Hybrid Car

As French carmaker Renault pushes multifuel powertrain strategy in India, Renault India CEO Stephane Deblaise said hybrid and CNG technology can possibly account for almost half of the automaker's powertrain mix in its sales over the next 2-3 years. His comments came as the company bets big on hybrid and CNG technology in its India strategy. The automaker on Saturday launched its first strong hybrid offering on the Duster SUV, and plans to launch factory-fitted CNG models in the future. When asked how Renault India's powertrain mix could look over the next 2-3 years, Deblaise told PTI: "It is possible, 50 per cent is possible from hybrid and CNG, but we do not have a target." India's car market is increasingly seeing multiple powertrain technologies develop alongside each other, including hybrids, CNG and electric vehicles, rather than one single technology replacing another immediately. Automakers see hybrid technology as a practical bridge as the electric vehicle ecosystem evolve

Mercedes-Benz India sees potential for plug-in hybrid vehicles in the luxury segment, as consumers are willing to pay a premium over pure electric or conventional ICE models for electric driving range, combustion engine flexibility, and better resale value than fully electric vehicles, a top executive said. In an interview with PTI, Mercedes-Benz India CEO Santosh Iyer said plug-in hybrids could address some concerns associated with electric vehicles, including charging infrastructure and range anxiety. "I think it is a good interim technology for the customer because today, each powertrain has its pros and cons," Iyer said. "When you look at a plug-in hybrid, it balances both worlds. You get, like in the S-Class hybrid Maybach, a 100 kilometers EV range for everyday driving to your office and back. In case you are not able to charge the car, you can drive it in combustion engine mode." Iyer said plug-in hybrids are priced 5-6 per cent higher than electric or conventional engine ca

Alternative-fuel vehicles account for a record 40.4% of retail car sales in June as higher petrol and diesel prices boost demand

Global automakers want India to extend concessional EV tax rates to range-extended electric vehicles, arguing the technology can ease range anxiety during the EV transition

Toyota posted an operating profit of 569.4 billion yen ($3.6 billion) for the three months ended March 31, compared with 1.1 trillion yen a year earlier

Ford said it will take $19.5 billion in charges mainly linked to its EV business, as weak demand forces the carmaker to scale back electric plans and focus more on hybrids and petrol vehicles

Tata Motors says its strong EV-CNG mix keeps it well within CAFÉ compliance, but it is studying CNG use up to 4.3 metres and exploring strong hybrids for larger cars and SUVs if segment competitivenes

From the Maruti WagonR Electric to the Tesla Model 3, 2026 will be a landmark year for India's auto industry, led by SUVs, hybrids, and EVs amid GST reforms and rising rural demand

The move comes roughly two months after NITI Aayog launched its India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI) 2024

On July 5 last year, the Uttar Pradesh government issued an order removing registration tax on strong hybrid cars, sparking a debate within the automobile industry

Sales growth, however, slowed sharply from the 9 per cent rise recorded in 2023, as the global auto sector faced a challenging year with inflation weighing on consumer appetite

A new report says EVs and CNG vehicles will outpace hybrids by far

Also plans to expand EV portfolio and production capacity

Indicating that Kia's current focus remains on the electric car market, he mentioned that the company's first mass-market electric car-scheduled to be launched next year-will be a mid-sized SUV

Since 2021, hybrid vehicle sales have been growing steadily in several markets, including China, Japan, Korea, the UK, France, and the US

The share of compressed natural gas (CNG)-run cars is also expected to increase from 14 per cent in 2023-24 to 18 per cent in 2027-28

The data revealed that the share of strong hybrid vehicles in total car sales in UP grew from 1.2 per cent in June to 3.3 per cent by August

The waivers have split India's auto industry, with Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra and Hyundai arguing their sales of pure electric cars will suffer

Major car makers such as Maruti Suzuki India and Toyota Kirloskar Motor have been asking for lowering of taxes on hybrid cars

The state govt has announced full waiver of registration fee for strong hybrids to boost use of eco-friendly cars