This episode tackles one of the most polarising debates in mobility today: Are hybrids outdated or are they exactly what India needs right now? While policymakers and EV evangelists argue over the endgame, Indian car buyers have already voted with their wallets.
Hybrid sales have surged 150% in just two years, reaching over 1 lakh units in FY25 with only a handful of models on sale. EVs, meanwhile, continue to face headwinds from high costs, patchy charging infrastructure, and slower-than-expected adoption.
In this POV, we break down:
- Why hybrids are gaining traction without subsidies
- What buyer preference data really tells us
- How CAFE Phase-III norms (from April 2027) make hybrids critical for carmakers
- Why Toyota, Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai and Mahindra are doubling down on hybrid tech
- And why the road to full electrification in India may run through hybrids first
Hybrids may not be the final destination—but in a country as large and complex as India, they could be the perfect bridge technology: cutting emissions, reducing fuel imports, and easing consumers into electrification.
This is India’s hybrid moment. And it’s bigger than most people think.
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