India's Tata ramps up electric, fuel cell efforts

India's Tata Motors is thinking about the future

In 2008, India's Tata Motors will launch a mild hybrid version of the Indica, followed by a full-electric version for the European market in 2009 (more).

Additionally, the Economic Times is reporting that Tata Motors and ISRO Space Agency will partner to develop fuel cell hydrogen vehicles.

"We know how to handle Hydrogen," said G Madhavan Nair, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation. "It is going to be the fuel for the next generation. Even in India, there are a number of plans where hydrogen is coming as a byproduct which is not being utilised properly. So, if we can collect it and serve it, it can become a good source (of fuel) for automobiles."