Report - Indian government to use Maruti Swift Hybrid Range Extender

Maruti showcased the Maruti Swift Range Extender at the 2014 Auto Expo last month. The Swift Range Extender is basically a plug-in hybrid variant of the Swift combining a conventional small displacement petrol engine with an electric motor.

According to a report on Autocar, the company is ready to supply an undisclosed number of the Swift Range Extender to the Indian government. The government would use these cars as part of a pilot project, which is set to commence in the first quarter of the next financial year.

As a result, homologation of the Swift Range Extender is nearly complete and an ARAI certified fuel efficiency claim can be expected shortly. Parts such as the electric motor, battery and certain other components are imported from Japan and other countries, claims the report.

The Swift Range Extender uses a three-cylinder inline 658 cc engine combined with a front axle mounted 74 hp electric motor, which sources its power from a 5 kWh lithium-ion battery. Thanks to the added weight of the battery, the weight of the Swift Range Extender is up by 130 kg compared to the conventional car.

Maruti's internal tests claim an efficiency of 48.2 km/l, while the all-electric range of the car is rated at 25.5 km. The battery takes 1.5 hours to fully recharge.

[Source - Autocar Professional]