Introduction:
In India, Hybrid Cars are going ahead of Electric cars. Indian Consumers prefer hybrid vehicles to pure battery electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are a blend of internal combustion engines and electric motors, while the only battery-powered electric cars only depend on electric motors powered by batteries.
Source: https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/automotive/car-repair-maintenance/general-car-repair-maintenance/what-are-hybrid-vehicles-196425
Why Hybrid Cars are overtaking pure electric Cars?
#Hybrid Cars are Reliable & Affordable with low Maintenance Cost:
Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as these vehicles are reliable and affordable and the maintenance cost of hybrids is low. On the other hand, very limited range, lack of charging facilities and expensive insurance are the major concerns that the Electric Vehicles ecosystem needs to address effectively to make it easy for Indian customers.
# Hybrid Cars are Cheaper:
Hybrid cars are cheaper as compared to all-electric cars i.e. battery electric cars. The market researcher Jato Dynamics reports that the average retail price of a hybrid is 16.98 lakh while that of an electric vehicle is Rs 17.71 lakh. The total hybrid vehicles sales from January to December 2023 was 12.6 % of the total passenger vehicles sold whereas the share of electric vehicles was only 2.3%.
The president of Jato Dynamics, Mr. Ravi Bhatia says that the hybrids may continue to play a major role in an intermediate technology like Stepping Stone towards adopting a full adoption of electric vehicles and will help to educate and familiarize consumers with alternative fuel technologies to transit completely to electric mobility.
One of my known, who is an IT engineer, was initially planning to buy an electric version of Tata Nexon ev of having an Ex-showroom price of Rs18.69 lakh is changed his mind and opted for a hybrid Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara Zeta of price Rs. 18.33 lakh. He says the challenges of charging infrastructure and lower outstanding value made him go for a hybrid.
Hybrid Cars vs. Electric Cars:
#Range Anxiety:
The lack of enough charging stations creates range anxiety among potential electric vehicle buyers. Hybrids with their dual power source, offer the comfort of long-distance travel without relying solely on electricity.
# Affordability:
Compared with electric vehicles, hybrid technology is more mature and more affordable.
# Tech Familiarity:
The familiar combustion engine in hybrids brings down the apprehensions about new tech.
# Govt. Incentives:
While the Indian Government offers incentives for both electric vehicles and hybrids, policies often favor the hybrids.
# Urban Driving Conditions:
Stop-and-go traffic in cities favors hybrids as it switches seamlessly between electric and ICE power.
# Consumer Preference:
Many consumers are still hesitant about electric vehicles. Hybrids with a longer presence in the market, benefit from brand recognition and customer trust.
Conclusions:
Many car manufacturers swear that electric vehicle is the technology of the future, as they will help in meeting COP26 goals, and in going carbon neutral in the long term. However, not everyone in the automotive industry is convinced that electric vehicle is the solution.
“Electricity generation in India is largely through thermal means and hence electric vehicles don’t help in furthering COP26 objectives. Also, there are functional transportation needs in a growing economy. Electric vehicles with the high cost of acquisition and lack of charging infrastructure have limits in addressing this requirement”.
“We need to support all sustainable fuel technologies (hybrids/ethanol blended, hydrogen, and CNG) proportionately so that we can displace petrol and diesel.” Regulatory pushes, such as CAFE or corporate average fuel efficiency that requires companies to lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase fuel efficiency–– are pushing manufacturers to launch more models in different segments.
RC Bhargava, chairperson of the country’s largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki, says hybrids are much more acceptable to the customer as it is cleaner than EVs. He says, “We need to have multiple technologies at different price points catering to a diverse set of customers to cut down the carbon footprint.”
Shashank Srivastava, senior executive director of Maruti Suzuki, says the company will follow customer preferences “even as we meet regulatory requirements”.
The future, it seems, will be powered by many powertrains.
