Zap into the Future: Hybrid Electric Vehicles in India

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) combine two energy sources: mechanical (ICE) and electrical. The size of a gasoline engine in HEVs is smaller than that in traditional vehicles. The combination of the two power sources helps achieve better fuel economy and performance.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles in India use efficient technologies such as regenerative braking that charges the battery by converting kinetic energy into electric energy. Many Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) have start-stop systems that shut down the ICE when idle and restart it when needed, thereby reducing idle emissions. According to recent forecast by Technavio, “The Global HEVs market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.53% over the period 2014-2019.”

If you want to avoid paying high cost fuel bills, then learn about the many electric vehicle manufacturers in India who manufacture hybrid cars. Norway leads the world market in manufacturing hybrid electric vehicles.

In a recent announcement by the Government of India, it has requested state governments to create an enabling environment that encourages use of hybrid electric vehicles in India, in their respective states. States are also being motivated for submitting pilot projects under FAME India scheme. Several states including Maharashtra, Karnataka etc. have submitted pilot projects. Government is pursuing with all the state Governments to extend concessional Road Tax and VAT on electric vehicles.

To encourage electric vehicle manufacturers in India and promote manufacturing of HEVs, the government put across some key points:

·         Create charging infrastructure for manufacture of hybrid electric vehicles in India

·         Offering concession in road tax and VAT for HEVs

·         Making provisions for charging infrastructure in planning Permission and Building by-laws

While there are many advantages of using HEVs, which is now in great demand and have outsold the industry predictions. The pricing factor of HEVs will soon change, considered now to be expensive than the gas cars. The pricing will change owing to increase in consumer demand, need for better comfort and style preferences and also as an emerging need to go environment conscious and friendly.

With fuel costs now at an all-time high, HEVs can help save you a lot of money, while doing less damage to the environment. They burn fuel cleaner and more efficiently. With technological advancements, it’s expected that HEVs will further cut down on emissions and thus reduce air pollution in the environment to a large extent.

“The government’s new scheme—Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India or FAME—can help promote these so-called green vehicles in the country. The idea intends to support the development of hybrid/electric vehicle market and its manufacturing ecosystem to achieve self sustenance.”

“Under FAME, the government will offer incentives on hybrid electric vehicles in India of upto Rs 29,000 for two-wheelers and Rs 1.38 lakh for cars. It will also spend a total of Rs 795 crore in the first two years. The government aims to bring 60-70 lakh electric and hybrid vehicles on Indian roads by 2020,” Financial Express reports.

In consideration of the limited reserves of conventional fuels and the rising demand in the automobile sector, it is imperative to find alternative sources of energy for transportation. Hybrid electric vehicles are all set to revolutionise the commuting experience for travellers, while protecting the environment. They are highly energy-efficient, cost-effective and can prove to be an excellent alternative to petrol/diesel/CNG-driven vehicles.