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Indian state backs hybrid tax waiver in win for Toyota, blow for Tata, sources say

India's most populated state Uttar Pradesh will not reverse a decision to waive registration taxes for hybrid automobiles, two sources said on Monday, handing a win to Toyota but dealing a blow to Tata Motors and Mahindra & & Mahindra

Hyundai, Kia Motors, Tata and Mahindra. lobbied the state, which accounts for 10% of India's. car sales, to get rid of the incentive, arguing it would make it. harder to reach India's targets for embracing fully electrical cars and trucks. and hit investment strategies.

In a conference between state officials and car manufacturers on. Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar Singh said. there would not be a rollback of the decision, said a market. source and a state federal government authorities with direct understanding.

Singh said during the meeting that the status quo will. stay, among the sources stated.

Singh did not respond to calls seeking remark.

Executives state EV manufacturers are worried that other states. might follow Uttar Pradesh, where last month's waiver of. registration taxes on some hybrid cars made them 10% cheaper.

That could lead to savings of as much as $5,200 on a Toyota. Camry hybrid sedan, for example, a major lobbying win for the. Japanese car manufacturer.

Sunday's conference was participated in by agents of Hyundai,. Mahindra and Tata - who looked for a reversal of the tax waivers,. and likewise by Maruti and Toyota which back the scheme, said among. the sources.

Mahindra declined to comment. The other automakers said to. be at the conference did not instantly respond to ask for. remark.

India imposes a federal tax of 5% on EVs while hybrids are. taxed at 43%, just listed below the 48% for gas cars and trucks. State roadway. and registration taxes are extra and figured out by local. federal governments.

(source: Reuters)