Skoda eyes hybrid car launch in India to expand fuel choices

Skoda already has four models in India, including SUVs and sedans, but this is the first time the carmaker is mulling getting hybrid automobiles to the country.

Skoda Auto sees an opportunity to introduce hybrid vehicles in India, marking its first foray into hybrid cars in the South Asian market.

The company currently offers four models in India, including SUVs and sedans, but Skoda’s CEO Klaus Zellmer revealed plans to diversify with hybrid options.

Speaking at a conference in New Delhi, Zellmer said, “We also have something in between battery electric vehicles and purely combustion engine cars,” hinting at the introduction of hybrid technology.

Hybrids: A Bridge Between Gasoline and Electric

Hybrid vehicles offer significant fuel savings compared to traditional gasoline models by utilizing both electric motors and combustion engines. Toyota, a global leader in hybrid technology, already sells hybrid cars in India alongside its partner Maruti Suzuki.

However, the Indian tax structure poses a challenge, with hybrid cars facing a 43% sales tax, close to the 48% levied on petrol cars, compared to just 5% for electric vehicles (EVs).

India’s Push Towards Electric Mobility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has set ambitious goals to electrify the automotive industry, targeting 30% of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2030, up from 2% last year.

Despite this focus on EVs, hybrids remain an attractive option for carmakers in India. Hyundai Motor is considering launching its first hybrid in India by 2026, and Mahindra has expressed interest in hybrid technology.

Skoda’s Commitment to Sustainability

Zellmer emphasized Skoda’s commitment to India’s shift toward electric mobility, stating, “We are fully committed to India’s transformation to electric mobility… We want to be seen as the best selling EU brand in India, and by the end of this decade, we’re going to do that in a sustainable fashion.”

He also called for stable government policies to support this transition.