India’s second largest commercial vehicle maker, Ashok Leyland Ltd today showcased its new Hybus, which is the country’s first electric plug-in CNG hybrid bus at the 2010 Auto Expo in Delhi.

R. Seshasayee, managing director said at the launch of the Hybus, “We expect the government to provide financial support to make commercial production viable. The government must bring down duty on lithium ion batteries.” The duty on lithium ion batteries is at 18% currently.

Ashok Leyland expects the costs to go down but for now has urged the government to step in with support to help bring down costs.

Seshasayee says that the HYBUS could save 20-30 per cent fuel as compared to the conventional buses powered by IC engine. The automaker plans to make HYBUS available during the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games in order to have a market test.

Tracking past achievements, he added, "We are happy to lead with green bus technology once again following CNG buses in 1997 and hybrid electric vehicle in 2002."

The company also launched its U-truck platform of heavy commercial vehicles and intends to come out with an entire range in the next two years. The existing range of trucks is also to be shifted to this platform in the next year and a half. The firm plans to export the trucks to countries in West Asia, Africa and Latin America.

In the light commercial vehicles front, Ashok Leyland partnered Nissan Motor Co. Ltd and plans to launch a new range to be produced at the firm’s Hosur facility in Tamil Nadu as well as from an upcoming Nissan car plant.

The managing director sees a significant export potential for the light commercial vehicles. The company also showcased its new ESSI 20 truck believed to be more efficient and green.