Gadkari slams automakers over CAFE-3 lobbying

New Delhi: Taking a jibe at automakers lobbying for the next phase of fuel efficiency norms, CAFE-3, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday said they have been working behind the scenes to influence policies rather than being exposed like political leaders.He also said there is some equality in standards for flex-fuel hybrids and electric vehicles.Speaking at the Indian Green Energy Federation’s Green Transport Conclave, Gadkari said, “The documents (on CAFE-3) will be handed over to me in the next 15 days. I don’t want to reveal what happened. There is controversy. Politically, we will be exposed because we are 100% open. Industry will not be exposed because of the campaigning behind it.”Meanwhile, TOI has learned that auto industry body SIAM has written to Power Minister Pankaj Agarwal, seeking a four-fold increase in exemption or super credit for electric vehicles, a three-fold increase for extended-range electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and a 1.5-fold increase for flexible fuel vehicles. Carmakers are also urging the government to allow credits for meeting emissions and energy efficiency targets from the first three years to be carried forward to the next two years.CAFE-3 would be valid for five years, with the proposal to pool manufacturers’ compliance and carry forward points within blocks—an initial three years, then two years. Any excess points will expire at the end of each block.So far, automakers have officially insisted they are aligned with the latest version of the government’s CAFE-3 proposals.