Maruti Chairman Says Hybrids Emit Less Carbon Than EVs: Here’s Why
Recently, the Uttar Pradesh government announced that it will be waiving off the entire road tax of all the strong hybrid vehicles. Following this, many industry experts have stated their thoughts. Amongst these is Maruti Suzuki’s Chairman, RC Bhargava. He recently made headlines with his statement that hybrid vehicles emit less carbon than electric vehicles (EVs) in the Indian context.
Hybrids are less polluting than EVs in India
In an interview with Business Standard, Bhargava welcomed the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government’s decision to waive registration tax on hybrid cars. He emphasized the need for multiple technologies to achieve carbon emission reduction goals. RC Bhargava’s statement centers on the source of electricity used to charge EVs in India.
He pointed out that 76% of India’s electricity is generated from coal, which negates the environmental benefits of EVs. In contrast, hybrid vehicles, which use a combination of internal combustion engines and electric power, emit less carbon because they do not rely solely on coal-generated electricity.
“The fact is that at present, hybrids emit lesser carbon despite using fuel than pure-play electric cars. That is because EVs have to be charged and 76 per cent of the country’s electricity is still coal-based and not renewables. This is in contrast to Europe, where the electricity generated is far cleaner, with 30 per cent coming from coal-based power. In India, the share of renewables in the last decade has gone up by 4-5 percentage points only,” Bhargava explained.
Bhargava’s viewpoint highlights a significant difference in the environmental impact of EVs in regions with varying energy mixes. In Europe, where only 30% of electricity comes from coal, EVs are a cleaner option. However, in India, the high reliance on coal means that hybrids, which use regenerative braking and internal charging technology, offer a greener alternative.
Bhargava’s Comments make sense
For those who may not be convinced, Bhargava’s comments stem from a broader perspective on achieving carbon neutrality. He has also stressed reducing dependence on imported oil. He believes that solely focusing on EVs is not a viable solution for India in the short term.
He has stated that instead, promoting a mix of technologies, including hybrids, compressed natural gas (CNG), biofuels, and biogas, is crucial. Maruti Suzuki, India’s largest manufacturer of passenger cars, currently offers two strong hybrid models: the Invicto MPV and the Grand Vitara SUV.
Despite not having entered the EV segment yet, the company is a strong advocate for hybrid technology. Bhargava has previously echoed similar sentiment. He has emphasized that India’s coal-dependent electricity generation makes hybrid vehicles a cleaner option than EVs, at least until the end of the decade.
UP Government’s Initiative
As mentioned earlier, recently the UP government took the decision to waive registration tax on hybrid cars, which has been a significant development. This move has resulted in substantial price reductions for hybrid vehicles in the state. For instance, the prices of models like Maruti Invicto and Toyota HyCross MPVs have dropped by up to Rs 3 lakh.
Meanwhile, SUVs like the Grand Vitara and Hyryder are now up to Rs 2 lakh cheaper. Bhargava has praised the UP government, stating, “The UP government action is the first instance where a state government has realized and acted on the fact that multiple technologies are required for reduction in carbon emissions and oil imports.”