Can hybrid vehicles help you save more than EVs?

Subsidies on EVS reduce their upfront cost. There is no registration fee and road tax either

- Shipra Singh

Sales of electric vehicles (EVS), particularly cars, in India is gathering momentum. Government data, as per the parivahan website, show that 73,000 EVs have been sold this calendar year so far. However, concerns linger about the range, or the distance these EVs can travel in one charge, limited charging infrastructure and expensive insurance. Amid these concerns, there has been a spurt in sales of hybrid cars, particularly in the last two months. But are hybrids economical, as compared to EVS?

To be sure, a hybrid car works on both a fuel engine and an electric motor. Those looking to go green get lower emissions, as with an electric car, and better fuel efficiency while not having to worry about the charging cycles of the vehicle. But here's the catch. Strong hybrids in India currently start at about ex-showroom price of ₹17 lakh. In comparison, EVS come in affordable price ranges of below ₹15 lakh. MG Comet EV is the cheapest electric car in India starting at ₹7.98 lakh, ex-showroom price.

Hybrids come in three types-mild hybrid, plug-in and strong hybrid engines. In mild hybrids, the electric motor and the internal combustion engine (ICE) work together and the former gives a mild push to the latter. This means that the fuel engine does most of the work, resulting in lower efficiency. Take for example the Maruti Grand Vitara. The automatic mild hybrid variant offers a mileage of about 20 kmpl, as claimed by the company, while the strong hybrid variant promises a mileage of 27 kmpl. The mileage of a comparable petrol car from Maruti, say Brezza, is also about 20 kmpl, akin to a mild hybrid car.