Dutch govt keen to work on Tata electric car plan

DNA Pune Edition
29 October 2009, Nilanjana Ghosh Choudhury

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Electric version of Indica to be launched in the European market

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), which works under the aegis of the Dutch Embassy in New Delhi, has shown interest in working with Tata Motors on the new electric car that the company is planning to launch for the European market.
Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised for the Pune automotive companies in the city, the executive director of NFIA Robert V Schipper said, "We have submitted an expression of interest to the company to work on the electric car project."
"Since the company is looking at the European market, we can help them in setting an assembly line in the Netherlands," he said, however, adding that formal talks with Tata Motors are yet to begin.
Tata Motors has announced to launch the electric version of the Indica car in the European market.
"The Dutch government aims to have one million electric vehicles in the country by 2020 and several steps are being taken to promote the manufacture and usage of electric cars," said Daneil Lkien, manager (business development) of HighTech Automotive Campus, a nodal agency working as a link between Indian and Dutch automotive companies.
He said the government there has already begun work on the development of infrastructure required for setting up electric charging stations. "Emphasis is also being laid on newer technology that would enable these cars to travel longer distances. We are also working on making the battery cheaper for electric cars as the cost remains a major hindrance," Lkein said.
The NFIA has organised a seminar in the city in association with the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) and the Indian Semiconductor Association (ISA) to address the Indian automotive industry on the research and development opportunities available in the Netherlands.
"As with past recessions, it is an opportunity for high-growth industries in the developing economies to catapult themselves to top positions in global markets. Now would be a good time for Indian automobile manufacturing companies and auto component manufacturers to invest in the European market, to make the most of the innovation and knowledge capital present here and to stay ahead in the recovery phase a few years down the line," Schipper said.