EV race: Are hybrid vehicles getting in the faster lane?

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Currently, there are only five strong hybrid models available in the market, two of which are offered by Maruti Suzuki. Those models are also cross-badged by Toyota under different names. Honda City, meanwhile, is the only strong hybrid variant outside of the Toyota-Maruti arrangement.

Strong hybrids are equipped with a combustion engine and an electric motor and they can either work together or independently based on driving conditions. During low-speed driving, the motor can power the car while the engine takes over during high-speed driving. This is unlike mild hybrid cars where the electric motor is not powerful enough to drive the car solely but provides intermittent bursts of energy when required. In the case of plug-in hybrids, the motor is the main power source while the combustion engine takes over when the battery discharges.

Hybrids taking the lead?

Sales of hybrid cars and SUVs have grown at a faster pace, narrowing the market-share gap with EVs, ET has reported recently. Hybrid electric vehicles are expected to see a 38% growth at 22,389 units, capturing a market share of 2.1% compared to EVs, which will see a slight decline of 0.2% to 27,242 units. Plug-in hybrids will grow by 13%, from a small base to 35 units, according to fiscal Q1 estimates by Jato Dynamics.

If many other states follow Uttar Pradesh, hybrids will be in a strong position. And if a GST cut on hybrids also happens, hybrids will stay ahead of EVs for a long time.

UP gives Maruti a head 'start' in strong