New Delhi, Oct 11 (KNN) Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday launched Toyota’s first of its kind pilot project on Flexi-Fuel Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FFV-SHEV).

This would run on 100 per cent petrol as well as 20 to 100 per cent blended ethanol and electric power.

Addressing the gathering he said 6 to 8 per cent increase in agricultural growth rate is necessary for AtmaNirbhar Bharat as he emphasized on importance of converting surplus foodgrain and sugar into ethanol for boosting rural economy.

Encouraging  'Anndatas' to become 'Urjadatas', the Minister said the success of this pilot project will create an ecosystem of electric vehicles and make New India, a global leader in the manufacture of these electric vehicles.

He said such technologies are innovative, revolutionary, sustainable, cost-effective, energy-efficient & will completely transform the transportation sector in New India.

Union Ministers Mahendranath Pandey, Bhupender Yadav, Union MoS Rameswar Teli, Karnataka Minister Dr. Shri Murugesh Nirani , Vice-chairman of Toyota Kirloskar Motors Pvt. Ltd. Vikram Kirloskar and MD & CEO of Toyota Kirloskar Motor Masakazu Yoshimura were also present on the occasion.  (KNN Bureau)