BENGALURU, Aug 1 Reuters Tata Motors, India39;s largest EVmaker by sales, said on Thursday it would be open to making hybrid cars if demand for the technology surged, but does not support government incentives for it.

The 39;Nexon39; SUVmaker, which has raised money from TPG for its electrification push, has urged Indian government officials to maintain their support for EVs and not lower taxes on hybrid vehicles, despite demands by rival carmakers Toyota Motor and Maruti Suzuki.

If the consumer wants hybrids, if that is something that is going to be a material part of the portfolio, then we will look at it at that point in time, Chief Financial Officer P. B. Balaji said in a postearnings call.

India taxes electric vehicles at just 5 while hybrids are taxed at 43, just below the 48 tax on petrol and diesel cars.

Our only point has always been hybrids is a transition technology that is oldschool … therefore there is no earthly reason for it to get any incentives from a government perspective, Balaji said.

EVs made up about 12 of Tata Motors39; total passenger vehicle sales in the first quarter.

The comments came after Tata Motors39; Junequarter consolidated net profit rose 73.8 yearonyear to 55.66 billion rupees 665 million and beat analysts39; average estimate of 54.25 billion rupees, per LSEG data.

The luxury Jaguar Land Rover is Tata Motors39; bellwether, accounting for about twothirds of the Tata Group company39;s revenue. Among the British division39;s…