Seven hybrid cars that you can buy in India

Globally, car manufacturers are working on bringing out cleaner and more efficient technologies to reduce the carbon footprint caused by them. Recently, Mini revealed their first new Cooper S E Countryman ALL4 plug-in hybrid. It is evident that hybrid technology is here to stay and we will be seeing more of it in the near future. Here is a look at the different hybrid options that are presently available in India

Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS

Price: Rs 7.73 lakh to Rs 9.54 lakh (ex-Delhi)

The SHVS or the Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki was first introduced in the Ciaz. In this premium sedan, the conventional alternator has been replaced by the integrated starter generator (ISG). This unit helps the motor crank up quicker and smoother than the regular model, while also making use of regenerative energy produced during braking or coasting reducing fuel consumption. This energy is stored in a lead acid battery that has a special patented chemistry which allows for the high rates of charging and discharging. Maruti Suzuki claims that the Ciaz SHVS delivers 28.09 kmpl.

Maruti Suzuki Ertiga SHVS

Price: Rs 7.19 lakh to Rs 8.71 lakh (ex-Delhi)

The Maruti Suzuki Ertiga SHVS is offered with the 1.3-litre diesel motor. Similar to Ciaz, this one too gets the ISG or Integrated Starter. It assists the motor during starting and also allows repeated starts and stops through the start-stop feature. The ISG makes use of the energy from regenerative braking that the vehicle produces during coasting and braking and the same is then stores in the lead acid battery. When the engine in under load, the ISG steps in with the power saved in the battery and then offers torque assist to the motor. The 1.3-litre DDiS 200 SHVS diesel Ertiga returns a claimed fuel efficiency of 24.52kmpl.

Mahindra Scorpio Intelli-Hybrid

Price: Rs 9.35 lakh to Rs 12.84 lakh (ex-Delhi)

In July this year, Mahindra launched the Scorpio Intelli-Hybrid based on the 2.2-litre mHawk version. The same was introduced in the 1.99-litre variant as well. In addition to the start-stop feature which is offered in Mahindra's mild hybrid offerings, this one also offers power assist and regenerative braking function. Powering the Intelli-Hybrid unit is a powerful 14V battery which runs an electric motor mounted on the engine. This electric motor has replaced the conventional alternator. It uses the power from the regenerated energy stored in the battery and augments the engine torque. It assists the diesel engine during overtaking manoeuvre by providing additional power.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Price: Rs 30.90 lakh (ex-Delhi)

Unlike the cars listed above, the Toyota Camry gets the hybrid in the true sense. The series-parallel hybrid system in the Totora Camry Hybrid makes 160PS with the 2.5-litre petrol engine mated to a 143PS electric motor. The combined system output is 205PS The Camry Hybrid comes with the brand's Hybrid Synergy Drive which helps change into electric or petrol drive mode. It comes with two drive modes. Eco and EV which allows the car to run off battery power for as long as possible. Toyota claims that the Camry Hybrid delivers a mileage of 19.16 kmpl

Honda Accord Hybrid

Price: Rs 37 lakh (ex-Delhi)

Powering the Honda Accord hybrid is a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 145PS of power at 6,200rpm and generates 175Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. Read our first drive review here. Mated to this motor is a the Honda E-CVT system. This unit, unlike the conventional CVT, uses two motors. The hybrid system makes use of two motors, to power the front wheels and to generate electricity. The propulsion motor that drives the front wheels is driven by an Intelligent Power Unit and is powered by a a 1.3kW Li-ion battery pack. he combined output of both the petrol and electric motors is 215PS. Honda states that the Camry Hyrbid returns 23.1 kmpl

Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid

Price: Rs 1.25 crore (ex-Delhi)

Volvo recently brought in the plug-in hybrid version of its flagship SUV, the XC90. It gets a turbocharged and supercharged, 2.0-litre, 320PS, direct-injection petrol engine that's coupled to an electric motor, which produces 83PS and 240Nm. The combined output is an impressive 407PS and 640Nm. The battery can be charged using a 110V or a 240V power outlet. The former will charge the battery in 12 hours while the latter charges the battery in six hours only. On a fully charged battery, the XC90 T8 hybrid can travel up to 32km in pure electric mode. This beast of an SUV delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 47.6kmpl.

BMW i8

Price: Rs 2.14 crore (ex-Delhi)

BMW's pinnacle of technological showcase is the i8. The front wheels are powered by electric motors running on Lithium-ion batteries while the rear set of wheels are driven by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol motor. The petrol motor has been sourced from the petrol variant of the Mini that produces an impressive 231PS and 320Nm. Adding to that, the electric motor makes 131PS and 250Nm. Charging the battery pack takes up to four hours and the charger requires a conventional three-pin plug. BMW states that the i8 is capable of reaching 0 to 100kmph in 4.4 seconds. The BMW i8 delivers a claimed fuel efficiency of 47.45kmpl