Hyundai Tucson, Verna hybrid variants on the cards for next year

It looks like car-makers are keen on bringing hybrid technology in their portfolio after the issue of pollution by vehicles cropped up in India in the past months. Mahindra has launched the Scorpio Intelli-hybrid recently, while India's largest Maruti Suzuki has Ciaz and Ertiga with hybrid powertrain set up. According to reports, Hyundai is also planning to jump in to the bandwagon.

A report in ET Auto says Hyundai India is preparing hybrid variants of the Verna sedan and soon-to-be launched Tucson SUV for next year. Unlike the expensive cars that use electric motor to complement power from the petrol or diesel engine, the hybrid tech in the Hyundai models is expected to use engine start/stop system and brake energy recuperation. Apart from increasing the fuel efficiency, the techs are affordable. Hence it will not increase the price of the vehicle exorbitantly.

Hybrid vehicles also get tax exemptions from FAME scheme of the Central government that promotes hybrid and electric vehicles. Hybrid vehicles were also exempted from odd-even scheme in Delhi. Hence, investing in hybrid models is a sensible move from Hyundai.

A previous report also suggested that Hyundai India is mulling over bringing the Ioniq, the first dedicated hybrid car of the South Korean car-maker. Ioniq has been introduced in fully-electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains for global markets. Out of these, the plug-in hybrid is the most probable version to be made available in India. The Ioniq plug-in hybrid is powered by 1.6-litre GDI four-cylinder petrol engine producing 105bhp and 147Nm of torque in tandem with 60bhp electric motor.