Hybrid Vehicles A Better and Cleaner Solution For India Than EVs

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Context:

A research by HSBC shows that India needs to embrace hybrid vehicles over the next 5-10 years on the way to full electrification.

In a Note to Investors: HSBC maintains that hybrid and compressed natural gas cars are a practical medium-term (5-10 years) solution for India from the perspective of decarbonisation while the country moves towards eventual electrification.
India Focus: India‘s electric mobility plan is largely focussed on battery electric vehicles replacing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles with the Centre offering clear tax incentives.
- Li-ion is seen as the most viable battery option for now.

Convergence: EV and hybrid emissions could converge after 7-10 years, if non-fossil power generation in India moves up to 44%.
- But even if India’s share of non-fossil fuels is 40%, hybrid vehicles will still release 8% less emissions than EVs, which will be half of the 16% of today by 2030.
Present status: The non-fossil share of power generation in India in FY23 was 26%, and the blended Indian power generation emission was 716g/kWh.
- Total (well-to-wheel) carbon emissions: for an EV it is currently 158 g/km, compared to 133 g/km for hybrid vehicles, which means that a hybrid vehicle is at least 16% less polluting than the corresponding EV.
- Total (well-to-wheel WTW) emissions, includes vehicle tailpipe emissions (tank-to-wheel, or TTW) and emissions from crude mining, refining, and power generation also.

HEVs are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors that use energy stored in a battery.
The vehicle is fueled with gasoline to operate the internal combustion engine, and the battery is charged through regenerative braking, not by plugging in.
Types: Hybrid cars vary in their extent of electric power usage, depending on whether the hybrid is a mild hybrid, series hybrid, or plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Advantages over EVs: Hybrid cars offer
- Better fuel efficiency
- Regenerative Braking: The battery is charged every time the brake is applied eliminating the need for external charging.

It is entirely powered from electricity and consists of one or more electric motors powered by a battery pack to propel the vehicle and is known as battery electric vehicle (BEV).
They use rechargeable battery packs to provide energy for their operation. The charging of these battery packs can be done from charging stations.

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News Source: The Indian Express

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