic investors who can manufacture Volpe (Fox in Italian) – a tandem-seater electric car he has developed.
Loeschmann, who quit after a 16-year-stint with Volkswagen in 2010 to set up sustainable energy solutions company SisTeam Group, wants to rope in companies which might be interested in taking licence as a manufacturer or any electric two-wheeler manufacturer that will develop the Volpe technology.
“What we are looking for in India is core competence. And, that does not mean that we need only an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). We are looking at somebody who can do electronics and also Tier-I suppliers for the automotive industry. We are in negotiations with four major manufacturers right now. While talks with three are in an advanced stage, one is really in an early stage. Hopefully, a deal is likely to crystalise by the end of this calendar year and the first car will hit the Indian roads in 12 months from then,” he said.
Volpe, which has dimensions of a motorcycle, but with car comfort and safety, is a vehicle for two occupants (tandem seating) with plug-in electric and dual-fuel (petrol and natural gas) range extender features.
The car (2.2 metre in length and 1 metre in width) runs 200 km on battery and up to 500 km through the range extender. Currently being manufactured in China, the 350-kg (excluding batteries) Volpe will make its global debut in Italy early 2012.
Speaking to Business Standard during his visit to Hyderabad on Sunday, Loeschmann, a partner in the Volpe project and its official spokesperson, said licence for India was estimated to cost around Rs 200 crore.
“At the moment, the Indian market is in a perfect position, in terms of business and growth for electric vehicles. So, we are looking at a feasible and constructible manufacturing capacity of 150,000 units a year,” he said.
On the Indian electric passenger vehicles market, which stood at 810 units 2009-10 and which according to Frost & Sullivan will touch 20,400 units by 2015, Loeschmann said he saw two major countries with high Co2 intensities – India and China – as future markets for electric cars.
“The Chinese government has already decided to solve the total gridlock and environment pollution by investing in e-cars, fluid cells and other mobility concepts. I think, the Indian government will also have to do the same in three-four years down the line,” Loeschmann said.
