Massive Price Drop Of 1.75 Lakh Coming Soon To Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota HyRyder Hybrid SUVs

Hybrid car buyers in India could soon find themselves spending significantly less, thanks to a fresh wave of policy changes aimed at boosting adoption. In a first for the capital, Delhi’s newly unveiled EV Policy 2.0 will extend the same tax benefits currently offered to electric vehicles to strong hybrids as well. For buyers of models like the Maruti Grand Vitara and the Toyota HyRyder the result could be a price cut of up to Rs 2 lakh. Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, speaking at an event in the national capital yesterday, reaffirmed her commitment to put the new EV policy into law shortly.

Delhi’s Policy Shift Marks a First

This move is a notable departure from previous state policies, which largely ignored hybrids while focusing incentives on battery electric vehicles. Under the revised framework, both EVs and strong hybrid vehicles priced under Rs 20 lakh will be exempt from registration fees and road tax. It’s the first time strong hybrids have been officially recognised as part of the clean mobility transition in Delhi.

That recognition could have a real-world impact on affordability. In Delhi, road tax alone is currently pegged at 10 to 12.5 per cent for vehicles priced above Rs 10 lakh. Removing that charge means buyers could save anywhere from Rs 1.7 lakh to over Rs 2.2 lakh, depending on the model. Combine that with manufacturer offers, and the total benefit could be even greater.

Who Stands to Gain the Most

Cars like the Maruti Grand Vitara hybrid, with prices ranging between Rs 18.43 lakh and Rs 20.52 lakh, fall squarely within the eligibility bracket. So does the Toyota HyRyder hybrid (Rs 16.81 lakh to Rs 19.99 lakh).

Uttar Pradesh Showed It Works

Delhi’s policy echoes a move made earlier by Uttar Pradesh in July 2024. That decision led to immediate on-road price reductions across strong hybrid models. In some cases, prices dropped by over Rs 2 lakh. The Grand Vitara became more affordable by nearly Rs 1.98 lakh, and the City Hybrid saw reductions crossing the Rs 2 lakh mark. The HyRyder and Innova Hycross also became significantly cheaper.

More importantly, the UP incentive led to a sharp increase in hybrid vehicle uptake. Market share for strong hybrids reportedly tripled in the months following the change, indicating just how responsive buyers are to financial incentives.

Discounts Already in Play

These policy changes are landing at a time when many automakers are already offering generous deals. Maruti Suzuki is currently providing up to Rs 1.7 lakh in benefits on older Grand Vitara hybrid stocks, including cash discounts and exchange bonuses. Honda is pitching in with benefits worth up to Rs 65,000 on the City Hybrid.

With road tax and registration fee waivers added to the mix, strong hybrids may suddenly become a more cost-effective alternative to regular petrol automatics in the same price range, particularly when considering fuel efficiency figures of up to 28 km per litre.

Beyond Price: Why Hybrids Matter Now

This shift in policy signals growing acceptance of strong hybrids as an important step toward cleaner mobility. While electric vehicles represent the future, the present infrastructure limitations around charging mean hybrids offer a practical in-between.

Unlike mild hybrids, strong hybrids can drive short distances using electric power alone and deliver significant reductions in fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions.

Delhi’s stance could influence other states to follow suit. Combined with UP, the two markets represent a sizeable share of the Indian car market, and their support could accelerate the hybrid curve across the country.

What We Think

If you are considering a hybrid you now have more reason to act. The exact rollout date for Delhi’s EV Policy 2.0 is yet to be finalised, but indications suggest it’s ready for implementation. For those in Uttar Pradesh, the benefits are already live.

As the focus on cleaner technologies intensifies, hybrids may finally get the policy backing they’ve long lacked. For consumers, this could mean better options today, without waiting for the EV future to arrive.

Via MSN