Maruti Suzuki Chairman RC Bhargava Warns Against EV-Only Approach, Bats For Biogas In India’s Transport Fuel Mix
· Free Press Journal
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL) Chairman RC Bhargava has called for including biogas in India’s transport fuel mix, saying the renewable fuel could play an important role in the country’s journey towards net-zero emissions.
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In an interview, speaking in a personal capacity, Bhargava said policies such as Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) norms and electric vehicle (EV) initiatives ultimately aim to reduce emissions. However, he argued that India should not overlook locally available resources such as biogas.
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Bhargava said small cars will continue to remain an important part of India’s automobile market for the next two decades due to the country’s income levels and consumer affordability. He described biogas as a practical and “friendly” fuel alternative for this segment.
Highlighting India’s agricultural strength, Bhargava said the country has the world’s largest livestock population and significant potential to produce biogas from animal waste. According to him, expanding biogas usage could support rural economies while reducing dependence on imported fuels.
He clarified that he has never opposed EVs and acknowledged that automobile manufacturers, including Maruti Suzuki, are actively working on electric mobility. However, he stressed that India should also utilise its domestic energy resources instead of depending heavily on a single technology.
EV Dependency Could Create Supply Risks
Bhargava cautioned that an EV-only approach could pose challenges for India’s energy security as battery cells are currently imported largely from China. He said a sudden disruption in global supply chains could create difficulties for companies heavily dependent on electric vehicles.
He also pointed out that government subsidies supporting EV adoption may not continue indefinitely. Citing global trends, Bhargava said several countries, including the US, Europe and China, have started reducing incentives, while consumers are showing continued interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.