Nitin Gadkari Says Electric Tractors Help Save Rs 2.5 Lakh In Running Costs Over Diesel Ones: Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024

At the inaugural Times Drive Green Conclave & Awards 2024, chief guest Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) of India claimed that tractors run on electricity help save over Rs 2.5 lakh in running costs per year when compared to their diesel counterparts.

Gadkari revealed that the average running cost for diesel tractors comes up to around Rs 3.5 lakh per year. In contrast, the average running cost for electric tractors comes to about Rs 60,000 per annum. Keeping in mind the ongoing push for electrification by the Government of India (GoI), the off-road transport sector is still largely untapped. Manufacturers such as AutoNxt, Sonalika already have electric tractor offerings in their portfolio.

Also read: Nitin Gadkari Predicts India To Become A Global Hub For Biofuel And Alternative Fuels: Times Drive Green Conclave And Awards 2024

It should be noted that electric tractors, much like any other electric vehicle cost higher than the ICE counterpart. However, mass production should help bring the price difference down and help increase demand. At the event, Nitin Gadkari also claimed that India will become a global hub for biofuel and alternative fuels. The minister predicted India to become a global hub for making alternate fuels owing to the abundance of sugarcane and parali waste in the country.

Gadkari even went on to reveal that he travelled to the event in a Toyota Innova Hycross flex fuel, running on 100% ethanol, highlighting that alternative fuels are the future. Debuted in 2023, the Innova Hycross flex fuel is the second flex fuel vehicle showcased by Toyota in India after the Toyota Mirai, which is essentially a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

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