New Delhi: Days after the Delhi government notified its new Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy without incentives for strong hybrid vehicles, automobile major Maruti Suzuki has expressed disappointment, calling the decision “surprising”. The company said the final policy places strong hybrid vehicles on the same footing as diesel vehicles despite hybrids being a cleaner technology.
Maruti Suzuki welcomed the policy’s focus on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) but argued that strong hybrids deserve differentiated treatment because of their lower emissions and fuel efficiency. The company also reiterated its commitment to investing in multiple green mobility technologies, including flex-fuel, CNG, compressed biogas, hydrogen and electric vehicles.
Maruti raises concerns over policy change
Speaking during the company’s monthly media conference call, Rahul Bharti, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs at Maruti Suzuki, said the draft version of the Delhi EV Policy had proposed benefits for strong hybrid vehicles, but those incentives were removed from the final notification.
Bharti described the decision as unexpected.
“In the draft policy, there was some benefit for strong hybrids. It was very surprising that it was removed from the final policy, particularly because now strong hybrids and diesel are on the same platform,” he said.
He added that while Maruti Suzuki appreciates the government’s efforts to promote electric mobility, treating diesel and strong hybrid vehicles similarly does not recognise the environmental advantages offered by hybrid technology.
Company backs multiple clean technologies
Maruti Suzuki said it remains committed to pursuing a diversified clean mobility strategy rather than relying on a single technology.
Bharti highlighted the company’s investments in lithium-ion cells and electrodes used in strong hybrid systems.
“We have invested in lithium-ion cells and electrodes for making strong hybrids and will continue our efforts on all clean and green technologies, whether it is biofuels like ethanol, CNG, compressed biogas, strong hybrids and electric vehicles,” he said.
The company is also continuing research into hydrogen-powered mobility as part of its long-term sustainability plans.
According to Bharti, government policies should differentiate between cleaner technologies and conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles to encourage wider adoption of low-emission transport options.
CNG demand reaches record levels
Maruti Suzuki also shared encouraging figures for its compressed natural gas (CNG) portfolio.
The company said CNG vehicles accounted for a record 42 per cent of its overall sales in June, underlining growing consumer acceptance of alternative fuel vehicles amid rising awareness about cleaner mobility.
The strong demand reflects increasing interest among buyers seeking lower running costs and reduced emissions without switching completely to battery electric vehicles.
Flex-fuel push gathers pace
Apart from hybrids and CNG, Maruti Suzuki is preparing to expand its presence in the flex-fuel segment following the launch of its first flex-fuel model, the WagonR Bioflex.
Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer, Marketing and Sales, said the company believes flex-fuel technology can play a significant role in India’s energy transition.
“We believe that this is a technology which will help India in a long way. We will not be waiting for flex-fuel stations to come up because our vehicles can run on even conventional fuel also,” Banerjee said.
Flex-fuel vehicles are capable of operating on conventional petrol as well as ethanol-blended fuel, offering consumers greater flexibility while supporting the government’s ethanol blending programme.
Focus on building the ecosystem
Maruti Suzuki acknowledged that India’s flex-fuel infrastructure is still at an early stage. However, the company said it is prepared to invest patiently to encourage wider industry participation.
Bharti said the company is not expecting immediate commercial success from flex-fuel vehicles. Instead, its objective is to demonstrate confidence in the technology and encourage fuel suppliers, infrastructure developers and policymakers to build the necessary ecosystem.
He said market leaders have a responsibility to take the first step so that other stakeholders gain confidence to invest in supporting infrastructure.
According to the company, once fuel availability improves and infrastructure expands, flex-fuel vehicles could become a mainstream mobility option in India.
Conclusion
Maruti Suzuki’s comments highlight the ongoing debate over India’s clean mobility strategy, where multiple technologies are competing to reduce emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. While the company supports the Delhi government’s push for electric vehicles, it believes strong hybrids and other cleaner fuel technologies deserve greater policy recognition as India works towards a more sustainable transport future.