Q.Are Hybrid Cars the Way Forward for India?

[URL="https://www.zigwheels.com/forum/profile/6"]Roshun[/URL] That somehow reminds me of the Multix. If Eicher-Polaris is able to make such a versatile low-priced vehicle that can generate electricity, why not use a similar principle to propel the vehicle itself? Like- they can use an electric motor powered by a large capacity battery and a small petrol engine to charge the batteries. Perhaps this could work in a small hatchback like the Wagon R. The battery takes the load of variable throttle and the petrol motor stays almost at a stable rpm. That way, one can get a great mileage overall. I think Mahindra has the potential to do this, instead of spending so much on pure electric propulsion. I don't understand why only big brands like Toyota do it. Pairing a petrol engine with an electric motor isn't that complicated, is it?

India has a road map for shifting from fossil fuels to hybrid and electric technologies by 2030. What percentage of that will get implemented is anybody's guess. Before we go fully electric, yes, the way forward is with hybrid cars. Unfortunately, the term "hybrid" is being very broadly used in India - and since there are incentives to be had with hybrid cars, manufacturers are capitalizing on them. Mahindra for instance has devised an advanced stop-start / regenerative system for the XUV and Scorpio and called it Intelli-hybrid (to get the government subsidies). This does not have any separate battery pack, but it has a starter generator that recharges the battery every time you slow down and provides some assist to the engine on acceleration. It also shuts off as soon as the car is stationary for more than 10 seconds, and restarts the moment the clutch is pressed. The Maruti Ciaz SHVS and Ertiga also use a similar technology (Suzuki Hybrid Vehicle System). These are mild hybrids at best, unlike the Camry, Prius and Accord which are proper hybrids, capable of pure electric mode for a short amount of time as well.