Hyundai India has announced that it will launch 26 new products by the end of FY2030. Besides enhancements, including of the Venue, the rollout will include new models as well. The new lineup will also include hybrid cars, Hyundai’s first in India.
While there are various types of hybrids, much of the commentary pits them against battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In an evolving market, such as in India, this debate is a zero-sum game–as evident from a recent HSBC Global Research report on the Indian automotive industry.
It is not without reason that Hyundai—and possibly Kia too—wants to bring its hybrid technology to India. Even MG Motor, whose Windsor EV is the best-selling electric vehicle in India, has said that it intends to introduce hybrid vehicles. They are just following Maruti Suzuki and Toyota, with the latter’s Innova Hycross becoming India’s most popular hybrid vehicle, sold as the Invicto by Maruti Suzuki.
This comes at a time when many automakers are struggling to grow in the current market. Even in China, the world’s largest EV market, various Chinese carmakers, including BYD, are offering an improved line-up of hybrids, particularly plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs. Carmaker XPeng, too, is entering the hybrid space now. Maruti Suzuki and Toyota have quite a few hybrids lined up for launch over the next 12-18 months, starting with a hybrid variant of the popular Fronx crossover.
Also read: Is India ready for hybrid cars? This is what the government is up to
Hybrids vs EVs
If I were to buy a vehicle today for commuting in and around the NCR, I would pick a small EV. But that’s only because I have a car charger at home and it’s not too difficult to find EV charging stations in Delhi-NCR or in other major cities. But, as I recently wrote, it isn’t always smooth sailing.
The biggest advantage with an EV—beyond zero tailpipe emissions—is its running cost. Charging Windsor EV at home costs just over a rupee for every kilometre. At public charging stations, the cost goes up to Rs 2.5 per kilometre. A neighbour of mine is sold on hybrids–owning the hybrid versions of both Innova Hycross and Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara.
The Innova is a large vehicle, but with great fuel efficiency, its running cost, both within the city and on highways, is just Rs 4 per kilometre. The overall emissions from the car are also far lower than a petrol or diesel vehicle. And, as my neighbour never fails to tell me whenever he sees an electric vehicle, his self-charging hybrids hold a clear advantage over my EV, which requires five-six hours of charging at home. And therein lies the rub.
Sure, improvements in battery technology allow for fast charging. Chinese battery manufacturer CATL recently announced that its latest battery can give over 500 kilometers of driving range with just five minutes of charging. It’s awesome. But those batteries are not available in India yet, nor is the charging infrastructure. There is no shortage of chargers, including in small towns like Sirsa in Haryana, where EVs like Mahindra BE6 could be seen on the road. The issue, however, is the low charging speed. We neither have enough super-fast chargers in India nor do most EVs have the latest generation of batteries.
Most Indians don’t own more than one car, and many still do not buy an electric vehicle–barring some in urban centres. However, if you are bringing home a second car, especially with a dedicated parking spot available, buying an electric vehicle should be a no-brainer. For those buying their first vehicle, a hybrid car is the best choice–more than a CNG vehicle. Carmakers have realised this as well.
So, while we wait for the arrival of Hyundai’s electric vehicles, watch out for the hybrids in their future line-up.
@kushanmitra is an automotive journalist based in New Delhi. Views are personal.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)