Considering the growing pollution concerns, the move towards hybrid cars is inevitable. Noticing this trend, several car manufacturers are now offering environment-friendly hybrid versions of their popular models. Add to it, the government is also doing it s bit in promoting the use of hybrid cars. For instance, special deals are offered by the government to support people buying hybrid cars. Some state governments, notably Delhi, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, have also reduced VAT and Road Tax on electric cars significantly or removed them completely.
So, if you are keen to know more about hybrid cars, here’s a quick rundown of their characteristics and features
- Dual engine: A hybrid car uses two or more engines, usually an electric motor and a diesel or petrol powered engine. The electric engine runs the car at lower speeds and the diesel or petrol engine powers it at higher speeds
- Fuel-efficient and environment-friendly: As hybrid cars are created using lighter materials, they require less energy to run. As a result, they have lower running cost and emit less CO2 into the environment.
- Regenerative braking system: When you apply brakes in a car, the vehicle dissipates heat which is then saved in the car’s battery for later use. With this system, the battery of hybrid cars is recharged each time you apply the brakes, thereby reducing the battery charging time considerably.
- Idle stop and start: If the car is idle for more than a couple of seconds, the engine is switched off automatically. It starts as soon as the driver presses the clutch is pressed, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of the car.
A hybrid car, because of its dual power sources and inherently different system, carries a higher price tag compared to regular petrol or diesel-run cars. However, it lowers your overall expenditure on fuel. The other aspect you would have to keep in mind before buying hybrid is the maintenance cost. As these cars are not yet commonplace in India, they would require specialist mechanics, which in turn, might increase the costs associated with maintaining a car.
Now that we know the features, let’s find out which hybrid cars are plying on Indian roads:
| Car Name | Features | Price (ex-showroom Delhi) |
Estimated EMI# |
| Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS |
|
Rs. 7.8 lakhs onwards | Rs 14,632 |
| Mahindra Scorpio Intelli-Hybrid |
|
Rs 10 lakhs onwards | Rs 18,813 |
| Toyota Camry Hybrid |
|
Rs 31 lakhs onwards | Rs 58,322 |
| Honda Accord Hybrid |
|
Rs 37 lakhs onwards | Rs 69,611 |
| Volvo XC90 Hybrid |
|
Rs 71 lakhs onwards | Rs 1,33,578 |
# Assuming the following: down payment of 10%; interest rate of 9.3% p.a.; loan tenure 5 years
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