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Despite the push towards full electrification, India’s automobile market currently reflects a similar adoption of both EVs and hybrid vehicles. While electric vehicles (EVs) have a wider range of models available, their market share stands at only 2.5%, even as hybrid technology is gaining traction as a practical alternative to EVs in India.
At Autocar Professional’s Future Powertrain Conclave, Vikram Gulati, Country Head & EVP, Corporate Affairs and Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said that Toyota’s early journey into electrification has fueled Toyota’s success in hybrid technology, with over 26 million electrified vehicles sold globally, primarily strong hybrids.
“When Toyota started its journey in 1996, we brought in an electric RAV4. It couldn’t take off due to the same hurdles we face today—charging infrastructure, time, and cost,” says Gulati. “Hybrid technology was born out of the need to optimize powertrains while avoiding these challenges. You could use just one-sixtieth of the battery capacity of a full EV, an optimized motor, and still gain the benefits of electrification—without the associated drawbacks.”
Gulati points out that in Europe, where geopolitical uncertainties have impacted the EV market, hybrids have continued to grow. “The reason hybrids are gaining traction is simple—they offer a clean, practical, and convenient green mobility solution. Moving forward, hybrids will play a critical role in sustainability, not just in reducing emissions but also in developing a strong local manufacturing ecosystem for electric powertrain components,” he adds.
While EVs remain the long-term goal for most companies, hybrid technology is seen as a sustainable middle ground in the transition to electrified mobility. With lower reliance on charging infrastructure and immediate reductions in emissions, hybrids present a compelling case for both automakers and consumers.
A Catalyst for Electrification
Anoop Bhat, Powertrain & XEV Design Head at Maruti Suzuki India, views hybrids as more than just a
transitional solution. Instead, he believes they will accelerate the adoption of electrified powertrains by supporting the supplier and development ecosystem. “To us, it’s not just a bridge,” says Bhat. “Hybrids are likely to accelerate the adoption of electrified powertrains much faster. From the perspective of an ecosystem—whether it’s suppliers or development—many parts and processes are common between hybrids and EVs. This overlap helps in streamlining production and making electrification more accessible.”
Bhat highlights that even in China, a country leading the global EV race, about half of the electrified powertrains are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). “Maybe hybrids are the bridge we need until energy decarbonization happens,” he explains. “Right now, if we talk about reducing carbon emissions, all electrified technologies—hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and EVs—help. But if we’re aiming for net zero, we won’t get there unless the energy grid itself becomes green.”
Under the current conditions, he says, hybrids can actually produce lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a daily basis than EVs. “A hybrid today has lower GHG emissions than even an EV,” he states. “That’s because India’s electricity grid still relies heavily on fossil fuels. Only when the grid becomes truly green will fully electric vehicles start delivering their expected environmental benefits.”
Hybrids as Performance Enhancer
Dr. Anshuman Awasthi, SVP, Head of Powertrain Engineering at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India, outlines how different types of hybrids serve various purposes. Hybrids are no longer just about fuel efficiency—they are increasingly being used to enhance performance and redefine mobility solutions, according to Dr. Awasthi.
Mild hybrids (P0) improve fuel efficiency in everyday vehicles, while high-performance hybrids (P3, P4) enhance sports and luxury models like the AMG series. He sees renewed consumer interest in hybrids, not just as an efficiency solution but as a way to support combustion engines effectively. “Hybrids Are Evolving—From Efficiency to Performance,” he said.
He said that the market is witnessing a renewed interest in hybrids as a supporting technology for internal combustion engines (ICEs). “The question is: What is the future use case? What trend am I seeing?” he asks. “Hybrids are making a comeback, not just for efficiency but as a complementary system for combustion engines. There is a growing customer interest in this direction.”
Awasthi also points to an emerging trend in China: Range Extender (REX) hybrids. “REX is essentially a reversed plug-in hybrid,” he explains. “In traditional plug-in hybrids, the combustion engine is the primary power source, with an additional 100 km of electric range. But in REX, it’s the opposite—the car runs mostly on electric power, while the combustion engine kicks in only when needed.” While this concept is already gaining traction in China, Awasthi remains uncertain about its potential in India. “Will REX become a discussion point in India as well? I don’t know yet. But what’s clear is that some companies are investing heavily in this technology.”
Hybrids Are Here to Stay
Hybrids aren’t just an interim solution; they are actively driving powertrain innovation, according to Dwarka Simili, Head of the India Propulsion Engineering Centre at BorgWarner. He believes that every aspect of a hybrid powertrain—from batteries to motors to power electronics—can be optimized for different applications.
“Every powertrain architecture can be optimized for a specific use case, whether it’s commercial vehicles or high-performance cars,” Simili explains. “This process fuels innovation in how we size battery systems, design motors, and develop power electronics.”
Simili dismisses the notion that hybrids are just a “temporary fix” on the way to full electrification. Instead, he sees them as a long-term part of vehicle development. “They are an active part of our ongoing technology optimization,” he says. “Whether it’s hybrid transmissions, power electronics, or motors, innovation in these areas will continue. The goal is to deliver greater value to customers in terms of performance, efficiency, and cost.”
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