Mahindra to bring Formula E Racing to India
Modified On Feb 11, 2016 05:35 PM By Sumit
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Mr. Pawan Goenka, Mahindra & Mahindra executive director, has attended a meeting with six Union Ministers in order to bring Formula E Racing to India. An event exclusively for electrically-powered racing cars, Formula E Racing is approved by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), which also conducts the popular Formula 1 races.
“FIA is very keen to make it happen. We have talked to a few people who have to decide whether it makes sense for Formula E race to come here or not,” said Mr. Goenka. He told that the meeting on Formula E was attended by six senior ministers, namely Suresh Prabhu, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Nitin Gadkari Prakash Javadekar and Rajiv Pratap Rudy. It will also promote people’s awareness and understanding about electric vehicles. “This is the kind of a race that happens on the streets and not in circuits. Therefore, one day, in the heart of a town, main roads will have to be blocked. That may create some inconvenience to the public but the at same time it showcases the country to global audiences.”
He added Mahindra Racing may also consider participating in the Dakar Rally held in South America, to enhance the off-roading capabilities of its traditional sports utility vehicles such as Scorpio and XUV 5OO.
Goenka said that racing brings visibility in terms of viewership. Also, technologies developed for such vehicles can be later used in the mainstream vehicles by the automaker. This way, it generate dual benefits for the company.
Formula E coming to India might have additional benefits for the country, in form of increased awareness about electric cars. Present scenario of battery-powered vehicles is quite grim and such automobiles hardly find any buyers. Although, carmakers are trying to introduce this technology in their vehicles, in a subtle manner. Progress seems slow due to the high cost associated with it. Mahindra currently sells e2o in the Indian market and showcased its E-Verito at the Auto Expo 2016.
