'Policy on recycling batteries needed for electric vehicles'

Chennai, Nov 7 : The government should draw up a recycling policy on batteries before going in full speed towards electric vehicles, failing which there will be the risk of water getting polluted due to old batteries, said a top Mercedes-Benz India official here on Tuesday.

Interacting to reporters here after launching two new models - Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and GLA 45 4MATIC, Managing Director and CEO Roland Folger said: "There should be a policy on recycle of items like batteries first."

He said if there is no policy on recycling then there is a risk of ground water getting polluted due to old batteries thrown away.

The Indian government is all for electric mobility. Recently Energy Efficiency Services Ltd, a joint venture company under the Indian Power Ministry decided to buy 10,000 electric vehicles.

Meanwhile, Folger said that his company has logged 19.6 per cent sales growth this year till the end of third quarter over corresponding period previous year.

Mercedes-Benz India has sold 11,869 units in 2017 till September 30, 2017.

However he declined to comment whether the company would close the year with a 20 per cent sales growth.

According to Folger, the average age of a Mercedes brand car buyer has come down to 37 in India and in the case of AMG models it is 30 years - the lowest in the world.

He said the total number of high networth individuals in India are not small and the population is young signalling good growth potential for luxury cars in India.

Folger said performance car segment in India is fast evolving and hence product innovation becomes crucial to outpace the industry growth.

Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 and GLA 45 4MATIC have been modified keeping in mind the changing Indian market sentiments and to suit the young generation's needs, he added.