Hybrid technology might be the way forward, but it may not offer as much driving enjoyment as an electric vehicle (EV). However, the infrastructure for EVs in India is still developing, and the current system can be unreliable and frustrating. Simply put, if you lack a personal charging station at home or work, owning an EV right now might not be practical. Obtaining a society NOC (No Objection Certificate) and managing the wiring harnesses and installation process can be quite complex. While India is making progress in EV infrastructure, before you test drive any EV, ensure you have access to a private charging bay under your control or a reliable shared charging option in your society. There are some great hybrid options like the Toyota HyRyder and Maruti Grand Vitara, which are essentially the same cars rivalling the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. [ As Published in My Sept 2022 Editorial Note ]
There’s currently a strong push to reduce GST on electric vehicles (EVs) in the sub-four-meter category, from 28% to 12%. However, EV infrastructure hasn’t seen significant improvement in the past 19 months. Faulty chargers and power supply issues remain common, adding to the frustration. While a tax cut on hybrids might slow EV sales initially, consumers accustomed to the range and quiet operation of EVs will likely become more open to fully electric options in the long run. Technological advancements are happening rapidly, with companies like Ultraviolette F77 offering impressive warranties for batteries of 8 lakh kilometres. While German luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) offer 8-year warranties, resale value for these cars (typically after 5-6 years) might remain uncertain due to the evolving technology. Many manufacturers worldwide are reevaluating their EV strategies as the path towards a fully electrified future by 2030 seems to have several challenges
