'Industry must seize government's favourable EV policies': Santosh Iyer

Mercedes-Benz India has launched its latest all-electric product - Mercedes-Benz EQE, priced at Rs 1.39 crore, ex-showroom. The company says it offers a strong value proposition compared to similarly-sized petrol- or diesel-powered cars, despite bringing the EQE through the CBU route. 

Santosh Iyer, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz India talks about how the company expects to see a marked growth in its EV penetration from 4-5 percent in the present day to around 25% in the next three-four years. Sharing a broader perspective, Iyer further says that the present government policies around EVs are acting as a strong catalyst, and the industry must step on the accelerator pedal to bring more products, and consider their responsibility to develop the entire EV ecosystem, including charging infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz India, which offers a portfolio of eco-friendly powertrain options, across petrol, diesel, and electric vehicles, believes that it is enabling potential customers with its eco-friendly solutions that all conform to the latest emission norms. Iyer says that the industry must strike a balance between petrol, and diesel, and EVs must take over both over a period of time.